Books by Alexander R Brondarbit
Boydell & Brewer, 2020
The reigns of Edward IV and Richard III have long engendered fascination and debate, not least co... more The reigns of Edward IV and Richard III have long engendered fascination and debate, not least concerning the extent of the authority and power of key individuals surrounding the court at the time. This book examines the most influential men and women at the centre of their regimes: the political power-brokers. They served the king in matters of diplomacy, warfare, court ceremony, local government, and the attempt to keep order amid the ongoing crisis of kingship sparked by the Wars of the Roses. Their close royal association to the king led to rapid increases in their power and fortune. Among their ranks are well-documented figures such as the tragic "Kingmaker", Richard Neville, earl of Warwick, and the steadfast baron William, Lord Hastings. This volume however is also concerned to bring to the forefront lesser discussed figures, including Sir Thomas Montgomery, Edward's close friend whose career was remade by the Yorkist usurpation, and Sir John Fogge, one of the leading men of Kent who prospered under Yorkist rule, yet risked everything by rejecting Richard's right to rule.
Grounded on extensive archival research, this book offers a more detailed and nuanced image of the influence the power-brokers wielded and their place in the Yorkist state. It analyses the manifestation of their power and the manner in which they exercised their influence publicly and privately; and establishes their importance in the foundation, maintenance, and downfall of the Yorkist dynasty.
Articles by Alexander R Brondarbit
Royal Studies Journal, 2017
The events in the first phase of the Wars of the Roses that led to the accession of Edward IV to ... more The events in the first phase of the Wars of the Roses that led to the accession of Edward IV to the English throne in the spring of 1461 are well-established, yet Edward’s personality and activity before he became king have remained opaque to historical scrutiny. How much of a role did he play in seizing the crown? Was he a cipher of the Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick in the initial stages of his career? This paper will examine a rare signet warrant from Edward granting protection to the Lancastrian foundation of Eton College just days prior to his usurpation of Henry VI. By the date of the grant, Edward was already an accomplished military leader with a substantial ducal affinity; however, he was a relative unknown with little experience in national politics, overshadowed by his more illustrious cousin whom has been remembered as the ‘Kingmaker’. This paper will examine this little known document to illuminate Edward’s emerging political agency, placing the duke’s signet warrant within the context of earlier Yorkist rhetoric in order to contribute to a gap in scholarship pertaining to Edward’s agency prior to becoming king.
This paper examines the patronage activity of the Cinque Ports in the reigns of Edward IV and Ric... more This paper examines the patronage activity of the Cinque Ports in the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, expanding the scant literature on such practices in the south-east. Under the Yorkist kings, the ports' patronage intensified as political allies amongst the new ruling elite were sought by urban leaders to assist in acquiring royal favors that affected the economy and autonomy of the five ports. Despite their decayed economy, the co-operation within this unique confederation allowed each town to pool their resources together to provide gifts unrivaled by any other town at the time.
Royal and Elite Households in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, 2018
This paper examines royal household officials as intermediaries for third-parties in need of gran... more This paper examines royal household officials as intermediaries for third-parties in need of grants in the king's gift.
Hostage-Taking and Hostage Situations: The Medieval Precursors of a Modern Phenomenon, 2016
This paper examines the boom of royal hostage cases that occurred during the Wars of the Roses as... more This paper examines the boom of royal hostage cases that occurred during the Wars of the Roses as three different kings were taken by their captors on five separate occasions. Unlike noble hostages, kings were used by their captors to control the actions of a third-party. Furthermore, the difficulties each incident presented to the captor are explored in respect to the developing rationale for legitimately constraining the king.
Conference Presentations by Alexander R Brondarbit
In order to secure grants held in the king's gift, medieval English boroughs patronized leading m... more In order to secure grants held in the king's gift, medieval English boroughs patronized leading men and women amongst the gentry and nobility to act as intermediaries on their behalf. This paper examined the political power-brokers the burgesses cultivated, the return on investment they recipients provided, and changes in urban patronage strategies under the Yorkist monarchs.
This paper examined four cases of royal hostageship throughout the Wars of the Roses. It focused ... more This paper examined four cases of royal hostageship throughout the Wars of the Roses. It focused the norms of hostage taking and the difficulties captors faced in subverting the king's authority.
Invited Guest Lectures by Alexander R Brondarbit
John Wenlock (c1400-1471) inherited the manor of Luton from his ancestor William de Wenlock of Mu... more John Wenlock (c1400-1471) inherited the manor of Luton from his ancestor William de Wenlock of Much Wenlock in Shropshire who is buried in a magnificent tomb at St Mary's.
Following his rise in station at the court of Edward IV, John expanded his hold in his native community and was responsible for building nearby Someries Castle. He was a major benefactor of St Marys Church, paying for the grand renovations of what is now known as the Wenlock Chapel. This site was certainly intended to be a family mausoleum.
Yet Wenlock operated on a much larger stage than Luton. He was a leading figure of his generation, a diplomat, courtier, and soldier during the Hundred Years' War and Wars of Roses. His expertise on the battlefield led him to be involved in many military campaigns, from campaigns in France during the 1420s to his death at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.
A guest lecture on the origins and lasting impacts of the Wars of the Roses delivered to an upper... more A guest lecture on the origins and lasting impacts of the Wars of the Roses delivered to an upper-division medieval England course at CSU Fullerton.
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Books by Alexander R Brondarbit
Grounded on extensive archival research, this book offers a more detailed and nuanced image of the influence the power-brokers wielded and their place in the Yorkist state. It analyses the manifestation of their power and the manner in which they exercised their influence publicly and privately; and establishes their importance in the foundation, maintenance, and downfall of the Yorkist dynasty.
Articles by Alexander R Brondarbit
Conference Presentations by Alexander R Brondarbit
Invited Guest Lectures by Alexander R Brondarbit
Following his rise in station at the court of Edward IV, John expanded his hold in his native community and was responsible for building nearby Someries Castle. He was a major benefactor of St Marys Church, paying for the grand renovations of what is now known as the Wenlock Chapel. This site was certainly intended to be a family mausoleum.
Yet Wenlock operated on a much larger stage than Luton. He was a leading figure of his generation, a diplomat, courtier, and soldier during the Hundred Years' War and Wars of Roses. His expertise on the battlefield led him to be involved in many military campaigns, from campaigns in France during the 1420s to his death at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.
Grounded on extensive archival research, this book offers a more detailed and nuanced image of the influence the power-brokers wielded and their place in the Yorkist state. It analyses the manifestation of their power and the manner in which they exercised their influence publicly and privately; and establishes their importance in the foundation, maintenance, and downfall of the Yorkist dynasty.
Following his rise in station at the court of Edward IV, John expanded his hold in his native community and was responsible for building nearby Someries Castle. He was a major benefactor of St Marys Church, paying for the grand renovations of what is now known as the Wenlock Chapel. This site was certainly intended to be a family mausoleum.
Yet Wenlock operated on a much larger stage than Luton. He was a leading figure of his generation, a diplomat, courtier, and soldier during the Hundred Years' War and Wars of Roses. His expertise on the battlefield led him to be involved in many military campaigns, from campaigns in France during the 1420s to his death at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.
of Arms Manuscript M 9. Woodbridge, UK: D. S. Brewer, 2022. Pp. xv, 455; black-and-
white figures. $140. ISBN: 978-1-8438-4619-2.
doi:10.1086/728381