Comments
Ferengi_Earwax t1_itrjo1y wrote
John of gaunt was one of the sons of Edward the 3rd. He was the richest man in England basically. The couple recieved papal dispensation for their marriage and to make their children legitimate. You know he paid a whole lot of fleeces to the pope for that one. Kathryn swynfords sister was married to geophrey chaucer. It's said chaucer and his wife profited greatly from this family connection. Getting appointments for his family and pensions. Chaucer was given an annual stipend of a gallon of wine a day for life by Richard the 2nd. Given on a st. Day that honors artists. He had traveled Europe serving both John of gaunt and Lionel of anterp. Both sons of Edward 3. Chaucer must have been creating literary works during this time to lead up to the stipend/pension. When Henry the 4th (bolingbroke,, son of John of gaunt) took the throne, the stipend was turned into a monetary payment. By the time of his death, it seems he wasn't receiving it for whatever reason. It's the last record of chaucer asking for his pension repeatedly.
trueslicky OP t1_itrqh0q wrote
The relationship to Chaucwr is mentioned in the link I posted, but you offered more context. Thank you!
MAGolding t1_itwrjj4 wrote
Chaucer would have been rather old when Edward iV took the throne for the first time in 1461. I think that you probably ment to write Henry IV who usurped more than 60 years earlier.
Ferengi_Earwax t1_itynvrb wrote
Thank you! Man I can't believe nobody let me know sooner! Fixing it now
[deleted] t1_itsx8np wrote
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Dynamiquehealth t1_itt2n6v wrote
I have a history podcast and I just finished a series of three episodes on John of Gaunt. I think he gets overlooked due to the Wars of the Roses and being the younger brother of the Black Prince. I was actually really impressed by him marrying Kathrine Swynford years after their relationship ended and legitimising their children. It was probably both a romantic and thoughtful decision.
I find it interesting that every single monarch in Europe except the monarch of Andorra and the Vatican are descended from him (and with the number of children their daughter Joan had I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those three could be descended from him). I’m actually about to read Katherine’s biography even though I won’t be doing an episode on her. I’ll add this to my reading list.
NoonieP t1_itt7uo7 wrote
Could you share the name of that podcast?
Dynamiquehealth t1_ittcq8j wrote
Yes, I didn’t want to post unless asked. It’s called Passed. The podcast about those who would never rule. You can find it on Apple and most other podcast hosts (though not Google, we’re working on it). The hosting website is below. Please let me know what you think.
DrunkOnRedCordial t1_ittq2i5 wrote
Once you are connected to the Windsors, you are automatically connected to Tudor, Stuart and Hanover. But there would be a lot of Tudors, Stuarts and Hanovers who didn't progress so far in the heritage game.
[deleted] t1_ittd95l wrote
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[deleted] t1_iub57r9 wrote
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jezreelite t1_itryx52 wrote
Anya Seton's novel about her is one of the finest works of historical fiction that I've ever read.
iWuvCupcakes t1_itsbdux wrote
Thank you! I just reserved that book at my local library.
katmekit t1_itt5cvt wrote
That book was very central to my reading history. I was about 11/12 when I stole it from my big sister’s reading pile (16/17) and to think that it was true really blew my mind.
I know now that there’s a lot more that we know about Katherine then when the historical novel was written in the 1950’s. But Anya Seton’s book is where a lot of people first learn of her.
Edit: I corrected the decade the book was written. I read it in the late 80’s
shuggnog t1_itsojh8 wrote
What is the name of the book, friend?
too_much_2na t1_itsqqmc wrote
>Anya Seton
It's called Katherine (i'm answering since i just googled it myself)
[deleted] t1_itss9iq wrote
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[deleted] t1_itsfa57 wrote
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HenryGrosmont t1_itrs8vx wrote
She was also a great step mother to Bolingbroke, who loved her and her children dearly. His children also grew to love, respect and rely on Beauforts. The whole story of John of Gaunt, his wifes and his children (and grandchildren) could've be been an idyllic love tale if not for that insignificant "Richard vs Henry quarrel".
Cormacolinde t1_itso9wl wrote
Very interesting article. John of Gaunt is one of my ancestors, but through his second wife and his daughter Catherine who married into the house of Castile.
[deleted] t1_ittj3ac wrote
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sailawayorion t1_ittoo41 wrote
I read the Anya Seton novel about Katherine Swynford and the Alison Weir biography about Katherine this year. Both were amazing and she’s so fascinating!
chantaje333 t1_itubgwm wrote
Stellar article. I love reading about 14th century England history.
Ok_Pressure1131 t1_ituyk8z wrote
I can only imagine what cheeky bit Monty Python would have performed about her: “14th Century tart ‘spreading’ her influence throughout the royal lineage…”
BTW - good article!
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Clio90808 t1_itvfzl5 wrote
and the mitochondrial DNA that was traced to prove that the skeleton dug up in the carport was really Richard III was Katherine's DNA. Richard III's mother was descended through an unbroken female line to Katherine. As was the guy in Canada.
Clio90808 t1_itvg56b wrote
And Henry VII's very weak blood link to royalty was through his mother who was a Beaufort.
trueslicky OP t1_itqay25 wrote
Interesting story about how a mistress with four illegitimate children can include amongst her descendants the House of Stuart, the Hanovers, and the Windsors--and also connected to six U.S. presidents.