Manchester University Press
1 Lordship and lawlessness in the palatinate of Lancaster, 1370–1400
Abstract
The palatinate of Lancaster provides a unique case in the study of 'bastard feudalism,' an opportunity to observe the operation of a lord's favor almost unrestrained by the exercise of royal power. This chapter examines the state of law and order in the palatinate of Lancaster under John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, in the light of the Commons' complaints. It seeks to assess the extent to which they were justified, and then use the conclusions derived from this local evidence to attempt a more general estimate of the nature and effects of 'bastard feudalism' in later medieval England. Intense competition and pressure for land, the ever-growing complexity of the law, the opportunities for manipulation and collusion, all seem more important causes of disorder than the deliberate lawlessness of the nobility. The palatinate should be ascribed to the endemic failure of medieval rulers to control their local agents.
Abstract
The palatinate of Lancaster provides a unique case in the study of 'bastard feudalism,' an opportunity to observe the operation of a lord's favor almost unrestrained by the exercise of royal power. This chapter examines the state of law and order in the palatinate of Lancaster under John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, in the light of the Commons' complaints. It seeks to assess the extent to which they were justified, and then use the conclusions derived from this local evidence to attempt a more general estimate of the nature and effects of 'bastard feudalism' in later medieval England. Intense competition and pressure for land, the ever-growing complexity of the law, the opportunities for manipulation and collusion, all seem more important causes of disorder than the deliberate lawlessness of the nobility. The palatinate should be ascribed to the endemic failure of medieval rulers to control their local agents.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Editorial note and acknowledgements viii
- Introduction 1
-
I. Lordship and service
- 1 Lordship and lawlessness in the palatinate of Lancaster, 1370–1400 17
- 2 Sir Richard Abberbury (c. 1330–1399) and his kinsmen 39
- 3 Communities of the county in later medieval England 68
- 4 Yorkshire justices of the peace, 1389–1413 81
- 5 Janico Dartasso 115
-
II. Political culture
- 6 Richard II’s views on kingship 139
- 7 Rumour, sedition and popular protest in the reign of Henry IV 154
- 8 Remembering Richard 183
- 9 Political saints in later medieval England 198
- 10 The Yorkshire risings of 1405 223
- 11 Civil war and rebellion, 1200–1500 246
- A bibliography of the published writings of Dr Simon Walker 263
- Index 269
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Editorial note and acknowledgements viii
- Introduction 1
-
I. Lordship and service
- 1 Lordship and lawlessness in the palatinate of Lancaster, 1370–1400 17
- 2 Sir Richard Abberbury (c. 1330–1399) and his kinsmen 39
- 3 Communities of the county in later medieval England 68
- 4 Yorkshire justices of the peace, 1389–1413 81
- 5 Janico Dartasso 115
-
II. Political culture
- 6 Richard II’s views on kingship 139
- 7 Rumour, sedition and popular protest in the reign of Henry IV 154
- 8 Remembering Richard 183
- 9 Political saints in later medieval England 198
- 10 The Yorkshire risings of 1405 223
- 11 Civil war and rebellion, 1200–1500 246
- A bibliography of the published writings of Dr Simon Walker 263
- Index 269
