The Legitimacy of Bastards

This book was one that made me sit back and think! I found so much information that I had never considered! We know the side of the royals, they are well documented, but what about the landed gentry? Knights? There are so many different aspects of life that have not been expounded upon as much. This book delved into those shadows. What happens if you had bastard sons, but no legitimate? What about daughters?

These children, although accepted by their parents, were still considered born “on the wrong side of the sheets.” While today, many will turn a blind eye, in medieval times, this was not the case. Illegitimate sons were barred from many types of inheritance, although there were some that found the loopholes.

Helen Matthews brings to light many of these children, their families, and the different aspects of their lives - many of which we may not know about. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning about a different part of medieval history, one that is not often discussed, except for royal bastards.

This book is definitely worth the read! Grab it now!