Faculty Letter of Support 1

An Examination of the Chateau Gaillard's Role During Richard the Lionheart's Campaign in the Vexin; Its Engineering Advances, and Richard's Involvement in Its Construction (Excerpt)

As he mentions in his application, he would assist me through his research in my study of Richard's role in the developing of the coronation rite of the duke of Aquitaine, a project based on my manuscript work at the Bibliothèque nationale. Richard, through his mother Eleanor, had been duke of Aquitaine before becoming king of England and then aspirant to the French throne. The coronation rite of Aquitaine, as we have it, is a work of the late twelth century and gives evidence of having been influenced by customs from Berry and from nothern France, especially Paris. What is not clear is how much Richard's efforts to conquer France in these last years of his life might have influenced the form of this rite. On this point the student has already been of some assistance, especially for his emphasis on Richard as a warrior and for his providing recent bibliographical material. Since most of my research has concentrated on Aquitaine in the tenth and eleventh centures, his assistance is especially valuable.

Student Proposal