The Paston Family in the Fifteenth Century: Volume 1, The First Phase

This volume describes, in lively and original style, the beginnings of the family's gentility.

Colin Richmond (Author)

9780521520270, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 May 2002

292 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 1.9 cm, 0.479 kg

The Pastons of Paston, Norfolk, are famous for the collection of letters and papers which bear their name. In particular 'the Paston Letters' have been well known since the time of Horace Walpole, although until now they have never been used systematically by historians of fifteenth-century England: they are both immensely attractive to read and fiendishly difficult to use as source material from which to write history. This volume describes, in lively and original style, the beginnings of the family's gentility and sets out some of the major themes of their history between 1400 and 1500. Many of the themes are common to all gentry families of the later Middle Ages, a period critical in the formation of the English polity. It might also be said that the Pastons epitomize a class which since the later Middle Ages has dominated the English state, English society and English culture.

List of genealogical tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Chronological table
1. The origins of the Pastons
2. Land: acquisition and defence
3. East Beckham
4. Three marriages
5. Relations: the Garneys and the Berneys
6. The deathbed of William Paston and its consequences
7. Sir John Fastolf and John Paston
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], British & Irish history [HBJD1]