Overview

An authoritative biography of Thomas Arundel, the English archbishop who overthrew a king Thomas Arundel was a pivotal figure in English politics at the turn of the fifteenth century. His career began in 1373 when, at the age of just twenty, he was ordained as bishop of Ely. By 1396, he had become archbishop of Canterbury, but after being exiled for his opposition to Richard II he orchestrated a revolution in which he and Henry Bolingbroke overthrew the king. By the end of his life, he had begun the task of suppressing Lollardy and served as Chancellor of England on five separate occasions. In this definitive biography, renowned historian Chris Given-Wilson traces Arundel's life and career from his exile in 1397 to his death in 1414. Given-Wilson reveals Arundel's immense contribution to political life—particularly during the reign of Henry IV—and the dilemmas he faced in balancing his duties to the king and to the church.

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9780300286403

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Reviews

“Chris Given-Wilson is an exceptional historian, and this is an exceptional book: deeply researched, illuminated by a panoramic knowledge of the medieval world, beautifully written and profoundly humane. Archbishop, Chancellor, Kingmaker is the biography this fascinating man deserves, and for which the rest of us have been waiting.”—Helen Castor, author of The Eagle and the Hart “Impressively researched and compellingly readable, this major new biography, the first full-length study of Arundel’s action-packed life, brings the archbishop vividly to life and offers a fresh evaluation of his role in the tangled politics of Henry IV’s reign. Chris Given-Wilson’s written a fine book and an important one.”—Nigel Saul, author of Richard II “A cracking read, which combines impeccable learning with great enthusiasm.”—Alison McHardy, author of The Reign of Richard II  “Only Given-Wilson could connect so lucidly and confidently such an impossibly wide-ranging and complicated life. An aristocrat bishop at twenty, an archbishop, five times the chancellor, and the kingmaker who created the Lancastrian kings, Thomas Arundel was above all the most assiduous of churchmen, who debated with heretics and mystics, inaugurated the burning of Lollards, and purged them from Oxford University.”—Michael Hicks, author of The Wars of the Roses

Author Information

Chris Given-Wilson is emeritus professor of history of the University of St Andrews. He is the author of numerous books, including Henry IV and Chronicles, and general editor of The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England.

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