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The English Monarchs
Henry IV
Henry IV (1399–1413), the son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, seized the English throne at the age of thirty-two from his cousin Richard II and held it until his death, aged forty-five, when he was succeeded by his son, Henry V. This comprehensive and nuanced biography restores to his rightful place a king often overlooked in favor of his illustrious progeny.
Henry faced the usual problems of usurpers: foreign wars, rebellions, and plots, as well as the ambitions and demands of the Lancastrian retainers who had helped him win the throne. By 1406 his rule was broadly established, and although he became ill shortly after this and never fully recovered, he retained ultimate power until his death. Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters.
Henry faced the usual problems of usurpers: foreign wars, rebellions, and plots, as well as the ambitions and demands of the Lancastrian retainers who had helped him win the throne. By 1406 his rule was broadly established, and although he became ill shortly after this and never fully recovered, he retained ultimate power until his death. Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters.
608 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
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About the author
Christopher Given-Wilson
30 books9 followersChris Given-Wilson is emeritus professor of medieval history, University of St. Andrews.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2016
The Lancastrian Usurper...
My existing knowledge of Henry IV amounted to the assumption that he probably came somewhere between Henry III and Henry V. So I hoped that this biography, part of the Yale University Press English Monarchs series, would fill a pretty big hole. And, with a large degree of success, it does.
In the introduction, Chris Given-Wilson makes it clear that the book is a political biography of the man rather than a history of the period, though obviously the two are intertwined. Most of the book is a fairly linear account of Henry's life, starting with an explanation of the growth of Lancastrian wealth and power under his father, John of Gaunt. While political life in England was more centred on the monarchy than in many other countries, he gives a very clear picture of the factionalism and rivalries between some of the major landowners, and how the major players would build their own 'affinities' – paid knightly retainers who would fight for their overlord when required. I gathered from the notes that these affinities are a field of special expertise for Given-Wilson, and I found his detailed insights into this aspect fascinating.
Henry's forays to the Crusades gave him the opportunity to win a reputation as a knightly hero, while Richard II was making himself increasingly unpopular at home. Even before this, Henry had been heavily involved with others in trying to curtail what some saw as Richard's misuse of power, so when the opportunity arose, Richard sent him off into exile. But when John of Gaunt died and Richard attempted a land-grab of Lancastrian property, Henry returned and, largely with popular support, usurped the throne.
For me, this section was considerably more interesting than the account of Henry's time as King. Given-Wilson goes into immense detail on subjects such as finances, tax-raising and the cost of foreign ventures. Necessary in an academic book, but I'm afraid much of it made for rather dry reading, and often used terminology unfamiliar to me without explaining it clearly enough. I was more interested in learning about the various wars and skirmishes going on around Henry's borders, with Welsh, Scots and Irish all causing problems, not to mention the ongoing struggle for Henry to maintain his claim to the title of King of France. Given-Wilson explains well the lead up to the Hotspur rebellions and their aftermath, and I also felt that I got some insight into the background to Henry V's later adventures in France. But again, I found parts of these sections confusing as so many names came and went (and, as is always a problem, people frequently changed their names as they inherited titles or rose through the ranks of the aristocracy) leaving me frankly bewildered on occasion as to who was on whose side.
In the final few chapters of the book, Given-Wilson changes from a linear narrative to concentrating on one aspect of Henry's life or character at a time – for example, personality and image, wars and tactics, lawlessness among the gentry (which Given-Wilson calls by my favourite new phrase - “fur-collar crime”), etc. For me, these worked better than the earlier chapters in finally making me feel that I was beginning to understand the man behind the history. Given-Wilson concludes that Henry IV was more relevant than history sometimes suggests, and puts the blame firmly on Shakespeare for creating an inaccurate picture of him. Certainly the picture Given-Wilson paints in this book suggests Henry was more or less forced into usurpation by Richard's desire to smash Lancastrian power.
With any biography or history, the author has to decide what audience he is addressing. Given-Wilson is clearly aiming at people with some pre-existing knowledge of the period – i.e., not me. That's not to say I didn't glean a lot from the book. But I also found many times that I was at something of a loss. For example, I'm sure that way back in the Dark Ages when I was at school, some poor history teacher probably explained the Great Schism to me, and possibly even Lollardy. But I fear the brain-cells where I stored that information must have been recycled somewhere along the way. (It's interesting to speculate what might have over-written them – I'm guessing it's my in-depth knowledge of the history of the various incarnations of the USS Enterprise...) I am certainly not criticising Given-Wilson's decision not to explain the background to some of the things that impacted on Henry's reign, but it does mean that I can't wholeheartedly recommend this one for the casual reader or total newcomer to the period.
However, it's well-written and thoroughly researched and, assuming one has the necessary background knowledge, gives a clear, well laid-out and informatively detailed account of Henry's life and reign. I suspect it would be a 5-star book for a better informed reader.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Yale University Press.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
My existing knowledge of Henry IV amounted to the assumption that he probably came somewhere between Henry III and Henry V. So I hoped that this biography, part of the Yale University Press English Monarchs series, would fill a pretty big hole. And, with a large degree of success, it does.
In the introduction, Chris Given-Wilson makes it clear that the book is a political biography of the man rather than a history of the period, though obviously the two are intertwined. Most of the book is a fairly linear account of Henry's life, starting with an explanation of the growth of Lancastrian wealth and power under his father, John of Gaunt. While political life in England was more centred on the monarchy than in many other countries, he gives a very clear picture of the factionalism and rivalries between some of the major landowners, and how the major players would build their own 'affinities' – paid knightly retainers who would fight for their overlord when required. I gathered from the notes that these affinities are a field of special expertise for Given-Wilson, and I found his detailed insights into this aspect fascinating.
Henry's forays to the Crusades gave him the opportunity to win a reputation as a knightly hero, while Richard II was making himself increasingly unpopular at home. Even before this, Henry had been heavily involved with others in trying to curtail what some saw as Richard's misuse of power, so when the opportunity arose, Richard sent him off into exile. But when John of Gaunt died and Richard attempted a land-grab of Lancastrian property, Henry returned and, largely with popular support, usurped the throne.
For me, this section was considerably more interesting than the account of Henry's time as King. Given-Wilson goes into immense detail on subjects such as finances, tax-raising and the cost of foreign ventures. Necessary in an academic book, but I'm afraid much of it made for rather dry reading, and often used terminology unfamiliar to me without explaining it clearly enough. I was more interested in learning about the various wars and skirmishes going on around Henry's borders, with Welsh, Scots and Irish all causing problems, not to mention the ongoing struggle for Henry to maintain his claim to the title of King of France. Given-Wilson explains well the lead up to the Hotspur rebellions and their aftermath, and I also felt that I got some insight into the background to Henry V's later adventures in France. But again, I found parts of these sections confusing as so many names came and went (and, as is always a problem, people frequently changed their names as they inherited titles or rose through the ranks of the aristocracy) leaving me frankly bewildered on occasion as to who was on whose side.
In the final few chapters of the book, Given-Wilson changes from a linear narrative to concentrating on one aspect of Henry's life or character at a time – for example, personality and image, wars and tactics, lawlessness among the gentry (which Given-Wilson calls by my favourite new phrase - “fur-collar crime”), etc. For me, these worked better than the earlier chapters in finally making me feel that I was beginning to understand the man behind the history. Given-Wilson concludes that Henry IV was more relevant than history sometimes suggests, and puts the blame firmly on Shakespeare for creating an inaccurate picture of him. Certainly the picture Given-Wilson paints in this book suggests Henry was more or less forced into usurpation by Richard's desire to smash Lancastrian power.
With any biography or history, the author has to decide what audience he is addressing. Given-Wilson is clearly aiming at people with some pre-existing knowledge of the period – i.e., not me. That's not to say I didn't glean a lot from the book. But I also found many times that I was at something of a loss. For example, I'm sure that way back in the Dark Ages when I was at school, some poor history teacher probably explained the Great Schism to me, and possibly even Lollardy. But I fear the brain-cells where I stored that information must have been recycled somewhere along the way. (It's interesting to speculate what might have over-written them – I'm guessing it's my in-depth knowledge of the history of the various incarnations of the USS Enterprise...) I am certainly not criticising Given-Wilson's decision not to explain the background to some of the things that impacted on Henry's reign, but it does mean that I can't wholeheartedly recommend this one for the casual reader or total newcomer to the period.
However, it's well-written and thoroughly researched and, assuming one has the necessary background knowledge, gives a clear, well laid-out and informatively detailed account of Henry's life and reign. I suspect it would be a 5-star book for a better informed reader.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Yale University Press.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
June 12, 2019
I have read as many of Chris Given-Wilson’s books and monographs that I could get my hands on. To me, he is the go-to historian when I am in need of a straightforward and unbiased opinion. As a historical fiction author, I need to absorb as much information on my subjects as I can find, so I was thrilled when this book became available. Very much in the fashion of Nigel Saul's authoritative history on Richard II, this volume is quite the information dump. It’s not the kind of book most of us would read for pleasure. Nor, I would say, is it full of minute details; the brush strokes are broad and comprehensive for understanding Henry’s reign. We do get a sense that Henry ruled forever under the shadow of his questionable deeds; the usurpation of a rightful king would haunt him in both his dealings with Parliament and his magnates—and, some said, in his health. In a nutshell, as Given-Wilson tells us in his conclusion, “the kingship of a usurper was qualitatively different from that of a legitimate monarch. Even with kings as manifestly unsuitable as Edward II or Richard II, it took ten or fifteen years for baronial exasperation to turn to talk of deposition and twenty for the threats to be realized; Henry was on the throne for just three months before the first attempt to unseat him.” His government struggled with crippling debts—often because of mismanagement—and the constant disorder both by land (Wales, Northumberland, Scotland, Ireland, and Guyenne) and sea (piracy) put conflicting demands on the foundering exchequer. The Percies and the northerners were a real thorn in his side, and when he finally lost his equanimity and executed Archbishop Scrope in 1405 (Henry was the first English king to do so), he lost much support: “The result was a propaganda coup for Henry’s opponents—already a regicide, this was a king who also executed archbishops—and ecclesiastical censure was bound to follow, as it duly did a few months later when the pope excommunicated all those involved in the archbishop’s death (although without naming them).” It was also thought that Henry’s subsequent illness was God’s retribution for Scrope’s death.
On the other hand, Henry was far more adaptable than Richard II—and more successful in keeping his subjects acquiescent. Whereas Richard could not tolerate criticism, Henry’s closest supporters were at times his staunchest critics in Parliament—and without retaliation. According to the author, “Henry’s personality was, on the whole, well suited to kingship. He kept his friends close and his enemies afraid. Steely and watchful, not to say sly, he also had an easy charm and a wry wit that gave him an aura of accessibility and helped him to work through diplomatic problems, although at times obstinacy clouded his judgment…his championing of chivalric values allowed him to make close friendships with like-minded knights and nobles, and his militant piety won him many plaudits.“ It’s interesting to speculate that if his reign had begun under less inauspicious circumstances, he might have had more opportunity to distinguish himself rather than running around putting out fires.
This is a massive work, and I must admit I struggled through much of it. As a wealth of knowledge I would give it five stars. However, for its readability, I would give it three stars and hence my overall four-star rating. Nonetheless, it’s a must for my research library.
On the other hand, Henry was far more adaptable than Richard II—and more successful in keeping his subjects acquiescent. Whereas Richard could not tolerate criticism, Henry’s closest supporters were at times his staunchest critics in Parliament—and without retaliation. According to the author, “Henry’s personality was, on the whole, well suited to kingship. He kept his friends close and his enemies afraid. Steely and watchful, not to say sly, he also had an easy charm and a wry wit that gave him an aura of accessibility and helped him to work through diplomatic problems, although at times obstinacy clouded his judgment…his championing of chivalric values allowed him to make close friendships with like-minded knights and nobles, and his militant piety won him many plaudits.“ It’s interesting to speculate that if his reign had begun under less inauspicious circumstances, he might have had more opportunity to distinguish himself rather than running around putting out fires.
This is a massive work, and I must admit I struggled through much of it. As a wealth of knowledge I would give it five stars. However, for its readability, I would give it three stars and hence my overall four-star rating. Nonetheless, it’s a must for my research library.
October 8, 2019
An extremely in-depth look at the life and reign of Henry Bolingbroke of Lancaster.
The author's goal is to explore Henry IV so as to better understand his time, context, and circumstance in light of how he is viewed in Shakespeare and in historiography ever since.
The reader is introduced to Henry Bolingbroke, son of John the Gaunt, and the inheritor of all the diligent work John the Gaunt had done to restore and revive the fortunes of the Lancastrians. One sees how Henry attempts to be a good subject of a capricious Richard II, yet ultimately proves too powerful and influential a subject. We can see Henry either return to England, leading to Richard's desposition and becoming king, or he would stay in exile and endanger the Lancastrian holdings.
He returns. Richard II is an unpopular king, but becoming the usurper means that whenever things don't seem like they're going well, Henry IV will have challenges Richard never would deal with. The reign of Henry IV is covered in great detail, with a lot of emphasis on the difficulties of finances of the realm and attempting to keep control over Ireland, Wales, Calais, and Guyenne, and to solve the intractable problems of Scotland, and defeating the Percys when they rebelled.
When peace was established, and finances a bit more stable, Henry IV became weaker in illness. It would fall to his son Henry V to reap the benefits of the foundation his father established.
So what of Henry IV? The author's analysis that he was not a great king, but could have been under different circumstances, seems appropriate. Did his deposition of Richard mean the Wars of the Roses was inevitable? No; one can imagine a very different circumstance had Henry V lived longer; if he was able to accomplish the Plantagenet fantasy of being full king of England and France, the deposition would have been forgotten. It would seem that the majority of the blame for the Wars of the Roses falls on Henry VI and his weakness and insanity. Was Henry IV a forerunner of the constitutional monarchy of the late 17th century and following? Not as much as the 19th century would have imagined.
This is a good work to provide context and depth to the situation of England at the turn of the 15th century.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The author's goal is to explore Henry IV so as to better understand his time, context, and circumstance in light of how he is viewed in Shakespeare and in historiography ever since.
The reader is introduced to Henry Bolingbroke, son of John the Gaunt, and the inheritor of all the diligent work John the Gaunt had done to restore and revive the fortunes of the Lancastrians. One sees how Henry attempts to be a good subject of a capricious Richard II, yet ultimately proves too powerful and influential a subject. We can see Henry either return to England, leading to Richard's desposition and becoming king, or he would stay in exile and endanger the Lancastrian holdings.
He returns. Richard II is an unpopular king, but becoming the usurper means that whenever things don't seem like they're going well, Henry IV will have challenges Richard never would deal with. The reign of Henry IV is covered in great detail, with a lot of emphasis on the difficulties of finances of the realm and attempting to keep control over Ireland, Wales, Calais, and Guyenne, and to solve the intractable problems of Scotland, and defeating the Percys when they rebelled.
When peace was established, and finances a bit more stable, Henry IV became weaker in illness. It would fall to his son Henry V to reap the benefits of the foundation his father established.
So what of Henry IV? The author's analysis that he was not a great king, but could have been under different circumstances, seems appropriate. Did his deposition of Richard mean the Wars of the Roses was inevitable? No; one can imagine a very different circumstance had Henry V lived longer; if he was able to accomplish the Plantagenet fantasy of being full king of England and France, the deposition would have been forgotten. It would seem that the majority of the blame for the Wars of the Roses falls on Henry VI and his weakness and insanity. Was Henry IV a forerunner of the constitutional monarchy of the late 17th century and following? Not as much as the 19th century would have imagined.
This is a good work to provide context and depth to the situation of England at the turn of the 15th century.
**--galley received as part of early review program
September 2, 2020
I knew very little of this king's life and times, so it was very worth-while from the point of educating myself. I had previously read the biography of Richard II in the English Monarch Series, and found this to be an excellent companion to that book.
However, I found it to be much more than just an education, it was also a pleasure to read. At least, it was for me, a person deeply interested in history. I suspect that a more casual reader would find this a tough slog.
One thing that appealed to me about this book was that it was very well structured; each chapter made sense and moved forward to its conclusion. The clarity of the writing kept it moving very well.
Another thing that appealed to me was the author's style. Often, these histories are pretty "starchy", written in a very formal fashion that introduces a fair bit of friction into the reading process. The author's presentation of information is quite formal enough, but his writing style has a lot less starch in it, and is more enjoyable for that.
However, I found it to be much more than just an education, it was also a pleasure to read. At least, it was for me, a person deeply interested in history. I suspect that a more casual reader would find this a tough slog.
One thing that appealed to me about this book was that it was very well structured; each chapter made sense and moved forward to its conclusion. The clarity of the writing kept it moving very well.
Another thing that appealed to me was the author's style. Often, these histories are pretty "starchy", written in a very formal fashion that introduces a fair bit of friction into the reading process. The author's presentation of information is quite formal enough, but his writing style has a lot less starch in it, and is more enjoyable for that.
January 3, 2019
The life and times of Henry IV, a not-great but competent king. The details of everyone's rebellions and intrigues make this a great sourcebook for fantasy RPG plots, and I'm always fascinated by how far the the interconnections of trade and diplomacy reach across the late medieval world.
However, this book won't do much for your opinion of medieval leadership. There are some efforts to humanize Henry towards the end -- he was a thinking man's nationalist, oddly humble in his faith, with a love of music -- but he and his contemporaries were crime bosses, not public servants.
However, this book won't do much for your opinion of medieval leadership. There are some efforts to humanize Henry towards the end -- he was a thinking man's nationalist, oddly humble in his faith, with a love of music -- but he and his contemporaries were crime bosses, not public servants.
October 20, 2017
Outstanding scholarship, as one expects from this author, but Arundel's 'Constitutions' and the repressive impact of the statute de heretic comburendo seem trivialised in comparison with (mainly literary) studies by the likes of David Aers and Nicholas Watson.
Read
April 29, 2020I bit off more than i could chew with this book. Too much detail, too many characters. I got lost. However I hung in. Now I am going to read some fictionalised accounts to come to grips with who was who.
November 29, 2021
I am revisiting old hobbies. I use to be fond of history, through my teenage years, to early adulthood through college. This monarch series, I sampled before. Always good to come back to it. Recommended.
September 4, 2020
Good start, well written, but dull middle
May 9, 2023
A well written history book. Fairly readable as far as 450 page biographies go. Does a good job of separating the person, the historiography, and the events/consequences of the period.
February 2, 2016
This is a real tour de force, a comprehensive look at the man who, as the author points out, is often skipped over as little more than a pivot point between the drama of Richard II’s downfall and Henry V’s glorious but short-lived potential.
There’s a lot to praise here, both chewy data and persuasive analysis, but the book suffers from organizational problems. Given-Wilson gets off to a promising start by showing how scattered John of Gaunt’s holdings were throughout England—unlike France, where each nobleman controlled a clear geographic area, in England, the nobles each held a town here, a county there, interspersed with other men’s lands. In order to govern, they needed the king’s support, and if they felt wronged, secession wasn’t an option. It made clear for the first time why Henry felt his only recourse was to usurp Richard II. I also appreciated that Given-Wilson used what records there were to flesh out Henry’s first and second wives and their influence on him and his children.
Then we get to the usurpation, and the book’s structure falters. We get a firehose of data (thankfully chopped up into short chapters organized by year and by theme) with no analysis: lengthy recitations of which nobles fought in which battles without a sense of whether the tactics showed Henry to be impulsive, crafty, or in over his head. Budgetary crises with itemized lists of expenses with no explanation of how a man who was consistently under budget throughout his young adulthood (despite generous charitable contributions and a love of music and art) somehow starts drowning in debt the moment he seizes the throne. Then, in the final third of the book, we get the analysis missing from those earlier chapters: For example, Henry had grabbed power with the aid of a tight-knit network of friends he had cultivated in his younger years, but in order to keep their support despite rival claims to the throne and the destabilization of Ireland, Wales, and other territories, Henry had to resort to massive bribes and sinecures, devouring his household budget and forcing him to levy taxes and take out loans. I would have liked that woven into the earlier chapters instead of left to the end; by the time I finished the book, I felt like I had a clear sense of who Henry was, but until the last quarter of the book, I was in the weeds.
Still, by the end what emerges is a portrait of Henry as a man of courage, intelligence, and honor, a king with a surprising degree of self-control, capable of great patience and shocking cruelty, who relied on his friends and family to a much higher degree than other kings. Given-Wilson’s is likely to be the definitive biography of Henry IV for a long time to come.
There’s a lot to praise here, both chewy data and persuasive analysis, but the book suffers from organizational problems. Given-Wilson gets off to a promising start by showing how scattered John of Gaunt’s holdings were throughout England—unlike France, where each nobleman controlled a clear geographic area, in England, the nobles each held a town here, a county there, interspersed with other men’s lands. In order to govern, they needed the king’s support, and if they felt wronged, secession wasn’t an option. It made clear for the first time why Henry felt his only recourse was to usurp Richard II. I also appreciated that Given-Wilson used what records there were to flesh out Henry’s first and second wives and their influence on him and his children.
Then we get to the usurpation, and the book’s structure falters. We get a firehose of data (thankfully chopped up into short chapters organized by year and by theme) with no analysis: lengthy recitations of which nobles fought in which battles without a sense of whether the tactics showed Henry to be impulsive, crafty, or in over his head. Budgetary crises with itemized lists of expenses with no explanation of how a man who was consistently under budget throughout his young adulthood (despite generous charitable contributions and a love of music and art) somehow starts drowning in debt the moment he seizes the throne. Then, in the final third of the book, we get the analysis missing from those earlier chapters: For example, Henry had grabbed power with the aid of a tight-knit network of friends he had cultivated in his younger years, but in order to keep their support despite rival claims to the throne and the destabilization of Ireland, Wales, and other territories, Henry had to resort to massive bribes and sinecures, devouring his household budget and forcing him to levy taxes and take out loans. I would have liked that woven into the earlier chapters instead of left to the end; by the time I finished the book, I felt like I had a clear sense of who Henry was, but until the last quarter of the book, I was in the weeds.
Still, by the end what emerges is a portrait of Henry as a man of courage, intelligence, and honor, a king with a surprising degree of self-control, capable of great patience and shocking cruelty, who relied on his friends and family to a much higher degree than other kings. Given-Wilson’s is likely to be the definitive biography of Henry IV for a long time to come.
December 25, 2015
Wow. This book is a beast. I mean that in the best way possible. At almost 800 pages, this book is absolutely packed full of information. This is not for the casual history fan, but is a dream for one who loves real history without needless exploitation or manufactured drama. Despite being so long, I didn't feel like it dragged or can even suggest edits (which is rare for me). The attention to detail was excellent without being overwhelming and didn't feel like Given-Wilson was including it just to prove he knew it (you know what I mean? Sometimes I read a detail in a history book and I'm *sure* the author just included it cause they were forced to learn it, so here, now you are too).
If you like hardcore English history and want to learn more about this lesser-discussed King, check this one out.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
If you like hardcore English history and want to learn more about this lesser-discussed King, check this one out.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
November 12, 2017
Well researched tome into the little documented life of a rather questionable King Henry IV of England.
Henry's life is covered in four main parts: 1267 - 1399 (early life, Richard II's trouble reign, Henry's crusading, first marriage); 1399 - 1405 (his reign, the rebellions of Percy & Glyndwr); 1405 - 1410 (rise of the Lollards, study of his kingship); 1409 - 1413 (rise of Henry V and death of Henry IV).
This is well researched and footnoted throughout. I particularly liked the inclusion at the end of Henry IV's itinerary during his reign.
Recommended reading for this elusive monarch.
Henry's life is covered in four main parts: 1267 - 1399 (early life, Richard II's trouble reign, Henry's crusading, first marriage); 1399 - 1405 (his reign, the rebellions of Percy & Glyndwr); 1405 - 1410 (rise of the Lollards, study of his kingship); 1409 - 1413 (rise of Henry V and death of Henry IV).
This is well researched and footnoted throughout. I particularly liked the inclusion at the end of Henry IV's itinerary during his reign.
Recommended reading for this elusive monarch.
October 28, 2019
An exciting read for the researching historian. A very substantial and deeply researched biography.
Details and footnotes galore.
Read for personal research. I found this work of immense interest and the contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the historian, researcher, and enthusiast.
"Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters."
Details and footnotes galore.
Read for personal research. I found this work of immense interest and the contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the historian, researcher, and enthusiast.
"Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters."
July 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was on one of the English kings that I didn't know quite as much about. I thought the information was presented in a clear, a bit dry occasionally, way. There was plenty of information packed into this book and overall a good read.
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
December 14, 2015
Review on my blog February 02 2016!
Excellent! Full of information.
Excellent! Full of information.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews