Princely Power In Late Medieval France

An in-depth study of coexisting social norms of princely power cutting across categories of hierarchy, gender, and collaborative rulership.

The essays in this volume portray the public life of late medieval France as that country established its position as a leader of western European society in the early modern world. A central theme is the contribution made by contemporary writers, chroniclers and commentators, such as Jean Froissart, William Worcester and Philippe de Commynes, to our understanding of the past. Who were they? What picture of their times did they present? Were their works intended to influence their contemporaries and what success did they enjoy? Other contributions deal with the exercise of political power, the relationship between the court and those in authority in far-flung reaches of the kingdom, and the role and status of the death penalty as deterrent, punishment and means of achieving justice.

The essays in this volume portray the public life of late medieval France as that country established its position as a leader of western European society in the early modern world. A central theme is the contribution made by contemporary writers, chroniclers and commentators, such as Jean Froissart, William Worcester and Philippe de Commynes, to our understanding of the past. Who were they? What picture of their times did they present? Were their works intended to influence their contemporaries and what success did they enjoy? Other contributions deal with the exercise of political power, the relationship between the court and those in authority in far-flung reaches of the kingdom, and the role and status of the death penalty as deterrent, punishment and means of achieving justice.

The emergence of the northern French county of the Perche, and the rise of the Rotrou family from obscure origins to princely power, 11-13c. This is the first modern account of the emergence of the northern French county of the Perche, and the rise of a relatively minor noble family from obscure origins to princely power. The Rotrou family ruled the Perche from aroundthe year 1000 until 1226. They took part in many of the most famous military engagements of the middle ages, from the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 to the recovery of territory from the Muslims in twelfth-century Spain. Theirinvolvement in crusading initiatives was told in the popular poetry of the day, and they came to number the kings of France, England, Aragon and Sicily, as well as the Holy Roman Emperor, among their kinsmen. This narrativeexplains the family's transformation and consolidation of its position in the context of a vibrant and expanding society in the years after 1000, looking at their territorial ambitions, construction of a feudal clientele and operation of lordship through female family. Dr KATHLEEN THOMPSON is Honorary Research Fellow, University of Sheffield.

A fresh introduction to the political history of late medieval France duing the turbulent period of the Hundred Years' War, taking into account the social, economic and religious contexts. Graeme Small considers not just the monarchy but also prelates, noble networks and the emerging municipalities in this new analysis.

A dozen essays extend and elaborate arguments that Jones, who is not further identified, advanced in the 16 essays of his 1988 The Creation of Brittany as to why the late medieval duchy of Brittany may be considered a largely autonomous state within the greater kingdom of France. Most began as conference papers or contributions to anthologies, and so were written for a variety of audiences and purposes. They are reproduced from their original publication 1986- 2000. Three are in French. The remaining in English consider such topics as the Capetians; Edward III's captains; Jeanne de Navarre, Duchess of Brittany and Queen of England (1368-1437); and aristocracy, faction, and the state in the 15th century. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

The Key to Power? studies the notion of ‘access to the ruler’ from a wide variety of perspectives and discusses its significance for the study of power relations in late medieval and early modern courts.