Archbishop, Chancellor, Kingmaker

A Life of Thomas Arundel

An authoritative biography of Thomas Arundel, the English archbishop who overthrew a king

Thomas Arundel was a pivotal figure in English politics at the turn of the fifteenth century. His career began in 1373 when, at the age of just twenty, he was ordained as bishop of Ely. By 1396, he had become archbishop of Canterbury, but after being exiled for his opposition to Richard II he orchestrated a revolution in which he and Henry Bolingbroke overthrew the king. By the end of his life, he had begun the task of suppressing Lollardy and served as Chancellor of England on five separate occasions.

In this definitive biography, renowned historian Chris Given-Wilson traces Arundel's life and career from his exile in 1397 to his death in 1414. Given-Wilson reveals Arundel's immense contribution to political life—particularly during the reign of Henry IV—and the dilemmas he faced in balancing his duties to the king and to the church.

©2025 Chris Given-Wilson