Studies in economic, political and social history in 13c England. This latest volume in the series of selected proceedings of the conferences on thirteenth-century England, held biennially at Newcastle upon Tyne since 1985, contains fourteen papers given at the 1993 conference, most of them modified and expanded from their oral versions. As previously, they range widely over a variety of topics, embracing aspects of the political, legal, administrative, economic, religious and social history of the period, from merchantsand trade in medieval England to hagiographical writings and the role of the household knights of Edward I; there is also an important historiographical introductory essay considering past and present approaches to the study of thirteenth-century England, and indicating possible trends in the future. Contributors: M.T. CLANCHY, PHILIP MORGAN, RUTH INGAMELLS, ROBERT BARTLETT, BRIAN GOLDING, ANDREW H. HERSHEY, SCOTT L. WAUGH, JAMES MASSCHAELE, R.H.BRITNELL, W.M. ORMROD, ANDREW F.McGUINNESS, R. MALCOLM HOGG, MICHAEL BURGER, A.A.M. DUNCAN

The most recent ideas and arguments from leading historians of John's reign. The reign of King John (1199-1216) is one of the most controversial in English history. When he succeeded to Richard the Lionheart's lands, he could legitimately claim to rule half modern France as well as England and Ireland; butby the time of his death his dominion lay in tatters, and his subjects had banded together to restrict his powers as king under the Magna Carta and to overthrow him in favour of the son of the king of France. Over the centuries his reign has provided politicians and historians with fertile ground for inspiration and argument, and this volume adds to the debate, offering the most recent ideas and arguments from leading historians on the subject, and covering all the major issues involved. It is coherently formulated around explorations of the two major events of his reign: the loss of his continental inheritance, and the ending of his reign in the disaster of civil war. Topicscover all aspects of his life and career, from his reputation, the economy, the Norman aristocracy, the Church, Justice and the Empire, to his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine and his wife Isabella of Angouleme. It will be essential reading for all interested in one of the most significant periods of English history. Contributors: NICK BARRATT, J.L. BOLTON, JIM BRADBURY,SEAN DUFFY, A.A.M. DUNCAN, NATALIE FRYDE, JOHN GILLINGHAM, CHRISTOPHER HARPER-BILL, PAUL LATIMER, JANE MARTINDALE, V.D. MOSS, DANIEL POWER, IFOR W. ROWLANDS, RALPH V. TURNER, NICHOLAS VINCENT. Professor S.D. CHURCH teaches in the Department of History at the University of East Anglia.