Katherine Swynford: The History of Medieval Mistress

Katherine Swynford: The History of a Medieval Mistress

by Jeannette Lucraft

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	980 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	260 pages
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Katherine Swynford was a powerful and influential woman in medieval England. She was the mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and the mother of John Beaufort, the first Earl of Somerset. Her life was full of intrigue, scandal, and romance, and she played a significant role in the events of her time.

Katherine Swynford was born around 1350 in Hainault, now part of Belgium. Her father was a knight in the service of the Duke of Lancaster, and her mother was a lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Lancaster. Katherine grew up in the royal court, and she received a good education. She was intelligent, witty, and charming, and she quickly became a favorite of the Duchess of Lancaster.

In 1369, Katherine married Hugh Swynford, a knight in the service of the Duke of Lancaster. The couple had two children, Thomas and Margaret. However, Hugh died in 1371, and Katherine was left a widow at the age of 21.

After Hugh's death, Katherine returned to the court of the Duchess of Lancaster. She soon caught the eye of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, who was one of the most powerful men in England. John was married to Blanche of Lancaster, but he was deeply in love with Katherine. The two began a secret affair, and in 1372, Katherine gave birth to John of Gaunt's son, John Beaufort.

Katherine's affair with John of Gaunt caused a great deal of scandal. However, John was determined to be with her, and he eventually obtained a papal dispensation that allowed him to marry Katherine in 1396. The marriage was a happy one, and Katherine was a devoted wife and mother. She bore John of Gaunt four more children, Henry, Thomas, John, and Joan.

Katherine Swynford played a significant role in the events of her time. She was a close advisor to John of Gaunt, and she helped him to negotiate the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360. She also played a role in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. After John of Gaunt's death in 1399, Katherine continued to be a powerful figure in English politics. She was a supporter of her son, John Beaufort, who became the first Earl of Somerset. She also played a role in the marriage of her granddaughter, Joan Beaufort, to King James I of Scotland.

Katherine Swynford died in 1403 at the age of 53. She was buried in Lincoln Cathedral, next to her husband, John of Gaunt. She is remembered as a powerful and influential woman who played a significant role in the events of her time.

Legacy

Katherine Swynford's legacy is complex and controversial. She has been praised for her intelligence, wit, and charm, but she has also been criticized for her affair with John of Gaunt. However, there is no doubt that she was a remarkable woman who achieved great things against all odds.

Katherine Swynford left a lasting legacy in English history. Her descendants include the Beaufort family, the Tudor dynasty, and the Stuart dynasty. She is also the ancestress of many of the most famous people in English history, including William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Katherine Swynford's story is a fascinating one, and it is a story that continues to be told today. She is a reminder that even the most ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

Bibliography

* **Chaucer, Geoffrey.** *The Canterbury Tales*. Translated by Nevill Coghill. Penguin Classics, 2003. * **Given-Wilson, Chris.** *The Royal Bastards of Medieval England*. Routledge, 2014. * **Jones, Michael.* *The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors*. Viking, 2014. * **Ormrod, W. Mark.** *The Reign of Edward III*. Yale University Press, 2011. * **Prestwich, Michael.** *The Plantagenets: The Rise and Fall of a Dynasty*. St. Martin's Press, 2012.

Katherine Swynford: The History of a Medieval Mistress

by Jeannette Lucraft

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	980 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	260 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE