Abstract

REVIEWS 113 The dean and canons chose the remaining thirteen priests, called vicars, who had to be present for all services. They were further supported by singing men and choristers, which points to the importance of an elaborate liturgy for the expression and display of royal piety. Biggs organizes her book into five chronological chapters. She opens with an account of the founding, liturgical and visual expectations and the court case. The second chapter addresses the troubled reign of Richard II and his ambivalent relationship to the college. The legal battle for St. Stephen’s position was hampered by Richard, who wanted to rescind the generous bequests of land and income Edward III had left the college in his will. Yet, Richard’s love of pageantry, and his own political problems meant that both the chapel and college came to serve an important role in his reign. Even after his deposition, many of the staff of St. Stephen’s remained, creating continuity in both government administration and royal display. Biggs develops these themes of continuity in her fourth chapter, which covers the dynastic and political troubles of 1399–1485. The college by this period was associated with what Biggs calls corporate kingship, as