John of Gaunt – Power and Passion

A talk by Jan Cooper

John of Gaunt, 2nd Duke of Lancaster, transformed Kenilworth’s medieval fortress into a fortified Royal Palace.  This talk covers the significance of his building works at Kenilworth, his three marriages (including his final marriage to his long term mistress Katherine Swynford) and how his children from all three marriages went on to shape the course of English history.