Kay Adelin’s Reviews > Warwick the Kingmaker: Politics, Power and Fame during the War of the Roses > Status Update

The Calais chapter! This one was quite interesting, from challenging the perspective of Warwick’s attacks in the channel being piracy, to wondering what game Lord Wenlock was playing in 1370/71. And of course, I enjoyed hearing about Exeter being too frightened to attack Warwick in the channel in 1360 due to his naval reputation.

It seems like Warwick’s real downfall was the fact that he became so powerful and influential, that he just couldn’t handle it anymore. Not on a personal level, but on a business and professional one—he couldn’t keep an eye on everything going on, relying on retainers, and when the loyalty of those retainers could be turned, it created huge issues.

Also the conflicts of interest make for great story ideas 👀

It’s interesting to consider Warwick as an earl rather than a military man. Perhaps due to his scattered and vast interests and other’s reliance on his military power, Warwick couldn’t be as successful a lord as he was a warrior. Perhaps he wasn’t the best at diplomacy and ruling; or perhaps he just couldn’t be because he had no time to focus on his own lands. Whatever the case, his lordship was his weakness.

Starting on Pt 2 about Warwick’s finances. One must look at him financially as an organization due to his massive lands and multiple roles. Based on some of the guesstiments, it appears Warwick paid out of pocket for several of England’s defenses. Yet another reason I consider Ed-IV’s later treatment of him to be ungrateful.

Also the NAmEs… W and his father+FiL were earls named Richard… gets convoluted fast xP

The foreign policy positions of Warwick and Edward IV and their differences are both quite striking. I still think Warwick’s approach was smarter and may well have established the Yorkist line certainly for much longer than it was, but of course we must have a love besotted Edward allowing his wife’s family to dictate everything to him.(Okay maybe he wasn’t besotted but that’s the mildest example I can think of xP)

There are some fascinating facts I didn’t know about… such as when children were betrothed, apparently the girl’s parents would raise the boy(?) For some reason I always assumed it was the other way…

Also all the political intrigue 🤩🤩

So excited to start this!!