Biographical Collections

A Gentry Community: Leicestershire in the 15th Century c.1422-1485

Acheson, Eric

Published: 1992

Subjects covered: Leicestershire gentry

Synopsis: Examines the Leicestershire gentry as members of social, administrative and family groups with biographical notes on leading families.

 

England, France and Burgundy in the Fifteenth Century

Armstrong, C A J

Published: 1983

Synopsis: Collection of 15 articles by Armstrong, five in French, originally published between 1939 and 1976, on biographical and political themes, some are available for loan separately as papers.

 

Penguin Dictionary of Saints

Attwater, Donald

Paperback

Published: 1965

Subjects covered: Saints; feast days; emblems

Synopsis: Alphabetical listing of the lives and legends of more than 750 saints with the details of their feast days and emblems.

 

Medieval People (People in Period Series)

Bagley, J J

Published: 1978

Subjects covered: Richard Cely; Elizabeth Paston; Margaret Beaufort

Synopsis: 10 short biographies, showing how people from different social backgrounds lives and worked, including Richard Cely, Elizabeth Paston and Margaret Beaufort.

 

Medieval London Widows 1300-1500

Barron, Caroline M (Editor); Sutton, Anne F (Editor)

Published: 1994

Subjects covered: widows

Synopsis: Collection of biographies of individual widows showing how it is possible to find the details of their lives, especially as widowhood allowed them economic and legal independence.

 

Royal Brides: queens of England in the Middle Ages

Black, Edward L

Published: 1987

Subjects covered: Margaret of Anjou; Elizabeth Woodville; Anne Neville

Synopsis: Includes brief biographies of Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and Anne Neville, but no illustrations, no footnotes and rather too many quotations from Shakespeare.

 

Landed Society in Cumberland and Westmorland c.1440-1485: the politics of the Wars of the Roses

Booth, Peter W N

PhD Thesis, York Univ.

Published: 1997

Subjects covered: Nevilles; Richard of Gloucester; Wardens of the West March

Synopsis: A study of the role of the Nevilles and of Richard of Gloucester as Wardens of the West March and of the importance of localism in the governance of the far north-west.

 

The Dukes of York 1385-1927

Brooks, Graham

Published: 1927

Subjects covered: Dukes of York

Synopsis: Brief romantic biographies, based on traditional sources.

 

Locality and Polity: a study of Warwickshire landed society 1401-1499

Carpenter, Christine

Published: 1992

Subjects covered: gentry in Warwickshire;

Synopsis: On the nature and concerns of the gentry in Warwickshire with a chronological survey of political and social relationships among the land-owners; appendices list the local gentry.

 

The Office and Personnel of the Post of Bridgemaster in York 1450-1499

Carpenter, C E

MA Thesis, York Univ.

Published: 1996

Subjects covered: Bridgemaster in York;

Synopsis: Examines the history and function of the post of Bridgemaster, and the position of the bridgemasters in the civic and social hierarchy of York.

 

English Queenship 1445-1503

Chamberlayne, Joanna L

Dphil Thesis, York Univ.

Published: 1999

Subjects covered: Ideology of queenship; Margaret of Anjou; Elizabeth Woodville; Anne Neville; Elizabeth of York

Synopsis: A study of the ideology of queenship with special reference to Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne Neville and Elizabeth of York.

 

Fifteenth Century England 1399-1509: studies in politics and society

Chrimes, SB; Ross C D; Griffiths, R A

Hardback

Published: 1972

Paperback

Published: 1995

Subjects covered: 15th century political and social history; Henry VI; Edward IV; Henry VII

Synopsis: Seven papers on aspects of 15th century political and social history, including studies of Henry VI, Edward IV and Henry VII. Paperback version has a new introduction by R.A. Griffiths.

 

The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant

Cokayne, George Edward

Published: 1910-1959

Facsimile reprint

Published: 1987

Subjects covered: Holders of peerage titles

Synopsis: Standard biographical dictionary of all holders of peerage titles. Facsimile reprint is reduced size in 6 vols, the second edition (1910-59) is in 14 volumes.

N.B. Photocopies of entries is preferable to lending volumes.

 

The Last Plantagenets

Costain, Thomas B

Hardback

Published: 1962

Paperback

Published: 1973

Subjects covered: Plantagenet kings; Richard II; Richard III

Synopsis: Popularised account of the Plantagenet kings from Richard II to Richard III, concentrating on the two Richards.

 

The Perils of a Throne, or the lives of some boy princes

Edgar, J G

Subjects covered: Edward of Lancaster; Edward V; Richard of York; Edward Earl of Warwick

Synopsis: Includes Edward of Lancaster, Edward V and Richard of York, and Edward Earl of Warwick – traditional in tone. Undated, but Victorian.

 

The Private Lives of the Tudor Monarchs

Falkus, Christopher (Editor)

Published: 1974

Subjects covered: Tudor sovereigns

Synopsis: Extracts from letters etc., revealing the personal lives of the Tudor sovereigns – spelling modernised.

 

Historical Portraits 1400 to 1600

Fletcher, C R L

Published: 1909

Synopsis: Brief biographies, plus photographs of portraits of ‘persons celebrated in the history of Great Britain and Ireland’.

 

Royal Bastards of Medieval England

Given-Wilson, Chris; Curteis, Alice

Paperback

Published: 1984

Subjects covered: sexual and marriage customs; royal bastards

Synopsis: On sexual and marriage customs and the changing status of royal bastards, with brief biographies of some of them.

 

Two families in the Wars of the Roses

Goyder, Rosemary

Paperback

Published: 1974

Subjects covered: Pastons; Stonors

Synopsis: Story of the Pastons and the Stonors illustrates life in the late 15th century. From the ‘Then and There’ series for children.

 

King and Country: England and Wales in the fifteenth century

Griffiths, Ralph A

Published: 1991

Subjects covered: Henry VI; Richard Duke of York; Percy family; Neville family; Henry Tudor

Synopsis: Reprints of 21 articles on a wide range of biographical and historical topics, including Henry VI, Richard Duke of York, the Percies and the Nevilles, and Henry Tudor. Some are available as separate papers – see the Catalogue of Papers.

 

Kings and Nobles in the Later Middle Ages, a tribute to Charles Ross

Griffiths, Ralph A (Editor); Sherborne, James (Editor)

Published: 1986

Subjects covered: Richard III; Henry VII

Synopsis: Fifteen papers by colleagues of the late Prof. Charles Ross on themes relating to the crown and nobility, including items on Richard III and Henry VII.

 

The Making of the Tudor Dynasty

Griffiths, Ralph A; Thomas, Roger S

Published: 1985

Subjects covered: Tudor family; 15th century Tudors; Henry Tudor

Synopsis: Traces the Tudor family from their beginnings in North Wales in the 13th century to Henry Tudor’s victory at Bosworth, concentrating on 15th century Tudors.

 

Richard III: Loyalty, Lordship and Law

Hammond, P W (Editor)

Published: 1986

Subjects covered: Edward IV’s pre-contract; Richard as ‘Good Prince’; bones of the ‘Princes’

Synopsis: Eight papers from a symposium at Cambridge University in 1984; including studies of Edward IV’s pre-contract, Richard as ‘Good Prince’, and the bones of the ‘Princes’.

 

Memorials of the Wars of the Roses: a biographical guide

Hampton, W E

Published: 1979

Subjects covered: Church monuments and memorials of the Wars of the Roses

Synopsis: Geographical listing of church monuments and memorials to those who died during this period, with biographical detail.

 

The Plantagenets 1154-1485

Harvey, John

Hardback

Published: 1948

Hardback (revised edition)

Published: 1959

Paperback

Published: 1967

Subjects covered: Plantagenet kings

Synopsis: Brief lives of the Plantagenet kings from Henry II to Richard III. (Paperback is of the 1959 revised edition).

 

Profit, Piety and the Professions in Later Medieval England

Hicks, Michael (Editor)

Published: 1990

Subjects covered: Reynold Bray; Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex

Synopsis: Ten papers from a conference at Winchester in 1987 on Reynold Bray and Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex.

 

Richard III and his Rival: magnates and their motives in the Wars of the Roses

Hicks, Michael

Published: 1991

Subjects covered: Duke of Clarence; Sir Thomas Cook; Lord Hastings; Hungerford family; George Neville Duke of Bedford; 4th Earl of Northumberland; Duke of Somerset; Richard III; Woodville family

Synopsis: Reprints of 23 essays first published in various journals, including material on the Duke of Clarence, Sir Thomas Cook, Lord Hastings, the Hungerford family, George Neville Duke of Bedford,4th Earl of Northumberland, Duke of Somerset, Richard III and the Woodvilles.

 

Who’s Who in Late Medieval England 1272-1485

Hicks, Michael

Published: 1991

Synopsis: Brief biographies of about 200 people from all walks of life. (Volume Three of Who’s Who in British History).

 

Richard III: A Study in Service

Horrox, Rosemary

Hardback

Published: 1989

Paperback

Published: 1991

Subjects covered: Richard III

Synopsis: Study of Richard’s use of patronage, including biographical information on many royal servants to whom he was ‘good lord’.

 

Memoirs of King Richard the Third and some of his Contemporaries, with an historical drama on the Battle of Bosworth

Jesse, John Heneage

Published: 1862

Published: 1894

Subjects covered: Richard III; Battle of Bosworth; Margaret Beaufort; Henry VII; Elizabeth of York; Thomas Lord Stanley; Henry Lord Clifford

Synopsis: 1894 2-volume edition and 1862 single volume edition. Volume 2 includes brief biographies of Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Thomas Lord Stanley and Henry Lord Clifford.

 

Royal Murder Mysteries

Lamont-Brown, Raymond

Published: 1990

Paperback (large print)

Published: 1992

Subjects covered: Princes in the Tower

Synopsis: Includes a chapter on ‘The Princes in the Tower’ with a report of the TV trial.

 

Crown and Nobility 1450-1509

Lander, J R

Published: 1976

Subjects covered: Duke of York; Nevilles; Woodvilles; Edward IV; Duke of Clarence

Synopsis: Reprint of 10 articles originally published between 1956 and 1973, including items on the Duke of York, the Nevilles and Woodvilles, Edward IV and on the Duke of Clarence. See also, the Catalogue of Papers.

 

The Golden Longing

Leary, Francis

Published: 1960

Subjects covered: Joan of Arc; Margaret of Anjou; Richard III

Synopsis: Biographies of Joan of Arc, Margaret of Anjou and Richard III, written in a rather florid style.

 

Kings of Merry England from Edward the Confessor to Richard III

Lindsay, Philip

Published: 1936

Subjects covered: Richard III; Kings of England

Synopsis: Brief popularised biographies.

 

England in the Fifteenth Century: collected essays

McFarlane, K B

Published: 1981

Subjects covered: Sir John Fastolf; William Worcester; Wars of the Roses

Synopsis: 12 articles, first published 1944 to 1965, including studies of Sir John Fastolf, William Worcester and the Wars of the Roses.

 

The Princes in the Tower and the other Royal Mysteries

McNalty, Arthur Salisbury

Published: 1955

Subjects covered: Princes in the Tower

Synopsis: Includes the traditional account of the disappearance of the Princes.

 

The Tudors

Morris, Christopher

Published: 1955

Published: 1957

Subjects covered: Tudor monarchs

Synopsis: Studies of the characters of the Tudor monarchs and their impact on English history.

 

Crown, Household and Parliament in Fifteenth Century England

Myers, A R; Clough, Cecil H (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1985

Subjects covered: Margaret of Anjou; Henry VI; Elizabeth Woodville; Richard III

Synopsis: Reprints of 12 articles by Myers, including items on Margaret of Anjou, Henry VI, Elizabeth Woodville and Richard III; some are available as separate papers – see Catalogue of Papers Part One.

 

Princes of Wales

Palmer, Alan

Published: 1979

Subjects covered: Princes of Wales

Synopsis: Brief lives of all 21 Princes of Wales, including a chapter on ‘Three Prince Edwards’, the sons of Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III.

 

Richard III: Crown and People – a selection of articles from The Ricardian, Journal of the Richard III Society, March 1975 to December 1981

Petre, James (Editor)

Published: 1985

Subjects covered: Richard III

Synopsis: Covering Richard and his family, Richard and the nobility, friends and foes, sword and standard, king and country,  government and society.

 

Les Plantagenêts 1173-1973: brochure réalisèe á l’occasion des Fêtes Anglo-Angevins, Angers, Septembre 1973

Paperback

Published: 1973

Subjects covered: Plantagenets

Synopsis: Illustrated souvenir booklet celebrating the Plantagenets and the places connected with them (in French).

 

Property and Politics: essays in Later Medieval English History

Pollard, Tony (Editor)

Published: 1984

Subjects covered: Lord Hastings and the Honour of Tutbury

Synopsis: Nine papers given at a symposium at Reading University in 1983, including studies of medieval dowagers and Lord Hastings and the Honour of Tutbury.

 

Royal Mysteries and Pretenders

Poole, Stanley B R (Editor)

Published: 1969

Subjects covered: Princes in the Tower; Lambert Simnel; Perkin Warbeck

Synopsis: Includes chapters on the ‘Princes in the Tower’ and ‘Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck’.

 

Pretenders

Potter, Jeremy

Published: 1986

Subjects covered: Lambert Simnel; Perkin Warbeck; Pretenders to the throne

Synopsis: Pretenders to the throne, including chapters on Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck.

 

Medieval Women in Southern England

Reading University

Paperback

Published: 1989

Subjects covered: Medieval women

Synopsis: Reading Medieval Studies Vol. 15. Five essays including ones on women as executrices of wills, women in London and the Howard and De Vere women as victims of attainder.

 

Lancastrian Englishmen

Reeves, A C

Paperback

Published: 1981

Subjects covered: Sir John Pelham; Henry Lord Fitzhugh; Sir John Cornewaille Lord Fanhope; Adam Moleyns Bishop of Chichester; William Booth Archbishop of York

Synopsis: Lives of five 15th century careerists: three laymen, Sir John Pelham, Henry Lord Fitzhugh and Sir John Cornewaille Lord Fanhope and two churchmen: Adam Moleyns Bishop of Chichester and William Booth Archbishop of York.

 

Purveyors and Purveyance

Reeves, Compton

Paperback

Published: 1983

Subjects covered: Purveyors

Synopsis: A-Z listing with descriptions and dates in office of the purveyors (i.e. suppliers of goods and services to the royal household) from Henry IV to Richard III.

 

England in the Fifteenth Century: proceedings of the 1992 Harlaxton symposium

Rogers, Nicholas (Editor)

Published: 1994

Subjects covered: Richard III; Caxton

Synopsis: Fifteen papers on the religious, social and artistic history of the 15th century, including papers on Richard III and his overmighty subjects and on Caxton.

 

The Strife of the Roses and the Days of the Tudors in the West

Rogers, W H Hamilton

Published: 1890

Subjects covered: West Country families in the Wars of the Roses; Cheney family; Stafford family

Synopsis: Biographical accounts of West Country families in the Wars of the Roses, including the Cheneys and Staffords.

 

Patriarchy and Families of Privilege in 15th Century England

Rosenthal, Joel T

Published: 1991

Subjects covered: Scropes family; family of Ralph Neville Earl of Westmorland

Synopsis: Study of different family structures and organisation; the case studies of different families include much biographical information, especially on the Scropes of Bolton and family of Ralph Neville Earl of Westmorland.

 

The Wars of the Roses and the Lives of Five Men and Women in the 15th Century

Seward, Desmond

Published: 1995

Subjects covered: William Hastings; John De Vere; Margaret Beaufort; John Morton; Jane Shore

Synopsis: Account of the history of the period 1450 to 1499 from the point of view of the five: William Hastings, John De Vere, Margaret Beaufort, John Morton and Jane Shore.

 

Lives of the Bachelor Kings of England

Strickland, Agnes

Published: 1861

Subjects covered: William Rufus; Edward V; Edward VI

Synopsis: Lives of William Rufus, Edward V and Edward VI – traditional view.

 

Lives of the Queens of England

Strickland, Agnes

Published: 1841

Published: 1842

Published: 1843

Subjects covered: Margaret of Anjou; Elizabeth Woodville; Anne Neville; Elizabeth of York

Synopsis: First published 1840-48. Vol.3 1841and 1843. Vol.4 1842. Volume 3 includes Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and Anne Neville. Volume 4 includes Elizabeth of York. Traditional in tone.

 

The Romance of London: historic sketches, etc

Timbs, John

Published: c 1860

Subjects covered: Crosby Place, Shakespeare and Richard III; Sorrows of Sanctuary; Jane Shore, her true history

Synopsis: Includes ‘Crosby Place, Shakespeare and Richard III’, ‘Sorrows of Sanctuary’ and ‘Jane Shore, her true history’.

 

The Dragon’s Breed: the story of the Tudors from earliest times to 1603

Turton, Godfrey

Published: 1970

Subjects covered: Tudor family;

Synopsis: Popularised biographical account of the Tudor family.

 

The Knight and the Merchant

Uden, Grant

Published: 1965

Subjects covered: Anthony Woodville Earl Rivers; William Caxton

Synopsis: Story of Anthony Woodville Earl Rivers and William Caxton, and how their paths crossed despite the differences in their ages, upbringing and station in life.

 

East Anglian Society and the Political Community of Late Medieval England: selected papers of Roger Virgoe

Virgoe, Roger: Barron, Caroline (Editor); Rawcliffe, Carole (Editor); Rosenthal, Joel T (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1997

Subjects covered: gentry families in East Anglia; political events in East Anglia

Synopsis: Dealing mainly with gentry families and political events in East Anglia.

 

The History of Parliament: biographies of the members of the Commons House 1439-1509

Wedgwood, Josiah C; Holt, Anne D

Published: 1936

Synopsis: Biographies of all MPs, ranging from a few lines to over a page.

N.B. Photocopies of individual entries is preferred, as the book is very heavy.

 

Discovering Kings and Queens

Wickham, D E

Paperback

Published: 1973

Synopsis: Kings and queens from early times to the 20th century, giving places of birth and death and other places in Britain associated with them.

 

Historical Enigmas: comprising ‘Historical Whodunnits (1955)’ and ‘Enigmas of History (1957)’

Williamson, Hugh Ross

Published: 1974

Subjects covered: The Princes in the Tower; The Identity of Perkin Warbeck

Synopsis: Re-examines various historical mysteries, including ‘The Princes in the Tower’ and ‘The Identity of Perkin Warbeck’.

 

 

Banner image of King Richard III’s Book of Hours (MS 474f. 7v) reproduced by kind permission of Lambeth Palace Library.