The gentleman’s mistress: Illegitimate relationships and children, 1450–1640

Tim Thornton; Katharine Carlton

doi:10.7765/9781526114082

This is an exploration of the extent and implications of the pre- and extra-marital relationships of the gentry and nobility in the period 1450–1640 in the north of England. It challenges assumptions about the extent to which such activity declined in the period in question, and hence about the impact of Protestantism and other changes to the culture of the elite. The book is a major contribution to the literature on marriage and sexual relationships, on family and kinship and their impacts on wider social networks, and on gender.

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The gentleman’s mistress

Illegitimate relationships and children, 1450–1640

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Contents

Front matter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-v

List of figures and tables
pp vi-vi

Acknowledgements
pp vii-viii

List of abbreviations
pp ix-ix

Explanatory notes
pp x-x

Introduction
pp 1-15

1 - Background and legal framework
pp 16-37

2 - The extent of bastardy among the elite
pp 38-59

3 - The role and status of the mistress
pp 60-79

4 - Gentlewomen and their lovers
pp 80-98

5 - The ‘wronged’ partner
pp 99-114

6 - The bastard children
pp 115-135

Conclusion
pp 136-143

Bibliography
pp 144-163

Index
pp 164-172

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The gentleman’s mistress

Illegitimate relationships and children, 1450–1640

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Contents

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