The Plantagenets discussion

I hope it's all right for me to start this. I thought that with November fast slipping away and December right around the corner, books might be on a few people's lists to Santa.

I've got a couple either about, or related to, the Plantagenets.

Troilus and Criseyde
Henry Plantagenet A Biography of Henry II of England

And I would love to get a decent biography about John of Gaunt and/or Katherine Swynford. I haven't turned up anything so far - it's mostly a mention here and there or an historical novel. Does anyone have any recommendations for something worth reading? The family is beginning to get anxious for my list so they can start the shopping spree. Thanks for any help

Thanks for starting this! There's a biography of John of Gaunt by Sydney Armitage-Smith. Both Alison Weir and Jeannette Lucraft have written biographies of Katherine Sywnford.

I'd like to get John Sadler's The Red Rose and the White: The Wars of the Roses, 1453-1487 for Christmas, if I don't break down and buy it for myself first.

it's mostly a mention here and there or an historical novel.
Erin, presumably you've read Anya Seton's KATHERINE. Wonderful romantic novel about the two of them, already a classic.

Susan, thanks for those listings. I'll be looking for them myself.

Susan, thank you for the suggestions! I'll definitely pass Sydney Armitage-Smith's name along to my dad. He'll enjoy hunting that one up. :)

I've read Alison Weir's book about Eleanor of Aquitaine and liked her style, so I may pick up the Katherine one myself.

Ooh, that one on the War of the Roses sounds good, too! Good luck holding out 'til X-mas for it! :)

Erin, I forgot that there's more recent book about John of Gaunt by Anthony Goodman. It's called John of Gaunt: The Exercise of Princely Power in Fourteenth-century Europe.

I don't think I'll succeed very well in holding out for the Wars of the Roses book! I have no will power in these matters, and I already have a $15 gift certificate on Amazon begging to be spent . . .

Susan, thank you. I just checked that out and see that he also wrote one on Katherine Swynford, so I've thrown both of them on my Wishlist for now. :)

I'm headed to Borders tonight for a NaNo write-in and think maybe I'll see if they have the Wars of the Roses book. It'll be the perfect X-mas gift for my step-father... if I don't end up reading it first! ;)

I caved in and bought the John Sadler Wars of the Roses book. I can always say I needed it for research! [image error]

My copy came a couple of days ago (stupid holiday/weekend gumming up delivery times!). Now I need to wrap it right away so I don't end up keeping it for myself and then have no gift for my step-father!