Reviews for The Wars of the Roses
Review - Wars of the Roses, The
Why I read the book: I’ve been trying to get a handle on this stretch of English history for a long time. And I’ve enjoyed the other two books by Weir that I’ve read.
What the book was about: The struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York for the British throne in the 1400s. It all started in 1377 when Edward III died. His heir and grandson, Richard II, was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Edward III’s oldest son. Richard II was inept and ineffective and was deposed and killed (1400) by Henry IV, grandson of Edward III by his third son, John of Gaunt. Henry IV was succeeded by his son Henry V (1413), who, in turn was succeeded by his son, Henry VI (1422) who was nine months old at the time. Henry VI married Margaret of Anjou, a strong French woman who totally dominated her husband and ruled the kingdom to benefit her and her friends.
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, should have been the king on the basis of his descent from Lionel of Antwerp, Edward III’s second son. York was also a descendent of Edmund of Langley, Edward III’s fourth son. He was loyal to Henry VI for a time, but was pushed aside by Margaret of Anjou and soon began fighting for his own rights. He was killed in battle in 1460, but his son, Edward IV continued the fight and deposed Henry VI who lived in exile for ten years. In 1470, the powerful Duke of Warwick changed sides and joined Margaret. He was briefly victorious and restored Henry VI to the throne, but within a year, Edward IV regained the throne and had Henry VI and all the other males of the Lancaster line put to death. Edward IV continued to reign until 1487. His crown passed briefly to his young son, Edward V, but he was soon murdered, probably by Edward IV’s brother, Richard III, who was in turn killed by Henry VII, who had a weak claim to the throne through John of Gaunt.
What I liked about the book: Exciting and well-written and informative.
What I didn’t like about the book: Almost impossible to keep track of who was who and who was related to who. I constantly referred to the genealogical chart in the back of the book, but that only helped with the royal line and not all the dukes who kept changing names or dying and passing on their names to their descendents. But none of this was Weir’s fault. I’m just amazed that the people alive at the time could keep track.
What the book was about: The struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York for the British throne in the 1400s. It all started in 1377 when Edward III died. His heir and grandson, Richard II, was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Edward III’s oldest son. Richard II was inept and ineffective and was deposed and killed (1400) by Henry IV, grandson of Edward III by his third son, John of Gaunt. Henry IV was succeeded by his son Henry V (1413), who, in turn was succeeded by his son, Henry VI (1422) who was nine months old at the time. Henry VI married Margaret of Anjou, a strong French woman who totally dominated her husband and ruled the kingdom to benefit her and her friends.
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, should have been the king on the basis of his descent from Lionel of Antwerp, Edward III’s second son. York was also a descendent of Edmund of Langley, Edward III’s fourth son. He was loyal to Henry VI for a time, but was pushed aside by Margaret of Anjou and soon began fighting for his own rights. He was killed in battle in 1460, but his son, Edward IV continued the fight and deposed Henry VI who lived in exile for ten years. In 1470, the powerful Duke of Warwick changed sides and joined Margaret. He was briefly victorious and restored Henry VI to the throne, but within a year, Edward IV regained the throne and had Henry VI and all the other males of the Lancaster line put to death. Edward IV continued to reign until 1487. His crown passed briefly to his young son, Edward V, but he was soon murdered, probably by Edward IV’s brother, Richard III, who was in turn killed by Henry VII, who had a weak claim to the throne through John of Gaunt.
What I liked about the book: Exciting and well-written and informative.
What I didn’t like about the book: Almost impossible to keep track of who was who and who was related to who. I constantly referred to the genealogical chart in the back of the book, but that only helped with the royal line and not all the dukes who kept changing names or dying and passing on their names to their descendents. But none of this was Weir’s fault. I’m just amazed that the people alive at the time could keep track.
Reviewed by Roger on 2008-08-22 15:24:29
Review - Wars of the Roses, The
I've long had difficulty getting a handle on this period of English history, and no wonder. The tangled lines of descent of the offspring of Edward III, with multiple generations with the same names and titles, with people switching sides back and forth, with people getting deposed and reinstated, all at an alarming pace — it's very hard to keep track of who was who, even with the excellent charts in the back of this book.
But Alison Weir made a valient effort and, for the most part, I was able to follow what was happening. Whether I'll retain any of it remains to be seen.
The murders and slanders and battles went on non-stop for 30 years and made for fascinating reading. I took my time and enjoyed every minute of the ride. I recommend this book for anyone with a love of English history.
But Alison Weir made a valient effort and, for the most part, I was able to follow what was happening. Whether I'll retain any of it remains to be seen.
The murders and slanders and battles went on non-stop for 30 years and made for fascinating reading. I took my time and enjoyed every minute of the ride. I recommend this book for anyone with a love of English history.
Reviewed by Roger on 2006-08-14 16:27:59