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POWER AND AUTHORITY IN PROVINCIAL ENGLAND: THE LORDS HASTINGS 1461-1546

Posted on:1985-12-16Degree:Ph.DType:Thesis
University:University of California, Los AngelesCandidate:KELLY, CATHERINE LOUISEFull Text:PDF
GTID:2476390017961118Subject:History
Abstract/Summary:
This dissertation argues that the power of the English aristocracy conditioned political development in the late-medieval and early-modern periods. Its hypothesis is that bastard feudalism had peaceful, cohesive uses and that the community of interest of the nobility and gentry which it facilitated continued undiminished into the sixteenth century. The Hastings family is a paradigmatic case.; The study begins with an examination of the family before their enoblement in 1461 and places them in the context of the political system as clients and retainers of the Duke of York. It proceeds with a description of William Hastings' political career and analyses why the king should have selected him to receive a large endowment of land and power. It demonstrates that Hastings was instrumental in subduing the Midlands counties. This study also permits a general analysis of a political system which was built on divided sovereignty and de-centralised power.; The dissertation argues that Edward IV inevitably failed to create a loyal, court-based royal affinity in the 1460s because of endemic factionalism and that he later accepted the traditional power structure of magnates based in their provincial bailiwicks. It describes how Hastings built his own following in the Midlands and identifies the reasons for the resilience of this type of socio-political organisation. This section closes with the rise of factionalism after the death of Edward, maintained his leadership of provincial society despite the loss of royal favour.; The study concludes with the resurgence of illicit retaining in the reign of Henry VIII. It illustrates, through the career of George Hastings, the continuity of magnate power and the crown's dependence on it to provide its foreign and domestic armies. The strength and coherence of Hastings' connection is demonstrated through his ability to pursue a decades-long, violent contest for power with his rivals, the Greys.
Keywords/Search Tags:Power, Hastings, Provincial, Political
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