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Geoffrey de Mandeville: A Study of the Anarchy
Excerpt from Geoffrey De Mandeville: A Study of the Anarchy
Tm; reign of Stephen, in the words of our greatest living historian, is one of the most immrtant in our whole history, as exemplifying the working of causes and principles which had no other opportunity of exhibiting their real tendencies. To illustrate in detail the working of those principles to which the Bishop of Oxford thus refers, is the chief object I have set before myself in these pages. For this purpose I have chosen, to form the basis 'of my narrative, the career of Geoffrey de Mandeville, as the most perfect and typical presentment of the feudal and anarchic spirit that stamps the. Reign of Stephen. By fixing our glance upon one man, and by tracing his policy and its fruits, it is possible to gain a clearer perception of the true tendencies at work, and to obtain a firmer grasp of the essential principles involved. But, while availing myself of Geofi'rey's career to give unity to my theme, I have not scrupled to introduce, from all available sources, any materials bearing on the period known as the Anarchy, or illustrating the points raised by the charters with which I deal.
Tm; reign of Stephen, in the words of our greatest living historian, is one of the most immrtant in our whole history, as exemplifying the working of causes and principles which had no other opportunity of exhibiting their real tendencies. To illustrate in detail the working of those principles to which the Bishop of Oxford thus refers, is the chief object I have set before myself in these pages. For this purpose I have chosen, to form the basis 'of my narrative, the career of Geoffrey de Mandeville, as the most perfect and typical presentment of the feudal and anarchic spirit that stamps the. Reign of Stephen. By fixing our glance upon one man, and by tracing his policy and its fruits, it is possible to gain a clearer perception of the true tendencies at work, and to obtain a firmer grasp of the essential principles involved. But, while availing myself of Geofi'rey's career to give unity to my theme, I have not scrupled to introduce, from all available sources, any materials bearing on the period known as the Anarchy, or illustrating the points raised by the charters with which I deal.
461 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1892
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About the author
John Horace Round
98 books5 followersJ.H. Round (1854–1928) was a prolific historian, scholar and genealogist of the English medieval period. He translated the portion of the Domesday Book (1086) covering Essex into contemporary English. As an expert in the history of the British peerage, he was appointed honorary historical adviser to the Crown.
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December 11, 2014
Round, one of the more astute (and contentious) genealogical scholars for two decades on either side of the beginning of the 20th century, undertook this study of the period of aristocratic civil war following the death of Henry I in the light of the large number of charters granted or attested by Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex. Until his sudden death at the hands of an enemy bowman in 1144, Geoffrey was one of the major players during the Anarchy; to many historians, he typifies the period. Round, in fact, calls him "the most perfect and typical presentment of the feudal and anarchic spirit." Actually, his principal goal seems to have been to recover the lands seized from his father by Henry I, which he accomplished by playing each side in the struggle against the other.
Of special interest, though, is Round’s habit of adding appendices to his books on whatever topics interested him, however tenuous their connection to the subject at hand. This volume includes twenty-eight brief essays on such notables as Gervase de Cornhill, Miles of Gloucester, William of Arques, Roger de Ramis, and the connection between the Mandevilles and the De Veres. There is also an extended essay on "The Creation of the Earldom of Gloucester."
Round’s scholarship is always finely honed, though certain of his interpretations and conclusions are now out of fashion. And be warned that he follows the Victorian gentleman’s assumption that any educated person can handle Latin texts, so he never bothers to translate his frequent excerpts from medieval charters and historians.
Of special interest, though, is Round’s habit of adding appendices to his books on whatever topics interested him, however tenuous their connection to the subject at hand. This volume includes twenty-eight brief essays on such notables as Gervase de Cornhill, Miles of Gloucester, William of Arques, Roger de Ramis, and the connection between the Mandevilles and the De Veres. There is also an extended essay on "The Creation of the Earldom of Gloucester."
Round’s scholarship is always finely honed, though certain of his interpretations and conclusions are now out of fashion. And be warned that he follows the Victorian gentleman’s assumption that any educated person can handle Latin texts, so he never bothers to translate his frequent excerpts from medieval charters and historians.
Displaying 1 of 1 review