Anne of Bohemia (Lives of Royal Women)

Description

This volume examines the life of Anne of Bohemia, the first queen of Richard II (1377-1399), and situates her within the context of medieval queenship by arguing that Anne ably fulfilled the political role of the queen consort through her intercession, patronage, and piety. Much previous scholarship on Anne has focused on her relationship with famous poets, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, but from analyzing government documents it becomes clear that Anne used her wealth and status to enact power. Through financial, religious, and cultural patronage, Anne rewarded supporters and servants and influenced court life. The examination of sources such as a letter from Anne to her half brother, and an apothecary bill that contains some fertility medicines suggests that the queen both desired and tried to have children. As such, the volume questions the public imagination of Anne and shows that, in this example, although she died childless, Anne and Richard attempted to have children throughout their marriage. With the inclusion of tables listing Anne's acts of intercession and her land holdings and land grants, Anne of Bohemia is a useful tool for students and scholars interested in queenship studies, medieval women's history, and the history of the English monarchy. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations List of People Introduction Queenship as an Office The Reign of Richard II Overview of the Book Notes Chapter 1: Heritage and Marriage Bohemia and the Empire Charles IV and Elisabeth of Pomerania The Court at Prague Early Life Marriage Early Married Years Conclusion Notes Chapter 2: Intercession“She Settled Quarrels” Intercession and Monarchy Intercession during the Reign of Richard II Anne as an Intercessor Anne’s Intercessions in Detail Anne and International Mediation Conclusion Notes Chapter 3: Finances and Household Financial Resources Household Members Material Culture Conclusion Notes Chapter 4: “Most Gracious Queen of England”: Patronage Patronage Religious Patronage Cultural Patronage Literature Painting and Manuscript Illumination New Fashions Ritual and Performing Monarchy Conclusion Notes Chapter 5: Biological and Nurturing Motherhood Trying to Conceive Coping with Childlessness: Nurturing Motherhood Conclusion Notes Chapter 6: Childlessness, Virginity, and Manhood Coping with Childlessness: Virginity Why Perform Virginity? Regality, Masculinity, Femininity, and Childlessness Conclusion Notes Chapter 7: Afterlife and Conclusion Anne and the Lollards Good Queen Anne Conclusion Notes Appendix 1: Anne of Bohemia’s Pardons, Licenses, and Grants Appendix 2: Anne’s Dower and Grants Notes Appendix 3: Letter and Translation of Additional 6159 Notes Appendix 4: Servants and Officials Notes Bibliography Unprinted Primary Sources Printed Primary Sources Secondary Sources Index