Humphrey Newton (1466-1536): An Early Tudor GentlemanThe public and political lives of the fifteenth- and early sixteenth-century gentry have been extensively studied, but comparatively little is known of their private lives and beliefs. Humphrey Newton of Pownall, Cheshire, offers a rare and fascinating opportunity to redress the balance, thanks to the fortunate survival of a commonplace book he compiled c.1498-1524. Drawing upon this unique manuscript, this interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional study of Newton explores his family life, landed estate, legal work, piety, and his literary skills [he composed nearly twenty courtly love lyrics]. It charts his social advancement and the self-fashioning of his gentle image, while placing him in the context of current discussions of gentry culture. What makes Newton even more noteworthy is that he was among the unsung and little known stratum of English society historians have labelled the 'lesser' gentry. As such, this book provides the first comprehensive biography of an early Tudor gentleman. Dr DEBORAH YOUNGS is lecturer in medieval history at Swansea University. |
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Common terms and phrases
accounts administration appears Bodl Booth Carpenter chapel CHeS Cheshire Chester church cloth collection common commonplace book Compare concerns considered contained copied court culture dating davenport death deeds Derbyshire discussion early edward ellen england evidence example fifteenth century Fitton four gentry Glastonbury Abbey hand holding household Humphrey Humphrey’s important included interests involved John known Lancashire land late medieval later latin lawyers legh letters Library lines literature living london lord lowe manor manuscript marriage medieval middle mill never Newton noted origins oxford parish payments perhaps poems political position pownall practical prayers range reading received recorded richard robert seen servants shared sixteenth social society status steward suggests texts thomas writing written
Bibliographic information
| Title | Humphrey Newton (1466-1536): An Early Tudor Gentleman |
| Author | Deborah Youngs |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2008 |
| ISBN | 1843833956, 9781843833956 |
| Length | 257 pages |
| Subjects | › Biography & Autobiography / Historical Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |