The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor

 

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV by Helen Castor -543 pages

This history covers the events surrounding Henry IV’s deposition of his cousin, Richard II in England in 1399.  Both were grandsons of Edward III and Richard became king at the age of nine and as an adult remained indifferent to England’s external threats from France and Scotland. A worsening crisis erupted with Richard’s lavish expenditures, self-indulgence, and his broad accusations of treason leading to the execution of an earl.  Henry finally seized the throne and imprisoned Richard after Richard had exiled him without trial and confiscated Henry’s inheritance. Although Henry had strong support from the major magnates and was a dutiful king, he also experienced a serious rebellion during his reign and relied heavily on his strong-willed son, the future Henry V, as his health deteriorated. This was an interesting book, and relates very well the political issues of the time, such as the financial crunch faced by England’s government and the evolving power of parliaments and the executive in their constitution.

The Restless Kings by Nick Barratt

 

The Restless Kings: Henry II, His Sons and the Wars for the Plantagenet Crown by Nick Barratt -320 pages

This is mostly a political history covering the reigns of King Henry II through Richard I and John until about 1215 when the Magna Carta was issued. Henry II had four sons, and all of them eventually rebelled against their father toward the end of his long reign. Henry created a tax bureaucracy in England to fund his campaigns in his French domains while both Richard and John used the system to maximize royal revenue resulting in a civil war that led to a more limited monarchy requiring regular parliaments in John's reign. The English barons even considered inviting a French prince to replace John since they preferred an absentee ruler to John's heavy-handedness. The book covers the details of Thomas Becket's martyrdom, the Magna Carta, and the crusades. This is an illuminating book on a time of great change in England and France.

The Norman Conquest -Marc Morris

The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris -440 pages

This book explains how the Norman invasion of England in 1066 changed the law, language, customs, and land-holding ruling class in a short time span. Going back more than a generation before William the Conqueror, the author traces how the Anglo-Saxon kingdom fell under the total dominance of the Godwinson family that placed King Harold on the throne. It also explains William's claim to the throne, and how a series of rebellions after the Battle of Hastings led to the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon ruling class. The author does a good job of presenting both the Norman and Anglo-Saxon views of this chaotic time.

Anglo-Saxon Art by Leslie Webster

Anglo-Saxon Art by Leslie Webster --256 pages

This book includes many color images of the objects discussed, ranging from manuscripts to jewelry. The beauty and intricacy of the designs is impressive. The author is a scholar but writes for a general audience with the chapters covering various stages of Anglo-Saxon art development in the early middle ages. The influence of Rome, the Celts, the Norse, and Normans are all examined. A beautiful resource for anyone interested in history or art.

A Great and Terrible King by Marc Norris

A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain by Marc Morris -462 pages

Edward I (b. 1239) is probably best known today as the villainous "Longshanks" in the movie Braveheart. He actually had a long and complex life, and it was only at the end of his reign that he made serious miscalculations in his approach to Scotland. It is true Edward was an aggressive king who clashed with his own lords and parliaments to consolidate power following the comparative weakness of his father. His temperament was also influenced by a civil war against his uncle as a young man, and continuous rebellions in Wales. He was also a crusader and a skilled diplomat, but underestimated the Scots' opposition to an English king. Tragically, England and Scotland had friendly relations until Edward's plan to unite the two kingdoms. The result of his final campaigns in the north ensured hostility that lasted for centuries.