First English Hero: The Life of Ranulf de Blondeville

The 6th Earl of Chester, Ranulf de Blondeville, was a Norman who owned a third of England and Normandy. He was skilled in siegecraft and loyal to King Richard the Lionheart and King John, commanding their armies and earning a reputation for his offensive spirit and tenacity in defense. He refused to sign Magna Carta and spent two years as England's main defense against a French-backed rebel army. His military might tipped the balance in support of the child king Henry III, and his diplomacy secured economic prosperity for the Midlands. He died in 1232 at the height of his fame, and it was said in France that the devil himself had thrown his soul out of hell.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Ranulf de Blondeville, the 6th Earl of Chester, was a Norman by his own admission. He held a Dukedom, numerous Earldoms, and Viscounties on both sides of the Channel, owning and controlling about a third of both England and Normandy. Ranulf was a skilled siegecraft commander and a loyal ally, serving alongside the impetuous King Richard the Lionheart and his reviled brother King John for a lifetime. He commanded their armies with distinction, earning a reputation for his offensive spirit and tenacity in defense. In 1215, despite being offered the regency of all England, Ranulf refused, dedicating himself to defending the country against a French-backed rebel army. His military prowess tipped the balance in favor of the young King Henry III, and his reputation grew further when he went on crusade, covering himself with glory and winning the admiration of Rome. He used his war experience to build spectacular castles and secure economic prosperity for much of the Midlands. When Ranulf died in 1232, at the height of his fame, it was said in France that the devil himself had thrown his soul out of hell – even in death, he was simply too hot to handle!

While Ranulf's own declaration stated that his body was that of a foreigner, his heart and soul undeniably belonged to England. This story is not just about one man, but about the birth pangs of the English nation. Ranulf's legacy continues to inspire and shape the history of England, reminding us of the sacrifices and struggles that paved the way for the nation we know today.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 167 x 233 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398106741