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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.

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Ferengi_Earwax t1_itrjo1y wrote

Replying to trueslicky (#220,003)

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.

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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".

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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.

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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.

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Dynamiquehealth t1_itt2n6v wrote

Replying to trueslicky (#220,003)

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.

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katmekit t1_itt5cvt wrote

Replying to jezreelite (#226,928)

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

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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!

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DrunkOnRedCordial t1_ittq2i5 wrote

Replying to trueslicky (#220,003)

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.

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chantaje333 t1_itubgwm wrote

Stellar article. I love reading about 14th century England history.

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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.

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Clio90808 t1_itvg56b wrote

And Henry VII's very weak blood link to royalty was through his mother who was a Beaufort.

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MAGolding t1_itwrjj4 wrote

Replying to Ferengi_Earwax (#225,225)

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.

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