Ambivalence towards kings, and other sovereign powers, is deep-seated in medieval culture: sovereigns might provide justice, but were always potential tyrants, who usurped power and 'stole' through taxation. Rebel Barons writes the history of this ambivalence, which was especially acute in England, France, and Italy in the twelfth to fifteenth centuries, when the modern ideology of sovereignty, arguing for monopolies on justice and the legitimate use of violence, was developed. Sovereign powers asserted themselves militarily and economically provoking complex phenomena of resistance by aristocrats. This volume argues that the chansons de geste, the key genre for disseminating models of violent noble opposition to sovereigns, offer a powerful way of understanding acts of resistance. Traditionally seen as France's epic literary monuments - the Chanson de Roland is often presented as foundational of French literature - chansons de geste in fact come from areas antagonistic to France, such as Burgundy, England, Flanders, Occitania, and Italy, where they were reworked repeatedly from the twelfth century to the fifteenth and recast into prose and chronicle forms. Rebel baron narratives were the principal vehicle for aristocratic concerns about tyranny, for models of violent opposition to sovereigns and for fantasies of escape from the Carolingian world via crusade and Oriental adventures. Rebel Barons reads this corpus across its full range of historical and geographical relevance, and through changes in form, as well as placing it in dialogue with medieval political theory, to bring out the contributions of literary texts to political debates. Revealing the widespread and long-lived importance of these anti-royalist works supporting regional aristocratic rights to feud and revolt, Rebel Barons reshapes our knowledge of reactions to changing political realities at a crux period in European history.

Originally published in 1933. As mediaeval society was dominated by the feudal caste, a biography that depicts the position, activities, manners, and thoughts of a member of that class might do much to elucidate the history of the period. This is what Sidney Painter had in mind when he wrote a William Marshal: Knight-Errant, Baron, and Regent of England. The subject has proved a peculiarly fortunate one. The fourth son of John fitz Gilbert, marshal of the king's court, William for the first forty years of his life was a landless knight who devoted most of his time and energy to tournaments. In the year 1189 by his marriage to the daughter and heiress of Earl Richard of Pembroke, William became a great feudal lord with fiefs in Normandy, England, Wales, and Ireland. Thus his biography depicts the two extremes of feudal society—the landless knight and the rich baron. Finally in 1216 he was chosen regent of England for the young king, Henry III, and his biography becomes for three years the history of England.

A truly unique book, this interactive story is based around the Magna Carta and blends traditional storytelling with custom built interactive apps, adding rich dialogue, music pop ups, colour and sound to bring the story – and the history – to life like never before. In 2015 we reach the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta – and this book celebrates the event with a gripping historical fiction adventure that will engage, educate and intrigue its readers. We join Percy as she travels through time to England to meet Dennis, the village historian. Together they go back to 1215 to try to find the answers to the enduring mysteries about the Magna Carta. Percy and Dennis sort through legend, myth, rumour and fact, with the help of Jeeves her inimitable kitty, who always helps them out when trouble heads their way. The Mystery of the Magna Carta is a unique historical fiction adventure to which the interactive apps for smartphones and tablets add another fascinating level to the book. Tthe apps are free with the price of the book and will continue to evolve over time adding new content for people of all ages to enjoy. Featuring four different adventure endings – three exploring the traditional legends that surround the Magna Carta – and one NEW surprise ending from the author’s research. This book dives into this important worldwide historical event celebrating its 800th anniversary this year.

Volume 3 covers the years 1590-1597 and sees the start of Shakespeare's career as a dramatist.

Back by popular demand the only breeding book endorsed by top breeders "There are many books on breeding dogs, but Ann's book is so on-target and comprehensive that it has become a bible among successful breeders. The news that Howell is making this modern classic available again is to the benefit of both new and future generations of aspiring breeders." -- From the new Foreword by Wendell J. Sammet, The American Kennel Club's first Breeder of the Year (2002) The bible of quality dog breeding, The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog is a must-have for novice and veteran breeders alike, covering everything from developing a viable breeding program to genetics to whelping, raising, and socializing puppies. Written in easy-to-understand language by renowned dog breeder Ann Seranne, this classic takes you step by step through the entire process of breeding a successful litter, from the moment of conception to a dog's first show. You'll see how to select a method of breeding, evaluate your own breeding stock and the potential of a litter, avoid the pitfalls of whelping, and properly care for the litter until the puppies are ready to go to their new homes. Ann Seranne's deep love of dogs, her vast knowledge, and her expertise make this the only guide you will ever need to become a successful breeder.

This medieval history of British rebellion examines how five centuries of uprisings and insurrections helped build the United Kingdom. Shakespeare’s Henry IV lamented ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’. It was true of that king’s reign and of many others before and after. From Hereward the Wake’s guerilla war, resisting the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, through the Anarchy, the murder of Thomas Becket, the rebellions of Henry II’s sons, the deposition of Edward II, the Peasants’ Revolt and the rise of the over-mighty noble subject that led to the Wars of the Roses, kings throughout the medieval period came under threat from rebellions and resistance that sprang from the nobility, the Church, and even the general population. Serious rebellions arrived on a regular cycle throughout the period, fracturing and transforming England into a nation to be reckoned with. Matthew Lewis examines the causes behind the insurrections and how they influenced the development of England from the Norman Conquest until the Tudor period. Each rebellion’s importance and impact is assessed both individually and as part of a larger movement to examine how rebellions helped to build England.