Peter des Roches: An Alien in English Politics, 1205-1238

by Nicholas Vincent

Overview

This is the first biography of one of the wealthiest and most influential bishops of medieval Europe, who for a period of over thirty years exercised a degree of power over the thirteenth-century Plantagenet court second only to that of the king. The career of Peter des Roches and the activities of his fellow aliens are fundamental to an understanding of the process by which England and France developed as two separate kingdoms. The book also sheds new light on such hotly-debated issues as the role of aliens in English politics, the reception of Magna Carta, the loss of Normandy, and the constitutional and administrative developments of the reign of Henry III.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521552547
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/11/1996
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series , #31
Pages:	566
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.38(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. An alien abroad; 2. The reign of King John; 3. The Justiciarship; 4. Magna Carta and civil war; 5. The king's guardian 1216–19; 6. Decline and disgrace 1219–27; 7. Des Roches and the Crusade 1227–31; 8. The fall of Hubert de Burgh; 9. The coalition; 10. Des Roches in power; 11. The gathering storm; 12. The Marshal's war; 13. The fall of Peter des Roches; 14. The final years; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

"Nicholas Vincent is a scholar with deep knowledge of the sources for the Angevin period....It is testimony to his knowledge of record materials and chronicles that he could write a massive book on des Roches, who left no significant personal archive other than his official episcopal acta." Barrie Dobson, Albion

"This book is clearly written, resourcefully argued, and displays a nice sense of irony. The volume is also well produced....It is essential reading for those concerned either with the evolution of English national identity after the Conquest or with thirteenth-century English politics. Ecclesiastical historias can also profit from it, more than can be noted in a short review" Michael Burger, The Catholic Historical Review

"The book supplies a much-needed study of des Roches and a narrative of Henry III's "lesson in kingship"....While the author's diligence and judgement must be admired, readers can wish for a somewhat tempered enthusiasm." Albion

From the Publisher