The Worst Medieval Monarchs

The worst of England's medieval kings, Stephen, John, Edward II, Richard II, and Richard III, are examined in this book to determine if their reputations as failures and villains are deserved. Their lives and reigns were dramatic and often unpredictable, and how they have been seen since their deaths has changed over time. Fiction, from Shakespeare's plays to modern films, has also played a part in creating the modern picture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The five medieval kings of England, Stephen, John, Edward II, Richard II, and Richard III, are often considered the worst of their time. Their reigns were marked by incompetence, civil war, and conflict, resulting in the destruction of the realm and the failure of their basic duty to ensure peace and justice. These kings were also known for their cruelty and villainy, with some portrayed as tyrants. The murder of family members and arbitrary executions stained their reputations. All five reigns ended in failure, and the kings lost their crowns and reputations. However, it is important to question whether these five kings were truly the worst of their era or if history has unfairly judged them. This book explores the stories of their lives and reigns, examining how they have been seen since their deaths and the ways their reputations have been shaped over the centuries. The standards of their own age were different from ours, and how these kings have been judged has changed dramatically over time. Fiction, from Shakespeare's plays to modern films, has also played a part in creating the modern picture of these kings. Many factors have contributed to the negative reputations of these five kings, but is it fair to consider them among the worst of English history? This book sets out to explore this question and examine the evidence for and against their reputations.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399083058