This thesis studies the formation of the earldom of Lancaster from disparate elements of confiscated honours, in particular the earldom of Leicester, seized by the Crown in 1265, and the earldom of Derby which passed to the Crown through the disinheritance of Robert de Ferrers in 1266. There are three main sections, A study of both earls, their history and the methods by which the Crown took their earldoms in order to re-grant them, in the form of an appanage, to Edmund of Lancaster (1267-96), Henry III's second son. It also analyses the attempts of their families to regain their patrimony. The honours of Tutbury and Leicester were extensive, thus the thesis concentrates on the lands of these honours which fall within the midland counties. The effects of the civil war upon the tenantry, and the holdings of both honours are studied to ascertain whether change or continuity is the overriding factor. The bond between lord and tenant is also examined. The second section deals with the last days of Thomas of Lancaster (1296-1322) and the Crown's confiscation of his lands; the earldom was faced with total abeyance. The third section studies the revival in the fortunes of the earldom under the management of Henry of Lancaster (1326-45). Through astute political manoeuvre and a defiant use of the power afforded him by his retinue, he regained the great majority of the lands over which Edmund of Lancaster had held sway. A further central theme examines the position of the widows involved in the confiscations: Eleanor de Ferrers, Eleanor de Montfort and Alice of Lancaster, Their difficulty in obtaining seizin of their dowers led to a corresponding lack of personal and financial security.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:674305 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Dobrowolski, Paula Bernadette |
| Publisher | University of Leicester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/2381/35545 |
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