Gentry perceptions of violence in fourteenth-century England
This thesis is an examination of gentry perceptions of violence in fourteenth-century England. It is intended to demonstrate the potential for advancing studies of this nature by combining literary and legal evidence. It is also the aim of this thesis to advance understanding of late-medieval gentry violence by moving beyond focusing on one geographical area, and instead engaging in comparison of different counties, namely Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Cumberland. This enables an assessment of the impact of different local pressures on gentry perceptions of violence. Ultimately this investigation shows that there was little variety in terms of gentry perceptions of violence nationwide, despite differing local circumstances. Part One of the thesis begins with an introduction to elite society and the balance of power in fourteenth-century Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Cumberland. It demonstrates that these counties were sufficiently different to enable a meaningful consideration of how far local circumstances affected gentry perceptions of violence. The service engaged in by the sample gentry is then considered. This consideration shows that the sample gentry did not develop a clear preference for military
McLaughlin, Rhian Elizabeth
Gentry perceptions of violence in fourteenth-century England. This thesis is an examination of gentry perceptions of violence in fourteenth-century England. It is intended to demonstrate the potential for advancing studies of this nature by combining literary and legal evidence. It is also the aim of this thesis to advance understanding of late-medieval gentry violence by moving beyond focusing on one geographical area, and instead engaging in comparison of different counties, namely Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Cumberland. This enables an assessment of the impact of different local pressures on gentry perceptions of violence. Ultimately this investigation shows that there was little variety in terms of gentry perceptions of violence nationwide, despite differing local circumstances. Part One of the thesis begins with an introduction to elite society and the balance of power in fourteenth-century Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Cumberland. It demonstrates that these counties were sufficiently different to enable a meaningful consideration of how far local circumstances affected gentry perceptions of violence. The service engaged in by the sample gentry is then considered. This consideration shows that the sample gentry did not develop a clear preference for military
gentry perception violence fourteenth_century england examination gentry perception violence fourteenth_century england intend potential study nature combine literary legal evidence also aim_advance late_medieval gentry violence move_beyond focus_one geographical_area instead engage comparison_different county namely hampshire nottinghamshire enable assessment impact different local pressure gentry perception violence ultimately investigation show little variety term gentry perception violence nationwide despite differ local_circumstance part_one begin_introduction elite_society balance_power fourteenth_century hampshire nottinghamshire demonstrate county sufficiently different enable meaningful consideration far local_circumstance affect gentry perception violence service engage sample gentry consider consideration show sample gentry develop clear preference military