As longtime readers of this blog know, I’ve mentioned Emily Sarah Holt a few times here. Holt, who wrote historical fiction in the nineteenth century, wrote one of the first novels about the Despenser family, In Convent Walls. Her novels aren’t for everyone–among other things, they’re intensely anti-Catholic, and most of her good characters are […]
Emily Sarah Holt, and the Despensers Meet Jane Austen Read More »
Whatever else one might say about Edward II, he was a generous uncle–at least to his favorite niece, Eleanor de Clare. Here’s some of his recorded gifts to her: 1308: 20 marks for her expenses while staying at Rockingham Castle (JCD) May 8, 1308: 10 marks for her expenses for her journey from Rockingham to
Thanks, Uncle! Gifts to Eleanor de Clare From Edward II Read More »
In the interest of equal time, here is the reign of Edward II told by Lolcats. Really, why buy one of those expensive biographies of Edward II when you can get the whole story here?
The Reign of Edward II, as Told by You-Know-Whats Read More »
This isn’t quite the Valentine that Isabella had in mind for Roger Mortimer, but maybe Edward II could modify it (courtesy of the Valentine Generator) for one of his good friends: To my Virile Roger, You are the knight of my armour. I want to shine with you more than any shield in the whole
Not Quite There . . . Read More »
Though Elizabeth Woodville was the first post-Conquest English-born queen consort, this was only through mischance. Had Edward III’s eldest son, known popularly as “the Black Prince,” survived his father, the prince’s English bride, Joan of Kent, would have become his queen. And Joan of Kent had a scandalous marital history that outdid Elizabeth’s. Joan, born
Joan of Kent’s Marital Misadventures Read More »
One of the little tidbits that I never got to use in either The Traitor’s Wife or in Hugh and Bess (coming out in a new edition later this year) is the fact that in 1344, yet another member of the Despenser family got into trouble. This time, it was Gilbert le Despenser, the third
What? A Despenser in Trouble? Read More »
No, not the type with flappers. I was Googling last night and was excited to find this book: Seals by Walter de Gray Birch. Here’s the seal of Eleanor de Clare, heroine of The Traitor’s Wife, and her second husband, William la Zouche. Eleanor’s, of course, is the second one. (Look at the end of
As promised, I was able to unearth the Christmas newsletter of Isabella, queen of Edward II and mother of Edward III, over the weekend. From the intimate tone of it, I suspect it was intended primarily for her female relatives in France rather than for general consumption._______________________ Wallingford, 1326 My, time has flown since my
Yet Another Medieval Christmas Newsletter Read More »
I should be working, but it’s still Thanksgiving weekend and I’m not inclined to be industrious. Fortunately, I came across this site some time ago (I think it was via someone’s blog, but I can’t remember the culprit) and decided finally that it was time to maximize its full potential. So here, without further ado,
In Which This Blog Descends Even Lower Into Silliness Read More »
Having seen Alianore’s post on the subject, it seemed improper to let the day go by without a brief tribute to Edward II’s favorite, Piers Gaveston, who was executed on June 19, 1312. (In medieval history, at least, June seems to have been quite the month for unjust executions.) It was a tragic end to
The Death of Piers Gaveston Read More »