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Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 Matthew Strickland

Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 By Matthew Strickland

Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 by Matthew Strickland


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Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 Summary

Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 by Matthew Strickland

This first modern study of Henry the Young King, eldest son of Henry II but the least known Plantagenet monarch, explores the brief but eventful life of the only English ruler after the Norman Conquest to be created co-ruler in his fathers lifetime. Crowned at fifteen to secure an undisputed succession, Henry played a central role in the politics of Henry IIs great empire and was hailed as the embodiment of chivalry. Yet, consistently denied direct rule, the Young King was provoked first into heading a major rebellion against his father, then to waging a bitter war against his brother Richard for control of Aquitaine, dying before reaching the age of thirty having never assumed actual power. In this remarkable history, Matthew Strickland provides a richly colored portrait of an all-but-forgotten royal figure tutored by Thomas Becket, trained in arms by the great knight William Marshal, and incited to rebellion by his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, while using his career to explore the nature of kingship, succession, dynastic politics, and rebellion in twelfth-century England and France.

Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 Reviews

'In Matthew Stricklands study of King Henry, royal son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, we have not just the fascinating narrative of a flawed heros turbulent life but also a brilliant analysis of the culture of politics at the Angevin court.' - John Gillingham, author of Richard I -- John Gillingham
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 WOLFSON PRIZE -- Wolfson Prize * Wolfson Foundation *
[Henry] was at the centre of European politics, as Matthew Stricklands excellent biography (the first book length study for nearly a century) demonstrates Drawing his considerable expertise in the Angevin world and on close engagement with his source materia, Strickland paints a compelling portrait of the Young King as a flawed hero.Katherine Harvey, TLS -- Katherine Harvey * TLS *
Stricklands book is a marvellous act of recovery of a mostly forgotten life, and a recreation of a world veering between elaborate chivalry and uncompromising realpolitik enriches our understanding of the Middle Ages, and to banish once and for all the notion that this was a time any less sophisticated, cultured or more mindlessly violent than our own.David Horspool, Spectator -- David Horspool * Spectator *
Stricklands deeply researched, richly textured work will be of enormous value to specialists, while general readers will also find much to enjoy in a commendably lucid and entertaining book.Thomas Asbridge, BBC History -- Thomas Asbridge * BBC History *
Prof. Strickland is too good and balanced a historian to be seduced by the glamour and poignancy of the Young Kings story. The young mans faults are never ignored, they are simply contextualised and explained better than any previous author has done.David Crouch, Reviews in History -- David Crouch * Reviews in History *
Strickland rescues Henry from obscurity in this deeply researched biography . . . [a] splendid piece of craftsmanship.L. W. Marvin, Choice -- L. W. Marvin * Choice *
Strickland expertly addresses this imbalanced legacy, building on his previous work to argue that Henrys role in twelfth-century Angevin politics is not only more complex than has been previously considered, but is also crucial to understanding the nature of events at the time . . . in renegotiating familiar source material, Strickland has provided readers with a fresh picture of an important Medieval figure who has long been deserving of such an excellent biography.Thomas Chadwick, Royal Studies -- Thomas Chadwick * Royal Studies *

About Matthew Strickland

An expert on political culture, chivalry, and medieval warfare, Matthew Strickland is professor of medieval history at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Additional information

GOR008675038
9780300215519
0300215517
Henry the Young King, 1155-1183 by Matthew Strickland
Used - Like New
Hardback
Yale University Press
2016-06-14
496
Short-listed for Wolfson History Prize 2017
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

Customer Reviews - Henry the Young King, 1155-1183