The Medieval History Bloke

I am Barry Aveyard an independent historian, writer and speaker in Lincoln, and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

History has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My career was in nursing and then nurse education. My BA in Social Dimensions of Health brought together historical study of biomedical sciences, sociology, social policy and psychology. During my MA in Disability Studies, I explored the history of disability, including how disabled people were treated in the medieval world. That background still shapes the questions I ask of the past.

Katherine Swynford led me into the lives of the Beauforts and Nevilles. I now also research Piers Gaveston and Edward II. With books forthcoming from Pen & Sword and talks for history groups online and in person, this site is where I share the people, places and evidence behind my work.

This is the new home for my writing beyond Katherine Swynford – A Life Well Lived. The earlier Katherine Swynford archive remains available here.

New here? Start with the people and places below. This guide brings together my writing on Katherine Swynford, her Beaufort descendants and the medieval world around them.

Katherine Swynford

• After John of Gaunt: Katherine’s last four years — her widowhood in Lincoln and the upheaval of 1399.
• Katherine’s forgotten children — the Swynford family before the Beauforts.
• Two biographies, twenty years on — reconsidering how Katherine has been written about.
• Walking with Katherine — following the evidence through places and records.

Joan Beaufort and the Nevilles

• Finding Joan Beaufort — the beginnings of my research into her life.
• Why Katherine led me to Eleanor Neville — following a family story into the Wars of the Roses.
• Strong Northern Women — the personal route into writing about Joan.

Books, places and interpretation

• My Lord John: Georgette Heyer — a novelist’s view of the Lancastrian family.
• About me and my story — the person behind the research.

For the complete chronological list, visit all posts. My earlier writing remains at Katherine Swynford – A Life Well Lived.