The Beauchamp earls of Warwick in the Later Middle Ages
Ensconced as sheriffs of Worcestershire since Norman times, the Beauchamps owed their earidom to a particularly fortunate marriage in the thirteenth century. Thereafter, they, like other magnate families, owed their increasing prosperity to marriage alliance and to royal service, found wanting only when the Crown itself exhibited weakness. Though virtually all the Beauchamp earls belonged to the later middle ages, the chance survival of their records and other factors have dictated that emphasis be laid on their history after 1369 and that, within that period, a personal bias be given to the life of the fifth earl. The balance has been redressed, however, by the discussion of other aspects not confined to the years 1401-39. The fourth earl's disgrace in 1397 marked the nadir of Beauchamp fortunes, a situation reversed by the advent of Henry IV. The beginning of the Lancastrian regime practically coincided with the majority of Earl Richard, who oversaw the recovery and expansion of the family's wealth and influence and prepared the way for their short-lived dukedom. This was extinguished, along with their earldom, on the failure of the male line in 1446. Detailed attention is given to the estate administration
Sinclair, Alexandra Frances Jane
History
The Beauchamp earls of Warwick in the Later Middle Ages. Ensconced as sheriffs of Worcestershire since Norman times, the Beauchamps owed their earidom to a particularly fortunate marriage in the thirteenth century. Thereafter, they, like other magnate families, owed their increasing prosperity to marriage alliance and to royal service, found wanting only when the Crown itself exhibited weakness. Though virtually all the Beauchamp earls belonged to the later middle ages, the chance survival of their records and other factors have dictated that emphasis be laid on their history after 1369 and that, within that period, a personal bias be given to the life of the fifth earl. The balance has been redressed, however, by the discussion of other aspects not confined to the years 1401-39. The fourth earl's disgrace in 1397 marked the nadir of Beauchamp fortunes, a situation reversed by the advent of Henry IV. The beginning of the Lancastrian regime practically coincided with the majority of Earl Richard, who oversaw the recovery and expansion of the family's wealth and influence and prepared the way for their short-lived dukedom. This was extinguished, along with their earldom, on the failure of the male line in 1446. Detailed attention is given to the estate administration
earls later middle_ages sheriff since norman time owe particularly marriage thereafter like magnate family owe increase prosperity marriage alliance royal service find want crown exhibit weakness though virtually earl belong chance survival record factor dictate emphasis laid history within period personal bias give life fifth earl balance redress however discussion aspect confine fourth earl mark fortune situation reverse advent henry begin lancastrian regime practically coincide majority earl recovery expansion family wealth influence prepared way short_lived extinguish along earldom failure male line detailed attention_give estate administration