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This book presents key texts relating to the political as well as to the broader socio-economic history of the reign of Edward II. Drawing on a wide range of narrative sources, especially the extensive chronicle accounts of the reign, the editors also introduce other important material, including parliamentary rolls, charters, court records and accounts. Together this gathering of sources allows the reader to navigate this troubled and eventful period in English medieval history. The volume is organised chronologically, guiding the reader from the moment of Edward II’s accession in 1307 until his removal from office in 1327 and his supposed death in the same year. The editors also introduce more thematic chapters throughout, addressing such key themes as royal finances and the state of the early fourteenth-century economy, the role of parliament, and political and military engagement with Scotland. In an introductory essay, the editors discuss previous historical work directed at the reign of Edward II and also outline the range of source types available to the historian of the reign. Each section of primary source is also introduced by the editors, who offer a contextual analysis in each instance.
unusually rich in one further group of candidates for sanctity, the ‘political’ saints; men whose claim to sanctity rested initially, and more or less exclusively, on their violent deaths in the course of a political conflict. The principal representatives of this group, who will receive more detailed attention in this paper, are well known: Simon de Montfort (died 1265), Thomas of Lancaster (died 1322), Edward II (died 1327), Richard Scrope, archbishop of York (died 1405), Henry VI (died 1471). It should not be forgotten, however, that there are other figures who fall
their families. The execution of Thomas of Lancaster soon provoked a sympathetic reaction amongst the population more generally; poems [ 37a ] and other forms of artistic expression, such as wall paintings, 10 celebrating his perceived sacrifice, his saintliness and his likeness to St Thomas of Canterbury, appeared fairly speedily. Though the author of the Vita Edwardi Secundi detected a moral lesson
detail for the reign ‘because their extraordinary bulk has terrified me’. 8 Tout was not the only historian of the reign to reflect upon the wealth of material that survives for the reign of Edward II, much of it not contained in the narrative sources. Half a century later than Tout, John Maddicott, in the preface to his study of Thomas of Lancaster published in 1970, also wrote that ‘much basic
—namely Simon de Montfort and Thomas of Lancaster, leaders in the Barons’ Wars of the mid-1260s and early 1320s, respectively. 19 Most notable about Cantilupe’s shrine at Hereford is its meteoric rise in the late thirteenth century, its prominence during the 1320s while baronial rebellion flared in the west, and then its precipitous decline. 20 All but forgotten—except by the indefatigable Friends of Hereford Cathedral—is that Bishop Thomas’ shrine competed on something like even footing for a while, with the royal-associated shrine of that other St Thomas, to which the
tormented but patient man with a crown of hay. 3 Pilgrims flowed into Gloucester Abbey, the fabric of which benefited from their donations [ 52b ]. 4 The cult, however, like that for Thomas of Lancaster, was highly criticised by Ranulph Higden [ 52a ] and was locally contained. The rumours were twofold and contradictory: that his death was murder and that he still lived. There is no doubt that Edward
) In the aftermath of the civil war and defeat of the supporters of Thomas of Lancaster at the battle of Boroughbridge (1322) the court of king’s bench was directed to sit in Lancashire. In addition to articles of inquiry aimed at those intent on undermining the proper functioning of the legal system, there are more general ones touching prises * and economic offences and investigating those who
the new lieutenant, Thomas of Lancaster, the king’s second son. In contrast to his previous visits, this trip was to mark the beginning of Janico’s permanent residence in the lordship. The general disposition of the grants made to Janico since October 1399 suggests that, following his marriage to Joan Taafe, his future was ultimately expected to be an Irish one, but it is equally clear that, while his run of luck at court held good, Janico was in no hurry to enter into this portion of his inheritance. In November 1399 he had obtained a royal licence to occupy all
from the royal court and leading political figures. In a number of important contributions, Maddicott has explored the ways in which English royal government in the thirteenth century was dependent upon a relationship with the English peasantry. Arising from his research on the early fourteenth-century magnate and chief opponent of Edward II, Thomas of Lancaster, Maddicott’s work has led him to discuss the ways in which lowlier members of society, including the peasantry, might be drawn into wider political processes as well as to reflect upon the kinds of
his chief northern estates and extended the construction of its castle, known as Pomfret Castle. Thomas of Lancaster was chief among the barons responsible for raising an army against Edward II’s favourite, Piers Gaveston, separating him from the king and sentencing him to execution. Between 1314 and 1318, after Edward’s disastrous defeat at Bannockburn, as steward, Thomas of Lancaster effectively ruled England until Edward gained new constituencies and reseized monarchical power, this time endowing the Despensers as his deputies. When Thomas of Lancaster rebelled