Open AccessChivalry, B ritish sovereignty and dynastic politics: undercurrents of antagonism in T udor‐ S tewart relations, c .1490− c .1513
Author(s) -
Stevenson Katie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
historical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.203
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1468-2281
pISSN - 0950-3471
DOI - 10.1111/1468-2281.12017
Subject(s) - chivalry , sovereignty , politics , throne , contest , monarchy , history , ancient history , law , political science
This article investigates the deliberate use and manipulation of chivalric culture and iconography by J ames IV of S cotland to position the S tewart dynasty's claims to the E nglish throne in contest with the concurrent consolidation of T udor dynastic security. This resulted in a dialogue developing between the two kingdoms concerning the relationship between sovereignty, dynasty and chivalry. This article argues for a new approach to the study of chivalry, by considering it as a meaningful language in political communication. It finds that chivalry had a strong currency in diplomatic discourse and was used to transact political issues of sovereignty and dynasty.