The Wars of the Roses
Oct 2011 · Sold by Ballantine Books
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36 reviews
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About this ebook
The New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose presents a “masterful [and] revealingly detailed” (The Boston Globe) account of the epic clash for the throne between the royal houses of Lancaster and York—a blistering period in English history that impacted the monarchy forever.
“Weir has perfected the art of bringing history to life.”—Chicago Tribune
Lancaster and York. For much of the fifteenth century, these two families were locked in battle for control of the British monarchy. Kings were murdered and deposed. Armies marched on London. Old noble names were ruined while rising dynasties seized power and lands. The war between the royal Houses of Lancaster and York, the longest and most complex in British history, profoundly altered the course of the monarchy.
The first battle erupted in 1455, but the roots of the conflict reached back to the dawn of the fifteenth century, when the corrupt, hedonistic Richard II was sadistically murdered, and Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king, seized England’s throne. Both Henry IV and his son, the cold warrior Henry V, ruled England ably, if not always wisely—but Henry VI proved a disaster, both for his dynasty and his kingdom. The factional fighting that plagued his reign escalated into bloody war when Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, laid claim to the throne that was rightfully his—and backed up his claim with armed might.
In The Wars of the Roses, Alison Weir brings brilliantly to life both the war itself and the historic figures who fought it on the great stage of England. This is history at its very best—swift and compelling, rich in character, pageantry, and drama, and vivid in its re-creation of an astonishing, dangerous, and often grim period of history.
“Weir has perfected the art of bringing history to life.”—Chicago Tribune
Lancaster and York. For much of the fifteenth century, these two families were locked in battle for control of the British monarchy. Kings were murdered and deposed. Armies marched on London. Old noble names were ruined while rising dynasties seized power and lands. The war between the royal Houses of Lancaster and York, the longest and most complex in British history, profoundly altered the course of the monarchy.
The first battle erupted in 1455, but the roots of the conflict reached back to the dawn of the fifteenth century, when the corrupt, hedonistic Richard II was sadistically murdered, and Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king, seized England’s throne. Both Henry IV and his son, the cold warrior Henry V, ruled England ably, if not always wisely—but Henry VI proved a disaster, both for his dynasty and his kingdom. The factional fighting that plagued his reign escalated into bloody war when Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, laid claim to the throne that was rightfully his—and backed up his claim with armed might.
In The Wars of the Roses, Alison Weir brings brilliantly to life both the war itself and the historic figures who fought it on the great stage of England. This is history at its very best—swift and compelling, rich in character, pageantry, and drama, and vivid in its re-creation of an astonishing, dangerous, and often grim period of history.
The New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose presents a “masterful [and] revealingly detailed” (The Boston Globe) account of the epic clash for the throne between the royal houses of Lancaster and York—a blistering period in English history that impacted the monarchy forever.
“We...
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Ratings and reviews
36 reviews
Minerva Casterly
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June 5, 2014
A vey detailed account, giving the background that led to the conflict known for many years as the wars of the roses. The books ends in 1471 with a quick summary of what happened afterwards.
danni8806
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December 5, 2014
Well written, very interesting. The character development is great, really gives you a strong concept of what transpired and why. Author is unafraid to go off ona tangent if it aids the readers understanding. Also unafraid to delve into gray areas of history without being deceiving or misleading about the facts.
reese gee
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November 10, 2014
Alison Weir's grasp of history and storytelling is masterful!
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Alison Weir is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen; The Marriage Game, A Dangerous Inheritance; Captive Queen; The Lady Elizabeth; and Innocent Traitor and numerous historical biographies, including The Lost Tudor Princess, Elizabeth of York, Mary Boleyn, The Lady in the Tower, Mistress of the Monarchy, Henry VIII, Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Life of Elizabeth I, and The Six Wives of Henry VIII. She lives in Surrey, England, with her husband.
Alison Weir is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen; The Marriage Game, A Dangerous Inheritance; Captive Queen; The Lady Elizabeth; and Innocent Traitor and numerous historical biographies, including The Lost Tudor Princess, Elizabeth of York, Ma...
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