The Wars of the Roses (ISBN 0345404335)

Lots of details, some confusion, but that comes with the territory.:
Weir is a fine writer of accessible history, and is my default "go-to" author when looking to expand my reading in the area of English history. This book is more readable than other biographies and treatments of the people and events of the time, but the sheer number of personages, often going by multiple titles, can still leave your head spinning. But then again, we're talking about a time when people would suddenly change sides, often in the very middle of a battle, joining with a formerly-hated enemy to have at someone who they had sworn allegiance to before (and who might even be a sibling). All this is to say that some confusion comes with the territory. In Weir's treatement, the Wars of the Roses become largely a personal affair, with the social, political, and economic issues largely coming up as the *results* of the conflict, not as causes. She makes a pretty good case that this is an accurate way of understanding the events, particularly in the final chapter (which, along with the first chapter, can by themselves give a rader a decent overall sense of the major causes/effects for readers not ready or willing to dive into the details of names and dates). If anything, a bit more of the social history of the time would be welcome, to put the conflict into context. This would probably offer a slightly more valuable overview of the period, even if it came at the expense of some of the fine details of who occupied what castle on what day. Having said that, I have a much better understanding of the period than I did before, which is what I came to the book for. It also, by the way, would make a good background reading before tackling Shakespeare's history plays covering this era, which often go unread because the history invovled seems inaccessible to modern audiences.

Confusing By Its Nature:
Mid-15th century European History is a fascinating period. In addition to the War of the Roses, the struggle for the throne of England, western Europe was also in turmoil as the French monarchs battled both the English crown and the Burgundian Dukes. This book details the history of these conflicts. By its nature, this history can be terribly confusing. Threading your way through the various lines of succesion can leave a reader scratching his/her head in an effort to differentiate the various Richards, Edwards and Henrys, not to mention the constantly changing holders of the many dukedoms and earldoms that play into the story. While Weir does a servicable job, I can't help but believe that she could have done better in this regard. Of course, the story revolves around the struggle for the British throne following the death of Richard II in 1400. At that point, the throne was usurped by Henry IV, then Duke of Lancaster, setting off the near century long struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York. Following the amazingly successful reign of Henry V, in which most of Western France came under the control of the British crown, conflict ensued with the crowning of the mentally unstable and unsuitable Henry VI, who lost the continental gains of his predecessor. There followed a virtual musical chairs scenario wherein the Lancaster and York candidates traded the throne between them for a period of near 50 years. Playing in the background was the continental conflict between France and Burgundy and the constantly shifting loyalties of the British peerage. The rapidity and constancy with which the various Dukes and Earls switched sides is astonishing. Many heads rolled as a consequence. As noted, the lineages are devilishly confusing as a result of the inbreeding between the major houses and the constantly changing holders of major titles by which the actors are identified. The author includes numerous genealogical tables, however their form is not as helpful as it could be. In addition, there is an extreme paucity of maps which could have helped to follow the story immensely. In reading this book, it is my suggestion to read it in as few sittings as possible. Each time you pick up the book, a certain amount of time is required to identify the characters and historical setting. This is not the kind of book that you can expect to read in stretches of 25-30 pages at a time. It is, nonetheless, a fascinating story and one well worth learning. The author is to be commended for taking on a difficult task, though in my opinion she just misses the mark.

Wonderful Book:
Loved this book, if you love history, you will love this well-researched and thorough book. Very interesting and vivid.

Medieval Times in plain language:
The Wars of the Roses are much spoken of but little understood. Alison Weir captures the age in book after book. This book is no exception. Embroidered with fascinating facts through out a tale of intrigue alongside politial outcomes which affect us today, Ms Weir touches upon the human elements which make her books worth reading.

Both detailed and a fascinating read:
In this volume, Alison Weir yet again proves her skill and talent in providing a comprehensive history of her subject, while at the same time Engaging the reader with an exciting pleasure to read. The author proves again and again just how exciting history can be. Weir sets the scene with a rich social, economic , cultural and political description of 15th century England . Weir begins the actual account with the events leading up to the War of the Roses, starting with the reign Of Edward III, who lived in great splendour in the royal residences which he enlarged and beautified and his court was a great centre of chivalry. Edward began the Hundred Years War with France , and captured large swathes of French territory, winning great victories at Sluys, Crecy and Poitiers. It was between Edward's descendants that the wars of succession known as the Wars of the Roses took place. Edward's grandson Richard II,s disastrous reign was ended when he was deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke who became Henry IV. Richard was murdered in Pontefract Castle in 1400 and so Weir describes the Wars of the Roses as being caused by a murder in 1400 and ended by a murder in 1471 (that of Henry VI). The complex family histories of the various royal dynasties can be complicated to follow but the simplified genealogical tables at the back of the book are indispensable to understanding them and makes it much easier to follow. The Wars actually began during the reign of Henry VI, when the rival houses of York and Lancaster took up arms in a struggle for supremacy. The Lancastrians, the party of Henry VI and his formidable wife, Queen Margaret of Anjou, looked mostly to the north of England for support, while the Yorkists (led by Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York (Henry Vi's cousin) and Richard, Neville the Earl of Warwick were stronger in London in the south. As the author explains Margaret was particularly hated in London. The author details the first two phases of the war, the battles lost and won and the great bloodhsed caused. She focuses on the personalities of the central players and the relationships, tracing the lives of such people as the Duke of York, Margaret of Anjou , the half-mad and extremely pious Henry VI, and Richard, Nevill Eral of Warwick. she also covers the political intrigues most expertly. The interplay is fascinating. It is a pleasure to read. We read of accounts by the Croyland chronicler, regadring the terror of the monks of his abbey, and the nearby villages during the Lancastrian advance on London. The author is of the opinion, which she substantiates well, that Edward IV was not a usurper as Henry IV had been, but a rightful heir to the throne of the Plantaganets, legitimately restored to the throne, 62 years after it had usurped by the House of Lancaster. "As King, Edward excelled Henry VI in every way, especially as a statesman and general. He was a firm and resolute ruler, shrewd and astute, and has real ability and business acumen, as well as the ability to apply himself...The common touch came naturally to him....on a personal level he enjoyed great popularity". During Edward's reign the Black Book of the Household was drawn up in which was detailed the rights and duties of all members of the royal household as well as the etiquette and details of ceremonial to be observed at court. Weir talks about the murder of Henry VI, who was certainly executed on Edward IV's order's, probably in the presence of the Duke of Gloucester (probably Richard III). She also tells us of the tragic fate of the once proud and feisty Queen Margaret, who was imprisoned by Edward, and later died in great poverty in France. Weir provides both a detailed history and an exciting read.