A variety of new perspectives and fresh insights into people and society in fifteenth-century England and France are gathered together here. We learn from contemporary accounts of the battle of Anthon how regional politics in the Dauphin<130> were enmeshed in the broader conflict over the French throne; subtle inferences about East Anglian politics in the fifteenth century are derived not only from a detailed study of stained glass, but also from a close examination of Sir John Fastolf's papers; the motivations of members of guilds in founding almshouses in their towns, and how such establishments functioned, are presented for our deeper understanding; relations between Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and the citizens of London at crucial stages of Henry VI's reign are explored anew; the celebration of the accession of Edward IV by the artistic endeavours of a clerk of the staple of Calais gives our study of the period a new visual dimension; and a drama perhaps performed in the household of Cardinal Morton throws a new perspective on contemporary attitudes towards the nobility and Henry VII's `new men'.

Contributors: KATHLEEN DALY, DAVID KING, RUTH LEXTON, JONATHAN MACKMAN, CAROLE RAWCLIFFE, COLIN RICHMOND, LUCY RHYMER, ANNE F, SUTTON.