The Real Falstaff: Sir John Fastolf and the Hundred Years War
Feb 2011 · Casemate Publishers
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About this ebook
This historical study examines the life and military accomplishments of the medieval knight who inspired one of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters.
One of the most famous English knights of the Hundred Years War, Sir John Fastolf is widely thought to be a model for Shakespeare’s immortal character, Sir John Falstaff. In The Real Falstaff, historian Stephen Cooper examines the link in full, shedding light on his story as well as the declining English fortunes during the last phase of the Hundred Years War. Witnessing both the triumphs of Henry V, and the disasters of the 1450s, Fastolf was one of the last of the brave but often brutal English soldiers who made their careers waging war in France.
Cooper retraces the entire course of Fastolf’s long life, putting special focus on his many campaigns. A vivid picture of the old soldier emerges and of the French wars in which he played such a prominent part. But the author also explores Fastolf’s legacy, his connection to the Paston family—famous for the Paston letters—and the use Shakespeare made of Fastolf’s name, career, and character when he created Sir John Falstaff.
One of the most famous English knights of the Hundred Years War, Sir John Fastolf is widely thought to be a model for Shakespeare’s immortal character, Sir John Falstaff. In The Real Falstaff, historian Stephen Cooper examines the link in full, shedding light on his story as well as the declining English fortunes during the last phase of the Hundred Years War. Witnessing both the triumphs of Henry V, and the disasters of the 1450s, Fastolf was one of the last of the brave but often brutal English soldiers who made their careers waging war in France.
Cooper retraces the entire course of Fastolf’s long life, putting special focus on his many campaigns. A vivid picture of the old soldier emerges and of the French wars in which he played such a prominent part. But the author also explores Fastolf’s legacy, his connection to the Paston family—famous for the Paston letters—and the use Shakespeare made of Fastolf’s name, career, and character when he created Sir John Falstaff.
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About the author
Stephen Cooper is an Oxford graduate, lawyer and civil servant who has previously written on life in eighteenth-century England and on English crime and criminals in the nineteenth century. But his main interest has always been in medieval history, and he has made a close study of the Hundred Years' War and of mercenary warfare in medieval Italy.
His most recent book is Sir John Hawkwood: Chivalry and the Art of War.
He currently lives in Yorkshire.
His most recent book is Sir John Hawkwood: Chivalry and the Art of War.
He currently lives in Yorkshire.
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