Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham, and the Southampton Plot of 1415: a false conviction of treason? 

In August 1415, three conspirators were executed for their role in the Southampton Plot, an attempt to usurp Henry V. Although two of the plotter’s motives were clear, Dr Simon Payling of our 1461-1504 section explores how Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham’s intentions are harder to ascertain… The ‘Southampton Plot’, uncovered in the very final stages of Henry V’s preparations for the invasion of France … Continue reading Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham, and the Southampton Plot of 1415: a false conviction of treason? 

An unwilling ‘pretender’: reassessing the unfortunate career of Edmund Mortimer, earl of March (1391-1425)

Although heir presumptive to Richard II, Edmund Mortimer, 5th earl of March never took the throne after the Lancaster usurpation of Henry IV. Dr Simon Payling of our Commons 1461-1504 project investigates March’s claim to the throne and if his claim was something he even wanted to pursue… Both historical and contemporary verdicts on Edmund Mortimer, earl of March, have, with one notable exception, been … Continue reading An unwilling ‘pretender’: reassessing the unfortunate career of Edmund Mortimer, earl of March (1391-1425)

The ‘lost statute’ of 1427-8: how to solve a problem like Queen Katherine

In today’s blog Dr Simon Payling, senior research fellow for our Commons 1461-1504 project, returns to our recent blog theme of marriage. When Henry V died in 1422, making his infant son and namesake king, the romantic attachments of his widow, Katherine of Valois, became of chief parliamentary concern… Amongst the many problems bequeathed to the English government by the premature death of Henry V … Continue reading The ‘lost statute’ of 1427-8: how to solve a problem like Queen Katherine

‘The King’ and I

Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of the 1461-1504 section, reflects on the experience of acting as a historical adviser for the new Netflix movie ‘The King’. What makes good television? Certainly not the often humdrum details of historical reality with which the professional historian has to concern him or herself. It is thus an interesting experience to be invited to provide historical insights to the producers … Continue reading ‘The King’ and I

European diplomacy: the ‘double monarchy’ of England and France envisaged in the treaty of Troyes of 1420

Today, the new Prime Minister Theresa May makes her first diplomatic trip to meet her counterparts in Germany and France.  Here Dr Simon Payling, Senior Fellow of the Commons 1422-1504 section, blogs about parliament’s reaction to another major realignment in European relations, although in very different circumstances, Henry V’s attempt to unify the crowns of England and France in 1420… On 21 May 1420 Henry … Continue reading European diplomacy: the ‘double monarchy’ of England and France envisaged in the treaty of Troyes of 1420