Fourteenth Century England has quickly established for itself a deserved reputation for its scope and scholarship and for admirably filling a gap in the publication of medieval studies. HISTORYThe essays collected here present the fruits of the most recent research on aspects of the politics and culture of fourteenth-century England. Among the topics considered are the size and structure of magnates' households and retinues, Edward II's relationship with Piers Gaveston, court venues and the image presented by royal justice, the pattern of clergy ordinations, and the Despensers' patronage of Tewkesbury Abbey. Three essays deal with aspects of Richard II's reign, two reassessing the so-called `tyranny', and a third looking at the inter-relation of English and Irish politics. The final essays look at general but related themes, the administration of royal justice and the role of morality in the exercise of public office. NIGEL SAUL is Professor of Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London. CONTRIBUTORS: ALISON MARSHALL, ELIZABETH H. WILL, JOCHEN BURGTORF, DAVID ROBINSON, MARTYN LAWRENCE, PETER CROOKS, G.B. STOW, TERRY JONES, ANTHONY MUSSON, CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER

An Early Fourteenth-Century Affinity: the Earl of Norfolk and his Followers - Alison MarshallJohn of Gaunt's Household: Attendance Rolls in the Glynde Archive, MS 3469 - Elizabeth Will`With my Life, His Joyes Began and Ended': Piers Gaveston and King Edward II of England Revisited - Jochen BurgtorfClerical Recruitment in England, 1282-1348 - David RobinsonSecular Patronage and Religious Devotion: the Despensers and St Mary's Abbey, Tewksbury - Martyn LawrenceThe `Calculus of Faction' and Richard II's Duchy of Ireland, c. 1382-9 - Peter CrooksRichard II in the Continuatio Eulogii: Yet Another Alleged Historical Incident? - George StowWas Richard II a Tyrant? Richard's Use of the Books of Rules for Princes - Terry JonesCourt Venues and the Politics of Justice - Anthony MussonMorality and Office in Late Medieval England and France - C. D. Fletcher