Fourteenth Century England has quickly established for itself a deserved reputation for its scope and scholarship and for admirably filling a gap in the publication of medieval studies. The essays collected here present the fruits of the most recent research on aspects of the politics and culture of fourteenth-century England. Among the topics considered are the size and structure of magnates' households and retinues, Edward II's relationship with Piers Gaveston, court venues and the image presented by royal justice, the pattern of clergy ordinations, and the Despensers' patronage of Tewkesbury Abbey. Three essays deal with aspects of Richard II's reign, two reassessing the so-called `tyranny', and a third looking at the inter-relation of English and Irish politics. The final essays look at general but related themes, the administration of royal justice and the role of morality in the exercise of public office. NIGEL SAUL is Professor of Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London. CONTRIBUTORS: ALISON MARSHALL, ELIZABETH H. WILL, JOCHEN BURGTORF, DAVID ROBINSON, MARTYN LAWRENCE, PETER CROOKS, G.B. STOW, TERRY JONES, ANTHONY MUSSON, CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER.

A valuable volume of new work which makes a contribution to fourteenth-century history and, in particular, to rehabilitating the reputation of Richard II.'

Source: History