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.

This is a well written outline of an intriguing period of English history that has not been covered as well as the periods immediately following it. It covers not only the dynastic line that gave rise to some of England's greatest (and worst) kings and its claims on large portions of France, but as importantly, it explores the socio-economic events that defined the relationship between English royalty and the nascent parliamentary structure created after Magna Carta. Dan Jones carries the stories around the kings from Henry II through to Richard III, clearly outlining the personalities and events of the times. Interestingly, he does not cover as part of Plantagenet history the Lancaster/York wars of the roses , explaining in the introduction that these might be covered in a separate book (or you can read Alison Weirs' excellent book on that period). The period covered is complex and underlies significant themes of English history since then. He explains the clashing of multiple factors that led to the fundamental changes in English life during these times: The ongoing campaigns in France and the crusades, the personalities and foibles of kings and their children, the often bankrupted Treasury which forced increased taxation of the English population, the reliance of kings on the large magnates and their inclination to want more power at the expense of the crown, as well as the ongoing evolution of England's legal and clerical environment. Events such as key battles in France and the Holy Land, the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, the limitations of Magna Carta and its subsequent agreements, as well as the risk of a parliamentary system that continues to this day are all described in a well written and cohesive style that offers the context and considerations of both sides. The book could benefit from more maps to complement the prose descriptions and the characters sometimes get confusing as they are frequently referenced by title only and these tend to change over time. However, overall, a worthwhile read of an interesting period.

I started this book back in the spring and then got very distracted by my crazy summer. I am just now getting around to writing the review. Dan Jones is a British historian who specializes in the medieval period of European history. I first discovered him through documentaries then started reading his books that the documentaries. The books go into much deeper detail concerning the historical events. His books, while heavy on detail, are easy to comprehend. This is not the sort of book that you can read in one tea fueled weekend as there is so much information that you will need to take breaks in order to adequately absorb the information. Dan Jones teaches history in the way I personally find most affective…as though he is telling a highly detailed and interesting story. There are flawed heroes, conflicted villains, intrigue, conspiracies, idiotic governmental decisions, rebellions, and so much more. You can see how each period he takes you through could easily be turned into a gripping movie. The Plantagenets were the ruling family during the period most people associate with "the Middle Ages". The truth is that the Middle Ages really began in the 5th century around the collapse of the western Roman Empire. Although the early part of the Middle Ages is often referred to as The Dark Ages, that is no longer the preferred term in academic circles. We actually know a good bit of information about the early middle ages and they certainly were not a drastically dark time in the history of the world. But, back to my original point, the story of the Plantagenets begins with Henry II, that energetic and prolific king who was bolstered by 2 of the most powerful women of the age, and ends with Richard III, the boy king who showed such promise but ended the Plantagenet ruling dynasty in such disgrace. The Tudors, the family that produced the well-known rulers Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth 1, followed the dynasty and were the rulers through the Renaissance period. This book carries you, in a griping way, through the period of the late Middle Ages, when so much of the human concept about power, empire, and ruling began to change. Much of what you see in the modern democratic style governance can be traced back to this time period. As the concept of kingship changed from absolute authority no matter the cost to responsible governorship, the rights of people began to grow. As has been the natural progression throughout history with the expansion of liberty; the nobility demanded and gained rights, the merchants demanded and gained rights, and then the rest of the population began to do the same. It was not perfect; it was bloody and violent; but the system of imperfect freedom that we experience today has its beginnings in this time period. I highly recommend this book for many reasons. First, it is an interesting way to learn about a complicated period of history. Second, understanding this complicated period of history will give you a greater understanding of why our own system of government is the way that is. Third, understanding this period emphasis the great need the common man has in the rule of written law that holds all people accountable. Fourth, in order to understand the modern day struggles for freedom and equality, you must understand where the ideas of freedom began and how much has changed since that first spark of desire for freedom to extend beyond the whims of just one ruler. I have already ordered two more of his books and am looking forward to delving into them.

Over the past few years I have traced my father's ancestry back through English aristocracy which culminated in my discovery of ancestral relationships with John of Gaunt and therefore Edward III-Henry II and eventually William the Conqueror. Given a less than average grasp of early Anglo-Norman history I was obviously interested in investigating my roots and heritage that were mentioned during my childhood but never expounded upon or perhaps ignored by a childhood mind. The Plantagenets has been an incredibly enlightening experience to read. At times leaving me brimming with pride and at a turn ashamed at the abuse and excess that power unchecked can produce. Nonetheless, to the lover of history this is inarguably an impeccable account of how England emerged from no more than a barbaric, brittle, essentially lawless island off the continent to the most evolved and mature power of 15th century Europe. On a wider scale, one can see the emergence of western society's evolution from totalitarian monarchy to a kingdom with not insomuch an allegiance to the king as an anointed man, but eventually a loyalty to the crown as an idea or focus of truth, justice, peace and governance for all its people. Unfortunately not without nearly 2 1/2 centuries of bloodshed, Plague, and civil wars to bare. The Plantagenets are inherently responsible for the transformation of the English language as initially a repulsive barbaric tongue not used in civilized noble conversation to the refined romantic language of choice for nobility, literature, poetry, and the arts and eventually the most recognized language on earth. This is a far cry to the langue d'oc of Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitane. For the military historian, this book is wonderfully full of historical and well recited histories of medieval battles that formed the vast and complex array of land holdings and duchys of Western Europe constantly changing hands between France and England who were not only intimately intertwined geopolitically but ancestrally as well. Battles of Crècy, Portiers, Winchelsea, Bannockburn, etc are detailed and intricately woven into the tapestry of the Plantagenates who funded and promoted them as well as the evolution of battle from siegecraft to pitched battle fronts and the invention of the infamous English longbow which terrorized enemy armies of Western Europe during the 14th century. For those interested in architectural evolution and the origin of many of the medieval castles, abbeys, cathedrals, and gothic shrines such as Westminster, Windsor, and the numerous Welsh castles of Edward I still standing today, this book is a tribute to well researched origins of the buildings themselves as well as the kings and queens who saw their construction through to completion and the impetous for their realization. In summary, The Plantagenates is a penultimate account of medieval history and chivalry of the Middle Ages and an enlightening account of a dynasty's mark not only on the birth of England, but an indelible mark on the history of the evolution of the western world. "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense; Pactem Serva"

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.

Dan Jones' "Plantagenets" has a lot going for it: it's clear, stream-lined, and relatively objective. It's a good place to begin if you wish to learn about the English dynasty which began with Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and for Jones' purposes, ends with Richard II. It's a very good place to trace the origins of the English system of parliamentary rule. The great queens among the Plantagenets get their due. But it is neither a work of literary elegance nor of tremendous scholarship (no footnotes, and, at least in the kindle edition, only a recommended reading list which presumably reflects the origins of Jones' information). No new ground is broken as far as I know. But for someone just wanting to "get their feet wet," with this high-handed, short-tempered, often very disagreeable, yet nevertheless fascinating collection of monarchs, it makes a good launching pad. P.S. Someone somewhere asked how this book compares with those of the late Thomas B. Costain, who also chronicled the entire dynasty, through Richard III. Both authors work successfully on a very broad canvas. I would say Jones has the advantage of more recent scholarship and information, and he is probably more objective than Costain. But there is something engaging about Costain's passions and his somewhat purple prose. And he was a strong believer in the innocence of Richard III in the death's of the young princes in the Tower. Even more than Jones, I would guess that Costain's work might inspire a lifelong love of history, even though one might come to disagree with him in the end.

"The prince was drunk." It's one of those memorable first sentences that draws you right in and makes you want to know more. Who is this prince and why was he drunk? Why was his being drunk important? What were the consequences of that drunkenness? It is from such minor, sometimes seemingly insignificant threads that the entire fabric of history is woven, and Dan Jones has an eye for those threads. He teases them out and shows them to us with style and wit and in great detail throughout this popular history of one of the foundational dynasties of England. From that drunken prince, William the Aetheling, who, along with his drunken crew, was about to die in an 1120 shipwreck, to the beginning of the reign of Henry IV in 1399 - which marked the end of the Plantagenets and the beginning of the Lancasters' dynasty - Jones keeps his reader engaged in the events of this medieval world. And in so doing, he shows us that their world was not so different from our contemporary one. That drunken, now dead, prince, William, had been the only legitimate son of Henry I, who was the son of William the Conquerer. With the death of his son and his inability to father another legitimate son, Henry took the unprecedented step of appointing his daughter Matilda as his heir. Her right to the throne was not universally accepted, however, and she and her supporters engaged in a long struggle with her cousin Stephen ("The Cousins' War) for control of the realm. Matilda married Geoffrey of Anjou who was known for wearing a sprig of bright yellow broom blossom in his hair. The Latin name of the plant was Planta genista. From that plant, a dynasty received its name - Plantagenet. From these beginnings, the son of Matilda and Geoffrey sprang - Henry II, the first true Plantagenet king. His queen was the redoubtable Eleanor of Aquitaine. I well remember the first time I ever heard of Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was in my freshman history class in college. The class was just after lunch and I was sitting there dozing when my professor started talking about this amazing woman. The excitement and passion in her voice as she spoke of Eleanor woke me up for good. I decided that maybe this history thing wasn't so boring after all. After Henry and Eleanor came their son, Richard I, the Lionheart, but, unfortunately, his reign only lasted ten years and then came his brother, John I of Robin Hood and Magna Carta fame. Then came the period from 1216 to 1399 when it seemed that incompetence alternated with competence, and sometimes brilliance. Thus, we have the hapless Henry III, son of John I, followed by the successful Edward I who was followed by the incompetent and cruel Edward II. Then England got lucky with the most brilliant of the Plantagenets, Edward III, who ruled from 1327 to 1377. But he was followed by perhaps the worst of the lot, Richard II, who was deposed in 1399. This is only the barest of outlines, but Dan Jones fleshes out that sketch brilliantly with psychological portraits that are dotted with small but enlightening details of character that make these people come alive for us as fully-fleshed human beings. It is a tour de force of storytelling which once again confirms for me my conclusion in that long ago classroom. This history thing isn't so boring after all. It is Game of Thrones but for real.

It was over eight generations and 245 years that the dynasty of the Plantagents held the throne of England. Certainly, none of them were saints but there were a couple that could stand as the personification of tyrant. Some were strong nation builders that inspired their people and supporters, while others were ineffectual, tyrannical, self-serving and unraveled many of the gains their predecessors achieved be it territory, alliances, laws and support of the people both noble and common. At the beginning of the book - even as the grandson of William the Conqueror dies in a shipwreck off the coast of Normandy - England and Europe were still controlled by the feudal structure based on land and the exchange of services. That of the warrior nobility. The power of the clergy who also owned land and had vassals obligated to the Christian church. Where castles were being built of stone with the intent to be defensive citadels across the land. But this was also the time of the signing of the Magna Carta - which was re-issued several times during this period not only re-affirming it's intent but adding new clauses. Then there is the Charter of the Forest which defined the exclusive rights of royal forests - not only woods but grasslands, wetlands, heaths and other common land as well as the animals within which could create hardship for the people that used it for grazing, growing food, scavenging for fuel to burn and other such uses. The Charter actually provided some rights for the free men as opposed to the Magna Carta which was predominately for the barons. And it was during this time that sees the additional titles beginning to show up - from barons to earls and eventually dukes. A marquis or two which was supposedly equal to the dukes. And then there is the development of Parliament, the basis of British government today. From Henry II to Richard I "LionHeart" to John "Lackland" to Henry III to Edward I to Edward II to Edward III to Richard II who was 'encouraged' to abdicate in favor of Henry, the son of his uncle John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, who became Henry IV. And it was two of Edward III's surviving brothers - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Edmund, Duke of York - that eventually led to the War of the Roses or Lancaster verses York for the throne. One interesting note is that supposedly after Henry VIII ascended the throne, he made a point of permanently removing all those who were descendants of Plantagent blood and thus removing any possible threat to his rule from that direction. There is a phenomenal amount of information within this book. The political maneuvering. The alliances made through marriage - some which were made while one or both participants were quite young. The strength and support that many of these queens provided to their spouse. The numerous children of which most did not survive to adulthood. The favorites that seemed to lead their friend, the king, astray - or so it appears to onlookers. The brutal deaths of favorites and enemies or merely traitors because they disagreed with their king. The Peasants Rebellion. Numerous civil wars. The lands fought for and attained and then lost in present-day France. Repeated rebellions in Wales and Scotland and Ireland as England tried to extend it's control over the island itself. And lots more. Definitely a must-read for those who enjoy the history of the United Kingdom and its components. Especially the early years as it starts the tottering way to the empire that extended across the globe. **Note that this review is identical to the one posted on GoodReads.com

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!

Bei historischen Büchern kann man zu Romanen oder Sachbüchern greifen. Romane nehmen sich oft Freiheiten mit der tatsächlichen Geschichte, je nach Gusto des Schreibenden, Sachbücher leiden oft stilistisch darunter, dass die Autoren keine fesselnde Schreibe haben. Dan Jones gelingt dieser Spagat perfekt. "The Plantagenets" liest sich spannend und flüssig wie ein historischer Roman und bietet zugleich detaillierte Fakten über diese Epoche der englischen Geschichte. Behandelt wird die Zeit vom Untergang des "White Ship" bis zum ersten König der Lancaster, Henry IV. Dabei werden berühmte Persönlichkeiten wie Alienor von Aquitanien, Thomas Becket, Richard Löwenherz und Edward Longshanks (der König aus "Braveheart") ausführlich dargestellt.

A easy-to-read and fresh approach to retelling history. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of who is who in a book full of Margarets and Henrys, but of course you cannot attribute this to the author, but to the facts themselves. The genealogical tables and maps are very helpful. Sometimes the author implicitly assumes that the audience is British and already have some familiarity with some of the stories, which was not my case. To keep track of where something is happening, it helps to have a map of England and France at hand. This is a story told from the English side, with some biases in the language about chivalric and heroic feats (not necessarily a bad thing but something to keep in mind).

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

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!