The Paston Family in the Fifteenth Century: Volume 2, Fastolf's Will

Description

The Paston family have long been famous for the large collection of letters and papers which bear their name. However, only recently have the 'Paston Letters' been used systematically by historians of fifteenth-century England: they are both attractive to read and fiendishly difficult to use as source material for the historian. This, the second volume in Colin Richmond's individual and compelling study of the Pastons, describes the bitter disputes over the will of Sir John Fastolf (d. 1459) which dogged the family for many years, and which hold a wider significance for the law, English country society, and the complex politics of the fifteenth century. Professor Richmond uses his mastery of the Paston documents to illuminate many obscurities surrounding the will, and at the same time creates an insightful and sympathetic picture of this fascinating, often troubled family.

'Fastolf's Will is an immensely enjoyable book: clever, witty, humane and rich in insight.' Nigel Saul, Times Literary Supplement 'This is a richly textured and subtle study. It is constantly enlivened by vivid character sketches ...' Nigel Saul, Times Literary Supplement