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A new perspective on lordship in England between the Norman Conquest and Magna Carta.
Multiple lordship- that is, holding land or owing allegiance to more than one lord simultaneously- was long regarded under the western European "feudal" model as a potentially dangerous aberration, and a sign of decline in the structure of lordship. Through an analysis of the minor lords of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire during the long twelfth century, this study demonstrates, conversely, that multiple lordship was at least as common as single lordship in this period and regarded as a normal practice, and explores how these minor lords used the flexibility of lordship structures to construct localised centres of authority in the landscape and become important actors in their own right.
Lordship was, moreover, only one of several forces which minor lords had to navigate. Regional society in this period was profoundly shaped by overlapping ties of lordship, kinship, and locality, each of which could have a fundamental impact on relationships and behaviour. These issues are studied within and across lords' honours, around religious houses and urban areas, and in a close case study of the abbey of Burton-upon-Trent. This book thus contextualises lordship within a wider landscape of power and influence.
Multiple lordship- that is, holding land or owing allegiance to more than one lord simultaneously- was long regarded under the western European "feudal" model as a potentially dangerous aberration, and a sign of decline in the structure of lordship. Through an analysis of the minor lords of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire during the long twelfth century, this study demonstrates, conversely, that multiple lordship was at least as common as single lordship in this period and regarded as a normal practice, and explores how these minor lords used the flexibility of lordship structures to construct localised centres of authority in the landscape and become important actors in their own right.
Lordship was, moreover, only one of several forces which minor lords had to navigate. Regional society in this period was profoundly shaped by overlapping ties of lordship, kinship, and locality, each of which could have a fundamental impact on relationships and behaviour. These issues are studied within and across lords' honours, around religious houses and urban areas, and in a close case study of the abbey of Burton-upon-Trent. This book thus contextualises lordship within a wider landscape of power and influence.
Price: $130.00
Pages: 274
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: Boydell Press
Publication Date:
09 January 2024
Trim Size: 9.21 X 6.14 in
ISBN: 9781783277834
Format: Hardcover
BISACs:
HISTORY / Europe / Medieval, European history: medieval period, middle ages, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory
This is clearly an important book, which presents new and thought-provoking ideas on a substantial and much-debated topic, and does so on the basis of a notably deep engagement with a large body
of source material. It will be of great value not only to those thinking about lordship, but also about the social, legal and political histories of the period.
— ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
H. Boston réussit formidablement... à démontrer que la seigneurie multiple était... la forme standard du rapport seigneurial. Dans une démarche classique d'histoire économique et sociale... [elle] démontre que la seigneurie multiple était... peut‑être même la plus avantageuse pour ceux qui savaient savamment prêter plusieurs allégeances.
H. Boston succeeds magnificently in demonstrating that multiple lordship was, broadly speaking, the standard form of seigneurial relationship. Through a classic approach to economic and social history... she shows that multiple lordship was... perhaps even the most advantageous arrangement for those who knew how to pledge several allegiances intelligently.
— CAHIERS DE CIVILISATIONS MÉDIÉVALE
This well-researched study makes an important contribution to the field by showing in detail how local societies and individual feudal ties functioned in the Midlands during the 12th century. Thanks to its prosopographical approach, it offers a complete history of the lesser lords in the region.
Die fundierte Studie leistet einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Forschung, indem sie detailliert zeigt, wie lokale Gesellschaften und individuelle herrschaftliche Bindungen in den Midlands im 12. Jh. funktionierten. Dank dem prosopographischen Ansatz bietet sie eine vollständige Geschichte der niederen Lords in der Region.
— DEUTSCHES ARCHIVE FÜR ERFORSCHUNG DES MITTELALTERS
Although there has to be much prosopographical detail about the families being studied, at no time is the reader overwhelmed, as the style of writing is so clear and enlivened by nicely chosen turns-of-phrase, making this book a pleasure to read, as well as a significant contribution to an important topic of debate.
— MIDLAND HISTORY
of source material. It will be of great value not only to those thinking about lordship, but also about the social, legal and political histories of the period.
— ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
H. Boston réussit formidablement... à démontrer que la seigneurie multiple était... la forme standard du rapport seigneurial. Dans une démarche classique d'histoire économique et sociale... [elle] démontre que la seigneurie multiple était... peut‑être même la plus avantageuse pour ceux qui savaient savamment prêter plusieurs allégeances.
H. Boston succeeds magnificently in demonstrating that multiple lordship was, broadly speaking, the standard form of seigneurial relationship. Through a classic approach to economic and social history... she shows that multiple lordship was... perhaps even the most advantageous arrangement for those who knew how to pledge several allegiances intelligently.
— CAHIERS DE CIVILISATIONS MÉDIÉVALE
This well-researched study makes an important contribution to the field by showing in detail how local societies and individual feudal ties functioned in the Midlands during the 12th century. Thanks to its prosopographical approach, it offers a complete history of the lesser lords in the region.
Die fundierte Studie leistet einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Forschung, indem sie detailliert zeigt, wie lokale Gesellschaften und individuelle herrschaftliche Bindungen in den Midlands im 12. Jh. funktionierten. Dank dem prosopographischen Ansatz bietet sie eine vollständige Geschichte der niederen Lords in der Region.
— DEUTSCHES ARCHIVE FÜR ERFORSCHUNG DES MITTELALTERS
Although there has to be much prosopographical detail about the families being studied, at no time is the reader overwhelmed, as the style of writing is so clear and enlivened by nicely chosen turns-of-phrase, making this book a pleasure to read, as well as a significant contribution to an important topic of debate.
— MIDLAND HISTORY
Introduction
1. Multiple lordship: A quantitative analysis
2. Multiple lordship and the honour
3. Multiple lordship and religious patronage
4. Multiple lordship and urban centres
5. The Abbey of Burton-upon-Trent: A case study
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
1. Multiple lordship: A quantitative analysis
2. Multiple lordship and the honour
3. Multiple lordship and religious patronage
4. Multiple lordship and urban centres
5. The Abbey of Burton-upon-Trent: A case study
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index