The biography of Katherine Swynford is an excellent example of how the political overlaps the artistic. In this case, more specifically, the political overlaps the literary.

Swynford was the sister-in-law of none other than Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales. Through her influence is is entirely possible that some of Chaucer's first Canterbury Tales audiences were members of the English royal court.

Swynford was born in 1350, but little is known of her early life. She was the daughter of Payne de Roet. Her sister, Philippa de Roet, was married to Chaucer. Like many noble children, she was educated in a convent. When she was fifteen she left and joined her sister at the English court. Katherine was said to be beautiful and attracted the attentions of a well placed knight, Hugh Swynford. Katherine did not wish to marry him, considering him beneath her station; however, her parents viewed the match differently and the marriage took place. The couple had three children.

Hugh was often away at war. During one of those periods, Katherine was called to court to help nurse Blanche, wife of John of Gaunt. When Blanche died, Katherine began an affair with the powerful John of Gaunt. The couple was apparently devoted to one another, and John arranged for Katherine to register her own blazon, which featured three Catherine wheels. He also provided her with a pension, paid yearly. During this time, Hugh Swynford returned from war and then was sent back to battle. He did not return, which led to suspicions that John of Gaunt had him murdered. John and Katherine remained together, and their union produced four children.

Political tension, peasant revolts, and populism drew criticism to noble people living in sin, and eventually the couple parted. History records no explanation for the separation, other than political expediency. Monks chronicling the period describe Katherine as "a witch and a whore," and a "she-devil and enchantress." Katherine returned to the Swynford manor and ran it as a full time, hands-on mistress. In 1394 John of Gaunt's legal wife died, and he reunited with Katherine. He asked her to marry him. The wedding took place in 1396 and Katherine took the title of Duchess of Lancaster. Katherine was at that time, for all intents and purposes, the queen of England. It is through her descent that the Tudors came to power.