The most recommended books on the House of Plantagenet

Originally published as The Fears of Henry IV, this book gives us a fascinating look into the usurpation of Richard II and reign of the first Lancastrian king. Although they were first cousins, King Richard II and Henry Bolingbroke were perpetually at odds, and Henry's decision to seize the crown opened up a slew of problems that haunted him throughout his reign. He fought one rebellion after another, and once he put down his enemies, Henry was beset with terrible health problems that led to his early death. Because my series covers the reigns of Richard II through Henry VI (I'm currently writing about Henry IV), this book was critical to my understanding of why things went so wrong after his triumphant return from exile. 

No study about Richard II would be complete without an understanding of his uncle, the powerful and intimidating John of Gaunt. Before I read this book, I accepted the usual depiction that he was arrogant, unpleasant, and downright nasty. But really, this was a gross exaggeration. Although many contemporaries assumed he coveted the throne, in reality, it would have been against his honor to usurp the king, no matter how helpless, ungrateful, or deserving Richard may have seemed. Gaunt was the only person who stood between the king and his many enemies. Once Richard discovered this for himself, he treated his uncle with much more respect, and this biography certainly helped me put Gaunt into proper perspective. 

The summer before starting my first year of university, I went in search of historical fiction that was accurate enough to help prepare me for the module I was going to take about medieval Britain. Meticulously researched and packed full of detail that brings historical scenery and relationships to life, Devil’s Brood was the perfect starting point. It is a book that I have read and enjoyed three or four times, and each time, I have discovered new passages that made me put the book down on my pillow and stare blankly at the wall for a few seconds, pondering what I just read. In addition, this thrilling account of the early Plantagenets is the first (albeit independent) part of a series, so if you get as hooked as I did, there’s more to be had!

This book might be my definition of ‘fact more entertaining than fiction’. It is a relatively light read that was easy to get through, without feeling under-researched in the least. I bought it as an introduction to the life, reign, and personality of Richard II, who incidentally is one of England’s most fascinating kings in my view. Warner’s analysis of his character and relationships was what truly got me flipping the pages, anxious to read more about potential romances and debated narcissism.

An oldie but goodie! Any aspiring historian will benefit greatly from this four-book series written in the 1960s. This is a popular history and very easy to read. Although I discovered these books years before I started writing, I periodically revisit them purely for enjoyment. Costain covered a lot of information in a way that stayed with me for years. I would even go so far as to say he influenced me to continue my reading on the subject. This particular volume gives us a lot of insight into Richard II. 

I read this for professional reasons, which is not to say that I didn’t get great pleasure from it. Frame is a fine writer, and this isn’t always true of those who are also great scholars. This is a collection of essays, some new but mostly older works, lightly edited in a couple of cases.

Much of Frame’s work deals with that nebulous concept of identity in its various forms. He has explored much of the medieval history of Ireland after the English (or Anglo-Norman) invasion began in 1169. He has done so from perspectives both close and detailed and more broadly comparative. He was one of the most important figures in encouraging us to consider Ireland alongside and as part of a wider collective that includes Wales, Scotland, England, and parts of France.

For a time, I was rather annoyed because it seemed like every good idea I had… show more.

Everybody knows the name of Richard III, the short-lived king of England whose defeat ushered in the Tudor dynasty. But the story everyone knows and argues about is his time as king and the fate of the “princes in the tower.” 

Michael Hicks tells the story of Richard’s life before he became king, his loyal support for his brother Edward IV, the political scheming that made him the ruler of the north of England, and his reforming zeal, which might have transformed the country had he lived. 

Nothing like Shakespeare’s caricature (written to please the Tudors!), Richard emerges as a complex and fundamentally decent man of his time, whose story deserved this telling.

English medieval history has always fascinated me, and I can trace my own ancestry back to King Edward III and his ancestors so I loved this book, which focuses on the queens of Kings Edward I, II, and III, most of whom were my ancestors.

This is the third book in Weir’s series about medieval English queens, and I found it the most interesting of them all. I was particularly fascinated by information about Philippa of Hainault that I did not know, but I also loved how she depicted Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II, showing what a strong woman she was and justifying many of her actions in her rebellion against her husband who let his love for other men interfere with his ability to rule.

I adore family sagas. This is a wonderful recreation of the story of the loves and rivalry of the 12th century Plantagenet king Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their sons. The book is set in the late 19th century and follows the Castallack family who live in a vast Gothic mansion, Penmarric, on the North Cornish coast overlooking the sea. You don't need to know your English history to enjoy the novel but if you finish it wanting more, as I did, you will be delighted to know there are two further books following the story of the Plantagenet kings of England: Cashelmara and The Wheel of Fortune. 

I seriously enjoy a good “between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place” romance, especially when the female heroine is able to navigate it while staying true to herself. In this one, King John weds his illegitimate but beloved daughter Joanna to his bitter enemy, Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, in an effort to take Wales under his control. But Joanna loves both of them—father and husband—and is forced time and again to prove her loyalty to one side or the other, until neither faction supports her in return. While this definitely portrays the helplessness that many medieval women faced, often experiencing a forced marriage for some political purpose or other, Joanna’s courage, bravery, and sense of self in the face of so much conflict were inspiring and so addicting to read about.