A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain by Marc Morris

 

Publication Date:

May 6, 2008

Genre: 

History

Length:  

480 pages

Series:

None

Book description courtesy of Goodreads:

This is the first major biography for a generation of a truly formidable king – a man born to rule England, who believed that it was his right to rule all of Britain. His reign was one of the most dramatic and important of the entire Middle Ages, leading to war and conquest on an unprecedented scale, and leaving a legacy of division between the peoples of Britain that has lasted from his day to our own.

Edward I is familiar to millions as ‘Longshanks’, conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Sir William Wallace (‘Braveheart’). Yet this story forms only the final chapter of the king’s astonishingly action-packed life. Earlier Edward had defeated and killed the famous Simon de Montfort in battle; travelled across Europe to the Holy Land on crusade; conquered Wales, extinguishing forever its native rulers, and constructing – at Conwy, Harlech, Beaumaris and Caernarfon – the most magnificent chain of castles ever created. He raised the greatest armies of the English Middle Ages, and summoned the largest parliaments; notoriously, he expelled all the Jews from his kingdom. The longest-lived of all England’s medieval kings, he fathered no fewer than fifteen children with his first wife, Eleanor of Castile, and after her death he erected the Eleanor Crosses – the grandest funeral monuments ever fashioned for an English monarch.

In this book, Marc Morris examines afresh the forces that drove Edward.  His relentless character, his Christian faith, and his sense of England’s destiny; a sense shaped in particular by the tales of the legendary King Arthur. He also explores the competing reasons that led Edward’s opponents (including Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Robert Bruce) to resist him, and the very different societies that then existed in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The result is a sweeping story, immaculately researched yet compellingly told, and a vivid picture of medieval Britain at the moment when its future was decided.

My Thoughts:

I've been on a mission the last couple of years to learn more about the 1200's. It just interested me because it seemed like there wasn't much in the way of history or historical fiction about those years and I wondered why. Sharon Penman's Welsh princes trilogy and Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet saga covers the time period but I'd never even heard of Simon de Montfort prior to those books. I'm an American so that is probably not unusual but still....once I started reading about that whole time of him and Henry III, I wondered how on earth there wasn't more written about them. Their stories are fascinating. 

So after I'd exhausted all I could find on Henry and Simon, I moved on to Edward, the next King in line. And his life is incredible too. Marc Morris does a great job of telling his story and including all the details of his early life, friction with his parents and relatives, involvement with battles as a young prince, and his reign while conquering Wales and Scotland (basically). It it a well researched, interesting story but at times it did get super detailed on some things I wasn't as interested in. In order to write a thorough biography of a King you have to discuss battles in detail to some degree and cover all aspects of the subject's life. Morris definitely does that. I was glad I'd read Plaidy's more fictional, yet historically accurate account prior to this book so I was more invested and understood what was happening. 

Morris's book felt like I was taking a history class with a narrative style. Sometimes I just want the facts, without fictional characters or dialogue, but it has to have a personal touch as well or it becomes too dry. I think he did a great job with this. 

I enjoyed this book on a topic that is rarely given the attention it deserves. Morris has clearly done his time covering all the parts of Edward's life. He has other biographies on Kings John and William I that I'm sure are good as well. It is worth your time if you want to know more about this period. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Castles: A Fortified History by Dan Jones

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Castles: A Fortified History, by Dan Jones. He doesn't need introducing to us medieval history buffs as Jones is one of my favorite authors and podcasters on all things middle ages. This book traces the history of the world's most famous castles and includes drawings and photographs. Known for wonderful research, I'm sure Jones won't disappoint with a unique story about each fortress. 

History, Medieval History

November 3, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Castles have been built to defend humanity for millennia—from the walls of Troy in the Bronze Age and the desert bastion of Krak des Chevaliers in Syria; to Windsor Castle and the Tower of London; to Himeji in Japan and Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. They have inspired terror and passion, foiled conquering forces, and been deployed as the ultimate expression of wealth, status, and supremacy.

In Castles, Jones leads readers on a journey through the many eras of castle-building and across continents as each stronghold tells a unique story of power, politics, and survival, revealing the shifting tides of warfare, the rise and fall of empires, the resilience of people under siege, and the flourishing of new ideas.

Blending rich storytelling, deep research, and beautiful original illustrations, Castles is an epic story of why humans build fortifications and how they powerfully capture our imagination. With Jones's trademark scholarship and flair, he shows how defiance, endurance, and ambition have been carved into the landscapes we've inherited.

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Time Traveler's Guide to the 13th Century by W.B.J. Williams

 For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, A Time Traveler's Guide to the 13th Century, by W.B.J. Williams. This caught my eye on Net Galley because it specifically features the 1200's, a time I used to find boring and pointless to study but now I love. 

So much happened that we don't realize and when I delved into the reigns of King John, King Henry III, and Edward I, I started to wonder why it is overlooked. This book covers history during the same time period but includes the world at the time, not just England.

If you love medieval history this book is for you!

History, Medieval History

October 15, 2026

Book description courtesy of Net Galley

Step into the world where Europe's first great universities flourished, philosophers and poets reshaped the medieval imagination, caravans carried silk and spices from China to Cairo, and mighty cities like Venice and Hangzhou dazzled travelers with wonders now lost to time. Journey through the bustling streets of Paris, Budapest, Constantinople, Baghdad, Timbuktu, Lalibela, Mayapan, and Cahokia, and visit the legendary courts of emperors, sultans, and kings. This richly researched guide by the author of the historical fantasy The Garden at the Roof of the World takes the traveler on an unforgettable tour of the sights, beliefs, dangers, and marvels of a world known today mostly through ruins and chronicles, bringing the 13th century to life with the excitement of a grand adventure.

Unlike traditional medieval histories focused primarily on Europe or Asia, this immersive guide spans the entire world, from Europe and the Middle East to Africa, Asia, and the Americas, to reveal the interconnected global web of the 13th century's diversity and splendor. A blend of history, travel, and forgotten chronicles, it invites readers to discover a medieval age far larger, richer, and more fascinating than most people imagine. 

Hammer of the Scots by Jean Plaidy (Plantagenet Saga Book Seven)

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1978

Genre: 

Historical Fiction, Medieval Historical Fiction

Length:  

326 pages

Series:

Plantagenet Saga

Book description courtesy of Goodreads:

The news of Henry III's death reached his son Edward on the long road home from the Holy Land. Now he was England's King and a man fit for his destiny.

Through all the years of his reign, through stark personal tragedy and chill forebodings as his son grew into a weak, corrupted prince, Edward I strove to weld a nation united from England and Scotland and Wales.

When the mighty Wallace raised the Scots in arms and the Welsh Llewellyn strove for power, Edward stood firm to his resolve, still knowing in his heart how much would be lost when his crown passed down to his dissolute son.

My Thoughts:

As anyone who reads my blog knows I'm a huge Jean Plaidy fan. And there aren't that many books about Edward I so I have wanted to read this one for a while. It is really hard to find and I had to buy a used copy online. You can't even get it on Kindle.The cover is funny to me because it was written in 1978 and has that romance novel vibe which this book is anything but. It makes me curious if this actually made some women buy it and be disappointed that it is really historical fiction. It is such a different time now and I guess this is what she had to do to sell her novels back then. 

I seem to be in an Edward phase right now as I have a non-fiction book about him going and plan to read another book that just came out. This book starts with the death of his father, Henry III and finishes with Edward's death so we see the entire scope of his reign. She doesn't spend much time on his early years, just some flashbacks by his mother remembering how things used to be. I have read quite a bit lately about Henry III's reign and so it picked up in a good spot for me to understand what was happening at the time.

The most interesting and unique parts of the book were surprisingly not his clashes with Wales and Scotland (although those parts were great too!) but rather his relationships with his children, especially his daughters Eleanor and Joan. I had read that both he and his father were very devoted to their children and almost indulgent which I don't picture much for medieval Kings. And Joan's story was almost a book in itself with scandals and secret romance, I had no idea! 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Royal Hammer by David Field (The Wars of the Roses Saga Book One)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Royal Hammer, by David Field. He has become a favorite author of mine over the last few years, writing about time periods I love. There are so few good, accurate historical fiction books on the three Edwards (Kings I,II, and III) and he has taken them on in this new saga of the Wars of the Roses. This series picks up where he last left off with the defeat of Simon de Montfort. 

I know it seems strange to start here for the Wars because most of us think of the 1400's but I am so glad he is because the background gaps and reasons for the wars start way before Edward IV and Richard III come on the scene. All of his books stay true to history and have entertaining fictional as well as historical characters. I cannot wait for this one!

Historical Fiction

June 5, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

As royal power changes, so do the fortunes of those who serve it…

England, 1265

The attempt by Simon de Montfort to force Henry III to abide by the Magna Carta has been put down, and those who rode in his train are scattered to the wind. Some, like William of Kenilworth, feel the need to assume a new identity, and as ‘William Bywater’ he finds himself in the service of the warlike Prince Edward. William’s proven loyalty and courage result in him regaining his long-lost family estate of Flint, and he is engaged to form the ‘King’s Escort’, an elite group of men-at-arms who guard the king. 

But a cloud gathers on the horizon when a young and impressionable prince falls under the spell of Piers Gaveston, whose influence will prove to be toxic as the throne passes from father to son. And as always, the fortunes of those who serve the Crown are destined to balance on a knife-edge. Will William find himself on the ruling side of history? Can he maintain the favor of the king? Or will fortune fail him once again…

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy by Matthew Lewis

 

Publication Date:

January 19, 2020

Genre: 

History, Medieval History

Length:  

256 pages

Series:

No

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The Anarchy was the first civil war in post Conquest England, enduring throughout the reign of King Stephen between 1135 and 1154. It ultimately brought about the end of the Norman dynasty and the birth of the mighty Plantagenet kings. When Henry I died having lost his only legitimate son in a shipwreck, he required all of his barons to swear to recognize his daughter Matilda, widow of the Holy Roman Emperor, as his heir and remarried her to Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. When she was slow to move to England on her father's death, Henry's favorite nephew, Stephen of Blois, rushed to have himself crowned, much as Henry himself had done on the death of his brother William Rufus.

Supported by his brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester, Stephen made a promising start, but Matilda would not give up her birthright and tried to hold the English barons to their oaths. The result was more than a decade of civil war that saw England split apart. Empress Matilda is often remembered as aloof and high-handed, Stephen as ineffective and indecisive. By following both sides of the dispute and seeking to understand their actions and motivations, Matthew Lewis aims to reach a more rounded understanding of this crucial period of English history and asks to what extent there really was anarchy.

My Thoughts

Matthew Lewis is a great historian and podcaster who makes history accessible to people who know little about a subject. He also is a great researcher who adds things into his books and shows that those who already know a lot about the subject will still be entertained and informed. This is the best kind of history writing. This book did not disappoint. I love his podcast, Gone Medieval and his books are great to read further about topics he features on the show.  In this book, Lewis explains the origins and progress of the Anarchy period and switches back and forth between the two points of view of each of the leaders involved, King Stephen and Empress Matilda.

Drawing from original sources and adding his own thoughts to the narrative, the author tries to explain, from the beginning, the motivations and players behind the struggle of who would rule England in the mid 1100's. Specifically, after the death of Henry I in 1135. Each chapter focuses on the political power plays, battles, and personal relationships that shaped Stephen and Matilda's reasons for believing they were the rightful owner of the crown. It reads more straight history than historical fiction so if you are looking for entertainment or a lot of personal touches this might not be what you are used to. But for anyone who likes this subject, it is a great read because it makes you consider who you'd support and then question that choice again and again, depending on whose ideas are being presented.

It sticks to the basics, the men who pledged their loyalty to Matilda only to reverse course. Matilda's loyal brother Robert of Gloucester, who started off as Stephen's man but ended up fiercely loyal to his sister's cause. Lewis seems to play a bit more to the Stephen side but I think he is fair in presenting the strengths and weaknesses in both. 

While I didn't learn a lot of new things, mostly because I've read so much on this subject the last few years, I really did enjoy the switching chapter viewpoints. I also liked that the book isn't super long, the chapters aren't either, so someone who wants to get the basic facts down can do so while also getting a good picture of how "right" each one thought they were. It is a good starting place and in depth enough for history buffs too. 

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Queen's Sister by Carol McGrath

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Queen's Sister, by Carol McGrath. It appears to be a stand alone novel but I know this author for her popular trilogies about earlier queens. Anyone who loves historical fiction about the tudors will want to try this one. It tells the story of Elizabeth Seymour, a sister of Anne Boleyn and her attempt to distance herself from King Henry VIII's court to no avail. She is caught up in the events concerning the other sister, Jane and "dark plots and secrets" of the court. I'm sure it is exciting fiction and I always like authors who take more obscure people and bring them to life. 

Historical Fiction

June 4, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A mother, a wife, a woman of substance...

At nineteen, Elizabeth Seymour is already a mother, has been recently widowed, and seen her Queen, Anne Boleyn, lose her life. Against the wishes of her father, she heads North, away from Wulf Hall and the court in London to Yorkshire, determined to establish a new beginning as a landowner and business woman. As her family in Wiltshire curry favour with King Henry, aided by Thomas Cromwell, Elizabeth makes Kexby Manor her home, finding loyalty among her people there.

Soon, news comes to Elizabeth of the King's desires for her sister, Jane and while her brother, Edward, encourages her own betrothal to Gregory Cromwell, son of Thomas. It is a happy second marriage for Elizabeth, but it brings unwanted involvement in the dark plots and secrecy of the court, while in the wider country, changes in religious practice threaten to alter the traditions and values of all she has known.

The Queen's Sister vividly imagines the story of the woman possibly portrayed in Hans Holbein's beautiful painting 'Portrait of a Lady,' and is a colourful, meticulously researched novel of Tudor life behind the scenes.

An Uncivil War by David Field (The Medieval Saga Book Three)

 

Publication Date:

June 17, 2022

Genre: 

Historical Fiction, Medieval Fiction

Length:  

271 pages

Series:

The Medieval Saga Series

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

England is at war – with itself!

England, 1120

When Henry I dies with no legitimate male heir, the nation is thrown into chaos.
The two rivals for the crown are Henry’s daughter Matilda and his nephew Stephen of Blois, both of whom are determined to emerge victorious.
A bitter struggle ensues which threatens to reduce England to a barren wasteland and many ordinary people find themselves torn apart from each other in the confusion of deciding which side to fight for.

One of those caught up in the fray is young soldier Richard Walsingham who is fighting alongside Stephen. But his sister Elinor is employed as a companion to Matilda.  As the family members come to terms with being on opposite sides of a treacherous dynastic conflict a new contender for the throne enters the picture. Which of the rivals will emerge triumphant? Can the nation be pieced back together again?

Or will more than lives be lost in this uncivil war…?

My Thoughts

Another great read from David Field....it covers The Anarchy period in England between Empress Matilda and the future King Stephen and although it didn't give me a whole lot of new information I hadn't read on this subject before, it did a great job of using fictional characters on each side of the conflict to both inform and entertain. I just love this series and now have only two left to finish. The next book covers King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the book after that covers the reign of King Richard I, their son. I skipped these middle books awhile back because I already had so much knowledge of the time from reading the Sharon Penman books. But I think this year I'm going to finish them and then move on to his Tudor or Australia focused books. 

This story continues with the saga of the family from book one who are fictional characters, always placed into the drama and court royalty involved in the real history. I usually don't like this and prefer to stick to historical fiction with real people but I don't seem to mind in the Field books. He uses their story in a way that is readable and always sticks with what really happened. 

Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy (Tudor Saga Book Nine)

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1964

Genre: 

Historical Fiction

Length:  

305 pages

Series:

Tudor Saga/Tudor Princesses

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy brings to life the story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe--her older brother.

Princess Mary Rose is the youngest sister of Henry VIII, and one of the few people whom he adores unconditionally. Known throughout Europe for her charm and good looks, Mary is the golden child of the Tudor family and is granted her every wish.

Except when it comes to marriage. Henry VIII, locked in a political showdown with France, decides to offer up his pampered baby sister to secure peace between the two mighty kingdoms. Innocent, teenage Mary must become the wife of the elderly King Louis, a toothless, ailing man in his sixties. Horrified and furious, Mary has no choice but to sail for France. There she hones her political skills, bides her time, and remains secretly in love with Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. When King Louis dies after only two years of marriage, Mary is determined not to be sold into another unhappy union. She must act quickly; if she wants to be with the man she truly loves, she must defy the laws of church and state by marrying without her brother's permission. Together, Mary and Charles devise a scheme to outwit the most ruthless king in Europe and gain their hearts' desire, not knowing if it will lead to marital bliss or certain death.

My Thoughts

Anyone who reads my blog knows I'm a huge Jean Plaidy fan. She takes historical figures and stories and presents them in a straightforward, entertaining way that gets to the point while humanizing the subject. This story about Mary Tudor, (not Queen Mary Tudor) sister of Henry VIII is a great example of her including people that rarely get their own story told. It is a short book because Mary is overshadowed by others of that era but her story is fascinating in its own right and worth reading about.

I knew very little about Mary except that she was very beautiful, was much beloved by her older brother, King Henry VIII and that despite that she was forced into marriage with the very old King of France for political reasons. Her story was very compelling though due to the fact that she went against Henry to later marry her true love, Charles Brandon. Considering all we know about her brother that was a true act of bravery. 

I had forgotten she was also the grandmother of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic nine days queen and that she supported the Catherine of Aragon camp, disliking Anne Boleyn.

The book is very straightforward and no secret information you couldn't find online but Plaidy always finds a way to make it feel like a special, exciting novel. That is what I love....learning history in a personal way. If you want to learn about medieval royalty in a romantic, storylike way you will love this book. The one about her sister Margaret is similiar and another favorite of mine. It is called The Thistle and the Rose. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Grave Merriment by Angela Ranson (Catrin Surovell Tudor Mysteries Book Four)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Grave Merriment by Angela Ranson. I featured the first book in the series in another post, Shades of Death. The books take place at the Elizabethan court and Lady Catrin is asked to investigate a brutal man trying to exhort money from the wealthy. It is set at Christmas time so it would be a good one to save for next year at this time.

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Historical Mystery/Renaissance Mystery

March 13, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Christmas, 1561

Queen Elizabeth’s courtiers are decorating Whitehall Palace and preparing for twelve days of festive food, masques and revelry. But Lady Catrin Surovell, Countess of Ashbourne, cannot find her celebratory spirit. The queen has asked her to stop a brute who has forced the waifs of London to work for him. The boys are being beaten or killed if they don’t help him extort money from the wealthy. And it seems the brute may be someone at Court. 

But Catrin’s attempt to find him are disturbed by a mischief-maker who is taking every opportunity to ruin the Christmas festivities, leaving the queen in great distress. At each scene of chaos Catrin finds a perfume bottle, all with their own unique scent. Is the disruption linked to the brute at court? Or is someone else hell-bent on destroying the queen’s festivities? And can Catrin solve both mysteries before someone ends up in grave danger…? 

GRAVE MERRIMENT is the fourth book in the Catrin Surovell Tudor Mystery Series. It is an exciting historical thriller set at the court of Elizabeth I.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Queens at War: England's Medieval Queens by Alison Weir (Book Four)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Queens at War: England's Medieval Queens, by Alison Weir. I have read the first two books in this series. Weir is a superb historian and storyteller. This book features the queens from the 1400's who found themselves caught up in the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses. This includes Joan of Navarre, Katherine of Valois, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Anne Neville. I can’t wait to read it. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

History/Medieval History

December 2, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

Triumph and tragedy, love and loss, murder and malice in the lives of five fifteenth-century queens. The fifteenth century was a turbulent the Hundred Years War between England and France, and the Wars of the Roses dominated the lives of people both inside and out of the royal courts.

Joan of Navarre, Katherine of Valois, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Wydeville and Anne Neville were the queens who stood by England's sovereigns, caught up in wars that changed the course of their lives, and the course of history. They were also formidable women who defied the limitations of their times, often living out the brutal consequences of their determination.

Alison Weir uncovers their stories in this final volume of her ground-breaking series on the queens of medieval England. Queens at War is a stunning culmination of research by a historian at the full extent of her powers and gripping account of five women on the throne.

The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court by Susan Abernethey

 

Publication Date:

December 30, 2025

Genre:  

History/Medieval History

Length:   

 224 pages

Series: No

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The formation of the Burgundian Empire by the four Valois Dukes of Burgundy would not have happened without the formidable royal and aristocratic women in their lives. These women, the wives, daughters, nieces, granddaughters and great-granddaughters, were vigorously engaged in the administration of the Burgundian empire, acting as governors and regents, making appointments, securing and making strategic marriages, raising taxes, negotiating treaties, engaging in cultural, religious and political patronage, giving birth to heirs and aiding in the military endeavours of their husbands. The history of these women involves numerous countries in Europe, including England, Scotland, France, Brittany, the Low Countries, Italy, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and many others.

Some of these women lived in luxurious comfort, and others were bullied and badgered into turning over some or all of their patrimony, allowing these all-powerful men to build an influential and powerful new state comprised of a numerous and varied collection of territories in Western Europe that existed from the late fourteenth century until the early sixteenth century.

We will meet women who were the daughters of kings, emperors, dukes and counts and even a queen regnant and a saint. The Valois dukes fully entrusted their wives with ruling in their stead while away fighting military and political wars. They used a deliberate policy of making marriages for their daughters and other female relatives into the many houses of Europe for political and territorial gains. In the end, the last Valois duke, Charles the Bold, put in motion a marriage for his daughter Mary, which would eventually bring about the end of the mighty Burgundian state, allowing it to be ruled by the House of Habsburg and absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire.

My Thoughts:

This was an ARC I was lucky to receive and has yet to be published. Focusing on first the history of the Burgundian Empire, the author establishes great background information to help the reader understand the formation of the country up to the reign of Charles the Bold. This wasn't the most interesting part for me but it did give me facts about Burgundy I'd never have found otherwise. Then she shifts her focus to the women who were either influential or reigned. This picks up in an era I'm more familiar with but wanted to know much more about. People like Margaret of England and Isabeau of Bavaria. She is especially fascinating as the wife of Charles the Mad King and mother of Henry V's wife, Catherine of Valois.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court by Susan Abernethy

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court, by Susan Abernethy. This book is all about the Burgundian women of Europe who shaped politics through their connections with the rulers of the Valois dynasty in Burgundy. 

Before you think this is boring and worth skipping (I would have too at one time), consider that these women were instrumental in and all around Europe in the 14th-16th Centuries and involved in politics that carried to the players in the Wars of the Roses, the Tudor dynasty and on. I would not ever have thought I'd be interested in what happened in Burgundy or France but over time have seen how the history there was the beginning of these other more well known stories of Edward IV and Henry Tudor. 

I'm sure to learn a lot from this very unique book. I have a really hard time finding anything about the time period from 1400's-1600's France and Burgundy. I'm excited to see what new things I can learn. Trying to get it on NetGalley as an ARC. Fingers crossed!

History/Medieval History

 October 31, 2025

Book description courtesy of NetGalley

The formation of the Burgundian Empire by the four Valois Dukes of Burgundy would not have happened without the formidable royal and aristocratic women in their lives. These women, the wives, daughters, nieces, granddaughters and great-granddaughters, were vigorously engaged in the administration of the Burgundian empire, acting as governors and regents, making appointments, securing and making strategic marriages, raising taxes, negotiating treaties, engaging in cultural, religious and political patronage, giving birth to heirs and aiding in the military endeavours of their husbands. The history of these women involves numerous countries in Europe, including England, Scotland, France, Brittany, the Low Countries, Italy, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and many others.

Some of these women lived in luxurious comfort, and others were bullied and badgered into turning over some or all of their patrimony, allowing these all-powerful men to build an influential and powerful new state comprised of a numerous and varied collection of territories in Western Europe that existed from the late fourteenth century until the early sixteenth century.

We will meet women who were the daughters of kings, emperors, dukes and counts and even a queen regnant and a saint. The Valois dukes fully entrusted their wives with ruling in their stead while away fighting military and political wars. They used a deliberate policy of making marriages for their daughters and other female relatives into the many houses of Europe for political and territorial gains. In the end, the last Valois duke, Charles the Bold, put in motion a marriage for his daughter Mary, which would eventually bring about the end of the mighty Burgundian state, allowing it to be ruled by the House of Habsburg and absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire.

Noteworthy News #10: The Glass King

I am always raving about my favorite podcasts and this Noteworthy News is no different. I have enjoyed Dan Jones' podcast called This is History so much and looking forward to Season 8 which is starting soon. It will cover the reign of Henry V and he just published his latest book about him too. If you haven't read his books or listened to his podcast you are missing out big time!!

While waiting for Season 8, Jones is having a friend and author, Daniele Cybulskie take the reigns and her six episode series is called "The Glass King." It covers the reign of Charles VI of France also known as Charles the Mad due to his mental instability and what we now think was either bi polar disorder or schizophrenia. I have had a hard time finding books on French medieval history and shows that don't just focus on how France relates to England during that time period. So this was right up my alley and it is soooo good! She tells it in such a great narrative style and explains how his mental troubles contributed to civil war in France and how that affected Europe as a whole. You really get to know Charles and feel such sympathy for him. 

Those of you who have read In a Dark Wandering Wood  by Hella Haasse will really like it. I'm still working my way through that book about that time period and setting. In the podcast Cybulskie also brings to life Charles' spirited and smart wife, Isabeau of Bavaria and Charles' scheming brothers and uncles . The family almost reminds me of the Mafia, like an episode of The Sopranos, but French medieval style, lol.  It is like listening to a great historical movie. Even if you don't know anything about French history (like me, very green on this subject!) you will be fascinated by the story. 

And if you love English history, don't forget that Charles married his two daughters off to two Kings of England: Isabella to Richard II and Catherine to Henry the V. She is the mother of Henry VI, another king with mental troubles. It all ties together and makes for the most fascinating tale.

So if you need something to listen to on the way to work or wherever check out This is History: A Dynasty to Die For "The Glass King." Each episode is around 30-40 minutes, so not some huge time commitment like a full audio book. Happy listening ya'll!