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John of Gaunt: Son of One King, Father of Another
New paperback edition - The first biography to tell the personal story of the wealthiest, most powerful and most hated man in medieval England.
"Old John of Gaunt, time-honour’d Lancaster" John of Gaunt (1340-1399) was the son of one king and the father of another.
He claimed a Spanish kingdom via his wife, daughter of King Pedro the Cruel. He was the wealthiest, most powerful and most hated man in England for decades. He had a famous and enduring love affair with his mistress Katherine Swynford, whom he later married. He was sometimes the ally and sometimes the enemy of his capricious nephew Richard II. His descendants battled for control of the kingdom during the Wars of the Roses. Via his three marriages, he was the ancestor of numerous royal and noble families across Europe.
John of Gaunt is the first biography of this most intriguing of men to appear for decades, and the first to tell his personal story.
"Old John of Gaunt, time-honour’d Lancaster" John of Gaunt (1340-1399) was the son of one king and the father of another.
He claimed a Spanish kingdom via his wife, daughter of King Pedro the Cruel. He was the wealthiest, most powerful and most hated man in England for decades. He had a famous and enduring love affair with his mistress Katherine Swynford, whom he later married. He was sometimes the ally and sometimes the enemy of his capricious nephew Richard II. His descendants battled for control of the kingdom during the Wars of the Roses. Via his three marriages, he was the ancestor of numerous royal and noble families across Europe.
John of Gaunt is the first biography of this most intriguing of men to appear for decades, and the first to tell his personal story.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2022
12 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Warner
21 books181 followersI grew up in the north of England, and hold two degrees in medieval history and literature from the University of Manchester. I have run a blog about King Edward II (reigned 1307 to 1327) since 2005, have had work published about him in the prestigious academic journal the English Historical Review (founded 1886) and in the academic essay collection Fourteenth-Century England, and have appeared talking about him in the BBC documentary Quest for Bannockburn. I also appeared in a documentary about Edward II shown on the German-French TV channel Arte in late 2019, and have given a paper about him at the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds.
My first book, titled Edward II: The Unconventional King, was released in October 2014, and my biography of Edward II's queen Isabella of France (c. 1295-1358) was published in March 2016. My third book is an account of Edward's murder in 1327 or survival past that year, which came out in June 2017, and my fourth is a bio of Edward II's great-grandson Richard II, published October 2017. My fifth book, Blood Roses, came out in October 2018, and is an account of the royal houses of Lancaster and York from 1245 to 1399. My sixth was also published in October 2018 and is a biography of Edward II's malevolent favourite Hugh Despenser the Younger. My next two books came out in 2019: a travel guide to places in the UK associated with Edward II, called Following in the Footsteps of Edward II, and a biography of Edward III's queen Philippa of Hainault. A joint bio of Edward II's nieces Eleanor, Margaret and Elizabeth de Clare came out in February 2020, and a work of social history called Living in Medieval England: The Turbulent Year of 1326 was also published that year, A book about the Despenser family from 1261 to 1439 will come next, and a bio of Edward III's son/Henry IV's father John of Gaunt, second duke of Lancaster, is due out in 2021.
Projects I'm working on are: a joint bio of Edward II's five sisters; a joint bio of Edward III's granddaughters; a social history of London between 1300 and 1350; and a book about the medieval Beaumont family. And I'm sure there'll be plenty more after that!
My first book, titled Edward II: The Unconventional King, was released in October 2014, and my biography of Edward II's queen Isabella of France (c. 1295-1358) was published in March 2016. My third book is an account of Edward's murder in 1327 or survival past that year, which came out in June 2017, and my fourth is a bio of Edward II's great-grandson Richard II, published October 2017. My fifth book, Blood Roses, came out in October 2018, and is an account of the royal houses of Lancaster and York from 1245 to 1399. My sixth was also published in October 2018 and is a biography of Edward II's malevolent favourite Hugh Despenser the Younger. My next two books came out in 2019: a travel guide to places in the UK associated with Edward II, called Following in the Footsteps of Edward II, and a biography of Edward III's queen Philippa of Hainault. A joint bio of Edward II's nieces Eleanor, Margaret and Elizabeth de Clare came out in February 2020, and a work of social history called Living in Medieval England: The Turbulent Year of 1326 was also published that year, A book about the Despenser family from 1261 to 1439 will come next, and a bio of Edward III's son/Henry IV's father John of Gaunt, second duke of Lancaster, is due out in 2021.
Projects I'm working on are: a joint bio of Edward II's five sisters; a joint bio of Edward III's granddaughters; a social history of London between 1300 and 1350; and a book about the medieval Beaumont family. And I'm sure there'll be plenty more after that!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 29, 2022
The perfect history book for all those that read and loved Anya Seton's classic novel "Katherine," and a must-read together with Jeannette Lucraft's short biography "Katherine Swynford." But skip Alison Weir's "Mistress of the Monarchy," which is a headache in terms of writing and sources.
If, like me and thousands of readers, you first learnt about the love story of Katherine de Roët and John of Gaunt, the third and most powerful son of Edward III and a knight's widow in charge of his children by his first wife, from Seton's beautiful novel and wondered what the true facts were, this is the book for you. And fear not, because whilst Kathryn Warner will set the record straight on some facts Anya Seton rendered romantically, you won't have your vision of them as a love story shattered into a million pieces, as is often the case when reading the real history behind a novel. You will learn about the real John of Gaunt and keep your fictional John of Gaunt at the same time, because in spite of the fictionalisation and romanticisation of the novel, it turns out the story is for the most part quite true to history.
Warner goes into detail about every aspect of the Duke of Lancaster's life, all that is known about him from sources, and refrains from unnecessary speculating and "could haves" and "must haves" that Weir and others overindulge in. She does mention Seton as well, and she's not condescending over the novelist's mistakes, as she appears to be aware of the service Seton did by getting legions of readers interested in Medieval England and the Plantagenets. She also clarifies what isn't true in the novel, adding the sources and explanations as to where Seton might have got her wrong info from. Case in point, in the novel, Blanche of Lancaster, John of Gaunt's first duchess, dies from the Black Plague, which is most certainly not true. But it was a historian who proposed that theory in the first place, not Anya Seton, so it's not her invention. I like to learn the true historical facts this way, and hopefully others will as well.
Oh, on the other hand, the title of the book could've been different..."John of Gaunt: A Biography," perhaps? Not that I rate book titles, but this being a diverse den of bookworms, there's bound to be some that will.
If, like me and thousands of readers, you first learnt about the love story of Katherine de Roët and John of Gaunt, the third and most powerful son of Edward III and a knight's widow in charge of his children by his first wife, from Seton's beautiful novel and wondered what the true facts were, this is the book for you. And fear not, because whilst Kathryn Warner will set the record straight on some facts Anya Seton rendered romantically, you won't have your vision of them as a love story shattered into a million pieces, as is often the case when reading the real history behind a novel. You will learn about the real John of Gaunt and keep your fictional John of Gaunt at the same time, because in spite of the fictionalisation and romanticisation of the novel, it turns out the story is for the most part quite true to history.
Warner goes into detail about every aspect of the Duke of Lancaster's life, all that is known about him from sources, and refrains from unnecessary speculating and "could haves" and "must haves" that Weir and others overindulge in. She does mention Seton as well, and she's not condescending over the novelist's mistakes, as she appears to be aware of the service Seton did by getting legions of readers interested in Medieval England and the Plantagenets. She also clarifies what isn't true in the novel, adding the sources and explanations as to where Seton might have got her wrong info from. Case in point, in the novel, Blanche of Lancaster, John of Gaunt's first duchess, dies from the Black Plague, which is most certainly not true. But it was a historian who proposed that theory in the first place, not Anya Seton, so it's not her invention. I like to learn the true historical facts this way, and hopefully others will as well.
Oh, on the other hand, the title of the book could've been different..."John of Gaunt: A Biography," perhaps? Not that I rate book titles, but this being a diverse den of bookworms, there's bound to be some that will.
January 9, 2022
Disclosure - the reviewer was fortunate enough to win a copy of this book in a draw organised by the author.
This is a very valuable new biography of John of Gaunt. As usual with this author, the incredibly complex network of family relationships is successfully navigated.
There is a fair amount of 'correction of the record'. Or, we might say, the explosion of the myth. For example, Duchess Blanche did not die of plague in 1369, but of unknown causes in 1368. Duchess Constanza was not a horrid, smelly, religious fanatic, but a beautiful woman, almost certainly blonde, religiously devout but by no means fanatical or obsessed. Katherine Swynford was probably some years older than was once thought. You will find many more clarifications of this kind.
It is a pity that little of Gaunt's personal character shines through, but then this is not a novel but a factual account based on sources. One thing is for sure. He was incredibly wealthy. His brothers were simply not in the same league, financially. It seems he was often thought to be aloof and even arrogant, but he was in fact capable of individual acts of kindness and generosity. Like Mr Darcy, the impression is that he was a 'good master' to those who served him and to his tenants.
It is interesting to note that in his youth Gaunt had two young 'Saracens' (as they were called) in his household. This is an indication of 14th century England not being quite the monoculture sometimes imagined. One can only wonder what became of these youngsters.
A very useful part of the book is an almost complete translation of Gaunt's enormously long and complex will. (However ill he was at the end, if he dictated all its detailed provisions, he must have retained his mental acuity to the day of his death.) His alms to the poor, as intended, were equivalent to millions in modern money. This was only part of the bequests he intended for the welfare of his soul.
This is a book well worth having for anyone interested in Gaunt, his family, or the era in general. Recommended.
This is a very valuable new biography of John of Gaunt. As usual with this author, the incredibly complex network of family relationships is successfully navigated.
There is a fair amount of 'correction of the record'. Or, we might say, the explosion of the myth. For example, Duchess Blanche did not die of plague in 1369, but of unknown causes in 1368. Duchess Constanza was not a horrid, smelly, religious fanatic, but a beautiful woman, almost certainly blonde, religiously devout but by no means fanatical or obsessed. Katherine Swynford was probably some years older than was once thought. You will find many more clarifications of this kind.
It is a pity that little of Gaunt's personal character shines through, but then this is not a novel but a factual account based on sources. One thing is for sure. He was incredibly wealthy. His brothers were simply not in the same league, financially. It seems he was often thought to be aloof and even arrogant, but he was in fact capable of individual acts of kindness and generosity. Like Mr Darcy, the impression is that he was a 'good master' to those who served him and to his tenants.
It is interesting to note that in his youth Gaunt had two young 'Saracens' (as they were called) in his household. This is an indication of 14th century England not being quite the monoculture sometimes imagined. One can only wonder what became of these youngsters.
A very useful part of the book is an almost complete translation of Gaunt's enormously long and complex will. (However ill he was at the end, if he dictated all its detailed provisions, he must have retained his mental acuity to the day of his death.) His alms to the poor, as intended, were equivalent to millions in modern money. This was only part of the bequests he intended for the welfare of his soul.
This is a book well worth having for anyone interested in Gaunt, his family, or the era in general. Recommended.
November 1, 2023
The details are in the gifts given - endlessly.
The uprising and destruction of his palace, however, is just mentioned, but not explained. Why was John of Gaunt so hated by the common people? There's no clue about that in this book.
Otherwise it's a fairly good read.
The uprising and destruction of his palace, however, is just mentioned, but not explained. Why was John of Gaunt so hated by the common people? There's no clue about that in this book.
Otherwise it's a fairly good read.
December 29, 2023
Interesting, not much is known about his life, tho there are some records. Anya Seaton’s novel Katherine, is a fictional account of their love, affair and subsequent marriage.
January 23, 2022
Medieval princes are often viewed as men who will one day be king of their homeland or another country. They are seen as wealthy men with prestige and honor who live lavish lifestyles and go to war to earn titles and estates. One of these noble medieval princes was a man who married three times, including to his most beloved mistress. He was the son of Edward III, the uncle of Richard II, and the father of the queen of Castile and King Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would rule in different European countries, even though he never had the chance to wear the crown of England or Castile for himself. His name was John of Gaunt, and his story is told in Kathryn Warner’s latest biography, “ John of Gaunt: Son of One King, Father to Another.”
I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. John of Gaunt is one of my favorite Plantagenet figures to study, so when I heard about this title late last year, I was intrigued to read it. I wanted to see what new information Warner would provide in the research of John of Gaunt and his family.
Warner takes her readers on a journey from the birth of the third son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault to his death in 1399. The matter that truly defined John of Gaunt’s life was his connections not only in England but throughout Europe, which Warner explains in great detail. We go on a journey through his three marriages; first to Blanche of Lancaster to become Duke of Lancaster, then to Constanza of Castile, who allowed him to try and fight for the kingdom of Castile, and finally his mistress Katherine Swynford. Katherine Swynford was the mother of the Beauforts who would help create the Tudor dynasty. However, not only his marital connections made Gaunt so well known. As the son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault, his family was connected to every corner of Europe through marriage. Even though John of Gaunt never became King of England or Castile, his family would fulfill his dream of ruling a kingdom and gaining wealth and prestige.
The will of John of Gaunt, written on the same day of his death, is included in its entirety, showing how wealthy this particular Plantagenet prince was at the time of his death. Unlike other biographies about John of Gaunt, this focuses on his family connections and financial records, Warner’s specialty. However, we tend to view John of Gaunt as a gallant prince. Those who lived in England as peasants considered him the enemy during his lifetime, especially during the Great Uprising in 1381, also known as The Peasants Revolt.
Kathryn Warner has once again illuminated the life of a famous Plantagenet figure through genealogical and financial records. Although he ended up becoming one of the most hated men in England and the enemy to his nephew Richard II, he would go down as one of the fascinating men to study from the Plantagenet dynasty. If you want to learn more about the founding of the Lancastrian dynasty and the rise of the Beauforts through John of Gaunt, I would recommend you read “John of Gaunt: Son of One King, Father to Another, “ by Kathryn Warner.
I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. John of Gaunt is one of my favorite Plantagenet figures to study, so when I heard about this title late last year, I was intrigued to read it. I wanted to see what new information Warner would provide in the research of John of Gaunt and his family.
Warner takes her readers on a journey from the birth of the third son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault to his death in 1399. The matter that truly defined John of Gaunt’s life was his connections not only in England but throughout Europe, which Warner explains in great detail. We go on a journey through his three marriages; first to Blanche of Lancaster to become Duke of Lancaster, then to Constanza of Castile, who allowed him to try and fight for the kingdom of Castile, and finally his mistress Katherine Swynford. Katherine Swynford was the mother of the Beauforts who would help create the Tudor dynasty. However, not only his marital connections made Gaunt so well known. As the son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault, his family was connected to every corner of Europe through marriage. Even though John of Gaunt never became King of England or Castile, his family would fulfill his dream of ruling a kingdom and gaining wealth and prestige.
The will of John of Gaunt, written on the same day of his death, is included in its entirety, showing how wealthy this particular Plantagenet prince was at the time of his death. Unlike other biographies about John of Gaunt, this focuses on his family connections and financial records, Warner’s specialty. However, we tend to view John of Gaunt as a gallant prince. Those who lived in England as peasants considered him the enemy during his lifetime, especially during the Great Uprising in 1381, also known as The Peasants Revolt.
Kathryn Warner has once again illuminated the life of a famous Plantagenet figure through genealogical and financial records. Although he ended up becoming one of the most hated men in England and the enemy to his nephew Richard II, he would go down as one of the fascinating men to study from the Plantagenet dynasty. If you want to learn more about the founding of the Lancastrian dynasty and the rise of the Beauforts through John of Gaunt, I would recommend you read “John of Gaunt: Son of One King, Father to Another, “ by Kathryn Warner.
June 19, 2023
Did you know John of Gaunt's military career began at the age of ten, he had over forty grandchildren? The Duke of Lancaster, he was the fourth (but third surviving) son of King Edward III, father of King Henry IV and grandfather of three more kings.
Kathryn Warner shines a light on the less well known story of this medieval legend, with a wealth of well-researched background that provides a useful context for understanding John of Gaunt's complex life.
I liked the way the author brings a personal angle to his story, particularly concerning his third wife, Katherine Swynford, whose descendants, the Beaufort family, played a major role in the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Yorks and Tudors.
Among the many fascinating details in this book is the suggestion that John of Gaunt lived in fear of being buried alive. He insisted his body was not to be embalmed or buried until forty days after his death, and fifty marks should be given to the poor on each of the forty days.
It could not have helped that during his last weeks, he heard rumours that he was already dead, or that he fell in to what we would now describe as a 'coma' - so the risk seems to have been a real one.
The book ends with some analysis of John of Gaunt's will, his children and grandchildren, and made me think about his legacy. His life certainly changed history, and I recommend this book to readers who want to understand how and why.
Tony Riches
Kathryn Warner shines a light on the less well known story of this medieval legend, with a wealth of well-researched background that provides a useful context for understanding John of Gaunt's complex life.
I liked the way the author brings a personal angle to his story, particularly concerning his third wife, Katherine Swynford, whose descendants, the Beaufort family, played a major role in the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Yorks and Tudors.
Among the many fascinating details in this book is the suggestion that John of Gaunt lived in fear of being buried alive. He insisted his body was not to be embalmed or buried until forty days after his death, and fifty marks should be given to the poor on each of the forty days.
It could not have helped that during his last weeks, he heard rumours that he was already dead, or that he fell in to what we would now describe as a 'coma' - so the risk seems to have been a real one.
The book ends with some analysis of John of Gaunt's will, his children and grandchildren, and made me think about his legacy. His life certainly changed history, and I recommend this book to readers who want to understand how and why.
Tony Riches
May 19, 2023
What a boring read this book is. I love my historical biographies and will ravenously devour a good one. This was just list after list of who was married to who and who inherited from who…dull dull dull.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews