The Wars of the Roses - Dan Jones

The Wars of the Roses

By Dan Jones

  • Release Date: 2014-10-14
  • Genre: European History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 198 Ratings

Description

The author of the New York Times bestseller The Plantagenets and The Templars chronicles the next chapter in British history—the historical backdrop for Game of Thrones

The inspiration for the Channel 5 series Britain's Bloody Crown

The crown of England changed hands five times over the course of the fifteenth century, as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. In this riveting follow-up to The Plantagenets, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest-reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors.

Some of the greatest heroes and villains of history were thrown together in these turbulent times, from Joan of Arc to Henry V, whose victory at Agincourt marked the high point of the medieval monarchy, and Richard III, who murdered his own nephews in a desperate bid to secure his stolen crown. This was a period when headstrong queens and consorts seized power and bent men to their will. With vivid descriptions of the battles of Towton and Bosworth, where the last Plantagenet king was slain, this dramatic narrative history revels in bedlam and intrigue. It also offers a long-overdue corrective to Tudor propaganda, dismantling their self-serving account of what they called the Wars of the Roses.

Reviews

  • Wars of the Roses/Cousins Wars

    4
    By Josey86
    A good look at a tumultuous, bloody, dramatic period of English history. The book is mostly chronological, but within each chronological section, the chapters bounce around a bit making it complicated to follow along at times. Never mentioned the original name of this period or the history behind why it became known as the Wars of the Roses.
  • Brilliant & comprehensive

    5
    By Jbhretro
    Dan Jones has the gift of storytelling with academic precision and genuine enthusiasm. If you love English Royal history you will love this book. Same goes for The Plantagenets.
  • Very Good

    5
    By better_bandit
    I'm an American so my British history is a little vague. My bloodline comes from Yorkshire. It is interesting to know what my ancestors experienced at this point in history and I'm amazed at what people will do to gain power. I think there were a lot of reasons for all this bloodshed. I believe you can start with the weak rule of Henry VI. I will learn more by reading Jones book on the Plantagenets. Also need to read more on Richard III. Very nicely done. Even an ignorant American can learn details of British medieval history. Jones, keep moving along through time, I'll get up to scratch on British history eventually.