Northampton: Patronage and Policy at the Court of James I

Northampton is a modern study of Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, a Jacobean courtier who shaped policy and pursued administrative reform. It challenges the traditional eminence grise view and offers a more balanced assessment of his life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1982, Northampton is a comprehensive and modern study of Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, a prominent privy councillor to King James I. Dr. Peck's work sets out to challenge the traditional portrayal of Northampton as a disruptive and power-hungry figure who stirred factional strife at court, undermined the relationship between the king and parliament, and resorted to unscrupulous tactics, including murder, to advance his family's interests.

Drawing extensively on Northampton's extensive papers, Dr. Peck presents a more balanced and nuanced assessment of this important Jacobean courtier. He explores Northampton's role in shaping policy and pursuing administrative reform, alongside his avid pursuit of personal patronage and profit. Unlike traditional biographies, this study is organized topically to examine broader issues of policy-making and administration during the Jacobean period.

Northampton's life and career provide valuable insights into the political and social dynamics of the Tudor Stuart era. His involvement in the Wars of the Roses and his close association with King James I shed light on the complex relationships between nobility, royalty, and parliament. Dr. Peck's study offers a fresh perspective on Northampton, challenging the traditional narratives and highlighting his contributions to the development of early bureaucracy and the administration of England.

This book will appeal to specialists in Stuart studies, historians of England, social scientists interested in the development of early bureaucracy, and anyone with a general interest in Tudor Stuart history. Northampton's story offers a rich and complex narrative that sheds light on the political, social, and cultural dynamics of a pivotal period in English history.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032440958