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The History of England

davidcrowther1@btinternet.com

Part time History enthusiast.

Interests: Well, History, obviously. But also a dedictaed allottment owner, though at thre most important times it's difficult to get down there enough. Then very keen on walking, whether with the dog or something more major. Play tennis, bit of golf; armchair Rugby & cricket fan. Supported the Leicester Tigers since . . . a long time ago.

Recent Activity

Thanks Les - I'll pass the comment on!

Commented 4 days ago on 92a The Cult of Thomas of Lancaster at The History of England

Hi Les. The Dukes of Kent are quite late I think because they keep having an Earl of Kent for quite a while. But it's Edward III who will introduce the idea of having English Dukes - so we are quite close.

Commented 4 days ago on 94 The Reign of Isabella and Mortimer at The History of England

94 The Reign of Isabella and Mortimer

After Edward II's abdication in January 1327, England was ruled on behalf of the new King Edward III by Queen Isabella. But while Isabella probably wanted a life of respect, comfort and personal wealth Mortimer was hungry for power. This wasn't to be a story about the forces of life... Continue reading

Posted May 12, 2013 at The History of England

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The Richard's do seem to suffer a bit...though glorious RI...I have to say that I think RII probably was a stinker. Too full of himself by half... Yes! Jack the Ripper has to be a slum dunk. Easy one. Haig I think is a bit more difficult. I mean yes, millions of men under his control died in pain and agony. But like many others he was dealing with a situation that was completely new and they just didn't know how to deal with. So he's guilty of failing to find a world changing solution, but I don't see him as an evil man, just limited.

Commented May 8, 2013 on The most despised English historical figure at The History of England

Weeell, I have to say that the discussion has been pretty pro Richard III...on the lines of 'well it's hardly out of the ordinary in a pretty brutal age and otherwise he seemed like a good bloke. But happy for you to put him on the list...

Commented May 6, 2013 on The most despised English historical figure at The History of England

Hi Les - yes, I think you are right - the Spencers were a branch of the Despencer family. Every family's got some good genes somewhere! I have to say that I think you are right, the artist thought he had to give the guy something to celebrate! Made me laugh too...

Commented May 6, 2013 on 93 The Wages of Tyranny at The History of England

93 The Wages of Tyranny

With the fall of Lancaster, the Despencers were off the leash, and able to vent the full force of their avarice on England. Their power and Edward's inability to control them even came between the king and Isabella - so that after a diplomatic mission to France Isabella refused to... Continue reading

Posted May 5, 2013 at The History of England

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The most despised English historical figure

There's something of a debate going on at the moment on the History of England Facebook group about who's the most despised English historical figure. Here are the results of the jury so far ...Bloody Mary (rather unfairly I feel) leading the pack by a nose at the moment. .... Continue reading

Posted May 4, 2013 at The History of England

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Hi Aldan..interesting comment. I might argue about the phrase sub-par - given that good writers (e.g. Charles Dickens) manage to make it work, but I'm not about to argue that my skills as a novelist live up t that level! Anyway I asked a similar question of the Facebook group not too long ago, which suggested that English history is not so well known that there can't be an element of mystery about the outcome of each story, but I guess you point is, keep it within each podcast episode. I'll think on't, and thanks for the comment.

Commented Apr 28, 2013 on 92 The Fall of Lancaster at The History of England

92a The Cult of Thomas of Lancaster

Medieval man loved their saints. Remember the Anglo Saxons? Saints popping up all over the place. The Martyrdom of Thomas Beckett I suppose is reasonable, but cult of Simon de Montfort and bit more odd. Edward II, unpopular though he is, also had a period of saintliness. In this episode,... Continue reading

Posted Apr 28, 2013 at The History of England

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Excellent, thanks Matt.

Commented Apr 23, 2013 on 92 The Fall of Lancaster at The History of England

92 The Fall of Lancaster

Lancaster and Edward have been picking at each other for years. In 1322, things finally came to a head, and rebellion was out in the open. Lancaster must have had a fighting chance, but it all goes to show that the reign of Edward is essentially about a struggle between... Continue reading

Posted Apr 21, 2013 at The History of England

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Hi George, and thanks for getting in touch; I'm delighted that you are enjoying it! I look forward to your investiture as earl of Kent! - proud successor to Odo of Bayeux...it might be that all you can claim are the Earl's pence rather than land, but it's a start!

Commented Apr 15, 2013 on 91 The New Favourites at The History of England

91 The New Favourites

In the 1310's, Robert Bruce's ambitions grew - not simply content with throwing the English out of Scotland, or burning the north of England - he now wanted to establish his own Empire. And so his brother Edward was sent to invade Ireland, where he would face the king's friend... Continue reading

Posted Apr 7, 2013 at The History of England

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90 How to hold a parliament

The modus tenendi parliamentum is a very unusual document from around this time. It describes how parliaments should be held, but also includes a number of very interesting claims about the primacy of the commons. It's interesting for the procedures and atmosphere around parliaments - as long as we take... Continue reading

Posted Mar 31, 2013 at The History of England

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89 The Great Famine

For a long time we have been having a ball, economy wise - the medieval warm period, towns springing up all over the place, prices gently rising, population growing. So the Great Famine of 1315-1317 came as a terrible shock. Over 500-750,000 people died, as years of bad weather destroyed... Continue reading

Posted Mar 24, 2013 at The History of England

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Hi Sarah T. You are clearly a very nice person and, may I add, very discerning too..! Sorry for the gap.

Commented Mar 14, 2013 on 88 Politics, Scandal, Intrigue and Turmoil at The History of England

Hi Jennifer...yes I think you are right, we get the better part of the deal! Also, I suspect your average peasant didn't get any time off on said feast day, so our deal looks even better!

Commented Mar 6, 2013 on Feast Days in Medieval England at The History of England

88 Politics, Scandal, Intrigue and Turmoil

The period between 1308 and 1311 was dominated by the attempts of the barons to resolve the issues left unsolved from Edward I's reign; and by the scandal and disruption caused by the king's favourite, Piers Gaveston. The conflict and turmoil led to another constitutional shuffle forward with the powers... Continue reading

Posted Feb 24, 2013 at The History of England

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Ah hello Kathryn! Not at all, you have an amazing blog, I'm really enjoying it - and am rather indebted to it! Glad you didn't object to the 'chippy' bit... You might well have submitted a comment before; I have had to deal with a spam blizzard so had to add the daft log in approach.

Commented Feb 18, 2013 on 87 Scandal was brought upon the Kingdom at The History of England

The Ordinances of 1311

The Ordinances of 1311 Introduction The Ordinances were an attempt by the Barons to both resolve the problems and differences they had had with Edward I and which had continued into the new reign, and put an end to the crisis caused by Edward II’s reckless favouritism towards Piers Gaveston.... Continue reading

Posted Feb 17, 2013 at Documents in English History

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The Coronation Oath of Edward II, 1308

The Coronation Oath of King Edward II, 1308 The Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Winchelsea was still in France, since he was ill and had been in dispute with Edward I and the Pope. So the oath was administered by the Bishop of Winchester, assisted by the Bishops of Chichester and... Continue reading

Posted Feb 17, 2013 at Documents in English History

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87 Scandal was brought upon the Kingdom

This week, and introduction to Edward II, quite probably the most reviled king in English history. So this week he have a bit of a survey of how history has treated the lad, and the chroniclers that have given him his reputation. And then we kick of the reign. 87... Continue reading

Posted Feb 17, 2013 at The History of England

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86 Handing over

In 1305 two Scottish lords had a fall out next to the altar of a church in Dumfries. One them, Robert Bruce, resolved the argument by sticking a knife in the other, John the Red Comyn. Robert then raised the standard of rebellion and with the support of Robert Wishart,... Continue reading

Posted Feb 10, 2013 at The History of England

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Immortal words...I'm being repressed....Ber-wick, I mean really. We've even been there. He refused to retract, however...so there it is, Northumberland in closed to the lad forever.

Commented Feb 5, 2013 on 85 Crime and Punishment at The History of England

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