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Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy
The extraordinary tale of Philip Augustus, one of medieval Europe's greatest monarchs, and the part he played in the downfall of four Plantagenet kings of England.
Philip II ruled France with an iron fist for over 40 years, expanding its borders and increasing its power. For his entire reign his counterpart on the English throne was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, and Philip took on all of them: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III. And yet we know so little about medieval England's greatest enemy.
Historian Catherine Hanley, author of the critically acclaimed 1217, redresses this imbalance, bringing Philip out of the shadows in this fascinating new history. Delving into French medieval archives, Nemesis explores Philip's motives for attacking England and in doing so we learn not only about him but discover so much more about England's most colourful and controversial of rulers - the Plantagenets.
When Philip first succeeded to the throne in 1180, Henry II of England, thanks to his Angevin and Norman ancestry as well as his wife's inheritance of Aquitaine, ruled more of France than Philip himself. By the end of Philip's reign in 1223, the pendulum of power had swung the other way. Nemesis reveals how Philip exploited the constant familiar squabbles of the Plantagenets to secure his grip on France, his wily political manoeuvring combined with a mastery of the medieval battlefield turning France into a powerhouse of Europe.
Philip II ruled France with an iron fist for over 40 years, expanding its borders and increasing its power. For his entire reign his counterpart on the English throne was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, and Philip took on all of them: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III. And yet we know so little about medieval England's greatest enemy.
Historian Catherine Hanley, author of the critically acclaimed 1217, redresses this imbalance, bringing Philip out of the shadows in this fascinating new history. Delving into French medieval archives, Nemesis explores Philip's motives for attacking England and in doing so we learn not only about him but discover so much more about England's most colourful and controversial of rulers - the Plantagenets.
When Philip first succeeded to the throne in 1180, Henry II of England, thanks to his Angevin and Norman ancestry as well as his wife's inheritance of Aquitaine, ruled more of France than Philip himself. By the end of Philip's reign in 1223, the pendulum of power had swung the other way. Nemesis reveals how Philip exploited the constant familiar squabbles of the Plantagenets to secure his grip on France, his wily political manoeuvring combined with a mastery of the medieval battlefield turning France into a powerhouse of Europe.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 25, 2025
Nemesis by Catherine Hanley is one of those books that satiated a certain thirst but also left me with a feeling that some things were missing. Nemesis looks at the life of Philip Augustus, King of France, and how he battled (almost literally) through a slew of Plantagenet kings. As far as dealing with the interplay of Philip and Henry II and his sons, the book is very readable and moves at a very brisk pace.
The counterpoint to that is the reader is left feeling like a bit too much is glossed over. For instance, Hanley certainly mentions the amazing amount of antisemitism Philip unleashed during his reign. However, because this is not related to his battles with the Plantagenets, it is not much more than a quick aside. As a reader, I felt very much like I was told a tremendous amount about Philip but did not get to know him. These were the aspects that left me wanting much more in a bad way.
That said, Hanley has done wonderful research and as a book which zips by and clearly tells a story, it is a good one. I really enjoyed Hanley's previous book, 1217, and those who enjoyed that one will be happy here as well.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by NetGalley and Osprey Publishing.)
The counterpoint to that is the reader is left feeling like a bit too much is glossed over. For instance, Hanley certainly mentions the amazing amount of antisemitism Philip unleashed during his reign. However, because this is not related to his battles with the Plantagenets, it is not much more than a quick aside. As a reader, I felt very much like I was told a tremendous amount about Philip but did not get to know him. These were the aspects that left me wanting much more in a bad way.
That said, Hanley has done wonderful research and as a book which zips by and clearly tells a story, it is a good one. I really enjoyed Hanley's previous book, 1217, and those who enjoyed that one will be happy here as well.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by NetGalley and Osprey Publishing.)
July 16, 2025
For those looking for a straight up biography of this French King, you may find yourselves disappointed - or might I suggest reading the synopsis wherein the author, Hanley, states her intent.
This is literally a look at the man on a broader political scale, in context with four Plantagenet Kings - Henry II and his sons, Henry the young King, Richard, John and grandson, Henry III - all of who at one time or another were enemies, rivals and allies, often all three ... at once.
It is a study of a young man determined to rule on his own, "... fully aware of the nest of vipers that surrounded him..." - both within and without France. He was a shrewd, methodical ruler, who exploited the factions around him for his own benefit. Philip had a well-developed political acumen; he was a mentally competent and agile strategist, often both single-minded and ruthless - "... he did not necessarily have to draw his sword in order to achieve his political aims ...".
Philip was a monarch driven to protect and empower France, and as a consequence of this self-styled mission, he raised up men based upon their talent and aptitude. But his greatest quality was his patience - he was all about playing the long game, and stored up information for future use. Such was his military and political acumen that he outlived, outwitted and outfought Henry II, his four sons and grandson.
Hanley's book on Philip is well researched, informative, very readable, being neither dry nor pompously academic in tone. There are ample footnotes at the end of each chapter to allow the reader to explore more on their own. Being slightly pro-Plantagent myself, I found myself moving into Philip's corner on more than one occasion.
For a more indepth biography and history of the period, you would do well to chase up books by Jim Bradbury and Elizabeth Hallam.
This is literally a look at the man on a broader political scale, in context with four Plantagenet Kings - Henry II and his sons, Henry the young King, Richard, John and grandson, Henry III - all of who at one time or another were enemies, rivals and allies, often all three ... at once.
It is a study of a young man determined to rule on his own, "... fully aware of the nest of vipers that surrounded him..." - both within and without France. He was a shrewd, methodical ruler, who exploited the factions around him for his own benefit. Philip had a well-developed political acumen; he was a mentally competent and agile strategist, often both single-minded and ruthless - "... he did not necessarily have to draw his sword in order to achieve his political aims ...".
Philip was a monarch driven to protect and empower France, and as a consequence of this self-styled mission, he raised up men based upon their talent and aptitude. But his greatest quality was his patience - he was all about playing the long game, and stored up information for future use. Such was his military and political acumen that he outlived, outwitted and outfought Henry II, his four sons and grandson.
Hanley's book on Philip is well researched, informative, very readable, being neither dry nor pompously academic in tone. There are ample footnotes at the end of each chapter to allow the reader to explore more on their own. Being slightly pro-Plantagent myself, I found myself moving into Philip's corner on more than one occasion.
For a more indepth biography and history of the period, you would do well to chase up books by Jim Bradbury and Elizabeth Hallam.
December 15, 2025
How the Plantagenets lost most of their lands in France. Thrilling reading.
September 12, 2025
Originally posted on my publication Musings of a Bookish Historian.
French history has yielded many fascinating leaders: Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, Francis I, Louis XIV, Napoleon. Less often we hear of Philip II Augustus, the late 11th/early 12th-century Capetian king who effectively defanged the English Plantagenet dynastic threat in France from Henry II down to John Lackland.
Furthering her research on medieval Anglo-French politics and warfare, Dr. Catherine Hanley illuminates how Philip wielded his political and military acumen to exploit Plantagenet familial infighting in an effort to eliminate both the dynasty’s French territorial holdings and the family itself in her latest work Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy.
Hanley begins with tracing Philip's origins as the son of King Louis VII and his third wife Adela of Champagne, a descendant of William the Conqueror. His birth represented the continuation of the Capetian dynasty, one in danger of extinction in the senior male line. Until that point, the Capetians bore the distinction of having an uninterrupted father-son succession since the tenth century, a rare phenomenon at that time.
Complex inheritance politics marred the Plantagenets as Henry II followed Norman custom in dividing his sons’ patrimony rather than investing everything in his eldest son Henry the Young King. As the eldest son, Henry would inherit the English throne. The second and third sons - Richard the Lionheart and Geoffrey - received duchies; Richard inherited Aquitaine from his mother, and Geoffrey gained the title Duke of Brittany jure uxoris through his wife Constance. John would likely receive titles and lands through an advantageous marriage. However, Henry the Elder’s sons bit the hand that fed them, and, unhappy with their lot, they often rebelled against their father.
Philip delighted in political maneuvering by supporting one or another of Henry's wayward sons as it suited him in order to expand French royal holdings and protect existing boundaries. As Hanley remarks, “This drive to empower France was the underlying foundation of Philip’s lifelong struggle against the Plantagenet dynasty, although the rivalry would change in nature over the years.”
Empowering France also involved both cultivating an ever-changing series of alliances and neutralizing internal factions. Hanley aptly navigates readers through these myriad groups. Within France, a young Philip contended with the Blois-Champagne, Flanders-Hainaut, and his fellow Capetian factions in addition to the Plantagenets. Without France, a mosaic of states scattered across Eurasia in a geopolitical chessboard: the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, the Italian city-states, and other major and minor players. That Philip held his own against both internal and external threats during his reign speaks much to his success as a monarch.
Hanley credits such success to Philip’s intellectual agility and political acumen, hard-earned from his assumption of the French throne at a young age:
"The new king might have been young, but he was not stupid. Neither was he unprepared to face the task ahead: he had been the heir to the French throne since the day of his birth, he had spent his entire life learning at a rapid pace, and he was already in possession of a great deal of political acumen."
Through hard lessons, Philip learned from mistakes early on and grew into a capable, politically astute, and pragmatic ruler. He proved adept at observation and appropriate action, vacillating between military action or diplomacy as the situation required. He also, however, showed little regard for the women in his life - as evidenced especially in his marriages and the saga involving his second wife Ingeborg of Denmark - adhered to anti-Semitism, and showed little interest in patronizing the arts to establish a cultural, literary, and artistic legacy.
Nemesis’ end result reveals a morally complex individual whose desire to build and assert French prominence precluded the continuation of the English Continental presence and laid the pathway for a single, unified French state. Philip's actions decimated Plantagenet French holdings, eventually leaving only the sliver of Calais as England's sole French possession. Calais and the Pale would later revert to French ownership under Mary I in 1558.
Nemesis benefits from Hanley's meticulous research and deft wielding of primary source material from both sides of the Channel, making it an academically rigorous work. The dynamic narrative and supplementary materials such as family trees and images, however, render the book approachable and unintimidating for anyone new to the subject.
Hanley's excellence as an author and researcher is on full display in Nemesis and proves a worthy addition to the existing historiography on Philip Augustus himself and the Plantagenets as a whole.
Nemesis is out now! Thank you to Osprey for offering me this book via NetGalley for review consideration! All opinions are my own.
French history has yielded many fascinating leaders: Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, Francis I, Louis XIV, Napoleon. Less often we hear of Philip II Augustus, the late 11th/early 12th-century Capetian king who effectively defanged the English Plantagenet dynastic threat in France from Henry II down to John Lackland.
Furthering her research on medieval Anglo-French politics and warfare, Dr. Catherine Hanley illuminates how Philip wielded his political and military acumen to exploit Plantagenet familial infighting in an effort to eliminate both the dynasty’s French territorial holdings and the family itself in her latest work Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy.
Hanley begins with tracing Philip's origins as the son of King Louis VII and his third wife Adela of Champagne, a descendant of William the Conqueror. His birth represented the continuation of the Capetian dynasty, one in danger of extinction in the senior male line. Until that point, the Capetians bore the distinction of having an uninterrupted father-son succession since the tenth century, a rare phenomenon at that time.
Complex inheritance politics marred the Plantagenets as Henry II followed Norman custom in dividing his sons’ patrimony rather than investing everything in his eldest son Henry the Young King. As the eldest son, Henry would inherit the English throne. The second and third sons - Richard the Lionheart and Geoffrey - received duchies; Richard inherited Aquitaine from his mother, and Geoffrey gained the title Duke of Brittany jure uxoris through his wife Constance. John would likely receive titles and lands through an advantageous marriage. However, Henry the Elder’s sons bit the hand that fed them, and, unhappy with their lot, they often rebelled against their father.
Philip delighted in political maneuvering by supporting one or another of Henry's wayward sons as it suited him in order to expand French royal holdings and protect existing boundaries. As Hanley remarks, “This drive to empower France was the underlying foundation of Philip’s lifelong struggle against the Plantagenet dynasty, although the rivalry would change in nature over the years.”
Empowering France also involved both cultivating an ever-changing series of alliances and neutralizing internal factions. Hanley aptly navigates readers through these myriad groups. Within France, a young Philip contended with the Blois-Champagne, Flanders-Hainaut, and his fellow Capetian factions in addition to the Plantagenets. Without France, a mosaic of states scattered across Eurasia in a geopolitical chessboard: the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, the Italian city-states, and other major and minor players. That Philip held his own against both internal and external threats during his reign speaks much to his success as a monarch.
Hanley credits such success to Philip’s intellectual agility and political acumen, hard-earned from his assumption of the French throne at a young age:
"The new king might have been young, but he was not stupid. Neither was he unprepared to face the task ahead: he had been the heir to the French throne since the day of his birth, he had spent his entire life learning at a rapid pace, and he was already in possession of a great deal of political acumen."
Through hard lessons, Philip learned from mistakes early on and grew into a capable, politically astute, and pragmatic ruler. He proved adept at observation and appropriate action, vacillating between military action or diplomacy as the situation required. He also, however, showed little regard for the women in his life - as evidenced especially in his marriages and the saga involving his second wife Ingeborg of Denmark - adhered to anti-Semitism, and showed little interest in patronizing the arts to establish a cultural, literary, and artistic legacy.
Nemesis’ end result reveals a morally complex individual whose desire to build and assert French prominence precluded the continuation of the English Continental presence and laid the pathway for a single, unified French state. Philip's actions decimated Plantagenet French holdings, eventually leaving only the sliver of Calais as England's sole French possession. Calais and the Pale would later revert to French ownership under Mary I in 1558.
Nemesis benefits from Hanley's meticulous research and deft wielding of primary source material from both sides of the Channel, making it an academically rigorous work. The dynamic narrative and supplementary materials such as family trees and images, however, render the book approachable and unintimidating for anyone new to the subject.
Hanley's excellence as an author and researcher is on full display in Nemesis and proves a worthy addition to the existing historiography on Philip Augustus himself and the Plantagenets as a whole.
Nemesis is out now! Thank you to Osprey for offering me this book via NetGalley for review consideration! All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2025
Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy is not a biography about Philip Augustus, but is a look at how he manipulated four Plantagenet kings of England in order to increase France's power and to capture land previously held by the English kings. I knew going into this book that this was more political in nature and would focus on the battle of wits between England and France as well as actual battles that occurred. This is a look at Philip and his relationships with King Henry II, Henry the young King, King Richard, King John and King Henry III.
Philip came to power at a relatively young age, fourteen years old, and that determination and iron-will were there right from the beginning, as typically a young man of that age would have a regent until the age of 21. Not for Philip however, as he took control right from the beginning, and proved himself to be methodical and quite intelligent, and while he was merciful when dealing with others, he could also be quite ruthless and knew how to play the game quite well. He had the ability to see greatness in other people and wasn't above promoting someone to a position of power despite their humble origins. He ruled with an iron-fist for over 40 years and his political acumen allowed him to exploit weakness in others, and this is where the Plantagenet family comes into play.
Philip was a medieval king, therefore he wasn't just a force to be reckoned with in the political arena, but also a force on the battlefield. He had to be strong in all areas as this is something that is expected in a medieval king, and the pressure to succeed would be immense. So, while he won numerous battles, his political acumen allowed to see the grand game, and he developed patience so that his plans could come to fruition, some of those plans taking years to develop. This didn't include just his international relationships, but also his personal ones in order to have a stable dynasty to rely on, knowing the crown would be secure in the future. That this caused him a lot of trouble was included in this book, but only in how it pertained to the political climate.
This book is very well-researched and very readable, one that even someone with limited knowledge of the time period would be able to comprehend. It is very informative, and I spent a lot of time reading the footnotes at the end of each chapter because they were just as interesting. I have read a lot about this time and even studied it at university, but I thought the focus on Philip's relationship with the Plantagenets to be quite fascinating as I don't think I realized how much planning and manipulating Philip actually did during this time period. I was never really pro-Philip before, but I wasn't pro-Plantagenet either, and this book has made me much more pro-Philip; and to be fair, the author didn't really play sides and talked about the strengths and weaknesses of all the kings mentioned in this book. Philip was like the grand chessmaster while the others were just learning how to move their pieces. And the other kings were not necessarily weak kings, just outmaneuvered by someone stronger.
Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy zeroes in on King Philip and how he was the most powerful opponent to England during this time period, and how he used the weaknesses in the sons of King Henry II to manipulate and exploit situations to France's advantage, and he did this for over 40 years. To borrow a phrase, he outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted King Henry II and his four sons as well as conquered a lot of the lands originally held by them. If you are looking for an in-depth book about King Philip, this is not what you are going to find here, but it is a worthy canon to add to the literature about the people who ruled during this time period.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Philip came to power at a relatively young age, fourteen years old, and that determination and iron-will were there right from the beginning, as typically a young man of that age would have a regent until the age of 21. Not for Philip however, as he took control right from the beginning, and proved himself to be methodical and quite intelligent, and while he was merciful when dealing with others, he could also be quite ruthless and knew how to play the game quite well. He had the ability to see greatness in other people and wasn't above promoting someone to a position of power despite their humble origins. He ruled with an iron-fist for over 40 years and his political acumen allowed him to exploit weakness in others, and this is where the Plantagenet family comes into play.
Philip was a medieval king, therefore he wasn't just a force to be reckoned with in the political arena, but also a force on the battlefield. He had to be strong in all areas as this is something that is expected in a medieval king, and the pressure to succeed would be immense. So, while he won numerous battles, his political acumen allowed to see the grand game, and he developed patience so that his plans could come to fruition, some of those plans taking years to develop. This didn't include just his international relationships, but also his personal ones in order to have a stable dynasty to rely on, knowing the crown would be secure in the future. That this caused him a lot of trouble was included in this book, but only in how it pertained to the political climate.
This book is very well-researched and very readable, one that even someone with limited knowledge of the time period would be able to comprehend. It is very informative, and I spent a lot of time reading the footnotes at the end of each chapter because they were just as interesting. I have read a lot about this time and even studied it at university, but I thought the focus on Philip's relationship with the Plantagenets to be quite fascinating as I don't think I realized how much planning and manipulating Philip actually did during this time period. I was never really pro-Philip before, but I wasn't pro-Plantagenet either, and this book has made me much more pro-Philip; and to be fair, the author didn't really play sides and talked about the strengths and weaknesses of all the kings mentioned in this book. Philip was like the grand chessmaster while the others were just learning how to move their pieces. And the other kings were not necessarily weak kings, just outmaneuvered by someone stronger.
Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy zeroes in on King Philip and how he was the most powerful opponent to England during this time period, and how he used the weaknesses in the sons of King Henry II to manipulate and exploit situations to France's advantage, and he did this for over 40 years. To borrow a phrase, he outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted King Henry II and his four sons as well as conquered a lot of the lands originally held by them. If you are looking for an in-depth book about King Philip, this is not what you are going to find here, but it is a worthy canon to add to the literature about the people who ruled during this time period.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 16, 2025
I was first introduced to Hanley's work when I picked up her book on Empress Matilda, Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior. Since I've obtained a copy of a few of her other works. So, when I saw she had written a new book, I jumped at the chance to read it, even though I had no idea who Phillip II was before picking up this book.
Luckily, Hanley provides a linear timeline of Phillip's life in the story, even though Phillip's relationship with the first Plantagenet kings is the focus of this book. I was instantly engrossed in the story, which is a great testament to Hanley's writing because often I find the history of men far less interesting than that of women. However, I was captivated by the complicated dynamics at play between France and England as well as Phillip and King Henry II and his three sons, Henry III, Richard (the Lionheart), and John, who all succeeded to the throne.
I think the thing that struck me was how, even though he was young when he came to the throne, Phillip became a shrewd operator as king, which I immediately contrasted with Richard II almost two centuries later. This made me particularly interested in learning more about Phillip's mother, Adela of Champagne, as she seems to have played a vital role in his upbringing.
One of the most interesting things about the framing of Phillip's life against his relationship with England's Kings is seeing the evolution of Phillip as a king. Phillip's ability to drive a wedge between the Plantagents as they struggled for the throne showed how Phillip's preference for diplomatic channels and ability to play the long game aided in the creation of bringing the vassal states of modern-day France together. Hanely's evaluation of the evidence to provide perspectives on Phillip viewed both Richard and John, was one of the best parts of the book. Although I do not know a great deal about Richard the Lionheart (other than the 1973 Robin Hood film), the image of him as a strong, chivalrous king prevades my understanding of him. However, his rivalry with Phillip demonstrates Richard's Machiavellian side as a ruler. It was also mildly entertaining to see Phillip's personal views of John against the backdrop of how John was viewed within England.
My favorite part of the book, however, was learning about Phillip's wives and his relationship with them. His marriage to Ingeborg of Denmark was so dramatic, and I want an entire book just on her life and her struggles within her marriage. Hanley does acknowledge that the sources of all three of Phillip's wives are sparse because women were not often included in the record, but I hope Hanley's next book is a combined biography of all three women.
The ability to write an accessible, captivating, and well-researched work of nonfiction is quite a feat, and Hanley managed to tick every box. If you are a history lover or enjoy the Plantagenet period of British History, this is a must-read. Interweaving the life of a successful and complicated King of France with the foundation of the Plantagenet dynasty was so interesting. All of the major players of this period make appearances in this book, including Eleanor of Aquitaine. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Classism
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage
Luckily, Hanley provides a linear timeline of Phillip's life in the story, even though Phillip's relationship with the first Plantagenet kings is the focus of this book. I was instantly engrossed in the story, which is a great testament to Hanley's writing because often I find the history of men far less interesting than that of women. However, I was captivated by the complicated dynamics at play between France and England as well as Phillip and King Henry II and his three sons, Henry III, Richard (the Lionheart), and John, who all succeeded to the throne.
I think the thing that struck me was how, even though he was young when he came to the throne, Phillip became a shrewd operator as king, which I immediately contrasted with Richard II almost two centuries later. This made me particularly interested in learning more about Phillip's mother, Adela of Champagne, as she seems to have played a vital role in his upbringing.
One of the most interesting things about the framing of Phillip's life against his relationship with England's Kings is seeing the evolution of Phillip as a king. Phillip's ability to drive a wedge between the Plantagents as they struggled for the throne showed how Phillip's preference for diplomatic channels and ability to play the long game aided in the creation of bringing the vassal states of modern-day France together. Hanely's evaluation of the evidence to provide perspectives on Phillip viewed both Richard and John, was one of the best parts of the book. Although I do not know a great deal about Richard the Lionheart (other than the 1973 Robin Hood film), the image of him as a strong, chivalrous king prevades my understanding of him. However, his rivalry with Phillip demonstrates Richard's Machiavellian side as a ruler. It was also mildly entertaining to see Phillip's personal views of John against the backdrop of how John was viewed within England.
My favorite part of the book, however, was learning about Phillip's wives and his relationship with them. His marriage to Ingeborg of Denmark was so dramatic, and I want an entire book just on her life and her struggles within her marriage. Hanley does acknowledge that the sources of all three of Phillip's wives are sparse because women were not often included in the record, but I hope Hanley's next book is a combined biography of all three women.
The ability to write an accessible, captivating, and well-researched work of nonfiction is quite a feat, and Hanley managed to tick every box. If you are a history lover or enjoy the Plantagenet period of British History, this is a must-read. Interweaving the life of a successful and complicated King of France with the foundation of the Plantagenet dynasty was so interesting. All of the major players of this period make appearances in this book, including Eleanor of Aquitaine. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Classism
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage
September 6, 2025
The Plantagenets, one of England’s most dynamic dynasties, were always in the middle of some sort of conflict. Whether they were fighting foreign adversaries, their own people, or their own family, it felt like the Plantagenets were always getting into some sort of trouble. And there was one king who knew how to use the weaknesses of the kings of England to his advantage. He was King Philip II of France, also known as Philip Augustus. He had to deal with four different Plantagenet kings and had a strategy for each one of them. Just what were Philip II’s strategies, and how did his reign affect English/French relationships as a whole? These questions are answered in Catherine Hanley’s book, “Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy.”
I would like to thank Osprey Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoy reading about the Plantagenets and their impact on England and Europe as a whole. When I saw that this book took a French approach to the Plantagenets and focused on Philip Augustus, it was an intriguing premise to me.
As Hanley states in the introduction, this book is not your typical biography, as she focuses on the relationship between Philip Augustus and his Plantagenet opponents. That does not mean that we do not get biographical information for Philip, who was the son of Louis VII and Adela of Blois. Per tradition, as the heir to the French throne, Philip was crowned as Junior King of France on November 1, 1179, which meant that his father was still alive when he was crowned, and he trained to become the proper King of France.
While Philip knew that he had factions to deal with inside of France, his main concerns were overseas with the Plantagenets, primarily King Henry II and his sons. Over the course of his forty-year reign, Philip dealt with Henry II, Richard I the Lionheart, John, and Henry III. Each English king presented his own challenges for Philip, but Philip took them in stride and worked hard to make France stronger. At the same time, Philip had to deal with his own family dramas. He was married three times to Isabelle of Hainault, Ingeborg of Denmark, and Agnes of Merania. It was his marriage to Agnes of Merania that gave Philip his heir, the warrior King Louis VIII of France. However, it was Ingeborg of Denmark who gave Philip the biggest headache as she never gave up fighting for her marriage.
From military to political strategies, Hanley shows how Philip maneuvered against the English, and yet she shows that he was not a perfect person or a king. Philip was a flawed human who had to deal with the cards he was dealt like anyone else. Hanley presents a comprehensive book that explores the complex nature of medieval politics and how one man battled against an entire dynasty during his reign. If you are someone who wants to explore the early Plantagenets from the eyes of their enemy, King Philip II of France, I recommend you read “Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy” by Catherine Hanley.
I would like to thank Osprey Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoy reading about the Plantagenets and their impact on England and Europe as a whole. When I saw that this book took a French approach to the Plantagenets and focused on Philip Augustus, it was an intriguing premise to me.
As Hanley states in the introduction, this book is not your typical biography, as she focuses on the relationship between Philip Augustus and his Plantagenet opponents. That does not mean that we do not get biographical information for Philip, who was the son of Louis VII and Adela of Blois. Per tradition, as the heir to the French throne, Philip was crowned as Junior King of France on November 1, 1179, which meant that his father was still alive when he was crowned, and he trained to become the proper King of France.
While Philip knew that he had factions to deal with inside of France, his main concerns were overseas with the Plantagenets, primarily King Henry II and his sons. Over the course of his forty-year reign, Philip dealt with Henry II, Richard I the Lionheart, John, and Henry III. Each English king presented his own challenges for Philip, but Philip took them in stride and worked hard to make France stronger. At the same time, Philip had to deal with his own family dramas. He was married three times to Isabelle of Hainault, Ingeborg of Denmark, and Agnes of Merania. It was his marriage to Agnes of Merania that gave Philip his heir, the warrior King Louis VIII of France. However, it was Ingeborg of Denmark who gave Philip the biggest headache as she never gave up fighting for her marriage.
From military to political strategies, Hanley shows how Philip maneuvered against the English, and yet she shows that he was not a perfect person or a king. Philip was a flawed human who had to deal with the cards he was dealt like anyone else. Hanley presents a comprehensive book that explores the complex nature of medieval politics and how one man battled against an entire dynasty during his reign. If you are someone who wants to explore the early Plantagenets from the eyes of their enemy, King Philip II of France, I recommend you read “Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy” by Catherine Hanley.
September 16, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
Catherine Hanley has become my go-to author for English and French history in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries and so I was delighted to hear that she had a biography on Philip Augustus coming out.
Philip Augustus can arguably be called Medieval France's greatest king - he takes France from a fractured kingdom where the King of England holds the most land to one that is firmly his to dominate. He plays Henry II of England's sons off one another, steadily fracturing the Angevin Empire Henry creates and taking Normandy - one of the greatest duchies and practically autonomous - for his own. In doing so, he effectively closes the book on the Norman period.
Because he's French, English speaking history has often cast Philip as the villain, often portraying him as a schemer who manipulated others. And he did - he was a master at exploiting relationships and personal flaws. But he was also a gifted strategist, but not a showy one (unlike contemporaneous Richard II of England - Richard the Lionheart.) This book demonstrates his military prowess and how he used his mind to bring about great, but often unflashy, victories.
The book also explores his flaws, the temper in his youth that he conquers, his treatment of women and Jews. It is not trying to rewrite the narrative and paint over blemishes but rather put him back as a powerful opponent who has been viewed more for some abilities than others.
It is a good companion to 1217 and TWO HOUSES, TWO KINGDOMS, zeroing in on the most impactful man in both books. It is less sweeping than TWO HOUSES but less tightly focuses (and a more narrative style) than 1217.
Catherine Hanley has become my go-to author for English and French history in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries and so I was delighted to hear that she had a biography on Philip Augustus coming out.
Philip Augustus can arguably be called Medieval France's greatest king - he takes France from a fractured kingdom where the King of England holds the most land to one that is firmly his to dominate. He plays Henry II of England's sons off one another, steadily fracturing the Angevin Empire Henry creates and taking Normandy - one of the greatest duchies and practically autonomous - for his own. In doing so, he effectively closes the book on the Norman period.
Because he's French, English speaking history has often cast Philip as the villain, often portraying him as a schemer who manipulated others. And he did - he was a master at exploiting relationships and personal flaws. But he was also a gifted strategist, but not a showy one (unlike contemporaneous Richard II of England - Richard the Lionheart.) This book demonstrates his military prowess and how he used his mind to bring about great, but often unflashy, victories.
The book also explores his flaws, the temper in his youth that he conquers, his treatment of women and Jews. It is not trying to rewrite the narrative and paint over blemishes but rather put him back as a powerful opponent who has been viewed more for some abilities than others.
It is a good companion to 1217 and TWO HOUSES, TWO KINGDOMS, zeroing in on the most impactful man in both books. It is less sweeping than TWO HOUSES but less tightly focuses (and a more narrative style) than 1217.
October 29, 2025
This is the third book by Dr. Hanley that I've read relating to the interlocking histories of the Capetian and Plantagenet dynasty and she has me hooked! Naturally enough, we English language readers usually only see the conflicts through the lens of their English players (and, after all, what fascinating people they were!), but this excellent book, like her book about Louis VIII and book about the dynasties as a whole, gives us a much needed corrective.
I loved the way she dealt with the problem of so many people with the same names by using footnotes and frequent reminders, not expecting the reader to remember whose who beyond the principal subjects, the inclusion of clear and useful family trees, and frequent commisirations about it.
As other reviewers have noted, this is not a "life & times" biography of Philip Augustus; it principally focuses on his relationship with the Plantagenets. And, while Dr. Hanley should really be commended for pointing out impacts on women and other marginalized groups, or at least the silence in the sources about them, it is still elite political and military history. if you're looking fir something else, you'll be disappointed.
Two last notes:
I've noticed over the course of a couple books the common theme of the author's administration- even fandom- of Blanche of Castille. I hope she will finally go for it and write that queen's biography!!
Also, I just want to note I have no connection to this author or anyone involved in the book's publication. This is a genuine 5 star reader review.
I loved the way she dealt with the problem of so many people with the same names by using footnotes and frequent reminders, not expecting the reader to remember whose who beyond the principal subjects, the inclusion of clear and useful family trees, and frequent commisirations about it.
As other reviewers have noted, this is not a "life & times" biography of Philip Augustus; it principally focuses on his relationship with the Plantagenets. And, while Dr. Hanley should really be commended for pointing out impacts on women and other marginalized groups, or at least the silence in the sources about them, it is still elite political and military history. if you're looking fir something else, you'll be disappointed.
Two last notes:
I've noticed over the course of a couple books the common theme of the author's administration- even fandom- of Blanche of Castille. I hope she will finally go for it and write that queen's biography!!
Also, I just want to note I have no connection to this author or anyone involved in the book's publication. This is a genuine 5 star reader review.
September 9, 2025
King Philip II, ruler of France (medieval England's ultimate enemy) for over 40 years, tussled with & variously befriended King Henry II of England & his 4 sons, always to his own advantage. Seemingly the consummate early politician & Machiavellian manoeuvrer behind the scenes, Philip outdid & outlived them all.
This is not a definitive biography of Philip II but a look at his dealings with the Plantagenet kings: Henry II, Richard I, John, & Henry III. Although I've read about the English kings, I've never really bothered about their fellow ruler over the Channel which seems to have been a mistake as Philip appears to have been a fascinating character. This was an excellent introduction to Philip II which gives a wealth of information without getting bogged down in minutiae. It's written in a very accessible style which avoids the pitfall of becoming so academic that it's no longer enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in what I term the 'Robin Hood era', the late 12th & early 13th centuries of England. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Osprey Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This is not a definitive biography of Philip II but a look at his dealings with the Plantagenet kings: Henry II, Richard I, John, & Henry III. Although I've read about the English kings, I've never really bothered about their fellow ruler over the Channel which seems to have been a mistake as Philip appears to have been a fascinating character. This was an excellent introduction to Philip II which gives a wealth of information without getting bogged down in minutiae. It's written in a very accessible style which avoids the pitfall of becoming so academic that it's no longer enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in what I term the 'Robin Hood era', the late 12th & early 13th centuries of England. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Osprey Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 13, 2025
Philip Augustus was the King of France for over forty years and spent his time plotting the downfall of his main enemies, the Plantagenet dynasty of England. Ascending to the throne as a teenager, Philip quickly earned a reputation as a tough fighter and a strong ruler. Manipulating Henry II's son Henry, the Young King, he gained territory and caused family issues. So the pattern continued with Richard and the Crusades, and with John. When he died, as an old man, he had made France stronger than it had ever been.
Hanley is a great historian and I loved the idea of this book. It's not a straightforward biography of Philip, it places his actions into the context of his feud with the Plantagenets. This really helps to round out much writing on the late 12th and early 13th centuries. There is far more to Philip, and the book merely touches on his interesting personal life. However it is quite short, quite succinct and written with a modern voice, despite the obvious research which is hugely detailed.
Hanley is a great historian and I loved the idea of this book. It's not a straightforward biography of Philip, it places his actions into the context of his feud with the Plantagenets. This really helps to round out much writing on the late 12th and early 13th centuries. There is far more to Philip, and the book merely touches on his interesting personal life. However it is quite short, quite succinct and written with a modern voice, despite the obvious research which is hugely detailed.
November 8, 2025
I haven't been disappointed by a book by Dr. Hanley so far and this one was no exception. Its purpose was to explore the complex relationship between Philip (II) Augustus, king of France, and his relationship to the Angevin kings and princes during the course of his long reign. I always thought that Philip was shifty and underhanded with his dealing with the Plantagenets, and this was not undermined by reading this book, but what was enhanced was a respect for his intelligence, his skill at siege and battle and his dedication to the strengthening of the kingdom of France. Dr. Hanley relies on the main contemporary sources of the king's reign, both those of his subjects and his opponents' chroniclers and shaves off a lot of the accretions that have attached to Philip by his English critics of later centuries. I got a much better sense of Philip the man from this book than i had before, even though it is not strictly a biography. Highly recommended.
November 12, 2025
Catherine Hanley’s Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy is a sharp, engaging exploration of Philip II of France and his lifelong struggle against the Plantagenet dynasty. Rather than a straightforward biography, Hanley offers a political study of a shrewd and patient monarch who outwitted Henry II, his sons, and grandson through strategy rather than sheer force. Her meticulous research and deft use of primary sources lend academic weight, while her clear prose and lively pacing make the book accessible to general readers. The book excels as a dynamic account of medieval politics, rich with insight into power, diplomacy, and endurance. As a big fan of medieval history, I have enjoyed this book very much.
September 10, 2025
This interesting, informative, and easy-to-read biography reveals the life and reign of Philip II of France, illuminating his strategic conflicts with the Plantagenet kings of England. It showcases his political maneuvering and military prowess that transformed France into a European powerhouse.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 20, 2025
I am familiar with some of the history of the Plantagent family so it was very interesting to read about the lives,and events from the view point of the French Royal family to read of events as they effected both families.
I'm not a lover of battles so that did become a bit heavy for me but I did enjoy reading this book very much
thanks to Netgalley and Osprey publishing for my arc copy
I'm not a lover of battles so that did become a bit heavy for me but I did enjoy reading this book very much
thanks to Netgalley and Osprey publishing for my arc copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
Fascinating.Gosh, he played Henry II kids like a fiddle.
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