The Pastons: A Family in the Wars of the Roses

by Richard Barber

"Within three generations (1426 to 1485), and through the dark and dangerous years of the Wars of the Roses, the Pastons established themselves as a family of consequence, both in their native Norfolk and within court circles. Ambitious and highly mobile - womenfolk as well as men - they kept in touch by correspondence, usually but not invariably through the medium of a clerk."

Richard Barber uses his wide-ranging knowledge of the medieval world to set the correspondence in context and follow the fortunes of the family. The letters vividly convey the urgency, and sometimes the violence, of the family's preoccupations: defending property, fighting court cases, making the right alliances, and, on the domestic side, managing their estates, conducting their courtships, stocking their cupboards. Selected and presented here with a linking narrative, they bring the middle ages triumphantly to life.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Biography, Medieval, European History, Historical

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Richard William Barber is a prominent British historian who has been writing and publishing in the field of medieval history and literature ever since his student days. He has specialised in the Arthurian legend, beginning with a general survey, Arthur of Albion, in 1961, which is still in print in a revised edition. His other major interest is historical biography; he has published on Henry Plantagenet (1964) and among his other books is the standard biography of Edward the Black Prince, Edward Prince of Wales and Aquitaine. The interplay between history and literature was the theme of The Knight and Chivalry, for which he won the Somerset Maugham Prize in 1971 and he returned to this in The Holy Grail: Imagination and Belief (2004); this was widely praised in the UK press, and had major reviews in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

His other career has been as a publisher. In 1969 he helped to found The Boydell Press, which later became Boydell & Brewer Ltd, one of the leading publishers in medieval studies, and he is currently group managing director. In 1989, Boydell & Brewer Ltd, in association with the University of Rochester, started the University of Rochester Press in upstate New York. The group currently publishes over 200 titles a year.

Reviews

[Orsolya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although letter writing may seem like a thing of the past (I still write letters!); the practice was just emerging in the fifteenth century. Letters written during this period give us an intricate look into the way of life as these words dictated local, political, and even international affairs versus just the nuances of personal life. The Pastons, a family living in England during the ‘Wars of the Roses’; wrote and kept a plethora of letters which are still extant today giving us an open window into both the family’s and England’s affairs. Editor Richard Barber gathers and presents these writings in, “The Pastons: A Family in the Wars of the Roses”.

“The Pastons” focuses on the content of the family’s letters presented in a pseudo-narrative strain whereby some letters are offered in full, others are quoted, and meanwhile they are explained or set into context. Therefore, Barber doesn’t simply offer a string of letters but instead provides illuminating reading which actually has a lively flow and pace.

The letters chosen by Barber initially highlight familiar and estate affairs versus that of political events but these are not boring and bring a vivid picture of the way of life. The reader will almost feel as though conversing with the Pastons, themselves. This then flows into more eventful letters describing quarrels, battles, law suits, and civil unrest in England. Not only did the Paston family lead eventful lives but they were also involved first-hand with the turmoil taking place in England.

“The Pastons” is perfect for both history lovers and HF fans of the period as the letters are accurate and factual primary sources which are ideal for fact checking but Barber also implores a narrative arc which makes “The Pastons” feel almost like a novel. The work is thus very accessible and easy-to-read versus being overly heady.

Adding some meat to the skeleton “The Pastons” is Barber’s inclination towards detective work and thereby meticulously debunking some hearsay reports. This truly adds to the essence of the work and results in an even heartier read.

The concluding focus of “The Pastons” is well-rounded with letters on various topics from love letters (so romantic!) to disease and politics. The actual ending, however, is quite abrupt. Fortunately, this is met with a pleasing Epilogue explaining the future of the family during subsequent reigns and a brief discussion of the discovery of the letters.

“The Pastons” is not an exhaustive look at the family or letters but it serves as an excellent introduction as well as a resource for the period. “The Pastons” is much recommended for history or even HF fans with an interest in the Wars of the Roses or of the Paston family (for they are often mentioned in texts on the period).

[Grenouille78 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I wanted to get an idea of what life was like for people during the 15th century. While I appreciate how Richard Barber set the letters into a chronological narrative, I was disappointed that he often excised the personal portions of the letters -- what I was actually interested in. The business and continuous lawsuits were, of course, important, but the reading of it was rather tedious. This family was a financial trainwreck! The parts I enjoyed were when the personalities of the correspondents came through, the grocery lists and requests for fabric to make new clothing, the local gossip, etc.

[Fhsanders54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modernised account of the fortunes of the Paston Family as recorded in their uniquely preserved letters during the 15th century. Paraphrasing to clarify the letters for the modern reader, a chronological approach over three generations with a linking narrative portrays life for the nouveau riche Paston family. With the turbulent background of the War of the Roses, the focus is on the rise to power and authority within the family, using shifting allegiances, legal qualifications and courtly charm to maintain social position. However there is a constant threat of dispossession of money and disputed property rights with potential violence not far under the surface to enforce claims. On a more cheerful note there are arranged marriages to seek whilst linen, cloth, spices and jewellery sought by the Norfolk spouses from their husbands in London. From humble beginnings in 1400 to knighted members of the Royal Court 80 years later, it makes fascinating reading.

[Stevie Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have great love for the Pastons. Living in East Anglia in the century around the Wars of the Roses, they mention a lot of places that are vaguely familiar to me. The letters here cover a wide range of the aspects of their lives and are presented in chronological order with linking text. I'd have preferred more of the original language to have been left intact, but a gripping read nonetheless.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

....yawn.....

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primary source on life during the War of the Roses - details on property, family, marriage, etc.

[Austen to Zafón · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading some rather dry history of the War of the Roses, it was so nice to read about it through real family letters, full of the minutiae of daily life.

[Starless One · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read not only for medievalists! Surprisingly diverting.