Anthony Goodman – författare

The re-assessment of the character and practice of medieval kingship is a lively academic subject. In the context of the later Middle Ages, interest has been focused on aspects of the subject such as discourse on the nature and purpose of rule, the conventions of co-operation between kings and communities, monarchy as spectacle, cultural expression of royal personality, and the fiscal basis of government. These are among the subject areas emphasised by the contributors to this re-assessment of Richard II. The contributors produce a rounded picture of his personality and rule by examining his contemporary reputation and key aspects of his policies. This study highlights the seriousness of the convergent problems affecting the exercise and of English kingship, and illuminates why the traditional and innovative panaceas attempted by a conventionally-minded prince resulted in his downfall. It is a study which positions the reign within the evolution of English kinship.

In this reassessment of Richard II, an outstanding group of international contributors re-evaluates the (frequently biased) evidence to create a new and rounded portrait of this fascinating and much maligned king. They investigate Richard's contemporary reputation and key aspects of his policies, covering topics which include: the conventions of co-operation between kings and communities; discourse on the nature and purpose of rule; monarchy as spectacle; the cultural expression of royal personality; and the fiscal basis of government. They highlight the seriousness of the problems affecting the exercise of kingship, and show how the traditional and innovative panaceas attempted by a conventionally-minded prince resulted in his downfall. It is a study which repositions the reign within he evolution of English kingship.

First published in 1990. The second half of the fifteenth century was one of the most turbulent periods of English history. Present popular knowledge of the bitter struggle for the throne between the rival houses of York and Lancaster derives largely from Shakespeare's history plays, which in their turn were coloured by Tudor propaganda, and most books on the Wars of the Roses have concentrated on politics and personalities. Discussion of military matters has hitherto been chiefly confined to colourful and sometimes fanciful accounts of the major battles, on which accurate information is scanty. The present work is a military history of the Wars of the Roses. In the first part is presented an overall view of the campaigns, from the first skirmishes of 1452 to the last campaign in 1497 and examines the general ship of the commanders in both camps. In the second covering military organisation- how armies were recruited, paid, fed, billeted, armed and deployed- the author shows that in a period of rapid change in European methods of warfare the English were not so old-fashioned as has sometimes been supposed. In conclusion he assesses the effects of the wars on society in general. The book makes extensive use of fifteenth century sources, both English and Continental, including chronicles, civic records and letters, and presents a vivid picture of the wars as they were seen and described by contemporaries.

The frontier or `marcher' societies flourished in the Middle Ages and their influence has lasted well into modern times. In this study of Anglo-Scottish relations and of border society, the contributors examine the infrastructure beneath societies which were permanently `organized for war'. They draw on Anglo-Scottish archival material to argue that the issues which feature in other frontier societies - acculturation and the creation of special institutions - appeared also on the Anglo-Scottish frontier. The book uses the celebrated Battle of Otterburn as a starting-point for a major reassessment of border society, challenging the view put forward in popular ballads that the borders were isolated and self-contained.

John of Gaunt (1340 -99), Duke of Lancaster and pretender to the throne of Castile, was son to Edward III, uncle to the ill-starred Richard III and father to Henry IV and the Lancastrian line. The richest and most powerful subject in England, a key actor on the international stage, patron of Wycliffe and Chaucer, he was deeply involved in the Peasant's revolt and the Hundred Years War. He is also one of the most hated men of his time. This splendid study, the first since 1904, vividly portrays the political life of the age, with the controversial figure of Gaunt at the heart of it.

Presents the history of the Wars of the Roses from the common soldiers' perspective. Historians have researched the motives and fortunes of kings, nobles and gentlemen in the Wars of the Roses, that bewildering sequence of rebellions fought between 1455 and 1485.

First published in 1971, The Loyal Conspiracy gives a detailed examination of the most critical years of the reign of Richard II, through an account of the careers of the Lords Appellant. These were the five great noblemen, ranging from Thomas of Woodstock, the King’s uncle, to Henry of Bolingbroke, later Henry IV, who rose in arms to restrain the activities of Richard II and his partisans in 1387. Anthony Goodman looks, too, at the origins, course and results of this revolt, and his study of these five nobles and the dramatic episode which united them briefly and reluctantly provides a novel and interesting interpretation of an important section of English medieval history. He directs new light on the personalities of Richard and the Lords Appellant, and also on the nature of the polity –it bases and tensions – in later fourteenth-century England. This book will be of interest to students of history and literature.

First published in 1971, The Loyal Conspiracy gives a detailed examination of the most critical years of the reign of Richard II, through an account of the careers of the Lords Appellant. These were the five great noblemen, ranging from Thomas of Woodstock, the King’s uncle, to Henry of Bolingbroke, later Henry IV, who rose in arms to restrain the activities of Richard II and his partisans in 1387. Anthony Goodman looks, too, at the origins, course and results of this revolt, and his study of these five nobles and the dramatic episode which united them briefly and reluctantly provides a novel and interesting interpretation of an important section of English medieval history. He directs new light on the personalities of Richard and the Lords Appellant, and also on the nature of the polity –it bases and tensions – in later fourteenth-century England. This book will be of interest to students of history and literature.

The frontier or `marcher' societies flourished in the Middle Ages and their influence has lasted well into modern times. In this study of Anglo-Scottish relations and of border society, the contributors examine the infrastructure beneath societies which were permanently `organized for war'. They draw on Anglo-Scottish archival material to argue that the issues which feature in other frontier societies - acculturation and the creation of special institutions - appeared also on the Anglo-Scottish frontier. The book uses the celebrated Battle of Otterburn as a starting-point for a major reassessment of border society, challenging the view put forward in popular ballads that the borders were isolated and self-contained.

John of Gaunt (1340 -99), Duke of Lancaster and pretender to the throne of Castile, was son to Edward III, uncle to the ill-starred Richard III and father to Henry IV and the Lancastrian line. The richest and most powerful subject in England, a key actor on the international stage, patron of Wycliffe and Chaucer, he was deeply involved in the Peasant's revolt and the Hundred Years War. He is also one of the most hated men of his time. This splendid study, the first since 1904, vividly portrays the political life of the age, with the controversial figure of Gaunt at the heart of it.

First published in 1990. The second half of the fifteenth century was one of the most turbulent periods of English history. Present popular knowledge of the bitter struggle for the throne between the rival houses of York and Lancaster derives largely from Shakespeare's history plays, which in their turn were coloured by Tudor propaganda, and most books on the Wars of the Roses have concentrated on politics and personalities. Discussion of military matters has hitherto been chiefly confined to colourful and sometimes fanciful accounts of the major battles, on which accurate information is scanty. The present work is a military history of the Wars of the Roses. In the first part is presented an overall view of the campaigns, from the first skirmishes of 1452 to the last campaign in 1497 and examines the general ship of the commanders in both camps. In the second covering military organisation- how armies were recruited, paid, fed, billeted, armed and deployed- the author shows that in a period of rapid change in European methods of warfare the English were not so old-fashioned as has sometimes been supposed. In conclusion he assesses the effects of the wars on society in general. The book makes extensive use of fifteenth century sources, both English and Continental, including chronicles, civic records and letters, and presents a vivid picture of the wars as they were seen and described by contemporaries.

It has long been recognised that clients with addiction problems need a skilled and thoughtful response when they come into contact with social services. However, students often find that policy and the law surrounding working with drug, alcohol and substance misusers can be complex and often unclear. This fully-revised third edition will help students cultivate the skills required to work effectively with clients and service users who misuse drugs and alcohol. There are clear introductions to the law and to social policy in this area, while the author considers how a holistic approach can be effective when working with this particular client group. Case studies and reflective exercises are used to draw out these key skills. The book also features sections on anti-oppressive practice with a focus on service user empowerment.   With this third edition comes new material on social work practice with alcohol misusers, making this book even more essential reading for students and practitioners who want to engage with clients who struggle with addiction.

 

A new account of the life and turbulent times of Joan, the wife of the Black Prince and mother of Richard II.Anthony Goodman's brilliant yet accessible scholarship draws in the reader in the most entertaining and vibrant way. He was one of our greatest historians of the later medieval period, whose warm humanity shines forth in his writing. He has given us, as a parting gift, the definitive biography of an exceptional, intriguing woman. I cannot recommend it highly enough. ALISON WEIRJoan Plantagenet (1328-1385), acclaimed in her youth as the "FairMaid of Kent", became notorious for making both a clandestine and a bigamous marriage in her teens and, in her thirties, a scandalous marriage to her kinsman, Edward III's son and heir, Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince. Despite these transgressions, she later became one of the most influential people in the realm and a highly respected source of stability. Her life provides a distinctive perspective of a noblewoman at the heart of affairs in fourteenth-century England, a period when the Crown, despite enjoying some striking triumphs, also faced a series of political and social crises which shook conventional expectations. Furthermore, her life adds depth to our understanding of a time when marriage began to be regarded not just as a dynastic arrangement but a contract freely entered into by a couple.This accessibly written account of her life sets her in the full context of her world, and vividlyportrays a spirited medieval woman who was determined to be mistress of her fate and to make a mark in challenging times.The late Anthony Goodman was Professor Emeritus of Medieval and Renaissance History at the University of Edinburgh. His numerous publications include John of Gaunt; The Wars of the Roses; and Margery Kempe and Her World.