To what extent and how did the instability of Henry VI’s kingship, culminating in civil war, affect the Paston and Stonor families between 1422-1483?

Abstract

This dissertation will explore how two gentry families in the fifteenth century were affected by the instability of Henry VI’s kingship, which culminated in war and political turmoil throughout the 1400’s. The Stonor and Paston letter collections will be examined to understand the social impacts war and political instability had on two different gentry families.