Anne of Bohemia (Lives of Royal Women)

This volume examines the life of Anne of Bohemia, the first queen of Richard II (1377–1399), and situates her within the context of medieval queenship by arguing that Anne ably fulfilled the political role of the queen consort through her intercession, patronage, and piety. Much previous scholarship on Anne has focused on her relationship with famous poets, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, but from analyzing government documents it becomes clear that Anne used her wealth and status to enact power. Through financial, religious, and cultural patronage, Anne rewarded supporters and servants and influenced court life. The examination of sources such as a letter from Anne to her half brother, and an apothecary bill that contains some fertility medicines suggests that the queen both desired and tried to have children. As such, the volume questions the public imagination of Anne and shows that, in this example, although she died childless, Anne and Richard attempted to have children throughout their marriage. With the inclusion of tables listing Anne’s acts of intercession and her land holdings and land grants, Anne of Bohemia is a useful tool for students and scholars interested in queenship studies, medieval women’s history, and the history of the English monarchy. This volume examines the life of Anne of Bohemia, first queen of Richard II (1377–1399), and situates her within the context of medieval queenship by arguing that Anne ably fulfilled the political role of the queen consort through her intercession, patronage, and piety. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 List of Figures 8 Acknowledgments 9 List of Abbreviations 11 List of People 13 Introduction 16 Queenship as an Office 19 The Reign of Richard II 22 Overview of the Book 28 Notes 30 Chapter 1: Heritage and Marriage 34 Bohemia and the Empire 35 Charles IV and Elisabeth of Pomerania 36 The Court at Prague 41 Early Life 44 Marriage 48 Early Married Years 54 Conclusion 57 Notes 59 Chapter 2: Intercession “She Settled Quarrels” 67 Intercession and Monarchy 69 Intercession during the Reign of Richard II 72 Anne as an Intercessor 74 Anne’s Intercessions in Detail 79 Anne and International Mediation 88 Conclusion 94 Notes 96 Chapter 3: Finances and Household 105 Financial Resources 105 Household Members 110 Material Culture 118 Conclusion 121 Notes 121 Chapter 4: “Most Gracious Queen of England”: Patronage 126 Patronage 128 Religious Patronage 131 Cultural Patronage 134 Literature 134 Painting and Manuscript Illumination 137 New Fashions 140 Ritual and Performing Monarchy 142 Conclusion 149 Notes 149 Chapter 5: Biological and Nurturing Motherhood 158 Trying to Conceive 159 Coping with Childlessness: Nurturing Motherhood 165 Conclusion 173 Notes 174 Chapter 6: Childlessness, Virginity, and Manhood 181 Coping with Childlessness: Virginity 182 Why Perform Virginity? Regality, Masculinity, Femininity, and Childlessness 188 Conclusion 193 Notes 193 Chapter 7: Afterlife and Conclusion 199 Anne and the Lollards 206 Good Queen Anne 213 Conclusion 215 Notes 217 Appendix 1: Anne of Bohemia’s Pardons, Licenses, and Grants 223 Appendix 2: Anne’s Dower and Grants 235 Notes 272 Appendix 3: Letter and Translation of Additional 6159 273 Notes 276 Appendix 4: Servants and Officials 277 Notes 282 Bibliography 284 Unprinted Primary Sources 284 Printed Primary Sources 286 Secondary Sources 290 Index 312 Anne,of,Bohemia;,Anne’s,apothecary,bill;,Anne’s,childlessness;,Anne’s,finances;,Anne’s,gender,identity;,Anne’s,household;,Anne’s,infertility;,Anne’s,intercession;,Anne’s,larger,political,role;,Anne’s,nurturing,motherhood;,biological,motherhood;,family,heritage;,Richard’s,manhood;,Richard’s,virginity Anne of Bohemia,Anne’s apothecary bill,Anne’s childlessness,Anne’s finances,Anne’s gender identity,Anne’s household,Anne’s infertility,Anne’s intercession,Anne’s larger political role,Anne’s nurturing motherhood,biological motherhood,family heritage,Richard’s manhood,Richard’s virginity "This volume examines the life of Anne of Bohemia, first queen of Richard II (1377-1399), and situates her within the context of medieval queenship by arguing that Anne ably fulfilled the political role of the queen consort through her intercession, patronage, and piety. With the inclusion of tables listing Anne's acts of intercession and her land holdings and land grants, Anne of Bohemia is a useful tool for students and scholars interested in queenship studies, medieval women's history, and the history of the English monarchy"-- Provided by publisher Heritage and Marriage -- "She Settled Quarrels" -- Household and Finances -- "Most Gracious Queen of England": Patronage -- Biological and Nurturing Motherhood -- Childlessness, Virginity, and Manhood -- Afterlife and Conclusion