Although the number of lords in medieval Britain was only a small percentage of the total population, their prestige and influence far outweighed their numbers. In the last book written before his death, Sir Rees Davies explores the world these men lived in, examining how their households were run, their domestic routines, dress, diet and what happened when they went to war.
The Aristocracy in Medieval Times
The book is divided into eight sections: The higher aristocracy: identity and memory; display and magnificence; the lord at home; the lord at war; land, family and marriage; the sinews of aristocratic power; the agencies and agents of lordship; dependence, service and reward.
The authors begins by explaining who the greatest families in medieval Britain were and how they arrived at and maintained their exalted positions. The places where they families lived and their livestyles set them apart from everyone else. According to the author, it was essential for a medieval lord to continually display wealth and largesse in order to be respected both by his peers and by those who served him.
Throughout the book, Sir Davies uses examples from medieval documents in order to illustrate his arguments. For example, records state that John of Gaunt spent more than £100 on presents for his new-born nephew, including a silver ewer and money gifts, a huge sum in 1382.
Medieval Lords at Home and at War
The lords at home and at war chapters cover the full spectrum of a lord’s existence. The author explains how magnificent the homes of England’s wealthiest men were. Medieval wills and inventories are used to show the standard of furnishings, dress and food eaten in a wealthy household during the Middle Ages.
Many lords spent freely on hunting and falconry and their courts employed dozens of people devoted purely to providing pleasure and entertainment, including jesters, musicians and choristers.
An aristocrat spent much of his life in the company of others, with little privacy, even at night time. Early in this period, even the grandest lord was expected to sleep with everyone else in the household in the Great Hall of his castle. In the fourteenth century, Earl Thomas of Lancaster spent £7,500 in one year on food, drink, livery of robes and fees for servants and retainers, with a household of around 700 people.
Aristocratic Marriages in Medieval Times
In the final chapters of the book, Sir Davies explores how the medieval aristocracy maintained and improved their fortunes by inter-marrying with other wealthy families. A well-thought out marriage could improve the wealth and prestige of both families and secure their properties and wealth for the next generation.
Summary
Lords & Lordship in the British Isles in the Late Middle Ages is a thoroughly-researched book which presents a wealth of information in an enjoyable and accessible way.
In using contemporary documentation to illustrate his points, the author enlivens the text and makes his arguments easier to understand. A worthwhile and engrossing read.
Publication Details
Lords & Lordship in the British Isles in the Late Middle Ages, Sir R R Davies, edited by Brendan Smith, Oxford University Press, 2009
ISBN 9780199542918, 268 pages
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