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Bastard Feudalism, Overmighty Subjects and Idols of the Multitude during the Wars of the Roses
Author(s) -
Hicks Michael
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
history
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.12
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1468-229X
pISSN - 0018-2648
DOI - 10.1111/1468-229x.00153
Subject(s) - multitude , demise , feudalism , realm , history , principal (computer security) , power (physics) , tian , law , political science , ancient history , politics , computer security , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science
A handful of overmighty subjects exercised a disproportionate influence on the events of the Wars of the Roses. This article considers how and why. Circumstances were certainly propitious. Not only did the greatest noblemen command exceptional resources of their own, albeit always less than the king, but they deployed the principal military commands against the crown and sought to enlist the populace on their side. Successful overmighty subjects were also idols of the multitude. Generally they failed and almost all died violently. Their misfortunes, a recovery of royal power and the disappearance of the desire to disturb the realm all help to explain the demise of their type.