The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England - The Plantagenets

Clear concisely written progression of history of the Plantagenets. Biographies are deep enough to allow a reader to dig further. Fascinating period of English history laid out in a way that wanted you to know more about the kings. The interplay of the Magna Carta with the Kingly duties and the King's encroachments upon it were quite well described.

I went through the English school system in the late 1950s and through into the '60s. We 'learned' about the Plantagenets, and for the most part forgot too much. Reading this book brought this dynasty into fascinating relief and really seeing how they all fitted together and their foundational influence on us today. I didn't realise how long they ruled! And now I also understand just how great the Great Charter wasn't. The book also puts a different perspective on the English/French apathy of today.

Good review of the Plantagenets. I thought the book tried to cover not just the main characters but their closest advisers and some of the politics surrounding them. There is nothing startling or new but by looking at the reign as a continuum gives a stronger feel for the period for me.

This book is an exhaustive introduction to that line of English kings beginning with the reign of Henry II in 1154 and concluding, at least as direct succession, with Richard II, in 1399. In addition to the kings you meet many more note worthy characters that had sizable impact on history, English and otherwise. The author takes pains to give as full an accounting of these subjects as is allowed by the historical record without attempting what I would label revisionist history. King John was still vile and loathsome. But he also oversaw genuine reform within the realm. Highly readable, wildly informative and at times poignant, inspiring and even funny, Dan Jones' history provides a necessarily lengthy and far reaching account of this vital collection of people that played such a unique role in the formation of England and, as a result, Britain. I look forward to the concluding volume by Mr. Jones.

One of history's great families from evil King John to brilliant Richard I. The portraits come alive in their real historic context. How did we forget that Richard I had a wife? We watch the ebb of monarchical rights in England while France and Spain start on the road to absolutism. The powerful nobles who used the mistakes of foolish kings to limit the king's power, are described as well as the kings themselves.

This is a great history book but sometimes hard to follow. I wanted to read something to set me up for The Game of Thrones and this didn't disappoint. The real history is every bit as twisted and violent as the fictional Game of Thrones.

I love history, British history the most. This book does an amazing job of taking you back and showing how life was. I was surprised by the sheer brutality of the times and the uncertainty of the day-to-day ruling.

Here we have the factual basis for so many historical fictions and other stories that bring so much interesting reading about the time period. These were the "Lannisters" and "Starks" and "Baratheons" in reality and as intelligent and conniving as any could wish to know. Fascinating and instrumental for education. If we do not know our history, we will continue to go in circles without end.

I majored in history in college and know how supremely dry and boring some authors can be. Dan Jones wrote superbly on the Plantagenets. The colossal research he conducted and how he translated that to a book that was a true page turner is a gift not many writers have. I unreservedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of England's royals - you will not be disappointed and will most definitely be enlightened.

This is a superbly written account of the Plantagenet dynasty. Without delving into huge amounts of detail, which can bog down other reads, this books gives a comprehensive account of the major events, battles, and personalities that changed the face of England from 1120 to 1400. It reads as easily as a historical novel, but gives factual, unbiased account of some the best and worst monarchs of England. I've been an amateur student of British history for 45 years and this is one of the best overviews of the period I've read.

This book presents a good general overview of the dynasty. It is a lot of information to cram into one volume, but he does it clearly, concisely, and presents an easy-to-read format that isn't bogged down.

I like that he gives a list of Further Reading at the end.

Absolutely riveting! Everything you wanted to know about Henry II through Richard II. The original Plantagenet line, though many will extend that lineage through the Houses of Lancaster and York to Richard III.

The Plantagenets have been very much in the news lately with the discovery of the skeleton of Richard III in Leistershire, England. For, after all, Richard was the last of the Plantagenets. This history of the dynasty is well and crisply written but far different from the many bookish tomes of history you have probably read in the past. It's an exciting period of English and French history, and this book covers it beautifully!

Coy

A period of history mostly ignored is brought to life. It's a slow read because of the multiples of Kings I, II, III.Everything is covered. If yoy've rean Ken Follet "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" you will recognize these monarchs and how accurate Follet is

This is the best historical account of the family that developed England into a country as we think of England in the Middle Ages. I have read and purchased a number of books written about the Plantagenets, and this is by far the best researched and most informative.

Riveting...Makes this period of history come alive...compelling reading, the writing is superb. This should be made into a movie....it has all the elements for dramatic and visual content...sex, homosexuality in the royal bedroom, epic battles, land grabs, the role of the church at home and in Avignon and Rome, betrayal, remorse, forgiveness. What more do you want? I wish I had had this when I was in High School in Ireland!!!!

This even beats Amy Kelly's Eleanor of Aquitaine. Why would anyone want to read historical fiction about the Plantagenets when the reality is more colorful and more exciting. Dan Jones loves his subject and shows it. Hard to put down, even though you know what's going to happen.

As many others The Tudors immediately came to mind when thinking of England. This tome begins to set the record straight. VERY informative; many references. As someone who LOVES history, I’m adding this to my collection. If U love history too, then add this to your reading list! *note* if you’re NOT one for details, then pass this up. Jones has many detailed accounts - which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Jones prose is very readable, his history enjoyable and sound. This book is a great jumping off point for individuals interested in getting a firmer grasp of the political aspects of the period - as advertised. The narrative is chronological and for obvious reasons personality oriented, broadly speaking it is a compendium of intermeshing biographies. I would recommend this as a very workable primer.

Dan Jones reveals the triumphs and failures of the Plantagenets in a spellbinding narrative style that offers not only up a great account of their lives and times but also sculpts a sense of the development of a country and its people.

He takes us right to the center of each king's treatment of competing forces both abroad and at home in England that often led them into war or on devastating missions of revenge. Also, he points out the development of parliamentary procedure and statues that both limited the reach of a sovereign into the lives of their subjects as it developed from the Magna Carta onward to the last Plantagenet.

This is a captivating and informative account of England during a crucial period in its history. Also, it addresses the origins of conflict between France and England, the complicated relationships that were forged through arranged marriages across Europe in hopes of security or increased wealth and standing, and the fallouts and wars that resulted from such actions. Times were fractious and uncertain in the nascent attempts at building and maintaing a kingdom during the medieval ages, rulers were fraught with financial constraints that led to overtaxation or recalcitrant barons and knights, and allegiances were forged that often were too insular or divisive to maintain a secure and effective climate of rule in the kingdom. Jones explores and highlights all the particulars that were involved in the lives of the Plantagenets as they faced these challenges, some with bravery and resolve and others with paranoia and erratic favoritism.

This account of England's history during the Plantagenet period is a lively page-turner that enlightens as it lets one revel in its stories of warriors and royals.

What a magnificent book! It clarifies and brings into focus so many of the intricate and complex relationships in the History Plays of Shakespeare. Will now start to read the same author’s retelling of The War of the Roses!!!

Dan Jones never disappoints and the Plantagenets - the characters are wonderful in that love/hate way that Jones masters. His point is clear - the great dynasty of England was made almost by accident. This is a wonderful book.

After reading Sharon Kay Penman's and Elizabeth's Chadwick's historical novels regarding the Plantagenets, I heard part of Diane Reym's interview with Dan Jones on NPR. He immediately impressed me. I was particularly taken with his intent to make the Plantagenets as well known as the Tudors. He stated that the Plantagenets created the English monarchy but most folks did not know or appreciate this. He proves his point! The scholarship is profound, his writing is graceful, fluid and conveys packs of knowledge painlessly. Much recommended. I then read The Tudors by J.G.Meyer, who makes the point that the Tudors lowered the standard of living in the English kingdom and raised the level of death and grief. Another great book.

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.

EVERY history book should ALWAYS have the following:

Geographical maps. This book talks about places in France that do not exist anymore, for example. Then, too, there are "the marches", and "The Holy Roman Empire (essentially Germany, who knew!?)

If there are battles, then contemporaneous maps showing the combatants and the battle scene.

If there is more than one generation involved, a family tree so we do not have to keep trying to figure out who's who, and try to remember endless family connections.

This book was very well written. It is too bad it is so hard to follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I haven't come across another that was so in depth without being boring. Excellent writer, and i went on to buy the follow on book as well. Thoroughly researched, not biased and a great read. I'll be looming out for more by this author.

I was a history major and love reading good histories. This is a prime example of well written history of the most influential family in British history. It was easy to read and to keep track of a complex and fascinating family which shaped England.
Most of the characters are well drawn and the history is written without an agenda which is rare these days.

I thought was very well researched but I must say there where too many people and not enough names. So many Henrys, Catherines, Elisabeths. The marrying between countries will make you head spin. All and all, good information if you can keep track of who's who.

EVERY history book should ALWAYS have the following:

Geographical maps. This book talks about places in France that do not exist anymore, for example. Then, too, there are "the marches", and "The Holy Roman Empire (essentially Germany, who knew!?)

If there are battles, then contemporaneous maps showing the combatants and the battle scene.

If there is more than one generation involved, a family tree so we do not have to keep trying to figure out who's who, and try to remember endless family connections.

This book was very well written. It is too bad it is so hard to follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I haven't come across another that was so in depth without being boring. Excellent writer, and i went on to buy the follow on book as well. Thoroughly researched, not biased and a great read. I'll be looming out for more by this author.

I was a history major and love reading good histories. This is a prime example of well written history of the most influential family in British history. It was easy to read and to keep track of a complex and fascinating family which shaped England.
Most of the characters are well drawn and the history is written without an agenda which is rare these days.

I thought was very well researched but I must say there where too many people and not enough names. So many Henrys, Catherines, Elisabeths. The marrying between countries will make you head spin. All and all, good information if you can keep track of who's who.

Fascinating review of the Plantagenets - it's surprising how many things, traditions, events which set the tone for centuries to come are tied to this group. But be prepared - it's a long, slow read.

As a mundane engineer, I have very little knowledge of medieval and later European history, yet I do know that it has shaped our lives and attitudes. I heard a discussion of the book on NPR's Diane Rehm Show and thought it might help me learn more about the subject.
I found the book very interesting, readable, and thoroughly entertaining. It held my attention all the way through and left me wanting to know more about what came before and after the period covered by the book. Consequently, I purchased "The Norman Conquest: The Battle of Hastings" and the book, "Birth of the West"
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the period, yet does not want to plow through a lot of "heavy" academic material.

This is a readable, well researched account of the rise and fall of the Plantagenets. It is history that reads like a novel. Dan Jones does an exceptional job of balancing the myriad amount of characters with the progress of history. I could not put it down. I am moving right into the next one.

For both the British monarchy enthusiast or one time student of the dynasty or era, this volume is a must read. Dan Jones does an excellent job filling in all the spaces that other histories glance over. I loved this book and will refer back to time and time again as a reference.

Good overall history of this era of the British monarchy for those who are not all that knowledgeable about it. Not as detailed as Thomas Costain's series (which I read 20 years ago) but a good, history, none-the-less. I found it a good read and one that, in spite of the length, kept me going until the last page.

THE PLANTAGENETS is a higly enjoyable history of the family of kings who ruled England from 1154 to 1399. Some of these kings are famous, some are infamous. Some were effective, some were not. Those who were good kings (Henry II, Richard I--the Lionheart, Edward I, Edward III) were considered to be so because they won military victories. Those who were not considered to be effective (John I of Magna Carta fame, Henry III, Edward II, Richard II) lost battles and therefore territory. Edward II and Richard II were actually deposed. But all of these Plantagenet kings have at least one thing in common: they were ruthless. Of course, it was a violent time, and ruthlessness was often necessary to keep one's kingdom.

There is much drama, intrigue, and bloodshed, and it makes for a great tale. Dan Jones tells it so very well that one comes to know each of the characters rather well. The Plantagenets were the longest reigning family in English history, and it was a joy to learn more about them and the time in which they lived.

The book covers a lengthy period in English, and French, history, the reins of several kings, and a lot of geography. Because of that, along with the intrigue and many supporting characters, the book can be heavy going at times but Dan Jones does a good job of explaining this very important period in history.

Very interesting story and well written. It is often difficult for the casual American reader to follow multi-generational British histories with all the names and titles. I felt Dan Jones did a good job of managing this, focusing on the main players. He also did a good job of weaving in the development of the role of common law and "parliament". Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

"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.

Dan Jones and his narrative history, "The Plantagenets", does a fantastic job at explaining this period of time. He provides a well balanced view of each King and the factors that influenced their actions. This reads more like an action thriller than a work of non-fiction. I highly recommend it.

A very readable book, especially considering the number of names covering the time period. It gives the reader a good sense of what occurred during the period and why, written in an entertaining manner. I highly recommend the book for those curious about English history.

This is a lively yet clearly delineated account of a complicated period of British history. I am not unfamiliar with the subject having read, among other materials, Costain's works on the era. I nonetheless enjoyed this volume as making its own unique contribution and would recommend it to anyone interested in Medieval England.

Excellent book. Gave me a great deal of information about the Plantagenets, who they were and how their reign began and ended. Highly recommended for those interested in the history of Britain and its kings.

It's always fascinating to 'look back' to other times and how they operated. An interesting dynasty with interesting kings. Their profligacy reminds me of today. The sense of privilege also reminds me of today. Well written and worth the read.

I have been reading histories for over 50 years. I think Brown is the very best writer of British history, and The Plantagenets is the heart of his works. Read everything of his you can get your hands on!

Dan Jones allows us to see the Plantagenet rulers as deeply imbedded in their time and how they influenced Britain as it now rules itself. Am eagerly looking forward to reading his sequel to this book. If you love history, read this! Jean

Brilliantly written in narrative style, takes you through the Plantagenet line up to Richard III. The novel (forgive the pun) part of this purchase was for a couple of bucks more I got the audio version which synched with the book, so if I read the book on my Kindle I could switch to audio and it would give the option to pick up where I had left off and vice versa! Fascinating and fun stuff!

Wonderful description of the Plantagenets reign. It sure put a lot of books I have read on the era in the right perspective. Excellent read.. I was sorry when it was over. Will definitely seek to read more books from this author.

Hard to imagine the blood thirsty, greedy, incestuous family! Take no prisoners, and when you get mad, tear out their heart and send a quarter of the body to each corner of the empire. What a book! Well written, excellent charts to keep up with who is related to whom, and he takes you up to the Lancasters... Can't wait to read about the War of Roses now.