The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England

This History as written by Dan Jones was simply an amazing artistic flow of words to events laid out for many to revisit and some to explore anew. I was captivated with the first chapter “The White Ship” and simply had difficulty putting this book down from that point forward. The United Kingdom is and has a fascinating History and over the centuries there have been many renowned scholars who have studied, read, taught, and wrote of these times long ago; both during the time frame and long since. I am not a scholar but a person who enjoys reading History and appreciates the facts to be straight forward and honest. What I appreciate most about what Dan Jones did here in this “The Plantagenets” is that he reports the History and does not much insert himself and/or his opinions to the events; however, he provides the reader with facts and during rare points inserts alternatives that are provided only with additional facts. Case in point is the dispute between the Duke of Hereford and the Duke of Norfolk and the impending battle in front of King Richard II that was to be fought on 16 September 1398. The author provides the background to this dispute but then also provided additional detail from behind the scenes of two Dukes; it was in this sort of form of analysis that I appreciated the most in a manner of speaking that “things don’t always appear as they seem” perspective. I have read several previous reviews to this book by persons who are obviously educated toward this History within the realms of the Ivory Towers in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S.A. Where some of these good educated people can insert their own analysis to countering points of this work; I can only say that as a continuous student of History there is no need to split hairs on the research so well crafted by this author. Historians study the minutiae of documentation and events and so this form of “splitting hairs” is a result of an educated public; quite possibly over-educated. There was much I have come away with from this History of “The Plantagenets” and I was astounded in my discovery – almost as if I had walked into castle and found a room with jewels, gold, crowns, and the like but my value was in the discovery of History. King Henry II – the first King of England (vs. King of the English); a continuation of Knight and Earl William Marshal; King Phillip IV who tortured many including the Knights Templar in France. I have now an understanding of the beginning of History of war between France and England (and for much later the U.K.) There are Cinque Ports, Burgate, Battle of Slys 24 June 1340, Battle of Crécy where the first canon was employed. There was King Edward III and the Black Prince with the Battle of Calais to which this was recorded the largest battle of the 100 Years War. I finally have learned the History of the Order of the Garter (1349.) Although the author introduced the Black Plague to the era, I came away believing that more of the effects of this disease to the Throne, Population, and Commerce could have been provided for in a deeper sense; however, this does not by any means take away from what he did provide and certainly nothing away from the book itself. The Preface was an exciting entry to the work within. Maps were (again) for me not enough and at times I wished more were peppered throughout the book. The photos were all relevant to the History associated with the topic; however, a couple of colored photos would have been nice. Following the Epilogue there is an Appendix entitled “Further Reading” as provided for by Chapter and corresponding Section of the book – thank you for this section! It will serve this reader well in the coming months. Young people interested in this book would find this the most worthwhile of reads and small chapters equal easy bedtime reading too. Simply a fascinating book.

It seems to me that the Plantagenets represented both the best and the worst of the middle ages. They were glorious, larger than life, exciting to read about, and at the same time they could be vicious, grasping, petulant, and tyrannical. From Henry II to Richard II, we see the prestige and the degradation of England’s complex monarchs, as England grew into its heritage. Little by little the nobles—then the commons—started to participate in the national government through a Parliament that could air its grievances and even dictate terms to a king. “Whereas Norman England had been little more than a colonized realm, ruled from above and afar, the England created by the Plantagenets had become one of the most deeply engaged and mature kingdoms in Europe.” But of course, this did not come naturally. The country was bled many times by a king who needed funds to finance endless Crusades or wars of conquest—or recovery—in France. When a Plantagenet king became too autocratic—too unreasonable—his overmighty Dukes, Lords and Barons became strong enough in their own right to chastise and even overthrow him. Even if the king recovered and destroyed his enemies, a future batch of aristocrats grew up to take their place. Only Edward III saw the best way to control his nobles; he made them his friends and allies rather than his antagonists. Too bad Richard II did not follow his lead. But all in all, the people never forgot the lessons of the Magna Carta, and even though Parliament was obliged to bring it up again and again—for the kings kept trying to renege—the principles of this great document never faded. It seems that every one of the Plantagenet kings tried to overreach his authority (it was much easier in the beginning) and it’s a wonder the country kept finding means to support their demands. My take-away is an almost constant struggle of might against right, and even the most triumphant king left a trail of broken promises, bloody conflicts, and reluctant support. As for the worst of them…it seems their rule must have been almost unbearable. Dan Jones has tackled the dynasty in an all-encompassing format that leaves the reader with a very good understanding of the major events and movements that shook the nation. He has a gift for prose that eludes many historians, and gives this large volume the feel of a well-written novel. But make no mistake: although the lives of these dynamic rulers sometimes reads like a wild story-tale, this is a serious work presented in an unbiased manner. It will certainly hold up under close scrutiny. Every generation of historians tends to view their subject from a slightly different angle, which makes the reading all the more interesting. I would venture to say that between Dan Jones and the last generation’s Thomas B. Costain, a reader could absorb all they need to know about the Plantagenets from these two authors.

Sehr gut geschriebenes Buch über den Aufstieg der Plantagenet-Könige und des Angevinischen Reiches, im journalistischen Stil geschrieben, daher aber spannend und leicht lesbar. Es werden viele oolitische Zusammenhänge deutlich, ohne dass das vom Lesespass ablenkt. Das Buch gibt einen guten Überblick und Einstieg. Sehr empfehlenswert!

I have only read a little on this period of English history and am therefore no expert. My views are those of an amateur who's interest in this period have grown with reading of Dan Jones' excellent book. Jones provides a tremendous introduction and overview to the subject, involving as it does a bewlidering array of characters and events. He tells the story with ease and turns what is a complex and (at times) obscure period of history into an exciting story that I simply could not put down. In fact, I cannot wait for him to write "The Plantagenets - Part II" covering the period from 1399 to Bosworth in 1485. That would include amongst other things, Henry V (Agincourt), the conquest of France, Joan of Arc, the Wars of the Roses, Towton, Edward IV, Richard III, the Princes in the Tower and maybe even a mention of the dig in the carpark. Jones, however, suggests that the Plantaganets as a royal line end with the usurpation by Henry IV and the death of Richard II in 1399/1400. I think there is an equally strong argument to the effect that the Plantagenets as a royal line continued up to the death of Richard III in 1485 at Bosworth and that the Wars of the Roses were really a Plantagenet family conflict. Even if Jones is correct in arguing that the Plantagenets came to an end in 1399 and he decides to end his story there, this book will whet your appetite to read more. Jones has some very definite views on issues that have been the subject of debate in recent times. For instance, he has no truck at all with the theory that Edward II survived past 1327 until 1330 (or if we are to believe Ian Mortimer - possibly into the 1340's). He is sure that the king was killed at the behest of Roger Mortimer (1st Earl of March) in 1327. Jones also gives an excellent overview of Richard I, the Lionheart and the following reign by his brother King John. From reading Jones, the Lionheart does not appear to have been so great on Crusade after all but was brilliant in his conquest of much of France. King John is famous for having been a truly appaling King and the author shows exactly why this was the case. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in the period. Despite its size it is in fact a very quick read. You will end up wanting to read more on the subject. This being the case, I must recommend the various books by Ian Mortimer which cover part of the period covered by Jones. Though Mortimer expounds some theories and conspiracies that Jones clearly does not agree with, his works are 'must reads' as well. These include the Greatest Traitor (on Edward II and Roger Mortimer), the Perfect King (on Edward III) and the Fears of Henry IV . Start with Jones' excellent book and you will find yourself wanting to read more. Enjoy!

LIVRE PASSIONNANT AUTANT POUR L'HISTOIRE DE L'ANGLETERRE QUE POUR L'HISTOIRE DE LA FRANCE DE L'EPOQUE

Good book, especially if you are into English history for the time period.

This book is great popular history: solid research combined with an excellent narrative style. I found it hard to put down. The same writer wrote The Wars of the Roses, which gives an excellent overview of how the House of Tudor finally emerged as the successor of the Plantagenet dynasty. Highly recommended, both books!