BRAND #148 · MEDIEVAL POWER BROKER · $1,000,000
John of Gaunt
The Kingmaker’s Father
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise...
RICHARD II · ACT 2 · JOHN OF GAUNT’S SPEECH
SPONSORED
Advertising space · $500/month ·
ContactThe History
The richest man in England. The father of a dynasty.
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). Third surviving son of Edward III. The wealthiest nobleman in England. He claimed the throne of Castile through his second wife. He protected John Wycliffe, the religious reformer, from the Church. His legitimate sons became the Lancastrian kings. His legitimized children with Katherine Swynford — the Beauforts — eventually produced the Tudor dynasty.
Gaunt never became king himself. He was something more dangerous: the man behind the kings. His household was packed with loyalists. His campaigns were supported by the Percys and Nevilles. His speech in Shakespeare’s Richard II is the most famous patriotic speech in the English language.
Katherine Swynford
THIRD WIFE · MOTHER OF BEAUFORTS
Geoffroi de Charny
KNIGHT · AUTHOR OF CHIVALRY
John Wycliffe
REFORMER · GAUNT'S PROTÉGÉ
The Beauforts
LEGITIMIZED CHILDREN · LANCASTRIAN LINE
Ralph Neville
EARL OF WESTMORLAND · MARRIED JOAN
The Percys
MILITARY ALLIES · NORTHERN POWER
The Products
Six products for the power broker.
The Sceptred Isle
Framed calligraphy print of Gaunt's speech from Richard II. The most famous patriotic words in English. Hand-lettered on cotton.
$95
The Household
Executive contact book. Leather. For the 200 people who matter most. Gaunt's household was his power base. Yours should be too.
$75
Castile
Spanish olive oil. Cold-pressed. Gaunt claimed the throne of Castile. He never got it. But the oil is still the best in the world.
$28
The Reformer
Reading stand. Walnut. For the person who protects ideas, like Gaunt protected Wycliffe. The book deserves a throne.
$85
Lancaster Red
Wax-sealed letter set. Red wax, Lancaster crest. 12 envelopes. Some messages should arrive sealed.
$42
The Third Son
Whiskey. Single malt. Third son of Edward III. Not the heir. Not the spare. The one who built the dynasty anyway.
$110
SPONSORED
Advertising space · $500/month
Learning Game
Test your knowledge.