Friday 19 May at 7:30pm Dr Paul Dryburgh on Intimidation, Conspiracy and Abuse of Power: John of Markenfield, a Northener in the service of King Edward II

Markenfield Hall is renowned as a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Enlarged and embellished under royal license in the early fourteenth century, it represented in stone the wealth and influence of its owner, John of Markenfield. But who was John and how did he acquire such power?

In this talk, Paul Dryburgh, Principal Records Specialist at The National Archives, will explore some of the darker episodes in the life of the man who served both as canon of York Minster and, for two years, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, reveal the nefarious strategies John used to protect and extend his familial networks in the North and his position as a senior northern clerk in the service of King Edward II.