John de Cherleton, first lord Charlton of Powys: a biography

John de Cherleton was born sometime in the late thirteenth century into a family based in Charlton in Shropshire. We have few details of the de Cherleton family before this time, but it is known that John and his brothers were to rise from relative obscurity to become influential and powerful men, within the church and royal court. John is an important, if less well-known figure, and was involved in many of the key issues of Edward II’s reign and remained a significant figure in the Welsh Marches into the reign of Edward III. This paper begins with John’s life as a soldier in the service of Edward I and in the household of Edward, Prince of Wales, before moving on to focus on his influence at court once Edward became king. It explores in detail John’s close association with Gaveston, in the early years of the reign and the impact that this had on Edward’s relationships with his barons, particularly Thomas of Lancaster. It demonstrates how his marriage to Hawise de la Pole, which brought with it the title of first lord Charlton of Powys, secured his family’s social status and prestige. This paper will call into question previous assumptions about John de Cherleton and challenge existing accounts of his involvement in notable events, such as the Despenser Wars, by returning to primary source material. It will trace his involvement in the deposition of Edward II and the reign of Edward III and ensure that the wider context is given due consideration when examining his actions in later life. Ultimately, it will tell the story of a remarkable man, who managed to navigate successfully, the most challenging of times, to ensure that his family enjoyed wealth, power and status long after his death.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Clarke, Catherine

• DA Prydain Fawr

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:2471