Royal Childhood and Child Kingship: Boy Kings in England, Scotland, France and Germany, c. 1050-1262

Emily Joan Ward's book explores the role of children in medieval rulership, challenging the assumption that kingship equated to adult power. It examines royal charters, oaths to young boys, cross-kingdom diplomacy, and coronation to show that children's participation and political assent were significant aspects of rule. The study analyzes eight case studies across northwestern Europe from c.1050 to c.1250 and stresses innovations and adaptations in royal government, questions the exaggeration of political disorder under a boy king, and suggests that a ruler's childhood posed far less of a challenge than their adolescence and youth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 359 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Refining adult-focused perspectives on medieval rulership,Emily Joan Ward delves into the intricate complexities of understanding the concept of kingship in the Middle Ages. By challenging the notion that kingship solely equated to adult power, she unveils the significant role that children played and their political consent in the day-to-day affairs of rule. Through a comprehensive examination of royal charters, oaths taken by young boys, cross-kingdom diplomacy, and coronation ceremonies, Ward demonstrates how children's participation and political assent were integral components of medieval governance. This groundbreaking study represents the first comparative and thematic exploration of child rulership in this period, spanning from approximately 1050 to 1250. Ward's analysis encompasses eight case studies across northwestern Europe, providing a rich tapestry of insights. She emphasizes the innovations and adaptations in royal government, questions the exaggerated portrayal of political disorder under a boy king, and suggests that a ruler's childhood posed far less of a challenge than their adolescence and youth. By seamlessly integrating social, cultural, and political historical methodologies, Ward unravels how broader societal changes between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries reshaped children's lived experiences of royal rule and influenced the perception of child kingship. This seminal work not only sheds light on the historical context but also offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, governance, and the role of children in medieval society.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108978842