The rest of Edward’s reign is centred on the fallout with his brother, Clarence. Like most accounts of the era, it focuses on his unpopular marriage to Elizabeth Wydeville, which in turn leads to a rebellion by Warwick and the second phases of the wars. The book bounces through the early years of Yorkist rule under Edward IV. Jones correctly notes that it is not until York puts his hand on the throne and claims the crown in 1460, that the Wars of the Roses can truly be called a dynastic conflict.
Characters like Margaret of Anjou, Richard of York and a succession of Somerset Dukes become real to us. With vivid storytelling the author brings them to life. The 1450s is a decade of battles, high politics and low humanity. But in the run up to 1450 it all came crumbling down For the best part of two decades the political establishments attempts to create a mechanism for governing England without a functioning monarch. Like recent scholarship, Jones roots the cause of conflict squarely in the ineffectual kingship of the last Lancastrian ruler.Īs Henry grows, his inability to perform even the most basic facet of Kingship becomes increasingly obvious. Sympathetic to the Whig notion that Edward III doomed his descendants to disaster? Look away now. Committed to the Tudor perspective that the conflicts have their origins in the downfall of Richard II? You’re going to disappointed. By beginning the narrative here rather than an earlier point in history, Jones is implicitly nailing his colours to the mast. The book begins with the marriage of Henry VI’s parents. But despite the breadth of the topic, Jones paints a vivid and detailed picture of the breakdown of England’s political system and the lust for power that followed it. The 370-page publication spans a 45-year time period and touches on the reigns on five kings. Under the skilful craftmanship of Dan Jones, this series of bloody conflicts finally take their place in the spotlight. If we did, we knew we’d be treated to tales of religious reform, six wives and female succession.īut we didn’t know what we were missing. We, the readers, had to endure just a few lines about random battles, murderous uncles and cooky Plantagenet cousins. Over the next couple of weeks, I will review 10 books which all Royal History Geeks should add to their reading list.įor many years ‘The Wars of the Roses’ were confined to a paragraph or two in the introduction to Tudor history books. Let’s be honest: lockdown sucks! But it does mean there’s more time for reading.
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