Bosworth Field 1485

The dynastic conflicts between the families of York and Lancaster were ultimately decided on the 22nd August 1485.  Perhaps no other single battle has risen to the top from which Medieval England was transformed to Tudor England.

The Wordsworth Military Library published the book titled: "Bosworth Field & The Wars of The Roses", by A.L. Rowse.  [Cover shown above.]  The author states in his preface that history should be view as "...an important branch of literature."  A good read it is.

Of course, the Welsh were deeply involved in the advancement of the Tudor cause.  My own family history is interwoven here, and its story is wrapped among these pages of history.  [Owen Tudor had a little bit to say about all this Welshness.]

The book was first published in 1966, and republished in 1998.  A wonderful piece of literature it is.

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Jerry E. Jones, MD, MS, The Jones Genealogist.  Library of Congress No. 6192-01061064476. 

Flower Power 1377 - 1485

A rose by any other name will still be a rose, so Shakespeare would say.  The historians would ultimately differ as to what name this period in history should receive, but hey... "The Wars of The Roses" it has come to be known.  The following book is a brief and very readable account of this period following the death of Edward III.

Written by Charles Ross and first published in 1977 by Thames and Hudson, NY, it is a well written summary of what as "by tradition" came to be name "The Wars of The Roses".  There are lots of illustrations (126), and lots of pictures, giving a visual addition to the story.

The "Houses of Lancaster and York" they were.  Years 1377 to that battle as Bosworth Field in 1485.  Red rose verses white rose...hum...certainly flower power.

Jeanne D'Arc 1412 - 1431

Born the 6th of January 1412, and was burned as a heretic, May 30th, 1431, she was Canonised as a saint, May 16th, 1920.   "Saint Joan of Arc" she is most commonly called, or simply "Joan of Arc".  There is certainly much myth and legend  surrounding this individual.  The book by V. Sackville-West does much to help clear the mist.

The impression placed on the cover of my issue is shown above.  It was printed by the Country Life Press, Garden City, N.Y., 1936.  It shows an angle blowing a trumpet, and carrying a flag full of the fleurs-de-lis [symbol of France].  There is a sword angled across the knees.  The French symbol above the trumpet, above the sword...what a image.

Inside the book is a clearer imprint of this image.

It was in the context of "The Hundred Years' War" that finds Joan in the mist of history.  The author present a careful analysis of this figure in this context.  From the beginning to the end it is a story to be told and retold.  This book is a delight and a honest record of the literature of the time. [A detailed chronological table and bibliography it is.]  Come, blow the trumpet.

Rats

In the course of human events, there is perhaps no other epidemic that changed the world like "The Black Death".  An inflammatory swelling of a lymph gland, especially in the groin, is called a "bubo".  Being a predominate feature of this epidemic, it came to be called "bubonic plague", and changed the existence of mankind on the surface of this earth.

This plague arrived in central Europe just about the middle of "The Hundred Years War". [See last post of 8/14/14.]  The book above is a good overview and summary of this event.  In his preface Ziegler states:
           "...no one would to-day deny that the Black Death was of the greatest economic and social importance as well as hideously dramatic in it progress."

Well illustrated [many color plates included], it presents 17 chapters on various topics beginning with "Origins and Nature" and ending with "The Effects on the Church and Man's Mind".  For my own family tree climbing chapter 12, "The Welsh Borders, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland", was helpful.

The book was first published in 1969, and reprinted 1993 by Alan Sutton Publishing, Inc., Dover, NH.

Yersinia pestis was the bug.  It was transmitted by infective fleas of rodents or other mammals; and/or direct contact with infected mammals or their products; and/or inhalation of contaminated airborne droplets.  Rats you might say!

The Hundred Years War

The reign of Edward III begins 1337.    It was the same year that Philip VI of France took over the English head Duchy of Guyenne.  Oops...you might say...then Edward III claimed the throne of France.  Then began a long, long, struggle between France and England resulting in what has been called: "The Hundred Years War".  For the genealogist, a century is generally three to four generations of the family tree that must have been involved along the way.  The Welsh had something to do with period of history since the "long-bow" was Welsh.

The text above by Desmond Seward is a very readable book about this time in our JONES family tree.  The English in France 1337 - 1453 is the subtitle.  There is even a description of the "long-bow" pp. 54-55 and other types of weapons used.  The book was first published in 1978, and reprinted by Penguin Books in 1999.  A series of illustrations are used throughout the book which gives help to the visual learner.  A "Chronology" is given on pp. 271 - 273 which was helpful for my own tree climbing experience. [Joan of Arc had something to say about this period of history!]  A sweeping overview it is.

The Greatest Traitor

To label someone a "traitor" is bad enough.  To describe or designate someone "The Greatest Traitor" is certainly going to distinguish this individual.  From one Mortimer (Ian) to another Mortimer (Sir Roger Mortimer) this book is titled as such.

The period of the three Edwards (see last post) was certainly one of turmoil.  The families of the Marches had much to do with this since they saw themselves as "free agents" against the world.  The family of the Mortimers were involved in a number of events that were to shape the history of Wales, and they managed to use both sides (Wales/Plantagenets) against the middle.

The life of Sir Roger Mortimer, ruler of England 1327 - 1330 is the subject.  He is described as "brutal, intelligent, passionate, profligate, imaginative, and violent".  Sounds like most of the feudal lords of the day.  Unpublished primary and secondary sources are used along with a host of published sources. [Given in a selected bibliography pp. 325 - 335.]  The sources are not tied to the text.

At any rate, the text is an interesting account of the times, and gives much detail of  the drama involved.
The book is published by Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press, NY, 2006.  Anyone interested in reading about this "feudal lord, governor of Ireland, rebel leader, and a dictator of England" this book is for you.  But of course, you will have to decided if Sir Roger is indeed "The Greatest Traitor".