De la Pole, Father and Son: The Duke, The Earl and the Struggle for Power

John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, was a major magnate in fifteenth-century England, and his second marriage to Elizabeth of York made him the brother-in-law of two kings. His son, John, would be named heir to Richard III in 1484 and die in battle in the Yorkist cause. Michèle Schindler's dual biography provides a new perspective on the tumultuous events of fifteenth-century England and the birth of the modern nation-state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

John de la Pole, the 2nd Duke of Suffolk, played a significant role in fifteenth-century England as a prominent magnate. However, his early life was marred by the political downfall and tragic murder of his father, who had initially been favored by King Henry VI but faced increasing distrust from the nobility. John's second marriage to Elizabeth of York, the sixth child and third daughter of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, not only brought him into close proximity with two kings, Edward IV and Richard III, but also made him the brother-in-law of these rulers. Among John's thirteen children from this marriage, the second eldest, also named John, would eventually be designated as the heir to Richard III in 1484 and tragically perish in battle for the Yorkist cause. Despite the son's untimely demise, John's father would outlive him.

The intriguing aspect of this dual biography lies in the complex relationship between these two powerful figures and their differing involvement in the Wars of the Roses. Did the elder John approve of his sons rebellion and active participation in the Lambert Simnel conspiracy? How much support did he lend to his claim to the throne? The contrasting political decisions of the Duke of Suffolk and the Earl of Lincoln, despite their familial ties, are noteworthy. By examining these two overlapping lives, Michèle Schindler offers a fresh perspective on the tumultuous events of fifteenth-century England and the emergence of the modern nation-state.

Weight: 702g
Dimension: 243 x 167 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398106185