James Ross 
Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Duke of Ireland (1362-1392) 
The Rise and Fall of a Royal Favourite

The first full-length study of one of the most controversial figures of later fourteenth century England.


Robert de Vere was a close friend of the young King Richard II. He was accused of a wide range of political crimes and private vices by his opponents, the Lords Appellant. Defeated by them at the battle of Radcot Bridge in 1387, he died abroad in exile aged only 30. He was, in the eyes of many contemporaries – most notably the hostile chroniclers Walsingham and Froissart – and modern historians, a typical royal favourite: unmartial, immoral, self-seeking, and promoted and enriched far beyond what he deserved.


But what was a royal favourite, and what were the accusations made against them? This book investigates these questions across late medieval England, and assesses de Vere against contemporary criteria. Based on extensive archival research, this book shows there was more to de Vere than a grasping courtier. He had been Earl of Oxford since the age of nine, heir to a large landed estate, and had twice served in foreign wars. He also made a serious attempt to govern the English lordship in Ireland given to him by Richard. The findings here show him to be a far more rounded and complex figure than previously assumed.

Table of Content

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations


Introduction

1. Royal Favourites and their Opponents in the Later Middle Ages

2. Family Background and Early Career

– Minority

– Landed Inheritance

– Aubrey de Vere

3. Politics, Court and Patronage, 1381-5

– Robert and Richard

– Patronage

– Politics

– Royal Court and Household

4. Ireland, 1385-7

– The Grant of Ireland

– Resources

– The Duchy of Ireland: Military Forces and Administration

5. Downfall, Exile and Death, 1386-92

– The ‘Wonderful’ Parliament of 1386 to Summer 1387

– The Divorce

– Chester and the autumn of 1387

– The Battle of Radcot Bridge

– Exile

– Death and Funeral

6. Affinity, Regional Influence and Lifestyle

– Local Influence in East Anglia, Officials and Associates

– Lifestyle

Conclusion


Appendix: Known locations of Robert de Vere, 1385-7

Bibliography

About the author

JAMES ROSS is Reader in Late Medieval History at the University of Winchester, UK. He has published extensively on the late medieval nobility, kingship and political society.