Henry IV
Published on 2. February 2016
Book
Hardback
608 pages
978-0-300-15419-1 (ISBN)
Description
This definitive biography of England's Henry IV reassesses the adversities of his reign, his ruthlessness and extravagance, and his previously unrecognized successes
"This wonderful biography of the first of the Lancastrian kings is no less accomplished than its subject. . . . A vivid and captivating study of England's most neglected late medieval ruler."-David Green, author of The Hundred Years War
Henry IV (1399-1413), the son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, seized the English throne at the age of thirty-two from his cousin Richard II and held it until his death, aged forty-five, when he was succeeded by his son, Henry V. This comprehensive and nuanced biography restores to his rightful place a king often overlooked in favor of his illustrious progeny.
Henry faced the usual problems of usurpers: foreign wars, rebellions, and plots, as well as the ambitions and demands of the Lancastrian retainers who had helped him win the throne. By 1406 his rule was broadly established, and although he became ill shortly after this and never fully recovered, he retained ultimate power until his death. Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters.
"This wonderful biography of the first of the Lancastrian kings is no less accomplished than its subject. . . . A vivid and captivating study of England's most neglected late medieval ruler."-David Green, author of The Hundred Years War
Henry IV (1399-1413), the son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, seized the English throne at the age of thirty-two from his cousin Richard II and held it until his death, aged forty-five, when he was succeeded by his son, Henry V. This comprehensive and nuanced biography restores to his rightful place a king often overlooked in favor of his illustrious progeny.
Henry faced the usual problems of usurpers: foreign wars, rebellions, and plots, as well as the ambitions and demands of the Lancastrian retainers who had helped him win the throne. By 1406 his rule was broadly established, and although he became ill shortly after this and never fully recovered, he retained ultimate power until his death. Using a wide variety of previously untapped archival materials, Chris Given-Wilson reveals a cultured, extravagant, and skeptical monarch who crushed opposition ruthlessly but never quite succeeded in satisfying the expectations of his own supporters.
Reviews / Votes
"Excellent... clear, crisp, and full of nuance... the standard account of Henry IV for years to come."-Judges, Wolfson History Prize -- Judges * Wolfson Foundation * "This scholarly and readable contributor to Yale's English Monarchs series fills an important gap... an impressive achievement, a considered and well-rounded account in which youth and old age get their proper share of attention and the darker periods are lit up by the skilful use of published and unpublished records."-Jonathan Sumption, Literary Review -- Jonathan Sumption * Literary Review * "Given-Wilson's very substantial biography brings Henry IV out of the shadows. It is as good a study of an English king as one could desire: deeply researched, admirably comprehensive, well considered and competently told. Without neglecting the details the story requires, the narrative never falters, and the pace is compelling throughout."-Nicholas Orme, Church Times -- Nicholas Orme * Church Times * "In a fine-grained account laced with deep scholarship and lucid historical insight, Given-Wilson shows not only the drama of Richard's fall, complete with greyhounds and golden robes, but the domino-effect destabilization caused by Henry's pivotal dilemma."-Helen Castor, TLS -- Helen Castor * TLS * "In this magnificent new study, Chris Given-Wilson gives us an account of Henry IV's life rooted in the fullest possible trawl through the sources."-Nigel Saul, History Today -- Nigel Saul * History Today * "[A] clearly written, vivid account . . . A splendid addition to Yale's 'English Monarchs' series."-A. C. Reeves, Choice -- A. C. Reeves * Choice *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
16 pp. b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
1157 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-15419-1 (9780300154191)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Chris Given-Wilson
Henry IV
E-Book
02/2016
1st Edition
Yale University Press
€43.20
Available for download
Person
Chris Given-Wilson is emeritus professor of medieval history, University of St. Andrews, and author of nine books on medieval history. He lives in Fife, UK.