Chris Given-Wilson. The English Nobility in the Late Middle Ages: The Fourteenth-Century Political Community. New York: Routledge, Chapman & Hall. 1987. Pp. xxii, 222. $39.95.

‘This Citie of insufficience’: Heraldic Text and the Representation of Authority in York’s 1486 Entertainment for Henry VII

“…They then notice him and take their time ('with certaine convenient laisour') before some brief representation of further careful consideration of their unanimity of opinion that permits them 'avisidly' to give up the sceptre to Solomon, who will in turn offer it to Henry, 'tokining that in hym is wisdome and justice'. 60 The hesitation, although it seems at first to suggest uncertainty, indicates wise deliberation ending in informed and correct resolution. Henry VII is the rightful king and proper recipient of the sceptre.…”

“…42 The word 'reame' (realm) suggests that Ebrauk's link to Henry somehow parallels York's link to the welfare of the kingdom as a whole. In other words, he tells Henry that reviving the vital and influential city of York will improve the health of the whole nation.…”

“…Henry VII will meet the first six King Henries of England, 'set togidder in counsail', waiting in a pageant 'on the hight of Ousebrigge'. 53 King Solomon will be chosen by them to transfer a 'septour of sapience' to Henry VII after a short oration. 54 The herald's account, however, sees the performance from quite another perspective: 'at the hider ende of House Brigge ther was ordeyned a nother pajaunt, garnysshede with shippes and botez in every side in tokenyng of the kings landing at Milforde Havyn.…”