England's Empty Throne : Usurpation And the Language of Legitimation, 1399-1422

Strohm, Paul; Watts, John (FRW)

ISBN 10: 0268041210 / ISBN 13: 9780268041212

Edité par University of Notre Dame Press, 2006

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N° de réf. du vendeur 4293330-n

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: England's Empty Throne : Usurpation And the Language of Legitimation, 1399-1422
• Éditeur: University of Notre Dame Press
• Date de parution: 2006
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0268041210
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780268041212
• Reliure: Couverture souple
• État de l'article: New

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Synopsis

After the dethronement and subsequent murder of Richard II, the usurping Lancastrian dynasty faced an exceptional challenge. Interrupting a long period of Plantagenet rule, Henry IV and Henry V needed not only to establish physical possession of the English throne but to occupy it symbolically as well. In this boldly revisionary book, Paul Strohm provides a new account of the Lancastrian revolution and its aftermath.

Integrating techniques of literary and historical analysis, he reveals the Lancastrian monarchs as masters of outward display, persuasively "performing" their kingship through a variety of novel ceremonies in a quest for legitimacy. He also describes far-reaching Lancastrian experiments in domination, including the proscription of prophecy; the enlistment of poetry as court propaganda; the extensive use of spies and informers; and, most ambitiously, the redefinition of treason to cover not only overt deeds but words and thoughts as well.

Strohm's account of the Lancastrian quest for legitimacy and the uses of symbolic power illuminates--indeed, recasts--our understanding of a period of unprecedented political upheaval.

À propos de l?auteur

Paul Strohm is Anna S. Garbedian Professor Emeritus of the Humanities at Columbia University and was previously J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford.