The Making of Henry V
In the early autumn of 1386, Henry Bolingbroke had cause for celebration. His beloved wife Mary had just given birth to his first son at Monmouth Castle in Wales. For this reason, the boy would… Read More »The Making of Henry V
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Wars of the Roses
Imposter or Pretender?
In 1491, a well-dressed young man appeared at the port of Cork in Ireland claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, son of Edward IV and rightful king of England. Over the next few years, he… Read More »Imposter or Pretender?
Henry IV Part 2 – The Founding of a Dynasty
It was 22nd July 1403. Henry IV had just won the battle of Shrewsbury. He had been in power for less than four years and already endured considerable dissent and rebellion. Nevertheless, in defeating Hotspur… Read More »Henry IV Part 2 – The Founding of a Dynasty
Henry IV Part 1 – The Elected King
Henry IV became king in the autumn of 1399 after the violent overthrow of Richard II. At the time he assumed the throne with huge popular support. However, much of this support was born… Read More »Henry IV Part 1 – The Elected King
The Adventures of Young Henry of Bolingbroke
In the late 1398, Henry Bolingbroke fell out of favour with King Richard II and was exiled. Within a year he returned and seized the throne to become King Henry IV. The story of… Read More »The Adventures of Young Henry of Bolingbroke
The Tyranny of Richard II
Between 3 February and 4 June 1388, the so-called Merciless Parliament effectively stripped Richard II of power. The Parliament asserted that the 21-year-old monarch was too immature and too easily influenced by corrupt hangers-on to… Read More »The Tyranny of Richard II
The Wars of the Roses 2-Richard II, the Boy King
It was the summer of 1377, and the old king was dead. His grandson, a boy of just 10 years old, succeeded him as Richard II. Richard’s reign would end with his violent overthrow and… Read More »The Wars of the Roses 2-Richard II, the Boy King
Women in the 15th Century – A Tale of Three Margarets
In 1859 Mary Ann Evans published her first novel under the pen name ‘George Elliot’. She used a pseudonym because she did not believe Victorian society would take women as writers seriously. In the early… Read More »Women in the 15th Century – A Tale of Three Margarets
The Wars of the Roses and the fall of the Plantagenets
Part 1 – the End of an Age The Wars of the Roses heralded the end of an age. The hostilities decimated a great many of the leading noble families of England. Most significantly of… Read More »The Wars of the Roses and the fall of the Plantagenets