The author of the New York Times bestseller The Plantagenets and The Templars chronicles the next chapter in British history—the historical backdrop for Game of ThronesThe inspiration for the Channel 5 series Britain’s Bloody CrownThe crown of England changed hands five times over the course of the fifteenth century, as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to … two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. In this riveting follow-up to The Plantagenets, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest-reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors.
Some of the greatest heroes and villains of history were thrown together in these turbulent times, from Joan of Arc to Henry V, whose victory at Agincourt marked the high point of the medieval monarchy, and Richard III, who murdered his own nephews in a desperate bid to secure his stolen crown. This was a period when headstrong queens and consorts seized power and bent men to their will. With vivid descriptions of the battles of Towton and Bosworth, where the last Plantagenet king was slain, this dramatic narrative history revels in bedlam and intrigue. It also offers a long-overdue corrective to Tudor propaganda, dismantling their self-serving account of what they called the Wars of the Roses.
more
Very well researched factual narrative that is most interesting and and very “readable”. I love English History and this kept my interest until the end. I have read other books by this author and do not think this is his best thus the four stars.
Author’s bias is so evident. What the Tudor’s did was right and necessary, what anyone else did was vile and evil.
Fascinating history of the lead up to the Tudors. Some might even say that Henry VIII gave what other kinds could not: stability in a chaotic time.
It makes the Wars of the Roses much more understandable,
Very popular account of the times.
Loved both this and his book on the Plantagenets. Well organized and well written.
The family that somehow managed to rule England for some 300 years. Mad, bad, with some good thrown in. And yet they managed to tear apart then destroy themselves during the Wars of the Roses. Dan Jones does a wonderful job showin just how they managed to do this.
I recently read Dan Jones’s book The Plantagenets, and enjoyed it so much that I had to read what is effectively its sequel, his history of the turbulent period that ended the Plantagenet dynasty and ultimately ushered in the Tudors.
At the outset Jones explains that while white and red roses certainly were symbols associated with different English noble houses, the so-called Wars of the Roses were far more complicated (and sordid) than that symbolism suggests. Demonstrating the same mastery of this topic that he showed in The Plantagenets, Jones gives us all of the maneuvers, battles, skirmishes, plots, subterfuges, lies, and murders that made this such a blood-soaked era in English history.
Jones is an excellent writer who makes the characters and events come to life, and I highly recommend both these books.
As a lover of old English history, it is interesting to read the different points of view. I learn something new each time.
Finally! a book (of a series of books) that explains the early British politics to those of us who weren’t exposed in school. The characters are fleshed out, and rivalries and motives explained in a clear concise manner, characters fleshed out and written as a story rather than a collection of cold, lifeless facts.
Thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to reading more.
Great history
This was a very good overview of an important era in English history. It brought out many things I did not know and dispelled some myths about the period.
The obvious nonfictional inspiration for “Game of Thrones”! Wonderfully convoluted and morbid true history of how the Tudors came to power.
Never trust anyone.
Excellent balance of historical facts with story telling
Highly readable history for those who wish to learn an expert’s view of history. Both entertaining and a serious treatment. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a book that will give you the history behind the fiction and a compelling narrative at the same time. Now reading the Dames author’s The Plantagenets.
This book seems to be well-researched and the author’s opinions about the capabilities and personalities of the characters seem to be reasonable, if perhaps opinionated. Most importantly, it is very well written and gives the lay reader a fighting chance to understand this most confusing era of English history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.