Summary of Alison Weir's Mistress of the Monarchy

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 Katherine Swynford, the famous adulteress, was placed in the household of Philippa of Hainault, wife to Edward III of England, at the age of two or thereabouts. She was a Hainaulter and may have had noble or even royal connections through her mother.

#2 The arms of the town of Le Roeulx were a silver lion on a green field holding a wheel in its paw. This is a play on words, for wheel in French is roue, which is similar to, and symbolic of, Roeulx. It was a theme adopted by Paon de Roet’s family.

#3 Paon de Roët was a knight who came to England in 1327 in the train of Philippa of Hainault, who married the young King Edward III on 24 January 1328 in York Minster. He may have been present at the royal wedding, which took place in the as yet unroofed minster in the midst of a snowstorm.

#4 Paon was a Guienne King of Arms, and he was probably appointed to this position in c. 1334 by Queen Philippa. He was loved by the Queen because he was her countryman, but he never came to greater prominence at the English court.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jul 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822546189

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Insights on Alison Weir's Mistress of the Monarchy

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Katherine Swynford, the famous adulteress, was placed in the household of Philippa of Hainault, wife to Edward III of England, at the age of two or thereabouts. She was a Hainaulter and may have had noble or even royal connections through her mother.

#2

The arms of the town of Le Roeulx were a silver lion on a green field holding a wheel in its paw. This is a play on words, for wheel in French is roue, which is similar to, and symbolic of, Roeulx. It was a theme adopted by Paon de Roet’s family.

#3

Paon de Roët was a knight who came to England in 1327 in the train of Philippa of Hainault, who married the young King Edward III on 24 January 1328 in York Minster. He may have been present at the royal wedding, which took place in the as yet unroofed minster in the midst of a snowstorm.

#4

Paon was a Guienne King of Arms, and he was probably appointed to this position in c. 1334 by Queen Philippa. He was loved by the Queen because he was her countryman, but he never came to greater prominence at the English court.

#5

The Countess Margaret had a special devotion to St Katherine of Alexandria, and her accounts show that Katherine wheels, the symbol of her martydom, adorned counterpanes on the royal beds, jousting apparel and other garments.

#6

The cult of St Katherine grew throughout the Middle Ages. She was revered for her staunch faith, her courage, and her blessed virginity. She was believed to have under her special protection young maidens, churchmen, philosophers, students, craftsmen, nurses, and the dying.

#7

Katherine Swynford was born in Hainault, France. She was married to John de Paon, and was in the Queen’s service by 12 September 1366. She was probably born in 1349.

#8

In 1351, Paon was in the service of the Countess Margaret as the Knight Master of her household, but her position was not secure. In 1352, he went to England to be married to King Edward’s cousin Matilda of Lancaster.

#9

The tomb of Paon de Roët, which was commissioned by his daughter Katherine, was probably built in his lifetime. It was used by the Duchess until her death in 1396. It is possible that he died in 1352, and was buried elsewhere, and that Katherine or John of Gaunt placed a new memorial over his resting place.

#10

Katherine and Philippa were fortunate to be taken in by the motherly Philippa of Hainault, a full noble and good woman who had twelve children of her own. She was well loved and respected by her family and friends.

#11

Katherine was raised in the Queen’s Chamber, along with her sister Mary. They were companions with the younger princes and princesses, who were much older than them. Katherine learned English and Norman French, the official language of the English court, from her companions.

#12

Katherine’s character and outlook on life were shaped by her spending her formative years in the privileged