1. f2014 medieval kings and queens
DESCRIPTION
A brief review of England up to the Tudor period with emphasis on the roles of queens. Some other important queens in Europe including Isabella, a descendant of Edward III and John of Gaunt.TRANSCRIPT
ENGLAND: AGE OF QUEENS
Queens and Kings: Medieval to Early Modern
Robert Ehrlich
Fall 2014
This Course
First of three projected semesters on Tudors and Stuarts using as background videos A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts with Professor Robert Bucholz
– Age of Shakespeare (Elizabeth to James I)– The Stuarts
Background
English ideas of self government, religious toleration (and intolerance) and individual rights that develop during this period influence the founders of the Untied States.
Background – 14th Century
The Black Death• The significant (33-50%) loss of population
was individually devastating but• The survivors saw increased demand for
labor resulting in the collapse of the feudal system
• Urbanization
Background -14th Century
• “Hundred Years War” with France• Edward III has too many surviving sons
Background – 15th Century
• End of “Hundred Years War”• Blame for the end: Weakness of Henry VI• All those descendants of Edward III vie for
power• Triumph of an outsider: Henry VII
Medieval Kings
Aesthetic provisions necessary in royalty. Need to put on a show. Role for Queen in that show.
Medieval Kings• Military leadership
– Personal– Alliances– Motivational
• Defensive – protective• Expansive – provide opportunities
Medieval Kings• Defender of the faith
– Endow churches & monasteries– Clerical appointments– Fight heretics– Crusades
Medieval Kings• Administrative and Judicial Leadership
– Appointment of proper officials – Fair taxation
• Choose wise advisors
Medieval Kings
• Succession– Father legitimate male children– Female children as diplomatic
tools
York Claim
Edward III
Clarence
Philippa Mortimer
Roger M.
Anne M.
York
Cambridge
Richard, York
Edward IV
Richard III
Selection of a Queen• Diplomacy - Connections• Public image – Social
Status• Looks
– Appearance of fertility– (blondes preferred)
• Virginity• Love (literary notion)
Medieval Queens• Succession
– Bear male children• Child rearing
– Wet nurses– Tutors– Councils
Medieval Queens
• Ritual– Marriage, coronation,
• Domestic Affairs– Intercessor– Patron
Medieval Queens
• Regency or Guardianship– In King’s absence– For minor children
Medieval Queens
• But not sovereign!
Also scripture saith, woo be that regynWhere ye a kyng unwyse or innocent;Moreovyr it ys right a great abusion,A womman of a land to be regent…
Political poem critical of the role of Queen Margaret, consort of Henry VI
Medieval Queens• But not sovereign!
The Proposition. To promote a Woman to bear rule, superiority, dominion or empire above any realm, nation or city is
A. Repugnant to nature.
B. Contumely to GOD.
C. The subversion of good order, of all equity and justice.
The First Blast of the Trumpet against the monstrous regiment of Women. John Knox, 1558
Salic Law
Salic Law
• Origin with Clovis (d. 611)
But of Salic land no portion of the inheritance shall come to a woman: but the whole inheritance of the land shall come to the male sex.
• Valois revival
Early Modern Queens & Regents
Isabella I of Castile (1474-1504)
Regents of France– Louise of Savoy (1515; 1525-26) – Marie de Medicis (1560-1574)
Influential (1575-1589)
Governors of the Netherlands
Margaret of Austria (1507-1515; 1519-1530)
Mary of Hungary (1531-1555)
Margaret of Parma (1559-1567)
English Strategies in Marriage
• Alliance or at least truce• Prevent aggression (i.e. against Gascony)• Young brides to adapt to the host culture
Queens from France• Richard II – (2) Isabel of Valois (age 6)• Henry IV – Joan of Navarre• Henry V – Katherine of Valois• Henry VI – Margaret of Anjou
– Dowry of Minorca and Majorca (not really controlled by René of Anjou)
– Give up claims to France
Marriage of Edward IV• Elizabeth Wydeville• Condemned by Richard III’s Parliament
– No banns– In a profane place; Not openly in front of a
Church; Contrary to the Custom of the Church• Declare all offspring illegitimate
– (Edward V, Richard of York, Elizabeth of York)
María of Castile Queen of the Crown of Aragon.
• Granddaughter of John of Gaunt• Husband, King Alfonso V (1416-58)
involved in Naples• Lloctinent general (Lieutenant General) of
Catalunya• Governed 1420 to 1423 and 1432 to 1453
The Remença crisis
• Serfs asked for redemption– Allowed to from syndicates to buy freedom
• Queen ordered manumission• Fought by nobles and state• On appeal, Alfonso revoked manumission• María resigned her lieutenancy
The First Effective Queen RegnantQueen of Castile
Isabella the Christian
Isabella of Castile
Ju a n a (Jo a n a)(1 4 6 2-1 5 3 0)
H e n ry IV th e im p o te n t(1 4 2 5-1 4 7 4)
Jo a na
Isa b e lla o f C a s tile(1 4 5 1-1 5 0 4)
A lfo n so(1 4 5 4-1 4 6 8)
Isa b e lla o f P ortu g a l
Jo h n II o f Ca s tile(1 4 0 5-1 4 5 4)
?
Isabella’s English Roots
Edward III
John of Gaunt
Catherine of Lancasterm. Henry III of Castile
John II
Isabella
Maria of Castile