Henry VI

The English Monarchs

by Bertram Percy Wolffe, John L. Watts (Foreword by)

In this widely acclaimed biography, Bertram Wolffe challenges the traditional view of Henry VI as an unworldly, innocent, and saintly monarch and offers instead a finely drawn but critical portrait of an ineffectual ruler. Drawing on widespread contemporary evidence, Wolffe describes the failures of Henry’s long reign from 1422 to 1471, which included the collapse of justice, the loss of the French territories, and the final disintegration of his government. He argues that the posthumous cult of Henry was promoted by Henry VII as a way of excusing his uncle’s political failures while enhancing the image of the dynasty. This edition includes a new foreword by John Watts that discusses the book and its place in the evolving literature.

Reviews of the earlier
“A brilliant biography that brings us as near as we are ever likely to come to this elusive personality.” — Sunday Times (London)
“A powerful, compulsively readable portrait.” — Observer  
“Much learning, skillfully deployed as here, evokes pleasure as well as admiration.” —R.L. Storey, Times Literary Supplement

Genres: History, Biography, Medieval, British Literature, Medieval History, Nonfiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 1981

Reviews

[I J Haworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable History of Henry VI's Reign

John Watt's introduction to this book nearly caused me not to read it. Watt basically disparages the author's findings and it's a critique of Wolffe's work rather than a standard introduction. Introductions shouldn't be so negative. I gave up reading the introduction half way through, reading it after I'd finished the book when it made more sense and wasn't off-putting.

I discovered much reading this history. I thought the French conquests of Henry V had largely been lost during Henry VI's minority. Not true. Medieval England couldn't cope with a weak ruler especially one who lost his senses. Whether Henry was incompetent and wilful, as Wolffe alleges, or weak and easily manipulated as others suggest during his more sentient moments, it cost him his crown, life and the termination of the Lancastrian dynasty.

[Liam Guilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read the (Yale) English Monarchs series from Athelstan to Henry 6.
They are all of a very high quality, and this one is no exception. But it's a strange book. I don't remember any author in the series whose dislike of his subject was so obvious. Kings reigned but also had to rule, is Wolffe's neat formula, and he outlines Henry's failures as a ruler with an unusual lack of charity.
The other unusual feature of this book is a 14 page introduction by John Watts criticising the book and outlining what Watts thinks Wolffe got wrong. Half way through it I was wondering why an outdated book with so many flaws was still being published.
If you're going to read this book, skip the introduction and consider reading it when you've finished.

[Bella Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

very good but quite long tbh. :3

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.5 stars.

I read this for research for a history essay for uni. Wolffe provides an extremely detailed and comprehensive look at a king whom I've tended to ignore or gloss over due to my Yorkist tendencies in the ensuing Wars of the Roses. (That being said, I find his queen, Margaret of Anjou, an incredibly fascinating woman.)

The rating of only 3.5 stars is mostly due to the fact that at times I found myself overwhelmed by the incredible amount of information that was given, or felt that perhaps there was too much attention to a small person/event that could have been examined in fewer paragraphs/pages.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to read certain historical biographies for my current research, but in my own geeky way, I have to admit that most biographies, even ones of 14th/15th c kings of England, can be pretty cool. Can you imagine being king of England AND France before you were 10? Plus, all of these odd spiritual/supernatural legends sprouted up around this young king, especially after his death. I don't know... it's just so strange to think about.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is quite a lot of facts here about the minutia of Henry VI's life, but it isn't very engaging, and you aren't left with much sense of the man as a whole or the wider context of the War of the Roses.