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The story of the beautiful wife of the Black Prince and mother of Richard II.
It is 1372. The prince is dying, the king is in his dotage and the vultures are circling the throne. The heir is not to be the powerful duke of Lancaster but five-year-old Richard, half-brother of Alys's husband, Thomas Holand. Alys is the daughter of the earl of Arundel and does not care for her husband. She considers him dull, unambitious and a disappointment in every sense. She yearns for the young man to whom she was once betrothed. But her view of a golden past is shattered when her father dies and she learns of a monstrous deceit. Later when her husband's brother, John, is accused of murder, Alys offers to help despite her instinctive disgust at his wild and unprincipled behaviour. She has been warned of the dangers and thinks she knows how to protect herself but ultimately knows only half the story. From elegant riverside palaces to the wilds of the Yorkshire moors and a shabby upstairs room in a London tavern, An Illegitimate Affair is a tale of infidelity, deception and the true nature of love.
The essays collected here present the fruits of the most recent research on aspects of the history, politics and culture of England during the long' fourteenth century - roughly speaking from the reign of Edward I to the reign of Henry V. Based on a range of primary sources, they are both original and challenging in their conclusions. Several of the articles touch in one way or another upon the subject of warfare, but the approaches which they adopt are significantly different, ranging from an analysis of the medieval theory of self-defence to an investigation of the relative utility of narrative and documentary sources for a specific campaign. Literary texts such as Barbour's Bruce are also discussed, and a re-evaluation of one particular set of records indicates that, in this case at least, the impact of the Black Death of 1348-9 may have been even more devastating than is usually thought. Chris Given-Wilson is Professor of Late Mediaeval History at the University of St Andrews. Contributors: Susan Foran, Penny Lawne, Paula Arthur, Graham E. St John, Diana Tyson, David Green, Jessica Lutkin, Rory Cox, Adrian R. Bell
The fruits of new research on the politics, society and culture of England in the fourteenth century.
Fourteenth Century England has quickly established for itself a deserved reputation for its scope and scholarship and for admirably filling a gap in the publication of medieval studies. HISTORY Drawing on a diverse range of documentary, literary and material evidence, the contributors to this volume examine several inter-related topics on political, social and cultural matters in late medieval England. Aspects of both arms production and armigerous society are explored, from the emergence of royal armourers in the early fourteenth century to the social implications of later armour and armorial bearings. Another major focus is the church and religion more broadly. The nature and significance ...
Essays on a diverse range of topics, presenting the latest research on themes of gender, religion, warfare, the built environment and chronicle-writing of the period. This collection brings into dialogue scholarship on social, religious, economic, military and political history, offering exciting new insights into a range of topics, based upon meticulous research into published and unpublished archival records. Two studies reveal the influence of gendered norms and expectations at different ends of the social spectrum, one focussing on peasant women charged with extramarital sex known as leyrwite, the other on the martial achievements and expectations of Edward III. Several essays examine patronage, property investment and the built environment, with actors ranging from the papacy to religious guilds and members of the gentry. Further contributions provide new perspectives on conflict and violence: a re-examination of how the Peasants' Revolt was recorded in the Anonimalle Chronicle, a consideration of how armies were recruited at the time of civil war in 1321-22, and an investigation of the life and career of Henry Crystede, an Englishman fighting in Ireland.
Articles showcasing the fruits of the most recent scholarship in the field of fourteenth-century studies.
Essays offer a lively snapshot of important topics.
“Philip of Valois was marching towards Amiens with the war flag of France. The French king was preparing to fight. It was time for the King of England to settle matters with the Bavarian.” It is 1341 and Joan of Kent, the fourteen-year-old cousin of the King of England, is poised on the brink of marriage with the Earl of Salisbury's son. While plans are made for the king's continuing war against France, the families gather to celebrate the wedding. But the bride is in tears. For unknown to everyone, Joan has a secret and it is one so scandalous, so unspeakably shocking, that discovery could destroy this glorious marriage and place the lives of those Joan loves in danger. From the glitter...
This book investigates the agency and influence of medieval queens in late fourteenth-century England, focusing on the patronage and intercessory activities of the queens Philippa of Hainault and Anne of Bohemia, as well as the princess Joan of Kent. It examines the ways in which royal women were able to participate in traditional queenly customs such as intercession, and whether it was motherhood that gave power to a queen. This study focuses particularly on types of patronage, and also considers the importance of coronation, especially for Joan of Kent, who was neither a queen consort nor a dowager, yet still fulfilled some queenly duties. Crucially, the author highlights the transactional nature of the queen’s role at court, as she accumulated wealth from land, rights and traditions, which in turn funded patronage activities.