Prophecy, Politics and Place in Medieval England

A study of the prophetic tradition in medieval England brings out its influence on contemporary politics and the contemporary elite.

The period from the twelfth century to the Wars of the Roses witnessed a dominant tradition of secular prophecy engaged with high political affairs, which this book charts, discussing the production of prophetic texts forecastingthe rule of the whole of Britain by the kings of England. It draws on the prophetic works of familiar authors and names, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth and Thomas of Erceldoune, alongside previously unpublished manuscript material,to study identity formation among medieval political elites. Alongside English prophetic texts, the author explores competing visions of the British future produced in Wales and Scotland, with which English prophetic authors entered into an overt dialogue; this was a cross-border exchange which in many ways shaped the development of this deeply influential discourse. Prophecy is revealed to be a dynamic arena for literary exchange, where alternative imaginings of the future sovereignty of Britain vied for acceptance, and compelled decision making at the highest political levels.

Dr Victoria Flood is Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature at the University of Birmingham.