Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Duke of Ireland (1362-1392): The Rise and Fall of a Royal Favourite
By James Ross
The Boydell Press
ISBN: 978 1 83765 194 8
This biography re-examines the life of Robert de Vere, the English nobleman best known as a childhood friend of Richard II. It investigates whether he truly deserved the reputation of a shameless sycophant that medieval chroniclers gave him.
Excerpt:
This study is designed to be a reappraisal of Robert de Vere. By approaching him in more depth than previously and in his context as a member of the titled nobility rather than just as a courtier and favourite, aspects of his career become more understandable. A close study of what evidence survives enables some accusations made by contemporary chroniclers, by the Appellants themselves, and by certain modern historians, to be proven inaccurate or false. It is not, however, designed to be a whitewash.
Who is this book for?
With his connection to Richard II, this biography of Robert de Vere will primarily be of interest to historians of that English monarch. It will also have broader appeal to those studying the politics and nobility of England and Ireland in the late 14th century.
“Ross has provided us with an array of new evidence detailing both the mundanity of estate administration and political activities on the national stage. In so doing he has given us a much more subtle portrait of the man. De Vere emerges from this study not as a favourite in the sense in which the term is traditionally used. He was not an interloper to English elite society, but he was certainly favoured by the king.” ~ review by David Green in The Medieval Review
The Author
James Ross is a Reader in Late Medieval History at the University of Winchester, where his research focuses on English history in the later Middle Ages. He has written other books and articles focusing on de Vere family.
Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Duke of Ireland (1362-1392): The Rise and Fall of a Royal Favourite
By James Ross
The Boydell Press
ISBN: 978 1 83765 194 8
This biography re-examines the life of Robert de Vere, the English nobleman best known as a childhood friend of Richard II. It investigates whether he truly deserved the reputation of a shameless sycophant that medieval chroniclers gave him.
Excerpt:
This study is designed to be a reappraisal of Robert de Vere. By approaching him in more depth than previously and in his context as a member of the titled nobility rather than just as a courtier and favourite, aspects of his career become more understandable. A close study of what evidence survives enables some accusations made by contemporary chroniclers, by the Appellants themselves, and by certain modern historians, to be proven inaccurate or false. It is not, however, designed to be a whitewash.
Who is this book for?
With his connection to Richard II, this biography of Robert de Vere will primarily be of interest to historians of that English monarch. It will also have broader appeal to those studying the politics and nobility of England and Ireland in the late 14th century.
“Ross has provided us with an array of new evidence detailing both the mundanity of estate administration and political activities on the national stage. In so doing he has given us a much more subtle portrait of the man. De Vere emerges from this study not as a favourite in the sense in which the term is traditionally used. He was not an interloper to English elite society, but he was certainly favoured by the king.” ~ review by David Green in The Medieval Review
The Author
James Ross is a Reader in Late Medieval History at the University of Winchester, where his research focuses on English history in the later Middle Ages. He has written other books and articles focusing on de Vere family.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
You can buy this book on Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts