Earls, knights and bastards: a comparative study of the fortunes and misfortunes of two aristocratic families of England c.1135-1267

This thesis analyses and compares the fortunes of two English aristocratic families, the Senlis family and Crevequer family, between the beginning of King Stephen’s reign in 1135 and the closing of the Second Baron’s war in 1267.

The first chapter evaluates the duties which the patriarchs of these families performed for either the king or lesser lords. This chapter reveals that, over multiple generations, both families sought to enjoy the benefits which their loyal service could impart.

The second chapter examines the political careers of both families during the civil wars of the period. By doing so, it demonstrates that intelligent political opportunism during such times could present great benefits to these families’ power and wealth, but, to the unfortunate aristocrat they could also cause a great loss of land and power.

The third chapter explores the estates and religious patronage of the families, looking specifically at the extent of their estates and the methods by which lands were gained and alienated. This chapter also evaluates the motivations for the religious patronage undertaken by these aristocrats and reveals that both spiritual and worldly motivations played a pivotal role in their decisions to fulfil their obligations as founders and benefactors.