'Ceux de Guise' : the Guise family and their affinity in Normandy, 1550-1600
Despite their importance in. France and Europe in the sixteenth century, the Guise have received little archival study from historians this century. This thesis overturns the myths that have surrounded the family as a result of this neglect, and re-evaluates the political aims of the Guise. They were not confined in their interests to eastern France; they possessed lands in provinces as diverse as Provence and Brittany. Moreover, they were a family with a truly European strategy with concerns in Scotland, Italy and the Empire. The Norman lands of the Guise were the wealthiest possessions of the family and provided an important base for Guise intervention in Scotland. This thesis traces the development and dynamics of the Guise affinity in Normandy, composed of clients, servants and kinsmen. There was a volatile relationship between patron and client, and the Guise regularly sought the advice and opinions of their clients in council when formulating family strategy. This strategy was one primarily concerned with family interest and not blinded by devotion to religious dogma; the Guise protected their Calvinist kinsmen and employed Calvinist servants on their estates. The position of the Guise in the popular
Carroll, Stuart Michael
History
'Ceux de Guise' : the Guise family and their affinity in Normandy, 1550-1600. Despite their importance in. France and Europe in the sixteenth century, the Guise have received little archival study from historians this century. This thesis overturns the myths that have surrounded the family as a result of this neglect, and re-evaluates the political aims of the Guise. They were not confined in their interests to eastern France; they possessed lands in provinces as diverse as Provence and Brittany. Moreover, they were a family with a truly European strategy with concerns in Scotland, Italy and the Empire. The Norman lands of the Guise were the wealthiest possessions of the family and provided an important base for Guise intervention in Scotland. This thesis traces the development and dynamics of the Guise affinity in Normandy, composed of clients, servants and kinsmen. There was a volatile relationship between patron and client, and the Guise regularly sought the advice and opinions of their clients in council when formulating family strategy. This strategy was one primarily concerned with family interest and not blinded by devotion to religious dogma; the Guise protected their Calvinist kinsmen and employed Calvinist servants on their estates. The position of the Guise in the popular
guise guise family affinity normandy despite_importance france europe guise receive_little archival study historians century overturn myth surround family neglect re_evaluates political aim guise interest eastern france possess land province diverse moreover family truly european strategy concern scotland italy empire norman land guise wealthy possession family provide_important base guise intervention scotland trace_development dynamic guise affinity normandy compose client servant kinsman volatile relationship patron client guise regularly seek advice opinion client council formulate family strategy strategy primarily_concern family interest blind devotion religious dogma guise protect calvinist kinsman employ calvinist servant estates position guise popular