The gentleman's mistress : illegitimate relationships and children, 1450--1640 / Tim Thornton and Katharine Carlton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thornton, Tim, author.

Carlton, Katharine, author.

Series:

Manchester scholarship online.

Manchester scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Illegitimate children of royalty.

Great Britain--Kings and rulers--Paramours.

Great Britain.

Great Britain--Kings and rulers--Biography.

Great Britain--Kings and rulers--History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 172 pages) : digital file(s).

Place of Publication:

Manchester, UK : Manchester University Press, 2019.

System Details:

data file

Summary:

This is an exploration of the extent and implications of the pre- and extra-marital relationships of the gentry and nobility in the period 1450-1640 in the north of England. It challenges assumptions about the extent to which such activity declined in the period in question, and hence about the impact of Protestantism and other changes to the culture of the elite. The book is a major contribution to the literature on marriage and sexual relationships, on family and kinship and their impacts on wider social networks, and on gender.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Figures and tables

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

Explanatory notes

Introduction

Background and legal framework

The extent of bastardy among the elite

The role and status of the mistress

Gentlewomen and their lovers

The 'wronged' partner

The bastard children

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 06 Mar 2026).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781526114099

1526114097

9781526114082

1526114089

OCLC:

1114109830