The Boke of Noblesse Addressed to King Edward the Fourth on His Invasion of France in 1475

A rare historical pamphlet from the mid‑sixteenth century, this work was composed as a rallying cry for King Edward IV’s planned campaign in France. Written in the voice of a loyal courtier, it weaves together a call to chivalric virtue, a lament for England’s loss of Normandy and Gascony, and a persuasive argument that renewed conquest would restore the nation’s honor. The author draws on contemporary sources and the legacy of Sir John Fastolf to give the treatise an air of authority, while urging nobles and common soldiers alike to seize the promise of glory.

The introduction frames the king’s strong domestic position and his alliances, especially with the Duke of Burgundy, as the perfect moment for a bold foreign venture. By defining “true noblesse” in classical terms, the text seeks to ignite patriotic fervor and justify the expense of war. Listeners will find a vivid snapshot of late medieval political rhetoric, complete with the earnest optimism and strategic calculations that preceded the 1475 invasion.