Hello everybody. I'm Rebecca, David's long suffering wife! I have been reading a novel about John of Gaunt & his three marriages.(Anya Seton's "Katherine"). He was the son of Edward III and he had a long affair, and eventually married Katherine Swynford. History gives John a bad reputation, but the novel favoured him more. Can anyone reccommend any good books about him, katherine & their 4 children? Or any books about katherine, her first marriage, first 2 children & home at Kettlethorpe? David seemed to think that one or two of you had interests in this period of English history, and might be able to help me out. Otherwise I would not be seen dead on a WWII forum! Many thanks Rebecca.
Hello Rebecca, you have my sympathies being married to David. :lol: This isn't quite my period of history, it's a little early for me, but I do know a little about it . Have you tried Googling 'Katherine Swynford', I had a quick look and there seems to be a Katherine Swynford society site, that might be of interest, or it might give you further information about books. I had a look on Amazon and they do have a book by Anthony Goodman called 'Katherine Swynford'. The review says that it is good but it is only 31 pages long....here's a link to the page. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 85-5886246 I hope that works. :roll: I'm sorry that I can't really be of further help, maybe Ricky knows something. "Wouldn't be seen dead on a WWII forum" Tsk! It's lovely here, everyone is very friendly.....and some can be very silly! I've had great fun. Roxy
I'd take offence, if you weren't married to a regular poster. Then again he is a rather obnoxious regular poster...
Grrr....I had to know more, I couldn't leave it alone! I found this site but I haven't checked it out... http://www.voy.com/29505/ Katherine/Catherine (No standardised spelling at that time) and John of Gaunt are featured in the book "Passage to Pontefract" by Jean Plaidy. Apparently it's not in as much depth as the Seton book....the Plaidy book is about *all* the Plantagenets in that time period. As far as I can make out there are no other books on Katharine. There are quite a few thesis (thesi? ) written about her, she is a very popular lady.....Dammit, you've sparked an interest, I'm going to have to read that book now, another one for my reading list! :roll: I've found out a few facts, you might already know them... Katherines sister, Philippa was married to Chaucer. Katherine is burried in Lincoln Cathedral with her daughter Joan (by John of Gaunt) This came about because her son, Henry Beaufort was Bishop there. The tomb was vandalised during the Cromwell era (Reformation). The marriage was unusual because it was an important royal marrying his mistress (unheard of at the time). Legitimation of their children by Pope and Parliament paved the way for Henry VII to later claim royal heritage. There is the supposition that Gaunt arranged the marriage of Katherine and Hugh after he had started the affair with Katherine. This acted as a smoke screen for their relationship. John of Gaunt is said to have influenced Chaucer.. the Troilus and Cresseyde is supposed to be about Gaunt and Katherine with Chaucer as Ponderus. The Pariament of Fowls represents his wife Philippa. Gaunt is said to have had affairs with Katherine and Philippa which could have been seen as incestuous, the church could have burnt him for that. On a side note, John of Gaunts armour is on display at the Tower of London, he is said to have been 6 ft 7in. If I can I will go and see that....I'm going up to London in August, I'm being paid to swan round the Tower and pose with tourists...life is good! <note to self> This is not your period of history.....LEAVE IT ALONE!!! :lol:
:roll: The posing with tourist bit is when I'm dressed in Medieval kit.....I don't want anyone getting the wrong impression of me! It's a dirty job but someone has to do it!
Now I've started on John of Gaunt......my reading list has grown again. I don't have time for this!!!!
Sorry, although I have studied odd bits about John of Gaunt (he was a rather disliked person...) I'm more of a 10th/11th/12th Century guy. However, it sounds like Roxy has become hooked, and I know she'll be a great help. As a warning, be careful with Jean Plaidy, she has a rather over-romantic view of historical characters.
Cheers Ricky I'm still searching.....no more novels or biographies though. Bother.....I've started looking at the clothes now. I'll never get away!
