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The Plantagenets #3
Three Edwards
THE THREE EDWARDS, third in Thomas B. Costain's survey of Britain under the Plantagenets, covers the years between 1272 and 1377 when three Edwards ruled England. Edward I brought England out of the Middle Ages. Edward II had a tragic reign but gave his country Edward III, who ruled gloriously, if violently.
A History of the Plantagenets includes THE CONQUERING FAMILY, THE MAGNIFICENT CENTURY, THE THREE EDWARDS and THE LAST PLANTAGENETS.
A History of the Plantagenets includes THE CONQUERING FAMILY, THE MAGNIFICENT CENTURY, THE THREE EDWARDS and THE LAST PLANTAGENETS.
475 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1958
318 people are currently reading
1710 people want to read
About the author
Thomas B. Costain
128 books185 followersCostain was born in Brantford, Ontario to John Herbert Costain and Mary Schultz. He attended high school there at the Brantford Collegiate Institute. Before graduating from high school he had written four novels, one of which was a 70,000 word romance about Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange. These early novels were rejected by publishers.
His first writing success came in 1902 when the Brantford Courier accepted a mystery story from him, and he became a reporter there (for five dollars a week). He was an editor at the Guelph Daily Mercury between 1908 and 1910. He married Ida Randolph Spragge (1888–1975) in York, Ontario on January 12, 1910. The couple had two children, Molly (Mrs. Howard Haycraft) and Dora (Mrs. Henry Darlington Steinmetz). Also in 1910, Costain joined the Maclean Publishing Group where he edited three trade journals. Beginning in 1914, he was a staff writer for and, from 1917, editor of Toronto-based Maclean's magazine. His success there brought him to the attention of The Saturday Evening Post in New York City where he was fiction editor for fourteen years.
In 1920 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He also worked for Doubleday Books as an editor 1939-1946. He was the head of 20th Century Fox’s bureau of literary development (story department) from 1934 to 1942.
In 1940, he wrote four short novels but was “enough of an editor not to send them out”. He next planned to write six books in a series he called “The Stepchildren of History”. He would write about six interesting but unknown historical figures. For his first, he wrote about the seventeenth-century pirate John Ward aka Jack Ward. In 1942, he realized his longtime dream when this first novel For My Great Folly was published, and it became a bestseller with over 132,000 copies sold. The New York Times reviewer stated at the end of the review "there will be no romantic-adventure lover left unsatisfied." In January 1946 he "retired" to spend the rest of his life writing, at a rate of about 3,000 words a day.
Raised as a Baptist, he was reported in the 1953 Current Biography to be an attendant of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was described as a handsome, tall, broad-shouldered man with a pink and white complexion, clear blue eyes, and a slight Canadian accent. He was white-haired by the time he began to write novels. He loved animals and could not even kill a bug (but he also loved bridge, and he did not extend the same policy to his partners). He also loved movies and the theatre (he met his future wife when she was performing Ruth in the The Pirates of Penzance).
Costain's work is a mixture of commercial history (such as The White and The Gold, a history of New France to around 1720) and fiction that relies heavily on historic events (one review stated it was hard to tell where history leaves off and apocrypha begins). His most popular novel was The Black Rose (1945), centred in the time and actions of Bayan of the Baarin also known as Bayan of the Hundred Eyes. Costain noted in his foreword that he initially intended the book to be about Bayan and Edward I, but became caught up in the legend of Thomas a Becket's parents: an English knight married to an Eastern girl. The book was a selection of the Literary Guild with a first printing of 650,000 copies and sold over two million copies in its first year.
His research led him to believe that Richard III was a great monarch tarred by conspiracies, after his death, with the murder of the princes in the tower. Costain supported his theories with documentation, suggesting that the real murderer was Henry VII.
Costain died in 1965 at his New York City home of a heart attack at the age of 80. He is buried in the Farringdon Independent Church Cemetery in Brantford.
His first writing success came in 1902 when the Brantford Courier accepted a mystery story from him, and he became a reporter there (for five dollars a week). He was an editor at the Guelph Daily Mercury between 1908 and 1910. He married Ida Randolph Spragge (1888–1975) in York, Ontario on January 12, 1910. The couple had two children, Molly (Mrs. Howard Haycraft) and Dora (Mrs. Henry Darlington Steinmetz). Also in 1910, Costain joined the Maclean Publishing Group where he edited three trade journals. Beginning in 1914, he was a staff writer for and, from 1917, editor of Toronto-based Maclean's magazine. His success there brought him to the attention of The Saturday Evening Post in New York City where he was fiction editor for fourteen years.
In 1920 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He also worked for Doubleday Books as an editor 1939-1946. He was the head of 20th Century Fox’s bureau of literary development (story department) from 1934 to 1942.
In 1940, he wrote four short novels but was “enough of an editor not to send them out”. He next planned to write six books in a series he called “The Stepchildren of History”. He would write about six interesting but unknown historical figures. For his first, he wrote about the seventeenth-century pirate John Ward aka Jack Ward. In 1942, he realized his longtime dream when this first novel For My Great Folly was published, and it became a bestseller with over 132,000 copies sold. The New York Times reviewer stated at the end of the review "there will be no romantic-adventure lover left unsatisfied." In January 1946 he "retired" to spend the rest of his life writing, at a rate of about 3,000 words a day.
Raised as a Baptist, he was reported in the 1953 Current Biography to be an attendant of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was described as a handsome, tall, broad-shouldered man with a pink and white complexion, clear blue eyes, and a slight Canadian accent. He was white-haired by the time he began to write novels. He loved animals and could not even kill a bug (but he also loved bridge, and he did not extend the same policy to his partners). He also loved movies and the theatre (he met his future wife when she was performing Ruth in the The Pirates of Penzance).
Costain's work is a mixture of commercial history (such as The White and The Gold, a history of New France to around 1720) and fiction that relies heavily on historic events (one review stated it was hard to tell where history leaves off and apocrypha begins). His most popular novel was The Black Rose (1945), centred in the time and actions of Bayan of the Baarin also known as Bayan of the Hundred Eyes. Costain noted in his foreword that he initially intended the book to be about Bayan and Edward I, but became caught up in the legend of Thomas a Becket's parents: an English knight married to an Eastern girl. The book was a selection of the Literary Guild with a first printing of 650,000 copies and sold over two million copies in its first year.
His research led him to believe that Richard III was a great monarch tarred by conspiracies, after his death, with the murder of the princes in the tower. Costain supported his theories with documentation, suggesting that the real murderer was Henry VII.
Costain died in 1965 at his New York City home of a heart attack at the age of 80. He is buried in the Farringdon Independent Church Cemetery in Brantford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 26, 2016
I'm on a Costain popular history marathon. The Three Edwards is third in the series of four about the Plantagenets. It's fairly light reading (I've been a historian, and Costain won't be on any history professor's syllabus!), but his writing is really good and the Plantagenets an intriguing bunch. He also clearly explains when he's speculating or merely repeating a good but unverifiable story about the kings and queens and their courts and coteries from centuries ago. It's a fine journey.
March 16, 2013
Even if this is the third book of the Plantagenets series and I haven't read the second book, I was able to follow the very interesting flow of the narrative.
In my opinion, Costain is one of the masters in telling the history in a very captivating way by keeping the reader always connected with the description of the historical facts.
I think Edward III was the most dreadful story among his processors'.
In my opinion, Costain is one of the masters in telling the history in a very captivating way by keeping the reader always connected with the description of the historical facts.
I think Edward III was the most dreadful story among his processors'.
January 3, 2008
I was surprised by how enjoyable and readable this book was. Within the first few pages Edward I gets stabbed with a poisoned dagger by a treacherous Muslim, and the history stays at that level of excitement throughout. Costain writes remarkably descriptive prose--he uses a whole lot of adjectives--but never delves into fiction. He doesn't put words or thoughts into the historical figures' heads, unlike all too many historians. I was pleased by Costain's breadth scholarship, as well. He spends literally chapters going over every detail of the Scottish wars for freedom, but doesn't leave out the contents of Princess Eleanor's trousseau (and why she would bring a bed of her own, or pounds of white sugar) or the effects of changing fashion. He includes several paragraphs on the invention of buttons!
And yet, despite all this detail, the book is never slowed down. I felt like I got a very comprehensive account of each Edward while also getting a good feel for the times they lived in. Impressive!
And yet, despite all this detail, the book is never slowed down. I felt like I got a very comprehensive account of each Edward while also getting a good feel for the times they lived in. Impressive!
March 28, 2022
While this is the third volume in the author's chronicles of the lives and reigns of the Plantagenet kings, it's the first of his works that I've read. Largely solid and quite readable, though at times a bit too meandering and overly concerned with military matters for my liking. Still, a decent read that covered a lot of ground.
July 12, 2008
What I learned is people are people whoever they are, even Kings and Queens. I also learned lots of history of England. It was a very engaging book. It is not a novel, but it reads like one and carries the reader along on one adventure after another...very exciting.
July 27, 2019
The Three Edwards is an enjoyable and informative overview of the first 3 monarchs of that name. The book principally focuses on government affairs, but also provides insights on these sovereigns' personal lives. It is an excellent introduction to this period of British history.
July 8, 2008
This was my second reading, and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. It reads like a novel, with lots of interesting personal information.
November 18, 2012
Second only to Drunken History
May 24, 2018
First sentence: The Crusades were running down like an unwound clock.
Premise/plot: The Three Edwards is the third volume in the nonfiction series by Thomas B. Costain on the Plantagenets. It covers the reigns of Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III. It covers the politics, the wars, and the personal dramas. It highlights various men and women who were influential during these years.
Except perhaps for the reign of Edward II--that had its own dramas and conflicts--much of the book is spent on wars at home and abroad. Wars with Scotland and Wales. Wars with France.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one--for the most part. My interest in specific battles is low I admit. I have no interest in battle tactics, etc. But there was also plenty of personal drama: wives and husbands, fathers and sons, and daughters being used as bargaining tools. Costain does a good job of presenting the strengths and weaknesses of each Edward. No person is solely good or evil. Holding onto power can be tricky, and power can go to one's head and corrupt.
Other books in the series: The first volume is The Conquering Family. The second volume is The Magnificent Century.
Premise/plot: The Three Edwards is the third volume in the nonfiction series by Thomas B. Costain on the Plantagenets. It covers the reigns of Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III. It covers the politics, the wars, and the personal dramas. It highlights various men and women who were influential during these years.
Except perhaps for the reign of Edward II--that had its own dramas and conflicts--much of the book is spent on wars at home and abroad. Wars with Scotland and Wales. Wars with France.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one--for the most part. My interest in specific battles is low I admit. I have no interest in battle tactics, etc. But there was also plenty of personal drama: wives and husbands, fathers and sons, and daughters being used as bargaining tools. Costain does a good job of presenting the strengths and weaknesses of each Edward. No person is solely good or evil. Holding onto power can be tricky, and power can go to one's head and corrupt.
Other books in the series: The first volume is The Conquering Family. The second volume is The Magnificent Century.
June 7, 2024
Amazing. Each of the four books in this collection of the history of the Plantagenet rulers of England is about 400 pages and I'm racing through them. I just finished this, the third book, and can't wait to get to number 4 (although I'm forcing myself to take a break and read a couple other books that I very much want to get at).
He's a wonderful historian in that he refers a LOT to other historians and lets you know obliquely where he's getting his facts from; and that balances out what sometimes feel like moments where he shouldn't know as much as he knows (very detailed descriptions of some of the characters' clothing, for example). You feel like he isn't making it up.
And he makes the characters so alive that it's much easier to remember who they are, whereas I feel many other history books just rattle off names and titles and it becomes very confusing.
In sum, I feel Costain really deserves his reputation as an extraordinary historian.
He's a wonderful historian in that he refers a LOT to other historians and lets you know obliquely where he's getting his facts from; and that balances out what sometimes feel like moments where he shouldn't know as much as he knows (very detailed descriptions of some of the characters' clothing, for example). You feel like he isn't making it up.
And he makes the characters so alive that it's much easier to remember who they are, whereas I feel many other history books just rattle off names and titles and it becomes very confusing.
In sum, I feel Costain really deserves his reputation as an extraordinary historian.
December 8, 2020
Three stars with reservation. This was a good book for a casual English history buff like me. It is a history of Edward I, II and III (Father, son and grandson) who ruled England in succession. The flow of the narrative is easy to follow and not burdened with actual excessive quotes from the actual people involved. This is a plus for the language used in the middle ages was quite different than it is now and the three Edwards probably spoke French at court any way. The author was able to build dramatic tension and his prose was vivid at times. I recommend this book to English history buffs with one caution however. In a reference to "American Indians" he seemed also to refer to inferior races. This book was originally published in in 1958, thus the term "American Indian". Perhaps the author later in life rethought this phrase but this is why I recommend this book book with reservation. It is otherwise well written.
October 24, 2019
A first-rate account of a fascinating era of English history. Reads more like a novel.
February 10, 2023
Long and detailed but very readable (if somewhat outdated) third volume in this history of the Plantagenets.
July 26, 2021
I believe my thoughts when I finished this book were: "this should be called The Good King, The Gay King, and The Gorgeous King."
July 28, 2011
I am enjoying Costain's Plantagenet series. Lots of information as I travel through the Middle Ages. I got a bit bogged down in places; there seemed to be a lot of unfamiliar "side trips" that were slower to digest.
Of particular note as the U.S. debates whether to raise the debt ceiling or default on its promise to pay debts. Edward III, in the course of fighting wars, borrowed heavily from two banking families in Florence, the Bardis and Peruzzis. In 1339 he realized he could not pay his debts, so he issued an edict suspending all payments. And then what happened? "The city of Florence went into a slump. The financial world of Europe was shaken to the core." The French king at the time, Philip the Fair, "believing that this form of bankruptcy meant the end of English pretensions...was said to have begun plans...[to invade] England. In Florence riots broke out.... The Bardi and the Peruzzi had been the financial backbone of the republic, so the news that both houses were in difficulties had the impact of an earthquake.... In January 1345 both banking houses gave up the struggle and went into bankruptcy, dragging down with them more banking concerns and many mercantile houses.... The period precipitated by this great smash has been called the darkest in the annals of that great city."
I found other parallels as well. Following the Black Death when the population was cut in half, and laborers found themselves having the upper hand for once. The advantage was brief, however: "The land magnates were stirred to fury, and in the cities the prominent merchants swore they could not pay such wages as were demanded." So the government decreed that anyone who could work would accept "'only the wages which were accustomed to be taken....'" In other words, the laborer's pay returned to the low levels of previous years while the cost of living remained at the highest peak.
Does anyone still think history doesn't repeat itself?
Of particular note as the U.S. debates whether to raise the debt ceiling or default on its promise to pay debts. Edward III, in the course of fighting wars, borrowed heavily from two banking families in Florence, the Bardis and Peruzzis. In 1339 he realized he could not pay his debts, so he issued an edict suspending all payments. And then what happened? "The city of Florence went into a slump. The financial world of Europe was shaken to the core." The French king at the time, Philip the Fair, "believing that this form of bankruptcy meant the end of English pretensions...was said to have begun plans...[to invade] England. In Florence riots broke out.... The Bardi and the Peruzzi had been the financial backbone of the republic, so the news that both houses were in difficulties had the impact of an earthquake.... In January 1345 both banking houses gave up the struggle and went into bankruptcy, dragging down with them more banking concerns and many mercantile houses.... The period precipitated by this great smash has been called the darkest in the annals of that great city."
I found other parallels as well. Following the Black Death when the population was cut in half, and laborers found themselves having the upper hand for once. The advantage was brief, however: "The land magnates were stirred to fury, and in the cities the prominent merchants swore they could not pay such wages as were demanded." So the government decreed that anyone who could work would accept "'only the wages which were accustomed to be taken....'" In other words, the laborer's pay returned to the low levels of previous years while the cost of living remained at the highest peak.
Does anyone still think history doesn't repeat itself?
June 20, 2009
I love English history and Costain's books are readable but, as another reviewer said, there is not a lot of information contained in this book to further enlighten a history buff. That said, I enjoyed this tale of the Plantagenet Edwards. What a vicious and bloody time in English history when England was either trying to subdue Scotland the Brave or fighting the French. Hanging, drawing and quartering, and beheading seemed to be a daily occurance. The story takes the reader through the last days of the Crusades to the murder of Edward II and ends with the greatest of the Plantagenets, Edward III. It's a colorful, anecdotal trip through the 12th and 13th centuries and well worth the trip.
March 6, 2014
Weird times peopled by weird personalities except I feel Isabella of France has been dealt a bit of a bum deal. Not once but twice did that husband of hers shame the marriage and empty her coffers, no wonder she was in a mood with him. Euphemisms are fun what, what!
Read By: David Case
Genre: History
Publisher: Books on Tape
Series Name: The Pageant of England
Position in Series: 3
Abridged: No
Book Description Blurb
================
THE THREE EDWARDS, third in Thomas B. Costain's survey of Britain under the Plantagenets, covers the years between 1272 and 1377 when three Edwards ruled England. Edward I brought England out of the Middle Ages. Edward II had a tragic reign but gave his country Edward III, who ruled gloriously, if violently.
Read By: David Case
Genre: History
Publisher: Books on Tape
Series Name: The Pageant of England
Position in Series: 3
Abridged: No
Book Description Blurb
================
THE THREE EDWARDS, third in Thomas B. Costain's survey of Britain under the Plantagenets, covers the years between 1272 and 1377 when three Edwards ruled England. Edward I brought England out of the Middle Ages. Edward II had a tragic reign but gave his country Edward III, who ruled gloriously, if violently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2012
An enjoyable and broadbrush history of England under the three consecutive Edwards of the Plantagenet dynasty, told with Costain's unique novelist flair. I was not wrapped up in it quite as much as I was in the previous book, "The Magnificent Century," simply because there was no one man who stood out in these reigns the way Simon de Montfort did in Henry III's, but I did still enjoy it. It's hard not to like Costain's writing and the way he brings the past to life. I especially appreciate his touch when it comes to the humbler men of the times, the churchmen, scholars and architects who are so often brushed aside.
April 7, 2014
For his third book on the Plantagents, Costain does it again. He continues to tell the story of the English Kings while adding interesting side notes on the period and the people of the realm.
One of my favorite side notes was his discussion of the origin and use of the button!
Additionally although he seems to favor King Edward, Costain does provides a very fair re-telling of the king's treatment of William Wallace.
I also enjoyed Costain's discussion of Mortimer's escape. He took the time to present the story well.
If you like his other books on this famous family, you will enjoy this too.
One of my favorite side notes was his discussion of the origin and use of the button!
Additionally although he seems to favor King Edward, Costain does provides a very fair re-telling of the king's treatment of William Wallace.
I also enjoyed Costain's discussion of Mortimer's escape. He took the time to present the story well.
If you like his other books on this famous family, you will enjoy this too.
October 14, 2009
Crappy pop history. For an author described on the cover as one of the greatest storytellers of his time, he seems to get really excited about listing off the prices of objects and how much people/countries made per year. While that isn't necessarily bad history combining it with his random bouts of melodrama made me want to put down the book over and over again. The only reason why I kept up with it is because I'm trying to focus more and more on individuals within the broad historical scope of English and Medieval history.
February 3, 2014
Costain is a master storyteller. Although there are no sources and its not to be used as an academic study, his history of the Plantagenets is throughly enjoyable. One complaint is that unlike Henry II and his sons and the comically inept Henry III, I have less of a personal portrait of the Three Edwards than I did of the previous Plantagenets in Costain's series. It may just be due to a lack of sources, but I feel I really knew John and Henry III as people but I can't really say the same about Any of the Edwards.
November 9, 2014
Another winner from Costain as he relates the reigns of Edward I, II, and III, the British kings who dominated the 14th century and started the Hundred Years War with France, though of his four books in this history of the Plantagenets this is clearly the weakest link. It may be simply that it ends on a down note, historically speaking. The book meanders and occasionally seems to lose its way towards the end, much as the feeble and addled old king Edward III tended to do towards the end of his long life.
Still worth a read, but the next book is much more fun...
Still worth a read, but the next book is much more fun...
June 12, 2009
A great book for learning the important facts to keep you in the loop when reading HF of this tome period. It is a GREAT series for newbies to he time period! It reads well not at all dry for a NON-FICTION work and it would help you to have a better understanding while reading HF. All these books in the series can stand alone but it is good to start from t he first one and move through the years to have a complete understanding of the family PLANTAGENET!
June 2, 2011
I liked the history during the times of Edwards I, II, and III and the stories of their extensive families. The book is full of facts, is well written and easily understood, not like a text book. It is over 400 pages of solid text and could have easily been 1000 pages and easier to read. It took me about three weeks to read the first 100 pages. I will attempt it again some day though it was somewhat difficult to locate a copy.
May 8, 2009
My real fault with this book is it's a very slow read. I've read other books by Costain, and while his research is good, he's just not easy to read.
I'm a confirmed Anglophile and a lover of history (especially Medieval), so his books will most likely remain on my shelves, but I can't say I recommend them.
I'm a confirmed Anglophile and a lover of history (especially Medieval), so his books will most likely remain on my shelves, but I can't say I recommend them.
January 4, 2013
An excellent, easy read about an era that is of great interest to me. I think I read Costain's The Silver Chalice many years ago - he has a great feel for the Middle Ages. I plan to read the other 3 books of this series (The Plantagenets)on my Kindle, after a few other books are tried - The Black Count, the new Jared Diamond book.
July 16, 2010
Although this is a history book, it is written in a descriptive way such that it really makes the people and places come alive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
November 21, 2011
Lightweight history is the best kind for me. Why the dainty treatment of the homosexual issue? Have we come a long way since 1300? Blood, guts, warfare, torture, resentment, paranoia...
July 1, 2013
Although not near as good as The Last Plantagenets, Costain writes in a clear and concise manner that brings the period and the people to life.
July 11, 2013
This book, though it may be flawed, started my love of history. Thank you, dear dead Thomas B. Costain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews