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The Brandon Men: In the Shadow of Kings
Four generations of Brandon men lived and served six English Kings, the most famous being Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, best friend and brother-in-law to King Henry VIII. Yet his family had a long history that ties so closely to the kings of the Wars of the Roses back to Henry VI. Charles Brandon's father, Sir William Brandon, joined the Tudor claimant and became standard bearer for Henry Tudor, dying at the Battle of Bosworth. Charles' uncle, Sir Thomas Brandon, held the position of Henry VII's Master of the Horse, one of the three highest positions within the court. Charles Brandon's grandfather had ties with Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III.These men held important offices, made great sacrifices, walked the fine line between being loyal courtiers and traitors and even gave their lives, all in the name of loyalty to the king they served. No more shall the Brandon name be an obscure reference in archives. It is time for them to emerge from the shadows of history.
- GenresHistoryTudor Period
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 9, 2021
The Brandon Men: In the Shadow of Kings
By Sarah Bryson
Reviewed November 9, 2021
The Brandon Men by Sarah Bryson tells the story of several men who played pivotal roles during the last years of the Wars of the Roses and into the Tudor years. The subtitle, In the Shadow of Kings, is an apt description. As my primary interest is in the early Brandons, namely William the father and William the son, my focus here will be on them.
The family may have originated from Brântome in France. Although there is no documentation to support this, it is possible that a man from Brântome (de Brântome) accompanied William of Normandy’s army and was rewarded with the granting of land in East Anglia, and the name eventually was anglicized to Brandon.
By 1410 there is a Robert Brandon “of Lynn, Norfolk.” He is recorded as being an esquire, a man one step below a knight, one who owned land and was able to live off the rents produced. This indicates that he possessed both property and wealth enough to support him and his family.
There is a strong possibility that he was the father of William Brandon I (c 1425-1491), as this William was associated with the port of Lynn. William I had a son Robert who would eventually be a customs collector at Lynn. If so, then the first Robert would be the patriarch of this family.
William I was a retainer of John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk; however, their relationship was not always amicable and at times devolved into litigation and even violence and often also involved the Wingfields (William’s in-laws). In fact, William I was involved in so many court cases—some brought against him, and some he brought against others—that I’m left with the impression that he may not have been the easiest person to get along with, particularly if something of any kind of monetary value was involved.
In spite of this, the author calls their relationship “interesting”, saying that William I served Norfolk faithfully “but only as long as it served his purposes.” In addition, Brandon apparently was a very persuasive man and “easily manipulated the duke and had the duke’s ear.”
Another family William I didn’t get along with was the Pastons. In fact, the Pastons hated the Brandons, and this is well brought out in the Paston Letters.
William, as a retainer of the Duke of Norfolk, fought at Tewkesbury for Edward IV, and it is very likely that he was at Barnet, too. The author speculates that he may have been in the van under the overall command of Richard of Gloucester. An interesting possibility, considering what transpired down the road. And as the Pastons were aligned with Warwick’s army, it might be tempting to wonder if either side considered using the fight to settle old scores...but if so it never passed the “thinking about it” stage.
William I was knighted by Edward IV on the field of Gaston, next to where the Battle of Tewkesbury was fought, suggesting that he probably made a significant contribution to the victory. Later, Brandon was one of a number of knights and lords who swore allegiance to Edward IV’s son as his heir.
Considering that the Brandons changed allegiances more than once, and would do so in 1484, I found myself wondering, was their going over to Tudor a matter of conscience (since oaths didn’t always seem to matter to them)...or that they saw the writing on the wall with Richard and felt there would be better opportunities with Tudor? Like their contemporaries, the Stanleys, the Brandons often made a habit of hedging their bets, with William I’s sons splitting up and taking opposite sides in a conflict so that if one side lost, the family would still have someone associated with the winning side.
Throughout all this and later, the author shows a great deal of restraint when it comes to talking about Richard III. Where many before her have gotten on their high horse and engaged in moralizing when it comes to Richard, Ms Bryson presents the facts in a neutral, matter of fact way. This is a pleasant change from what I’ve often run into.
There are a couple minor issues I had with the book. One was a typo that escaped whoever proofread/edited the book, where Edward IV road north in 1496 to put down a rebellion. Oops! By 1496, both Edward and his brother Richard were long dead and buried! Unfortunately, a couple digits got transposed giving us the wrong year.
Another thing I found is not actually a typo, but is an odd bit of repetition. On page 30, Bryson quotes a paragraph from a letter written by John Paston and presented in the original spelling, making a point of how William Brandon the elder was able to “exploit and hold sway” over John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.
Thomas Wygfeld told me, and swore on to me, that when Brandon meuved [moved] the Kyng, and besowght hym to shew my Lord Favour in hy matter ayhenst yow, tat the Kyng seyd on to hym ayen, ‘Brandon, thow thou can begyhll the dwk of Norffolk, and bring hum abow the thombe as thows lyst...
A few pages later, on page 38, she quotes the same paragraph from the same letter, only this time with the spelling modernized.
Thomas Wingfield told me and swore unto me that when Brandon moved the king and besought him to show my lord favour in his matters against you that the king saun unto him again Brandon, though thou canst begile the Duke of Norfolk and bring him about the thumb as thous list...
When I read the paragraph in question the second time, I had to stop and think. Didn’t I just read something just like that a couple minutes ago? And both to make the same point about Brandon’s influence over Mowbray? So I had to stop reading and go back, looking through the pages and sure enough, found the original version. While it’s not exactly wrong, it is definitely repetitious.
Later, on page 57, I came across something that to the best of my knowledge is questionable at best. It’s about an incident that took place on August 17, 1485, as Tudor heads his army towards Shrewsbury.
When he arrived, the portcullises were closed, and Henry and his men were refused permission to pass. The head bailiff, Thomas Mitton, stated that ‘he knew of no king but only King Richard to whom he was sworn, whose life tenants he [Mitton] and his followers were, and before he [Henry] should enter there he should go over his belly.’
Some negotiating took place, and eventually Mitton acquiesced, following the letter of his oath by lying on his back and allowing Henry to step over him.
The problem I have with this is that I’ve never read of this incident being attributed to Mitton. I have, however, come across it numerous times attributed to Rhys ap Thomas, including in early family histories and genealogies for Sir Rhys which I’ve read as part of my family history research, as Sir Rhys is said to be a direct ancestor of mine.
The author’s source is a book by Chris Skidmore, The Rise of the Tudors, The Family that Changed English History, of which I do not have a copy to check this further. As Skidmore and now Ms. Bryson in her history of the Brandons make this statement, I’m going to (unless it’s proven otherwise to me) assume that this is a possible error, that the incident of letting Henry walk over him to fulfill the letter of the oath belongs to Sir Rhys and not the high bailiff of Shrewsbury. Maybe this part about "over my belly" is some kind of formula used in oaths...or maybe this is a mistake. At this point, I don't know.
With the demise of William II (son of William I above) on Bosworth Field, the book follows the various Brandon men and women into the Tudor age, the most notable being William’s son Charles, who became Duke of Suffolk and brother-in-law to Henry VIII when he and Mary Tudor married without the king’s consent.
By 1578, the last of the Brandon family died out. That last one was a woman named Mary who fell in and out of favor during the tumultuous years of Bloody Mary and was eventually brought back to court as one of Elizabeth’s maids, only to fall sick and die in April of that year. If there are questionable citations such as the about Mitton, I’m not aware of them as I know far less about the Tudor period than I know of the Yorks and Lancasters.
Love them or hate them, the Brandon men, as the author points out, “epitomize the Rota Fortunae or Wheel of Fortune.”
One can suggest, writes Ms Bryson, that the fate of the Brandon men ended with the Wheel of Fortune pointed downward, but I would argue otherwise. Within the pages of this book, the lives of the Brandon men are remembered. Five hundred years after their deaths, you, the reader, are learning about them. Their lives and their legacies are not forgotten.
The Brandon Men is for the most part a well-written and very readable account of an interesting family. Whether you are pro-Richard, or pro-Tudor, the book entertains and educates, and if it weren’t for the few lapses I pointed out above, I’d be tempted to give it 5 stars.
By Sarah Bryson
Reviewed November 9, 2021
The Brandon Men by Sarah Bryson tells the story of several men who played pivotal roles during the last years of the Wars of the Roses and into the Tudor years. The subtitle, In the Shadow of Kings, is an apt description. As my primary interest is in the early Brandons, namely William the father and William the son, my focus here will be on them.
The family may have originated from Brântome in France. Although there is no documentation to support this, it is possible that a man from Brântome (de Brântome) accompanied William of Normandy’s army and was rewarded with the granting of land in East Anglia, and the name eventually was anglicized to Brandon.
By 1410 there is a Robert Brandon “of Lynn, Norfolk.” He is recorded as being an esquire, a man one step below a knight, one who owned land and was able to live off the rents produced. This indicates that he possessed both property and wealth enough to support him and his family.
There is a strong possibility that he was the father of William Brandon I (c 1425-1491), as this William was associated with the port of Lynn. William I had a son Robert who would eventually be a customs collector at Lynn. If so, then the first Robert would be the patriarch of this family.
William I was a retainer of John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk; however, their relationship was not always amicable and at times devolved into litigation and even violence and often also involved the Wingfields (William’s in-laws). In fact, William I was involved in so many court cases—some brought against him, and some he brought against others—that I’m left with the impression that he may not have been the easiest person to get along with, particularly if something of any kind of monetary value was involved.
In spite of this, the author calls their relationship “interesting”, saying that William I served Norfolk faithfully “but only as long as it served his purposes.” In addition, Brandon apparently was a very persuasive man and “easily manipulated the duke and had the duke’s ear.”
Another family William I didn’t get along with was the Pastons. In fact, the Pastons hated the Brandons, and this is well brought out in the Paston Letters.
William, as a retainer of the Duke of Norfolk, fought at Tewkesbury for Edward IV, and it is very likely that he was at Barnet, too. The author speculates that he may have been in the van under the overall command of Richard of Gloucester. An interesting possibility, considering what transpired down the road. And as the Pastons were aligned with Warwick’s army, it might be tempting to wonder if either side considered using the fight to settle old scores...but if so it never passed the “thinking about it” stage.
William I was knighted by Edward IV on the field of Gaston, next to where the Battle of Tewkesbury was fought, suggesting that he probably made a significant contribution to the victory. Later, Brandon was one of a number of knights and lords who swore allegiance to Edward IV’s son as his heir.
Considering that the Brandons changed allegiances more than once, and would do so in 1484, I found myself wondering, was their going over to Tudor a matter of conscience (since oaths didn’t always seem to matter to them)...or that they saw the writing on the wall with Richard and felt there would be better opportunities with Tudor? Like their contemporaries, the Stanleys, the Brandons often made a habit of hedging their bets, with William I’s sons splitting up and taking opposite sides in a conflict so that if one side lost, the family would still have someone associated with the winning side.
Throughout all this and later, the author shows a great deal of restraint when it comes to talking about Richard III. Where many before her have gotten on their high horse and engaged in moralizing when it comes to Richard, Ms Bryson presents the facts in a neutral, matter of fact way. This is a pleasant change from what I’ve often run into.
There are a couple minor issues I had with the book. One was a typo that escaped whoever proofread/edited the book, where Edward IV road north in 1496 to put down a rebellion. Oops! By 1496, both Edward and his brother Richard were long dead and buried! Unfortunately, a couple digits got transposed giving us the wrong year.
Another thing I found is not actually a typo, but is an odd bit of repetition. On page 30, Bryson quotes a paragraph from a letter written by John Paston and presented in the original spelling, making a point of how William Brandon the elder was able to “exploit and hold sway” over John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.
Thomas Wygfeld told me, and swore on to me, that when Brandon meuved [moved] the Kyng, and besowght hym to shew my Lord Favour in hy matter ayhenst yow, tat the Kyng seyd on to hym ayen, ‘Brandon, thow thou can begyhll the dwk of Norffolk, and bring hum abow the thombe as thows lyst...
A few pages later, on page 38, she quotes the same paragraph from the same letter, only this time with the spelling modernized.
Thomas Wingfield told me and swore unto me that when Brandon moved the king and besought him to show my lord favour in his matters against you that the king saun unto him again Brandon, though thou canst begile the Duke of Norfolk and bring him about the thumb as thous list...
When I read the paragraph in question the second time, I had to stop and think. Didn’t I just read something just like that a couple minutes ago? And both to make the same point about Brandon’s influence over Mowbray? So I had to stop reading and go back, looking through the pages and sure enough, found the original version. While it’s not exactly wrong, it is definitely repetitious.
Later, on page 57, I came across something that to the best of my knowledge is questionable at best. It’s about an incident that took place on August 17, 1485, as Tudor heads his army towards Shrewsbury.
When he arrived, the portcullises were closed, and Henry and his men were refused permission to pass. The head bailiff, Thomas Mitton, stated that ‘he knew of no king but only King Richard to whom he was sworn, whose life tenants he [Mitton] and his followers were, and before he [Henry] should enter there he should go over his belly.’
Some negotiating took place, and eventually Mitton acquiesced, following the letter of his oath by lying on his back and allowing Henry to step over him.
The problem I have with this is that I’ve never read of this incident being attributed to Mitton. I have, however, come across it numerous times attributed to Rhys ap Thomas, including in early family histories and genealogies for Sir Rhys which I’ve read as part of my family history research, as Sir Rhys is said to be a direct ancestor of mine.
The author’s source is a book by Chris Skidmore, The Rise of the Tudors, The Family that Changed English History, of which I do not have a copy to check this further. As Skidmore and now Ms. Bryson in her history of the Brandons make this statement, I’m going to (unless it’s proven otherwise to me) assume that this is a possible error, that the incident of letting Henry walk over him to fulfill the letter of the oath belongs to Sir Rhys and not the high bailiff of Shrewsbury. Maybe this part about "over my belly" is some kind of formula used in oaths...or maybe this is a mistake. At this point, I don't know.
With the demise of William II (son of William I above) on Bosworth Field, the book follows the various Brandon men and women into the Tudor age, the most notable being William’s son Charles, who became Duke of Suffolk and brother-in-law to Henry VIII when he and Mary Tudor married without the king’s consent.
By 1578, the last of the Brandon family died out. That last one was a woman named Mary who fell in and out of favor during the tumultuous years of Bloody Mary and was eventually brought back to court as one of Elizabeth’s maids, only to fall sick and die in April of that year. If there are questionable citations such as the about Mitton, I’m not aware of them as I know far less about the Tudor period than I know of the Yorks and Lancasters.
Love them or hate them, the Brandon men, as the author points out, “epitomize the Rota Fortunae or Wheel of Fortune.”
One can suggest, writes Ms Bryson, that the fate of the Brandon men ended with the Wheel of Fortune pointed downward, but I would argue otherwise. Within the pages of this book, the lives of the Brandon men are remembered. Five hundred years after their deaths, you, the reader, are learning about them. Their lives and their legacies are not forgotten.
The Brandon Men is for the most part a well-written and very readable account of an interesting family. Whether you are pro-Richard, or pro-Tudor, the book entertains and educates, and if it weren’t for the few lapses I pointed out above, I’d be tempted to give it 5 stars.
August 3, 2024
I'm familiar with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, from my interest in the Tudor age. BFF, main bro and brother in law to Henry VIII he was one of the era's main players. Bryson explores how his family rose from humble origins to having the ear of monarchs as well as all the family connections. Very interesting.
July 29, 2021
Sarah Bryson's biography of the Brandon family was very readable and quite interesting, exploring from the family's roots all the way to Henry VIII reign and showing how each generation of Brandon men adapted to the politics of the time and knew how to change with the wind.
July 4, 2021
Amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah’s book on Mary Tudor and had been eagerly awaiting the release of this book. While this book contained large biographical elements on Charles Brandon, it does what other biographies on Charles don’t, and that is, placing events into context. Witnessing the rise in prominence of the relatively forgotten Brandon men, is fascinating, and crucial when trying to understand Charles Brandon. A bonus to this book, was the detailed family trees employed at the beginning of this book - I’ve been trying to work out Charles Brandon’s family tree for a while so this has been extremely valuable.
June 15, 2023
Throughout history, where there have been kings, there have been the men who have devoted their lives to serving them.
From the tumultuous days of the Wars of the Roses where loyalty to a king (whether he be Lancastrian or Yorkshire) could mean the difference between life and death, to the awe-inspiring, yet tyrannical days of the Tudors, there would be a Brandon.
As families were torn apart during the bloody wars between York and Lancaster, William Brandon carved and propelled a magnificent career based on loyalty that would become solidified by Charles Brandon (arguably the most famous Brandon) when he became the favourite and brother-in-law to Henry VIII.
In Sarah Bryson's outstanding biography of the Brandon family, it is to be expected that Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk predominantly takes centre stage. However, with the meticulous examination of his family and their meteoric rise, this allows for an in depth exploration of the historical context in which he lived, allowing us to understand his actions and that of those around him with greater ease.
The reader is able to gain an insight into the valuable relationships that king and subject could form through loyalty and the effects this placed on the complicated structure of the king's political circle.
Bryson is a masterful storyteller. Her enthusiasm for the subject practically leaps off the pages. An impressive and important piece of work, this is a welcome addition to any history enthusiast's bookshelf.
Thank you so much to @amberleypublishing for sending me a copy of this fantastic book to review.
From the tumultuous days of the Wars of the Roses where loyalty to a king (whether he be Lancastrian or Yorkshire) could mean the difference between life and death, to the awe-inspiring, yet tyrannical days of the Tudors, there would be a Brandon.
As families were torn apart during the bloody wars between York and Lancaster, William Brandon carved and propelled a magnificent career based on loyalty that would become solidified by Charles Brandon (arguably the most famous Brandon) when he became the favourite and brother-in-law to Henry VIII.
In Sarah Bryson's outstanding biography of the Brandon family, it is to be expected that Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk predominantly takes centre stage. However, with the meticulous examination of his family and their meteoric rise, this allows for an in depth exploration of the historical context in which he lived, allowing us to understand his actions and that of those around him with greater ease.
The reader is able to gain an insight into the valuable relationships that king and subject could form through loyalty and the effects this placed on the complicated structure of the king's political circle.
Bryson is a masterful storyteller. Her enthusiasm for the subject practically leaps off the pages. An impressive and important piece of work, this is a welcome addition to any history enthusiast's bookshelf.
Thank you so much to @amberleypublishing for sending me a copy of this fantastic book to review.
July 15, 2021
Loyalty to one’s king was imperative during times of war and strife. This statement was painfully true during periods of civil war when cousins fought against cousins. The Wars of the Roses was where we see families rise and fall like the tides, depending on which side they were loyal to and who was on the throne. One family who was able to navigate this political quagmire and end up on the side that would win in the end was the Brandons. Many recognize the name Brandon because of Charles Brandon and his rise in the court of Henry VIII, but how did they reach that point? What are the origins of the Brandon family? In her latest book, “The Brandon Men: In the Shadow of Kings”, Sarah Bryson takes her readers on a ride to find out what loyalty to the crown gave this family and why their legacy lives on today.
I would like to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have read Bryson’s first book on Mary Tudor and her marriage to Charles Brandon, which I found a delightful read. When I heard about this book, I was interested in reading it as I have always enjoyed the story of Charles Brandon and I wanted to know more about his family.
Bryson begins her journey into the Brandon family with William Brandon, who lived during the reign of King Henry VI and the origins of the Wars of the Roses. William’s gradual rise in power is nothing short of extraordinary and it extended to his son, also named William. William Sr would serve Henry VI, Edward IV, and Richard III, even when his son William decided to work with Henry Tudor. William’s loyalty to Henry Tudor would ultimately cost him his life as he died at the Battle of Bosworth Field as the standard-bearer for the would-be king.
The bulk of this particular title explores the life of Charles Brandon and his relationship with his best friend, King Henry VIII. We have seen how loyal the Brandons can be with the first two generations, but Charles took it to a whole new level. Since Bryson had mentioned a good portion of Charles’ life in her previous book, this felt a bit like a review. I know Charles is her favorite Brandon man, but I wish she would have focused a bit more on his grandfather, father, and his uncle, Sir Thomas Brandon. These men were crucial to understanding what kind of man Charles would become and why he was so loyal to the crown, even if he didn’t agree with all the decisions that Henry VIII made.
Overall, I found this book informative and easy to follow. Bryson has a passion for the Brandon family, and it shows with this particular title. The family trees and the letters that she included in this book are impressive and give the reader a deeper understanding of the family dynamic as well as the dynamic between the Brandons and the kings that they served. If you are interested in learning more about the Brandon family and the depth of their loyalty to the English crown, I highly suggest you read, “The Brandon Men: In the Shadow of Kings” by Sarah Bryson.
I would like to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have read Bryson’s first book on Mary Tudor and her marriage to Charles Brandon, which I found a delightful read. When I heard about this book, I was interested in reading it as I have always enjoyed the story of Charles Brandon and I wanted to know more about his family.
Bryson begins her journey into the Brandon family with William Brandon, who lived during the reign of King Henry VI and the origins of the Wars of the Roses. William’s gradual rise in power is nothing short of extraordinary and it extended to his son, also named William. William Sr would serve Henry VI, Edward IV, and Richard III, even when his son William decided to work with Henry Tudor. William’s loyalty to Henry Tudor would ultimately cost him his life as he died at the Battle of Bosworth Field as the standard-bearer for the would-be king.
The bulk of this particular title explores the life of Charles Brandon and his relationship with his best friend, King Henry VIII. We have seen how loyal the Brandons can be with the first two generations, but Charles took it to a whole new level. Since Bryson had mentioned a good portion of Charles’ life in her previous book, this felt a bit like a review. I know Charles is her favorite Brandon man, but I wish she would have focused a bit more on his grandfather, father, and his uncle, Sir Thomas Brandon. These men were crucial to understanding what kind of man Charles would become and why he was so loyal to the crown, even if he didn’t agree with all the decisions that Henry VIII made.
Overall, I found this book informative and easy to follow. Bryson has a passion for the Brandon family, and it shows with this particular title. The family trees and the letters that she included in this book are impressive and give the reader a deeper understanding of the family dynamic as well as the dynamic between the Brandons and the kings that they served. If you are interested in learning more about the Brandon family and the depth of their loyalty to the English crown, I highly suggest you read, “The Brandon Men: In the Shadow of Kings” by Sarah Bryson.
August 2, 2021
During the Wars of the Roses, loyalty to ones monarch was important as it often pitted family versus family.
This conflict saw the rise and fall of leading noble houses as if they were a see-saw depending on the fortunes of whomever sat on the throne of England.
One family who was able to circumnavigate this bloody period of English history and be on the winning side in the end were the Brandons.
So who were the Brandons and how did they rise so high?
Author Sarah Bryson takes us on a journey to find out about them, from William Brandon to the most famous member of the family, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.
However, this book mainly focuses on Charles Brandon and his friendship with King Henry VIII. We could have done with an more in-depth look at his grandfather, father, and uncle, Sir Thomas Brandon, (unfortunately not possible as lack of documentary evidence) which would have enabled us (the reader) in understanding what kind of man Charles was and why he was so loyal to the crown, despite not always agreeing with the decisions of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the book as it was informative and easy to follow. The family trees and the letters that are included in this book are impressive and gives us a deeper understanding of the family dynamic as well as the relationship between the Brandons and the kings that they served.
If you want to learn more on the Brandon family, then this is the book for you.
This conflict saw the rise and fall of leading noble houses as if they were a see-saw depending on the fortunes of whomever sat on the throne of England.
One family who was able to circumnavigate this bloody period of English history and be on the winning side in the end were the Brandons.
So who were the Brandons and how did they rise so high?
Author Sarah Bryson takes us on a journey to find out about them, from William Brandon to the most famous member of the family, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.
However, this book mainly focuses on Charles Brandon and his friendship with King Henry VIII. We could have done with an more in-depth look at his grandfather, father, and uncle, Sir Thomas Brandon, (unfortunately not possible as lack of documentary evidence) which would have enabled us (the reader) in understanding what kind of man Charles was and why he was so loyal to the crown, despite not always agreeing with the decisions of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the book as it was informative and easy to follow. The family trees and the letters that are included in this book are impressive and gives us a deeper understanding of the family dynamic as well as the relationship between the Brandons and the kings that they served.
If you want to learn more on the Brandon family, then this is the book for you.
November 15, 2021
⭐ so much I've learnt in a very easy to read discussion. Thank you Sarah for all of the pain staking researcing done to create this slice of historical literature.
March 23, 2022
I love Sarah, she's a fantastic writer, and person, but there are not enough primary sources for this topic and it shows in this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews