Bibliograph

Mistress of the monarchy, the life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster, Alison Weir

Type

Label

Mistress of the monarchy, the life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster, Alison Weir

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [359]-375) and index

resource.biographical

individual biography

Illustrations

platesillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Mistress of the monarchy

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

232129161

Responsibility statement

Alison Weir

Sub title

the life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster

Summary

Historian Alison Weir brings to life the tale of Katherine Swynford, a royal mistress who became a crucial figure in the British royal dynasties. Born in the mid-14th century, Katherine experienced the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt, and crossed paths with many eminent figures, among them her brother-in-law, Geoffrey Chaucer. At age ten, she was appointed to the household of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and fourth son of King Edward III; at twelve, she married Hugh Swynford, an impoverished knight. Widowed at 21, Katherine, gifted with beauty and charms, later became John of Gaunt's mistress. Throughout their illicit union, John and Katherine were devoted to each other. In middle age, after many twists of fortune, they wed, and her children by John, the Beauforts, would become direct forebears of the Royal Houses of York, Tudor, and Stuart, and of every British sovereign since 1461 (as well as four U.S. presidents).--From publisher description

Classification