Category: Medieval

The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 14th Century history, 15th Century History, Henry IV, Medieval, Women and Parliament

A King’s Sister buried in a Shropshire church: Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV, at Burford

For Women’s History Month, Dr Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses the life of Elizabeth Lancaster, the sister of Henry IV, who demonstrated a degree of independence unusual for an aristocratic woman. It is surprising to find the sister of a King buried in a remote Shropshire church.  Henry IV’s sister, Elizabeth, in marked contrast to her elder sister, Philippa (d.1415), wife of King John I … Continue reading A King’s Sister buried in a Shropshire church: Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV, at Burford

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The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Local History, Medieval

The Tomb of Sir Richard and Eleanor Croft in Croft Church, Herefordshire

Sir Richard Croft’s career spanned the entirety of the Wars of the Roses; he was able to adapt and maintain his prominence under each new political rule. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project takes a look at his remarkable career and his commemoration in Croft Church. The tomb of Sir Richard Croft, MP for Herefordshire in the Parliament of 1478, and his wife, Eleanor, dominates the small church … Continue reading The Tomb of Sir Richard and Eleanor Croft in Croft Church, Herefordshire

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The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Henry VII, History of Parliament Trust, Legal history, Medieval, Religious history, Richard III

A last roll of the dice? Richard III’s pardon to John Morton, 16 August 1485

On 16 August 1485, King Richard III issued a pardon to an old adversary, John Morton, bishop of Ely. Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project, explores the issue that Morton posed to Richard and why he felt the need to offer Morton such an elaborate pardon. On 9 August 1485 Henry Tudor, titular earl of Richmond, landed on the Welsh coast near Milford Haven … Continue reading A last roll of the dice? Richard III’s pardon to John Morton, 16 August 1485

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Medieval, 15th Century History, 16th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Local History

The tomb of William Rudhale (d.1530), Queen Katherine’s attorney-general, in the church of Ross-on-Wye

William Rudhale had a successful career in the medieval legal profession culminating in his promotion to serjeants-at-law. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses the significance of the decoration on his memorial in the church of Ross-on-Wye. The church of Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire has a series of remarkable memorials, none more so than chronologically the earliest, that of William Rudhale, King’s serjeant-at-law, and his wife, Anne Milborne. The … Continue reading The tomb of William Rudhale (d.1530), Queen Katherine’s attorney-general, in the church of Ross-on-Wye

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The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Henry VI, Local History, Medieval, Military history

‘No deed of shame so foul’: the treachery of Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, and the battle of Northampton, 10 July 1460

On 10 July 1460 the Battle of Northampton was fought. This was a major battle in the Wars of the Roses and saw the Yorkist army reverse their previous misfortune. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses this dramatic battle. The ‘Wars of the Roses’ were notable for their striking reversals of fortune, but perhaps none was so extreme as that which occurred between the rout of … Continue reading ‘No deed of shame so foul’: the treachery of Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, and the battle of Northampton, 10 July 1460

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Medieval, 15th Century History

Beast from the East or Song of Solomon? The Coronation of King Henry V, 9 April 1413

While many coronations have been unlucky weather-wise, it is Henry V’s coronation that has gone down in history for its appalling weather. Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project, reflects… No series of blogs to mark the coronation of TM King Charles III and Queen Camilla would be complete without some comment on the weather – it is, after all, an English, as well as a … Continue reading Beast from the East or Song of Solomon? The Coronation of King Henry V, 9 April 1413

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Richard II, 14th Century history, Medieval

Preparations for the Coronation of Richard II

Continuing our blog series on coronations, Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project, reflects on the Coronation of the young King Richard II and the issue that hereditary roles had on the preparations for this Coronation. On 9 July 1377, a week before the day scheduled for the coronation of the ten-year-old Richard II, his uncle, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, discharged a task … Continue reading Preparations for the Coronation of Richard II

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History of Parliament Trust, Medieval

A Tribute to Professor Robert Palmer

In today’s blog we pay tribute to Professor Robert C. Palmer who’s work has had a large impact on the History of Parliament. Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project reflects on Professor Palmer’s incredible career. News has reached us of the death at the age of 76 of Professor Robert C. Palmer of the university of Houston, Texas. A specialist in medieval English legal history, … Continue reading A Tribute to Professor Robert Palmer

Hannes Kleineke6 Comments
Medieval, 14th Century history, Edward II, Military history

‘Oh! Earl of Lancaster! Where is your power, where are your riches, with which you hoped to subdue all?’ Thomas of Lancaster’s defeat at the battle of Boroughbridge, 16 March 1322

On this day 1322, Thomas, earl of Lancaster was defeated at the battle of Boroughbridge. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses the events that led to Lancaster’s defeat and how his execution prompted a cult-like following for Lancaster. Thomas, earl of Lancaster (b. c.1278), cousin of Edward II and for much of that King’s reign the leader of opposition to him, has proved … Continue reading ‘Oh! Earl of Lancaster! Where is your power, where are your riches, with which you hoped to subdue all?’ Thomas of Lancaster’s defeat at the battle of Boroughbridge, 16 March 1322

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Medieval, 14th Century history, Legal history

The capture and execution of Sir Robert Tresilian, chief justice of King’s bench, and the ‘Merciless Parliament’ of 1388

On the 19th February 1388, one of the most dramatic events of medieval parliamentary history took place. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project reflects on the capture and execution of Sir Robert Tresilian and the unusual circumstances surrounding it… The appropriately and contemporaneously named ‘Merciless’ Parliament of 1388 was among the most dramatic of medieval Parliaments, and the capture and execution of Sir Robert … Continue reading The capture and execution of Sir Robert Tresilian, chief justice of King’s bench, and the ‘Merciless Parliament’ of 1388

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