This is an original thesis, which traces the history of the Beauchamp family, from the time they gained the earldom of Warwick in 1268 to the death of earl Thomas [I] in 1369. During these 101 years, the Beauchamp estates increased significantly, as did the families reputation. Chapter One follows the development of the family, focusing on the three Beauchamp earls, and examining to what extent their actions and personalities contributed to the family's success, as well as discussing the importance of other relatives. Chapter Two contains an overview of the families estates in this period, as well as a discussion of the various ways in which land was added to the estates, and an examination of the setbacks which occurred. Chapter Three is the most detailed of all, and is an examination of the nature and development of the bastard feudal networks in the midlands, to which the earls and their affinity belonged. It uses information contained in the Beauchamp cartulary to reconstruct the earls' affinities, and discusses the type of men the earls attracted to their retinue.

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