Power and Pleasure: Court Life Under King John, 1199-1216 (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780198802518)

Although King John is remembered for his political and military failures, he also resided over a magnificent court. Power and Pleasure reconstructs life at the court of King John and explores how his court produced both pleasure and soft power.

Much work exists on courts of the late medieval and early modern periods, but the jump in record keeping under John allows a detailed reconstruction of court life for an earlier period. Power and Pleasure: Court Life under King John, 1199-1216 examines the many facets of John's court, exploring hunting, feasting, castles, landscapes, material luxury, chivalry, sexual coercion, and religious activities. It explains how John mishandled his use of soft power, just as he failed to exploit his financial and military advantages, and why he received so little political benefit from his magnificent court. John's court is viewed in comparison to other courts of the time, and in previous and subsequent centuries.

Author: Hugh M. Thomas
ISBN-10: 019880251X
ISBN-13: 9780198802518
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 01/19/2021
Pages: 284
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 0.90d