William Stewart-Parker

The Bassets of High Wycombe

This thesis will examine the careers of Alan Basset of High Wycombe and his descendants, in politics, government and society in the thirteenth century. Three of Alan’s six sons boasted varied and dynamic careers: Gilbert was a household knight of the crown and yet was driven into rebellion in the early 1230’s; Fulk rose to become Bishop of London; and Phillip was in royal service from the 1240’s, becoming chief justiciar between 1261-3 in the midst of the period of reform and rebellion. The research will add to the body of knowledge concerning the links between those below baronial status and demonstrate how service to the Angevin kings could establish a family’s fortunes.
The study will consider themes of family relationships, landholding, affinity networks, neighbourhood, ecclesiastical patronage and religious devotion, marriages and inheritance (in particular role of women as wives, widows and heiresses in extending family networks), alongside individual careers in royal and church offices. There is throughout the century an interesting division within the family between loyalists and rebels, which will illustrate issues relating to disinheritance and restoration, and the formal and informal mechanisms deployed in the pursuit of reconciliation. The research will furthermore look at the changing ideology of lordship itself - of honour, duty and service - and the associated relationship between lords and their tenants.

BA History, AKC and MA Medieval History at King’s College London

Professor David Carpenter