Exploring Monarchy in Medieval Europe, 1000–1500

Elena Woodacre is Reader in Renaissance History at the University of Winchester. She is a specialist in queenship and royal studies and has published extensively in this area.Lucinda H.S. Dean is Senior Lecturer at the Centre for History, UHI. Her research expertise includes medieval and early modern ritual, ceremony, kingship, material culture, gender, and the life cycle.Simon Lambe is Associate Fellow of the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His academic background is in gentry and royal relations in late medieval and early Tudor England.Patrik Pastrnak is Associate Professor at Palacký University, Olomouc. He specialises in royal weddings, wedding journeys, queenship, and rulership in late medieval and early modern Central Europe and Italy.

“Exploring Monarchy is an informative and wide-ranging introductory resource for students and non-specialists alike. The book explores the many different forms monarchy could take across medieval Europe between 1000 and 1500, focusing on key aspects of royal power and authority, religion, counsel, warfare, succession, ritual and material culture. Spotlights throughout the text provide further insights into a range of primary sources and case studies. The book is especially suitable as a starting point for those who are new to the study of medieval history and want to find out more about kingship, queenship, and ruling families in the Middle Ages.”Emily Ward, University of Edinburgh, UK“This book will be essential reading for anyone beginning their quest to learn more about monarchy in Europe in the medieval period. It combines clear and knowledgeable exploration of the full range of themes through which rulership across Europe can be studied, bringing together rulers, their families and examples of the exercise and display of power, as well as some of the principal primary sources.”Paul Webster, Cardiff University, UK

• Introduction. Prologue: Setting Standards, Setting Goals: Kingship in the Early Middle Ages Theme One: Concepts of Rulership. 1.1. Types of Monarchy: Rulers and Frameworks 1.2. Types of Kingdoms: Defining the Boundaries of Medieval Europe 1.3. Types of Rulership: Kingship, Queenship, Co-Rulership and Corporate Monarchy 1.4. Monarchy and Religion. Theme Two: Exercising Authority 2.1. Powers and Prerogatives of the Monarch: Counsel, the Economy and the Law 2.2. The Nobility: Authority, Assemblies and Tensions 2.3. War: Martial Rulership, Chivalry and Rebellion 2.4. Peace: Diplomacy, Ambassadors and Intercession Theme Three: Dynasty and Succession 3.1. Succession: Law, Custom and Developing Frameworks 3.2. Marriage and Sexuality 3.3. Royal Children and Education 3.4. Illegitimate Children: Issues of Legitimacy and Illegitimacy of Authority. Theme Four: Ritual and Representation 4.1. Ritual and Ceremonial 4.2. Inner Court: People, Protocol, Encounter 4.3. Outer Court: Residences and Itinerancy 4.4. Material Culture: Patronage, Gift-giving, Exchange. Epilogue: Placing Medieval European Monarchy in a Global Context