How to Get Ahead – At Medieval Court: Writer, broadcaster and Newsnight arts correspondent Stephen Smith looks back at the Medieval Age to find out what it took to get ahead at the court of Richard II. Richard presided over the first truly sophisticated and artistic court in England. Painters, sculptors, poets, tailors, weavers and builders flocked to court to make their fortunes. But these were dangerous times. Being close to Richard brought many a courtier to a sticky end. Featuring David Tennant and Clarissa Dickson Wright.
Richard II was the king of England from 1377 to 1399. His court was known for its opulence and splendor, with many elaborate feasts and ceremonies. Richard II was a patron of the arts and surrounded himself with artists, musicians, and writers. He was also known for his love of fashion and is credited with introducing the concept of the “hanging sleeve” to English fashion. However, Richard II’s court was also marked by political strife and upheaval. He faced challenges from nobles who were unhappy with his rule, and there were several rebellions against him during his reign. His reign ended when he was deposed by Henry Bolingbroke, who later became King Henry IV.
Writer and broadcaster Stephen Smith finds out what it took to survive and prosper in the most artistic, decadent and dangerous royal courts in history.
How to Get Ahead – At Medieval Court
There are many ways to get ahead at a medieval court, but some key strategies include:
- Build relationships with important people: In a medieval court, personal connections and alliances were often the key to success. Try to build relationships with people who are Bristle and exert a positive influence on those around you.
- Show loyalty and commitment to the ruler: A ruler’s power and authority depended on the loyalty of those around them. Showing loyalty and commitment to the ruler, whether through deeds or words, can help you gain favor and rise in the court hierarchy.
- Be skilled and knowledgeable: Medieval courts valued skill and knowledge, so try to develop your talents and learn as much as you can. This could be in a specific area such as poetry, music, or warfare, or more general knowledge about politics, history, and current events.
- Be strategic and cunning: The game of thrones at a medieval court could be ruthless, so it’s important to be strategic and cunning in your actions. This might involve making alliances, forming partnerships, and playing your cards close to your chest.
- Be patient and persistent: Getting ahead at a medieval court could take time, so it’s important to be patient and persistent in your efforts. Keep building relationships, developing your skills, and working towards your goals, and eventually you may be able to rise to the top.
Medieval Age
The medieval age, also known as the Middle Ages, is a period of European history that lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. This was a time of great change and upheaval, marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of powerful monarchies and feudal systems, and the spread of Christianity throughout Europe. The medieval age is often divided into three main periods: the Early Middle Ages (5th-10th centuries), the High Middle Ages (11th-13th centuries), and the Late Middle Ages (14th-15th centuries). Each period had its own distinct characteristics and developments, but they were all marked by a combination of political, religious, and cultural changes.
Population decline, counterurbanisation, the collapse of centralized authority, invasions, and mass migrations of tribes, which had begun in Late Antiquity, continued into the Early Middle Ages. The large-scale movements of the Migration Period, including various Germanic peoples, formed new kingdoms in what remained of the Western Roman Empire. In the 7th century, North Africa and the Middle East—most recently part of the Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire—came under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate, an Islamic empire, after conquest by Muhammad’s successors. Although there were substantial changes in society and political structures, the break with classical antiquity was not complete.
The still-sizeable Byzantine Empire, Rome’s direct continuation, survived in the Eastern Mediterranean and remained a major power. Secular law was advanced greatly by the Code of Justinian. In the West, most kingdoms incorporated extant Roman institutions, while new bishoprics and monasteries were founded as Christianity expanded in Europe. The Franks, under the Carolingian dynasty, briefly established the Carolingian Empire during the later 8th and early 9th centuries. It covered much of Western Europe but later succumbed to the pressures of internal civil wars combined with external invasions: Vikings from the north, Magyars from the east, and Saracens from the south.
Richard II
Richard II, also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard’s father died in 1376, leaving Richard as heir apparent to his grandfather, King Edward III; upon the latter’s death, the 10-year-old Richard succeeded to the throne.
During Richard’s first years as king, government was in the hands of a series of regency councils, influenced by Richard’s uncles John of Gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock. England then faced various problems, most notably the Hundred Years’ War. A major challenge of the reign was the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, and the young king played a central part in the successful suppression of this crisis. Less warlike than either his father or grandfather, he sought to bring an end to the Hundred Years’ War. A firm believer in the royal prerogative, Richard restrained the power of the aristocracy and relied on a private retinue for military protection instead. In contrast to his grandfather, Richard cultivated a refined atmosphere centred on art and culture at court, in which the king was an elevated figure.
The king’s dependence on a small number of courtiers caused discontent among the influential, and in 1387 control of government was taken over by a group of aristocrats known as the Lords Appellant. By 1389 Richard had regained control, and for the next eight years governed in relative harmony with his former opponents. In 1397, he took his revenge on the Appellants, many of whom were executed or exiled. The next two years have been described by historians as Richard’s “tyranny”. In 1399, after John of Gaunt died, the king disinherited Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, who had previously been exiled. Henry invaded England in June 1399 with a small force that quickly grew in numbers. Meeting little resistance, he deposed Richard and had himself crowned king. Richard is thought to have been starved to death in captivity, although questions remain regarding his final fate.