Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI

The book Shadow King is a thrilling new account of the tragic life and troubled times of Henry VI. It is written by Lauren Johnson and captures the poignancy of his life and the tumultuous nature of the times in which he lived.

Format: Hardback
Length: 736 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2019
Publisher: Head of Zeus

Henry VI, the first-born son of a warrior father who defeated the French at Agincourt, inherited the crowns of England and France at a time when the Plantagenet dynasty was at its glorious height. However, by the time he was done to death in the Tower of London in 1471, France had been lost, his throne had been seized by his rival, Edward IV of the House of York, and his kingdom had descended into the violent chaos of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI is perhaps the most troubled of English monarchs, a pious, gentle, well-intentioned man plagued by bouts of mental illness. In Shadow King, Lauren Johnson tells his remarkable and sometimes shocking story in a fast-paced and colorful narrative that captures both the poignancy of Henry's life and the tumultuous and bloody nature of the times in which he lived.

Born in 1421, Henry VI was the eldest son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois. He was a pious, gentle, and well-intentioned man, but he was plagued by bouts of mental illness that would ultimately lead to his downfall. His reign was marked by political instability, religious conflict, and civil war, and he was ultimately defeated by his rival, Edward IV of the House of York, in the Battle of Towton in 1461.

Henry VI's life was marked by a series of tragic events, including the death of his father in 1422, the Wars of the Roses, and the execution of his queen, Anne Boleyn, in 1536. He was also plagued by financial difficulties, which led to the dissolution of the monasteries and the confiscation of their lands.

Despite these challenges, Henry VI was a popular king who was loved by his people for his piety and his gentleness. He was also a skilled diplomat, who was able to maintain good relations with France and other European powers. However, his mental health issues ultimately led to his downfall, and he was unable to effectively govern his kingdom.

In Shadow King, Lauren Johnson provides a detailed and engaging account of Henry VI's life and reign. She explores his political struggles, his religious conflicts, and his personal struggles with mental illness. Johnson also provides a vivid portrait of the times in which Henry lived, including the rise of the Tudor dynasty and the bloody battles of the Wars of the Roses.

One of the most interesting aspects of Johnson's book is her portrayal of Henry VI as a tragic figure. While he was a popular king who was loved by his people, he was also a man who was plagued by his own weaknesses and flaws. His mental health issues, combined with his political and religious struggles, led to his downfall and the destruction of his kingdom.

Johnson also provides a detailed account of the Wars of the Roses, which were a series of civil wars that were fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne. The wars were marked by brutal battles, political intrigue, and religious conflict, and they ultimately led to the downfall of the Plantagenet dynasty and the rise of the Tudor dynasty.

Overall, Shadow King is a fascinating and well-written book that provides a detailed and engaging account of the tragic life and troubled times of Henry VI. It is a must-read for anyone interested in English history, medieval history, or the history of mental illness.

Weight: 1108g
Dimension: 232 x 176 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784979638