Given at Mortimer History Society online conference on May 15, 2021
Overview: Between the two Welsh wars of the later thirteenth century, Edward I and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd conducted an extensive correspondence, centred on the question of the rights to Welsh, English and Marcher law, and the extent of the king’s jurisdiction. In this talk, I explore the royal side of this correspondence and reveal how the king’s letters were shaped not only by his need to respond to Llywelyn’s demands, but also by his need to speak to the audience of his parliamentary barons. I argue that royal letters to Wales can be seen both as diplomatic documents, and as political pronouncements for an internal audience.
Kathleen Neal is Lecturer in History at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She is a specialist in later medieval political culture and diplomacy, especially of England and its wider domains and diplomatic networks. You can learn more about Kathleen’s research on her university webpage, or follow her on Twitter @KB_Neal
Edward I and the Tale of Two Audiences
Paper by Kathleen Neal
Given at Mortimer History Society online conference on May 15, 2021
Overview: Between the two Welsh wars of the later thirteenth century, Edward I and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd conducted an extensive correspondence, centred on the question of the rights to Welsh, English and Marcher law, and the extent of the king’s jurisdiction. In this talk, I explore the royal side of this correspondence and reveal how the king’s letters were shaped not only by his need to respond to Llywelyn’s demands, but also by his need to speak to the audience of his parliamentary barons. I argue that royal letters to Wales can be seen both as diplomatic documents, and as political pronouncements for an internal audience.
Her latest book is The Letters of Edward I: Political Communication in Thirteenth-Century England.
Click here to learn more about the Mortimer History Society
Top Image: Erected at Westminster Abbey sometime during reign of Edward I, thought to be an image of the King. Wikimedia Commons
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