Humphrey Duke of Gloucester: Politics and Reputation

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester was a son, brother and uncle of kings : Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. He fought with Henry V at Agincourt and took an active part in the conquest of Normandy. After the accession of Henry VI he became protector of England during the king s minority. After the duke s death in custody at Bury St Edmunds in 1447 his name was invoked by those opposed to the Lancastrian regime in the aftermath of the loss of Normandy. This book examines Duke Humphrey s projection of his self image while he lived and the evolution of his political reputation after death. The myth of Good Duke Humphrey continued through the sixteenth century. However, it was eventually replaced by an emphasis on Gloucester s achievements as an early English Humanist when the reputations of his political enemies were rehabilitated by historians at his expense. More recently even Gloucester s reputation as a Humanist has been questioned. However, it is argued that the duke s cultural life complimented and supported his political career, which far from self serving was designed to further the interests of the Lancastrian crown as left by Henry V.