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Brothers York
In early 1461, a seventeen-year-old boy won a battle on a freezing morning in the Welsh marches, and claimed the crown of England as Edward IV, first king of the usurping house of York. It was a time when old certainties had been shredded: by popular insurgency, economic crisis, feuding and a corrupt, bankrupt government presided over by the imbecilic, Lancastrian King Henry VI. The country was in need of a new hero. Magnetic, narcissistic, Edward found himself on the throne, and alongside him his two younger brothers: the unstable, petulant George, Duke of Clarence, and the boy who would emerge from his shadow, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Charismatic, able and ambitious, the brothers would become the figureheads of a spectacular ruling dynasty, one that laid the foundations for a renewal of English royal power. Yet a web of grudges and resentments grew between them, generating a destructive sequence of conspiracy, rebellion, deposition, fratricide, usurpation and regicide. The house of York's brutal end came on 22August 1485 at Bosworth Field, with the death of the youngest brother, now Richard III, at the hands of a new usurper, Henry Tudor.
Brothers York is the story of three remarkable brothers, two of whom were crowned kings of England and the other an heir presumptive, whose antagonism was fuelled by the mistrust and vendettas of the age that brought their family to power. The house of York should have been the dynasty that the Tudors became. Its tragedy was that it devoured itself.
Charismatic, able and ambitious, the brothers would become the figureheads of a spectacular ruling dynasty, one that laid the foundations for a renewal of English royal power. Yet a web of grudges and resentments grew between them, generating a destructive sequence of conspiracy, rebellion, deposition, fratricide, usurpation and regicide. The house of York's brutal end came on 22August 1485 at Bosworth Field, with the death of the youngest brother, now Richard III, at the hands of a new usurper, Henry Tudor.
Brothers York is the story of three remarkable brothers, two of whom were crowned kings of England and the other an heir presumptive, whose antagonism was fuelled by the mistrust and vendettas of the age that brought their family to power. The house of York should have been the dynasty that the Tudors became. Its tragedy was that it devoured itself.
688 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
March 17, 2021
Thomas Penn's account of the York brothers, Edward (IV), Clarence and Richard (III), the sons of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York (1411-1460) is enjoyable and lively. It is an account of a period of history, the later Plantagenet period and the war of the roses, that was significant and formative in what happened during and after 1485.
The story of the leading families and the dominant houses of York and Lancaster is one of deceit, murder, violence, rebellion, battles and war and treachery in a period where Britain was seeing changes with its feudal system and the demographic and economic aftermath of the Black Death; new technology, a resurgent and powerful France, and trade embargoes and disputes.
The author writes of these and those who were involved in good detail and with pace and verve. But, and why I rate this as a strong three stars, is there is no analysis or deeper discussion about the men and women involved. The points I mention above in respect of economy and politics is discussed at a, for me, too brief and light a level. There is little or no insight into how these men influenced each other, became powerful and forged alliances and influence to create the conditions for treason, war and murder. How did they communicate with each other at home and indeed abroad directly and through third-parties? How were the wars funded against a rising cost of wages and inflation with fewer men to serve the ranks and support the armies, and also work and keep their estates running as they chased around the country? How did the taxes needed and raised for war impact the people's morale and influence the rebellions that needed to be stoked or put down? Given religion is such a strong influence and deliberator in royal and high-status lives (and indeed across society as a whole) how was the church influencing and trying to progress, change or seek outcomes?
Overall, a good, gripping and exciting account of Edward, Clarence and Richard and their lives and times but lacking the analysis and depth that the book, the main characters and the subject deserves.
The story of the leading families and the dominant houses of York and Lancaster is one of deceit, murder, violence, rebellion, battles and war and treachery in a period where Britain was seeing changes with its feudal system and the demographic and economic aftermath of the Black Death; new technology, a resurgent and powerful France, and trade embargoes and disputes.
The author writes of these and those who were involved in good detail and with pace and verve. But, and why I rate this as a strong three stars, is there is no analysis or deeper discussion about the men and women involved. The points I mention above in respect of economy and politics is discussed at a, for me, too brief and light a level. There is little or no insight into how these men influenced each other, became powerful and forged alliances and influence to create the conditions for treason, war and murder. How did they communicate with each other at home and indeed abroad directly and through third-parties? How were the wars funded against a rising cost of wages and inflation with fewer men to serve the ranks and support the armies, and also work and keep their estates running as they chased around the country? How did the taxes needed and raised for war impact the people's morale and influence the rebellions that needed to be stoked or put down? Given religion is such a strong influence and deliberator in royal and high-status lives (and indeed across society as a whole) how was the church influencing and trying to progress, change or seek outcomes?
Overall, a good, gripping and exciting account of Edward, Clarence and Richard and their lives and times but lacking the analysis and depth that the book, the main characters and the subject deserves.
September 27, 2019
The book starts in the year 1461 with the rivalry between the Houses of York and Lancaster rumbling on in the ‘Wars of the Roses’. Currently, Lancastrians are ascendant with Henry VI as king but he is weak although his wife Margaret of Anjou is most definitely not. The Yorkist leader is Richard whose three sons are the subject of this book. Edward the future Edward IV, George and Richard (III). The book started with the fantastic image of three suns in the sky, a prophetic harbinger of things to come. The events described in this book make HBO’s Succession look like a polite tea party!
I really enjoyed this meticulous book which explained this period with great clarity. I think a cast of characters would be very helpful as even though I have a background in history and know this period reasonably well, I thought my head would explode as it felt like a cast of five thousand! Particular respect goes to Margaret of Anjou whose astute leadership made the Yorkists life difficult and to Warwick, the Kingmaker whose ambitious machinations and hunger for power often dominates the proceedings.
What of the brothers? Edward reminds me so much of Henry VIII - they even look alike! Edward looks the part. He wants to dazzle, he’s ruthless but prone to bingeing and womanising, he has periods of manic energy followed by listlessness. He constantly has to fight to maintain his crown as his claim is flimsy (1461 -70, 71-83) and indeed looses it for a spell. George, Duke of Clarence is sensitive, pushy, power hungry, duplicitous, jealous, an ingrate with a huge sense of entitlement. He betrays his brothers and is murdered. Richard is probably the best of the bunch despite how he has been portrayed. He is tall, slim, courageous, very clever and bookish, intense, a skilled soldier with firm views on knightly conduct, loyal to Edward, trustworthy and reliable. As time went on the pain of his scoliosis is evident. As king he says the right thing but circumstances forced changes to his agenda. We’ll draw a veil over the fate of the princes as we simply don’t know and Thomas Penn rightly made no conclusions.
The book clearly shows how the country is ripped apart almost family by family. This is one of the most tragic periods in our history which Penn demonstrates very well . It’s got everything a fictional thriller contains from treachery to murder, recklessness to betrayal and everything in between. I would have liked a bigger focus on the three men themselves as that is what the title implies as I felt it is more a documentary of the period. I would have liked more assessment or analysis of them possibly in some sort of conclusion which it lacked. If you want to understand more about the period then this book ticks all the boxes and is highly recommended. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I really enjoyed this meticulous book which explained this period with great clarity. I think a cast of characters would be very helpful as even though I have a background in history and know this period reasonably well, I thought my head would explode as it felt like a cast of five thousand! Particular respect goes to Margaret of Anjou whose astute leadership made the Yorkists life difficult and to Warwick, the Kingmaker whose ambitious machinations and hunger for power often dominates the proceedings.
What of the brothers? Edward reminds me so much of Henry VIII - they even look alike! Edward looks the part. He wants to dazzle, he’s ruthless but prone to bingeing and womanising, he has periods of manic energy followed by listlessness. He constantly has to fight to maintain his crown as his claim is flimsy (1461 -70, 71-83) and indeed looses it for a spell. George, Duke of Clarence is sensitive, pushy, power hungry, duplicitous, jealous, an ingrate with a huge sense of entitlement. He betrays his brothers and is murdered. Richard is probably the best of the bunch despite how he has been portrayed. He is tall, slim, courageous, very clever and bookish, intense, a skilled soldier with firm views on knightly conduct, loyal to Edward, trustworthy and reliable. As time went on the pain of his scoliosis is evident. As king he says the right thing but circumstances forced changes to his agenda. We’ll draw a veil over the fate of the princes as we simply don’t know and Thomas Penn rightly made no conclusions.
The book clearly shows how the country is ripped apart almost family by family. This is one of the most tragic periods in our history which Penn demonstrates very well . It’s got everything a fictional thriller contains from treachery to murder, recklessness to betrayal and everything in between. I would have liked a bigger focus on the three men themselves as that is what the title implies as I felt it is more a documentary of the period. I would have liked more assessment or analysis of them possibly in some sort of conclusion which it lacked. If you want to understand more about the period then this book ticks all the boxes and is highly recommended. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.
September 29, 2019
Although this claims to 'cast[s] the War of the Roses in a fresh light' I'm not convinced that it does - which doesn't detract from the story at all, but I'm not sure there's anything new here. Penn's intent of focusing on the three York brothers - Edward, George and Richard - becomes skewed as Edward doesn't die till close to the end of the book and only the final 15% or so concentrates on Richard's 'power grab' (as Penn would likely say). Clarence has his moment in the middle of the book, as we'd expect.
This is definitely a cross-over book: it's written with an eye on a generalist audience and uses familiar and studiedly unacademic language ('as the leader of a power bloc', 'with the Yorkists positioning themselves as the champions of big business', 'they were unprepared for the bombshell Edward now dropped') to tell its story. Superscripts are kept to a minimum but 15% of the Kindle edition is endnotes and references so it appears to be sourced properly.
As someone who only knows this story via fiction, I was interested to read a history. I especially like that Penn clarifies the complicated politics between France, Burgundy and the warring English factions. Also any fans of Dunnett's House of Niccolo Series will be delighted to find the alum monopoly here as well as Tommaso Portinari, the Medici representative in Bruges, making an appearance.
That said, it's disappointing that Penn glosses over the mystery of the princes in the tower without explicitly acknowledging that we don't know what happened - the boys just 'disappear'. I'd have been interested in his view, even if speculative, perhaps as an afterword. He also restores Richard's back problems (scoliosis) and a raised shoulder.
Penn doesn't seem to like anyone though does seem unbiased - everyone's pretty reprehensible in this story! This isn't the liveliest of histories but it feels more grounded than some of the more popular retellings. An informative and detailed read.
Thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.
This is definitely a cross-over book: it's written with an eye on a generalist audience and uses familiar and studiedly unacademic language ('as the leader of a power bloc', 'with the Yorkists positioning themselves as the champions of big business', 'they were unprepared for the bombshell Edward now dropped') to tell its story. Superscripts are kept to a minimum but 15% of the Kindle edition is endnotes and references so it appears to be sourced properly.
As someone who only knows this story via fiction, I was interested to read a history. I especially like that Penn clarifies the complicated politics between France, Burgundy and the warring English factions. Also any fans of Dunnett's House of Niccolo Series will be delighted to find the alum monopoly here as well as Tommaso Portinari, the Medici representative in Bruges, making an appearance.
That said, it's disappointing that Penn glosses over the mystery of the princes in the tower without explicitly acknowledging that we don't know what happened - the boys just 'disappear'. I'd have been interested in his view, even if speculative, perhaps as an afterword. He also restores Richard's back problems (scoliosis) and a raised shoulder.
Penn doesn't seem to like anyone though does seem unbiased - everyone's pretty reprehensible in this story! This isn't the liveliest of histories but it feels more grounded than some of the more popular retellings. An informative and detailed read.
Thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.
Read
February 25, 2021A good overview of the period covered by Shakespeare in the Henry VI/Richard III sequence. One thing that really comes across is, frankly, what a shambles it all was. Men scrapping in the mud, lies, cheating, outright theft and murder, all covered with a tissue thin layer of religion and monarchy and whatever. It's very clarifying about the period and its politics and how the Yorkist internecine squabbles and their ramifications ended up ripping England apart for a century. Interesting and even-handed on Richard III, who clearly had both potential and intentions to rule well, but was all too easily driven into a paranoid death spiral. Penn doesn't take an overt stance on who killed the princes in the tower, but also doesn't give any space to implausible theories of how Henry Tudor could have arranged their deaths from France while being a nonentity.
(Let me pause here to say that if you are even now typing up a furious defence of Richard III, planning to recommend me The Daughter of Time, etc, kindly save us both the effort and don't.)
It's a good read, not perhaps as zippy as Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England but then I knew more about the period to start with. Also a slightly weird hammering on how fat Edward IV got, which once noticed became a bit obtrusive in the repetition. Overall a solid and engaging read though rather disheartening in that it's 700-odd pages with absolutely nobody to like. But that's history for you.
(Let me pause here to say that if you are even now typing up a furious defence of Richard III, planning to recommend me The Daughter of Time, etc, kindly save us both the effort and don't.)
It's a good read, not perhaps as zippy as Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England but then I knew more about the period to start with. Also a slightly weird hammering on how fat Edward IV got, which once noticed became a bit obtrusive in the repetition. Overall a solid and engaging read though rather disheartening in that it's 700-odd pages with absolutely nobody to like. But that's history for you.
June 26, 2022
This book is doing something odd, which is bothering me. The opposing sides are both named-King Edward and Henry VI; Henry’s son is also Edward; there is of course brother Richard, but the entire book calls the middle brother Clarence like that’s his name as everyone else is named. Ummm his name is GEORGE. CLARENCE is his title. I dont know why this being done. I mean he’s an extreme pain in the ass but who wasn’t at this time in history? He is the only one who is referred to in this manner. Not even any of the nobility is called by their titles. Can anyone shed a light on his for me please? I’d appreciate that.
January 13, 2021
This is a chronicle of the War of the Roses with an emphasis on the infighting, plotting, sedition and murders engaged in by the three York brothers, King Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence and King Richard III. It is a complicated and dense story and I keep thinking that if I read about this period enough times I will finally get a grip on all of the characters and events. That hasn’t happened yet, but this book helped. It was well researched and written and not too dry. The narration by Roy McMillan was excellent.
October 11, 2019
For a vast proportion of my life, I was convinced that I felt nothing but total contempt and disinterest when it came to the topic of history and as a consequence avoided it. But this book has reignited my love of history and focuses solely on the House of York and the fact that it managed to destroy itself from the inside out. This is a complex and compulsively readable political thriller and manages to tell the story of the House of York and its eventual downfall in a very engaging fashion; quite how Mr Penn achieves the perfect balance between information and drama is beyond me. An astonishing feat of writing. It doesn't take long before you are as gripped as you would be with a superb fiction book; it certainly is more fascinating than many other similar reads.
Lively and accessible, you can see just how passionate Penn is about the topic as he writes with such flowing language and no amount of effort was spared trying to keep this as interesting and absorbing as it was. It has undoubtedly become the author's labour of love and I imagine it took a long time to compile. His writing is infectious and definitely lightens up the subject meaning more people will enjoy it. It is clear it has been crafted to attract non-history readers and those who appreciate highly informative book but also those easy and quick to get through. A definitive, detail-centric story and rightly holds a mirror up to the mistakes made by brothers Edward, George and Richard. A superb read. Many thanks to Allen Lane for an ARC.
Lively and accessible, you can see just how passionate Penn is about the topic as he writes with such flowing language and no amount of effort was spared trying to keep this as interesting and absorbing as it was. It has undoubtedly become the author's labour of love and I imagine it took a long time to compile. His writing is infectious and definitely lightens up the subject meaning more people will enjoy it. It is clear it has been crafted to attract non-history readers and those who appreciate highly informative book but also those easy and quick to get through. A definitive, detail-centric story and rightly holds a mirror up to the mistakes made by brothers Edward, George and Richard. A superb read. Many thanks to Allen Lane for an ARC.
September 9, 2021
Even though the “Wars of the Roses” is the posthumous name given to the civil war battles for the English crown between the House of York and the House of Lancaster; the last hurrah before the Tudor dynasty was ultimately York against York. When King Edward IV was on the throne (historically known for his scandalous marriage to Elizabeth Woodville); some of his biggest rivals were his brothers: George, Duke of Clarence who tried to overthrow Edward and popular in lore for allegedly meeting his end in a tub of malmsey wine; and Richard III – whom we all know as the Hunchback who murdered his own nephews (also debatable). Instead of forming a united front; the three York brothers shattered their house and brought it to ruin. Thomas Penn- author of the fabulous “Winter King”- attempts to break down the inter-locking events between the brothers in, “The Brothers York: A Royal Tragedy”.
Penn’s “The Brothers York” is touted as the complete and definitive analysis of the interactions and political events between Edward, George and Richard bordering a psychological review. It is unfortunately not that. Rather, “The Brothers York” is an exhaustive and in-depth chronological re-telling of Edward’s reign with the occasional throw-in of George and Richard (the discussion of Richard’s reign begins approximately at the 500-page mark). Penn hones in on Edward’s time on the throne with a microscopic eye that is founded on a mountain of research. “The Brothers York” reveals intimate details that most other texts on the subject lack and thus even though readers familiar with the subject will be presented with new information.
That being said; this very heavy and scholarly angle causes “The Brothers York” to be clouded with too much intricacy and tangents that could have been skimmed down and would have resulted in an easier to digest piece. The way it stands now makes the text somewhat slow and only readable with ample rest breaks. Some readers may find this to be distracting and difficult to retain.
The focus of the text is heavily political and battle-driven completely missing the aim of what the hypothesis claims of the brotherly interactions. The title could easily be renamed, “Edward IV” and would be more logical. Yet, Penn does manage to use flowery, literary language that paints visuals and speeds the momentum (although he often states speculation or self-affirmations as facts). Penn would make a solid historical-fiction author.
Expanding on this, Penn fortunately doesn’t express blatant biases but he does try too hard to intermingle academia with modern familiar text (such as “party” and “link up”) that has no place in such a written piece and rather than disarm; actually deters readers. This is a Penn habit – and one he should break – as it is also a downfall in “Winter King”.
“The Brothers York” tends to be repetitive and tedious tempting the reader to skim portions. This is helped by being interspersed with quotes and primary source documentation which strengthens Penn’s writing. “The Brothers York” also falls victim to some continuity errors and editing flaws (i.e. page 494 calling the coronation feast a ‘wedding feast’). Was the editor overwhelmed by the lengthy-paged volume?
Penn’s notable strong-suit is his fine-tune depictions of battles and military formations that are both informative and gripping even to those readers not usually interested in such matters. “The Brothers York” manages to be emotive and brings readers directly to the scene of the events. It is quite astounding that Penn had such detail to offer almost as though he experienced the scenes, himself.
The section concerning Richard III is noticeably rushed with a less micro-glimpse although Penn does offer underlying ‘food for thought’ regarding Richard’s actions and therefore “The Brothers York” is more than a simple Richard III biography. Penn concludes “The Brothers York” with an eye on the Battle of Bosworth and an abridged breakdown of Henry VII followed by an epilogue summarizing both the text and the York brothers.
Penn solidifies “The Brothers York” with not one but two sections of color photo plates containing images not displayed in other similar history pieces (the photo plates tend to be the same throughout common-texts). “The Brothers York” also features a Notes section (not annotated) and a lengthy and satisfying bibliography complete with extensive primary and secondary resources.
“The Brothers York” is a strong-enough and highly in-depth look at the reign of Edward IV and some of the brotherly conflicts with George and Richard. From this perspective, “The Brothers York” is quite good. However, this was not the blurb description (or title) of the text as it claimed to psycho- and- politically analyze the brothers and break down their relations with a fresh perspective. In this sense, Penn missed his target and instead offered an Edward IV biography. Despite this major absence and other minor flaws; “The Brothers York” is indeed suggested for readers interested in the Wars of the Roses and the House of York.
Penn’s “The Brothers York” is touted as the complete and definitive analysis of the interactions and political events between Edward, George and Richard bordering a psychological review. It is unfortunately not that. Rather, “The Brothers York” is an exhaustive and in-depth chronological re-telling of Edward’s reign with the occasional throw-in of George and Richard (the discussion of Richard’s reign begins approximately at the 500-page mark). Penn hones in on Edward’s time on the throne with a microscopic eye that is founded on a mountain of research. “The Brothers York” reveals intimate details that most other texts on the subject lack and thus even though readers familiar with the subject will be presented with new information.
That being said; this very heavy and scholarly angle causes “The Brothers York” to be clouded with too much intricacy and tangents that could have been skimmed down and would have resulted in an easier to digest piece. The way it stands now makes the text somewhat slow and only readable with ample rest breaks. Some readers may find this to be distracting and difficult to retain.
The focus of the text is heavily political and battle-driven completely missing the aim of what the hypothesis claims of the brotherly interactions. The title could easily be renamed, “Edward IV” and would be more logical. Yet, Penn does manage to use flowery, literary language that paints visuals and speeds the momentum (although he often states speculation or self-affirmations as facts). Penn would make a solid historical-fiction author.
Expanding on this, Penn fortunately doesn’t express blatant biases but he does try too hard to intermingle academia with modern familiar text (such as “party” and “link up”) that has no place in such a written piece and rather than disarm; actually deters readers. This is a Penn habit – and one he should break – as it is also a downfall in “Winter King”.
“The Brothers York” tends to be repetitive and tedious tempting the reader to skim portions. This is helped by being interspersed with quotes and primary source documentation which strengthens Penn’s writing. “The Brothers York” also falls victim to some continuity errors and editing flaws (i.e. page 494 calling the coronation feast a ‘wedding feast’). Was the editor overwhelmed by the lengthy-paged volume?
Penn’s notable strong-suit is his fine-tune depictions of battles and military formations that are both informative and gripping even to those readers not usually interested in such matters. “The Brothers York” manages to be emotive and brings readers directly to the scene of the events. It is quite astounding that Penn had such detail to offer almost as though he experienced the scenes, himself.
The section concerning Richard III is noticeably rushed with a less micro-glimpse although Penn does offer underlying ‘food for thought’ regarding Richard’s actions and therefore “The Brothers York” is more than a simple Richard III biography. Penn concludes “The Brothers York” with an eye on the Battle of Bosworth and an abridged breakdown of Henry VII followed by an epilogue summarizing both the text and the York brothers.
Penn solidifies “The Brothers York” with not one but two sections of color photo plates containing images not displayed in other similar history pieces (the photo plates tend to be the same throughout common-texts). “The Brothers York” also features a Notes section (not annotated) and a lengthy and satisfying bibliography complete with extensive primary and secondary resources.
“The Brothers York” is a strong-enough and highly in-depth look at the reign of Edward IV and some of the brotherly conflicts with George and Richard. From this perspective, “The Brothers York” is quite good. However, this was not the blurb description (or title) of the text as it claimed to psycho- and- politically analyze the brothers and break down their relations with a fresh perspective. In this sense, Penn missed his target and instead offered an Edward IV biography. Despite this major absence and other minor flaws; “The Brothers York” is indeed suggested for readers interested in the Wars of the Roses and the House of York.
April 4, 2021
The Brothers York is well written and provides excellent coverage of Edward IV's reign. Penn furnishes ample detail on virtually every aspect of Edward's government, from foreign affairs to domestic and economic policies. He also presents a passable picture of Edward's personal life. However, the book is weaker when it deals with the periods before Edward's ascent and after his death. In both instances, the author attempts to cover complex situations in far too summary a fashion.
April 19, 2020
I blame the parents...
Penn starts this history of the three York brothers with the background story of the weak King Henry VI, surrounded by venal lords and constantly threatened by Richard, Duke of York, father of the three brothers, who had a competing claim to the throne through the female line. He then takes us in a linear fashion through the downfall of Henry, and the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, ending with Richard’s downfall and the rise to power of Henry VII, the first of the Tudors.
Penn writes very well, avoiding academic jargon and taking plenty of time to fill in the characters of the people he’s discussing. He assumes no prior knowledge, which as a newcomer to the period I found extremely helpful since it meant I never found myself floundering over unexplained references, as can often happen with history books.
The bulk of the book concentrates on the reign of Edward IV, which makes sense since he ruled for over twenty years whereas the middle brother George, Duke of Clarence, never got to be king and the youngest brother, Richard III, managed a mere two years before he lost his crown, and his life along with it. Unfortunately, Richard is by far the more interesting king (in my opinion), so I’d have been happier to spend more time in his company and rather less on Edward’s interminable taxes and squabbles with France and Burgundy. I have a feeling this says far more about my dilettante approach to history than it does about the book, however! But after an excellent start with all the intrigue and fighting leading up to Edward’s final power grab, I found my interest dipped for quite a long period in the middle of the book as Penn laid out the detail of his long reign.
It picks up again when Edward finally dies, and the nefarious Richard usurps the throne from his nephew. Richard’s reign might have been short but it’s full of incident and Penn tells it excellently. Intriguingly, although of course he relates the story of the Princes in the Tower, Penn doesn’t tell us his own opinion as to whether Richard was guilty of their murder or not. I suppose this makes sense, since (weirdly) there are still strong factions on either side of that question and he’d have been bound to alienate half his readership whichever position he took. He gives enough detail of the event and the contemporaneous rumours around it for the reader to make up her own mind, if she hasn’t already. (Yes, of course Richard was guilty, if you’re wondering... ;) )
Penn finishes as Richard’s reign comes to its tragic/well-deserved* end, rounding the story off with an uber-quick résumé of Henry VII and the Tudors, explaining how the Yorkist divide gradually diminished over time.
Overall, this is an excellent history, plainly but well told. I’d say it’s aimed more at the general reader than an academic audience, and is particularly good as an introduction to the period – I’m not sure that there’s much new in it for people who already have a solid understanding of the time of the York kings. It’s clearly well researched, with plenty of detail, and it covers all the major personalities of the time, not just the brothers. I came out of it feeling much clearer about how all the various well known names – Warwick, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret of Anjou, etc. – fitted together, and what parts they played in the Yorkist story. I did struggle with the long middle section of Edward’s rather dull reign, but a historian really can’t be expected to make something exciting if it isn’t. But the first and last sections had more than enough treachery, betrayal and general skulduggery to satisfy even me! Recommended. 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
*delete according to preference
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Allen Lane.
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Penn starts this history of the three York brothers with the background story of the weak King Henry VI, surrounded by venal lords and constantly threatened by Richard, Duke of York, father of the three brothers, who had a competing claim to the throne through the female line. He then takes us in a linear fashion through the downfall of Henry, and the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, ending with Richard’s downfall and the rise to power of Henry VII, the first of the Tudors.
Penn writes very well, avoiding academic jargon and taking plenty of time to fill in the characters of the people he’s discussing. He assumes no prior knowledge, which as a newcomer to the period I found extremely helpful since it meant I never found myself floundering over unexplained references, as can often happen with history books.
The bulk of the book concentrates on the reign of Edward IV, which makes sense since he ruled for over twenty years whereas the middle brother George, Duke of Clarence, never got to be king and the youngest brother, Richard III, managed a mere two years before he lost his crown, and his life along with it. Unfortunately, Richard is by far the more interesting king (in my opinion), so I’d have been happier to spend more time in his company and rather less on Edward’s interminable taxes and squabbles with France and Burgundy. I have a feeling this says far more about my dilettante approach to history than it does about the book, however! But after an excellent start with all the intrigue and fighting leading up to Edward’s final power grab, I found my interest dipped for quite a long period in the middle of the book as Penn laid out the detail of his long reign.
It picks up again when Edward finally dies, and the nefarious Richard usurps the throne from his nephew. Richard’s reign might have been short but it’s full of incident and Penn tells it excellently. Intriguingly, although of course he relates the story of the Princes in the Tower, Penn doesn’t tell us his own opinion as to whether Richard was guilty of their murder or not. I suppose this makes sense, since (weirdly) there are still strong factions on either side of that question and he’d have been bound to alienate half his readership whichever position he took. He gives enough detail of the event and the contemporaneous rumours around it for the reader to make up her own mind, if she hasn’t already. (Yes, of course Richard was guilty, if you’re wondering... ;) )
Penn finishes as Richard’s reign comes to its tragic/well-deserved* end, rounding the story off with an uber-quick résumé of Henry VII and the Tudors, explaining how the Yorkist divide gradually diminished over time.
Overall, this is an excellent history, plainly but well told. I’d say it’s aimed more at the general reader than an academic audience, and is particularly good as an introduction to the period – I’m not sure that there’s much new in it for people who already have a solid understanding of the time of the York kings. It’s clearly well researched, with plenty of detail, and it covers all the major personalities of the time, not just the brothers. I came out of it feeling much clearer about how all the various well known names – Warwick, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret of Anjou, etc. – fitted together, and what parts they played in the Yorkist story. I did struggle with the long middle section of Edward’s rather dull reign, but a historian really can’t be expected to make something exciting if it isn’t. But the first and last sections had more than enough treachery, betrayal and general skulduggery to satisfy even me! Recommended. 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
*delete according to preference
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Allen Lane.
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March 25, 2023
"I warn you everyone,
for you should understand,
There sprang a rose in Rouen
and spread into England."
-Yorkist verse on Battle of Towton, 1461
Penn's masterful look at the Brothers York has to rank as one of my favorite books about the Three Sunnes of York (Edward, Clarence, and Richard). The Three Sunnes is in reference to the parhelion (a refraction of sunlight through ice crystals making it seem like multiple suns) that occurred on the morning of the Battle of Towton.
The White Rose of York is a study of a powerful Royal House that started with a great deal of potential, not only in good rulership, but also for commercial concerns in London, yet due to endemic infighting and Edward's extravagant lifestyle that ended in self-immolation.
Truth be told, the only winners of the Lancaster-York conflicts were the Tudors. Penn's excellent, and quite readable, history focuses not only on Edward IV, but also on Richard III. Using the latest historical information, Penn shows that Richard suffered from Scoliosis (a curvature of the spine, which Tudor propagandists turned into a hunchback), but was a fine warrior.
I also found it interesting in Penn's basic assertion that, while never explicitly stated, it was Richard who likely had the Twin Princes killed in the Tower. The reasoning is that it was Richard's men, one of whom much later was heavily rewarded and is the same person most believe to have killed the Twins at his behest. Thomas More always thought it was this servant (Miles Forest) that was the killer. Anyways, the guilt lay heavy with Richard while there is no direct proof of his guilt.
A wonderful history showing the grace and pageantry of the White Rose of York, as well as his extravagant decline brought on by the conflicts with his closest advisors and family. If you are interested in the reign of Edward IV and Richard III, then look no further than this book for an excellent history of that period.
for you should understand,
There sprang a rose in Rouen
and spread into England."
-Yorkist verse on Battle of Towton, 1461
Penn's masterful look at the Brothers York has to rank as one of my favorite books about the Three Sunnes of York (Edward, Clarence, and Richard). The Three Sunnes is in reference to the parhelion (a refraction of sunlight through ice crystals making it seem like multiple suns) that occurred on the morning of the Battle of Towton.
The White Rose of York is a study of a powerful Royal House that started with a great deal of potential, not only in good rulership, but also for commercial concerns in London, yet due to endemic infighting and Edward's extravagant lifestyle that ended in self-immolation.
Truth be told, the only winners of the Lancaster-York conflicts were the Tudors. Penn's excellent, and quite readable, history focuses not only on Edward IV, but also on Richard III. Using the latest historical information, Penn shows that Richard suffered from Scoliosis (a curvature of the spine, which Tudor propagandists turned into a hunchback), but was a fine warrior.
I also found it interesting in Penn's basic assertion that, while never explicitly stated, it was Richard who likely had the Twin Princes killed in the Tower. The reasoning is that it was Richard's men, one of whom much later was heavily rewarded and is the same person most believe to have killed the Twins at his behest. Thomas More always thought it was this servant (Miles Forest) that was the killer. Anyways, the guilt lay heavy with Richard while there is no direct proof of his guilt.
A wonderful history showing the grace and pageantry of the White Rose of York, as well as his extravagant decline brought on by the conflicts with his closest advisors and family. If you are interested in the reign of Edward IV and Richard III, then look no further than this book for an excellent history of that period.
December 31, 2019
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a free copy in return for an open honest review.
This book is quite detailed in looking at the house of York from Richard through Edward IV and his siblings Clarence and Richard III and how the house imploded through infighting and changing politics in the struggles of late 15th century England. the book itself really enjoyed and a greater insight into the other part of the cousins war.
This book is quite detailed in looking at the house of York from Richard through Edward IV and his siblings Clarence and Richard III and how the house imploded through infighting and changing politics in the struggles of late 15th century England. the book itself really enjoyed and a greater insight into the other part of the cousins war.
November 16, 2019
Penn's narrative begins with the rise and Edward IV and his ascendancy over Henry VI in claiming the throne of England (1461), first sought by Edward's father Richard, Duke of York (1460). For those who are unfamiliar with this period, Penn's book provides a springboard from which to launch your own journey. All the major players and events are covered off in a detailed history that is neither dry nor sleep inducing.
I am in two minds with this book. On the one hand, it is a very well researched and engaging history of the Wars of the Roses, that was fascinating and dramatic. However, to me, it was more of a chronicle of the rise and fall of a prominent family, with a heavy focus of Edward, his court and courtiers, contemporary politics, peppered with quite a few side journeys into other areas which I found to be both distracting, unnecessary, and of no real interest to me.
I came into this with an already sound knowledge of the Wars of the Roses, so what I was hoping for was more of an analytical approach to the three brothers and their inter-personal relationships; I felt that there should have been more focus on this aspect to explain why the dynasty imploded ".. within a generation.." I guess I wanted a more psycho-analytical approach to explain the family dynamic - Edward (the sunne in splendour), George (the petulant middle child), Richard (the broody dark horse) - these explorations were few and far between. Edward's nepotism on a grand scale was hardly a secret and that this would have created bitterness and tension amongst his brothers and his supporters is not surprising but this is hardly unique as history is, quite frankly, full of similar stories.
I hugely enjoyed Penn's Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor England (bio on Henry Tudor) so was looking forward to this - but left feeling just a little disappointed in that it was not structured how I thought it would have been and really, for me personally, there was nothing that I had not already read in various other tomes.
As I mentioned, nothing should be taken away from this book as it is a quite good re-telling of the Wars of the Roses.
I am in two minds with this book. On the one hand, it is a very well researched and engaging history of the Wars of the Roses, that was fascinating and dramatic. However, to me, it was more of a chronicle of the rise and fall of a prominent family, with a heavy focus of Edward, his court and courtiers, contemporary politics, peppered with quite a few side journeys into other areas which I found to be both distracting, unnecessary, and of no real interest to me.
I came into this with an already sound knowledge of the Wars of the Roses, so what I was hoping for was more of an analytical approach to the three brothers and their inter-personal relationships; I felt that there should have been more focus on this aspect to explain why the dynasty imploded ".. within a generation.." I guess I wanted a more psycho-analytical approach to explain the family dynamic - Edward (the sunne in splendour), George (the petulant middle child), Richard (the broody dark horse) - these explorations were few and far between. Edward's nepotism on a grand scale was hardly a secret and that this would have created bitterness and tension amongst his brothers and his supporters is not surprising but this is hardly unique as history is, quite frankly, full of similar stories.
I hugely enjoyed Penn's Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor England (bio on Henry Tudor) so was looking forward to this - but left feeling just a little disappointed in that it was not structured how I thought it would have been and really, for me personally, there was nothing that I had not already read in various other tomes.
As I mentioned, nothing should be taken away from this book as it is a quite good re-telling of the Wars of the Roses.
December 4, 2019
I received a copy of this book via the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really expansive in-depth look at the rise and fall of both Kind Edward IV and his brother King Richard III, as well as some commentary around the history revolving the 'Princes in the Tower' and what could have happened to them. This book is about 70-80% King Edward IV, and the last 15% is King Richard III and the last 5% if even, looks at King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York with a brief paragraph on King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.
As someone already very interested in this time period and the York rulers, and I have read historical fiction in the time period before (mainly Philippa Gregory's The White Queen series) and so was aware of some major events and players and this certainly helped. I think this is a very dense, richly packed book and you would need to have a general interest in the subject and the families to get a good enjoyment out of it.
I'm a fast reader but this book slowed my reading down considerably but it wasn't one I wanted to rush. I wanted to take in the history and understand the events and the causes and repercussions of them.
I really enjoyed this and it's very obvious that a lot of time and effort went into this book. It's not written in a way that's inaccessible to those who may not be history buffs but is also quite conversation and pleasant to read as well without losing the poignancy of the historical twists and turns.
This was a really expansive in-depth look at the rise and fall of both Kind Edward IV and his brother King Richard III, as well as some commentary around the history revolving the 'Princes in the Tower' and what could have happened to them. This book is about 70-80% King Edward IV, and the last 15% is King Richard III and the last 5% if even, looks at King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York with a brief paragraph on King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.
As someone already very interested in this time period and the York rulers, and I have read historical fiction in the time period before (mainly Philippa Gregory's The White Queen series) and so was aware of some major events and players and this certainly helped. I think this is a very dense, richly packed book and you would need to have a general interest in the subject and the families to get a good enjoyment out of it.
I'm a fast reader but this book slowed my reading down considerably but it wasn't one I wanted to rush. I wanted to take in the history and understand the events and the causes and repercussions of them.
I really enjoyed this and it's very obvious that a lot of time and effort went into this book. It's not written in a way that's inaccessible to those who may not be history buffs but is also quite conversation and pleasant to read as well without losing the poignancy of the historical twists and turns.
July 12, 2020
For some reason I expected this to be Historical Fiction, but it turned out to be History. It's about the Wars of the Roses and the Brothers from the York dynasty who might have filled the place that the Tudor family does in history instead, if it hadn't been for in-fighting.
There are long chapters with just the occasional line break. As such it took me quite a long time to read it in small increments. It was also just a bit dry, but the subject is interesting and kept my attention. I found it amazing how England came so close to having a very different history!
Overall I really enjoyed the book and it filled in a big gap in the my knowledge of history. I do prefer historical accounts that tell the story of people rather than impersonal war statistics and this definitely fulfilled that preference for me.
There are long chapters with just the occasional line break. As such it took me quite a long time to read it in small increments. It was also just a bit dry, but the subject is interesting and kept my attention. I found it amazing how England came so close to having a very different history!
Overall I really enjoyed the book and it filled in a big gap in the my knowledge of history. I do prefer historical accounts that tell the story of people rather than impersonal war statistics and this definitely fulfilled that preference for me.
January 10, 2020
A few years ago Penn wrote a well liked biography of the first Tudor King Henry VII. This prequel homes in one aspect of the wars of the roses, the three sons of Richard of York.
It’s a solid and comprehensive survey; the disintegration of Henry VI’s rule , who may have been killed on the future Richard III’s orders, brought in the Yorkist Edward IV for a comparatively long but troubled reign . Edward was a shrewd politician but prone to howling blunders ; it’s arguable that by taking the Earldom of Richmond from Richard and giving it to Clarence , he fuelled Richards resentment. But the long game of balancing the twin Gallic kingdoms of France and Burgundy was played well. Edward was also, in stark contrast to Henry, a sex maniac and glutton. Illegitimate children don’t make for smooth dynastic successions.
Middle brother Clarence is a nastier and more treacherous sort than Shakespeare shows us ; contrary to Shakespeare , it’s Edward, not Richard, who has him killed, though Richard, already thirsty for power, was hardly sorry.
And so what of Richard the Third? It’s a mixed portrayal : he schemes his way to be the protector of Edwards sons before eventually declaring them illegitimate and taking the crown. Did he kill them ? Penn does not commit himself either way, but merely the notes the vanishing of the boys from view; their Mother, in sanctuary, mourns what she clearly believes is her bereavement of her sons ; state documents refer to the vanished Edward V in carefully ambiguous terms that can denote deposition or decease; one of their alleged murderers is given a royal pension for unique and confidential
Services. This is all circumstantial, but it’s telling that whereas most historians who want to exonerate Richard suggest an alternative outcome or perpetrator, Penn does neither.
.
Following the death of Richards son, his wife Anne sickens and dies. Rumour spread that Richard had bullied and neglected her to death so he could marry his fifteen year old niece in pursuit of a new heir; again we can’t know, but Penn thinks tuberculosis more likely.
Richard is ruthless in putting down rebellion, but this was hardly unusual. He seemed to want to rule well; if he did get rid of the princes , Penn suggests,
It’s a pragmatic move to avoid the issues caused by rival kings. He summoned his kingdom to piety in a move that may have been genuine or an attempt to purge a guilty conscience. And, as the skeleton proved, he had scoliosis ; the hunchback wasn’t a complete fake.
But amid the political turmoil the book takes time to tell us that this was the age of the beginning of printing and with it the slow growth of literacy and learning. The burgeoning Renaissance humanist movement, with it’s love of classical learning , new academic technique, and improved grasp of biblical languages would in turn inform the Reformation.
When I did this as a study of sources at GCSE the tacit assumption was that Richard was innocent. These days we’re not quite so sure.
It’s a solid and comprehensive survey; the disintegration of Henry VI’s rule , who may have been killed on the future Richard III’s orders, brought in the Yorkist Edward IV for a comparatively long but troubled reign . Edward was a shrewd politician but prone to howling blunders ; it’s arguable that by taking the Earldom of Richmond from Richard and giving it to Clarence , he fuelled Richards resentment. But the long game of balancing the twin Gallic kingdoms of France and Burgundy was played well. Edward was also, in stark contrast to Henry, a sex maniac and glutton. Illegitimate children don’t make for smooth dynastic successions.
Middle brother Clarence is a nastier and more treacherous sort than Shakespeare shows us ; contrary to Shakespeare , it’s Edward, not Richard, who has him killed, though Richard, already thirsty for power, was hardly sorry.
And so what of Richard the Third? It’s a mixed portrayal : he schemes his way to be the protector of Edwards sons before eventually declaring them illegitimate and taking the crown. Did he kill them ? Penn does not commit himself either way, but merely the notes the vanishing of the boys from view; their Mother, in sanctuary, mourns what she clearly believes is her bereavement of her sons ; state documents refer to the vanished Edward V in carefully ambiguous terms that can denote deposition or decease; one of their alleged murderers is given a royal pension for unique and confidential
Services. This is all circumstantial, but it’s telling that whereas most historians who want to exonerate Richard suggest an alternative outcome or perpetrator, Penn does neither.
.
Following the death of Richards son, his wife Anne sickens and dies. Rumour spread that Richard had bullied and neglected her to death so he could marry his fifteen year old niece in pursuit of a new heir; again we can’t know, but Penn thinks tuberculosis more likely.
Richard is ruthless in putting down rebellion, but this was hardly unusual. He seemed to want to rule well; if he did get rid of the princes , Penn suggests,
It’s a pragmatic move to avoid the issues caused by rival kings. He summoned his kingdom to piety in a move that may have been genuine or an attempt to purge a guilty conscience. And, as the skeleton proved, he had scoliosis ; the hunchback wasn’t a complete fake.
But amid the political turmoil the book takes time to tell us that this was the age of the beginning of printing and with it the slow growth of literacy and learning. The burgeoning Renaissance humanist movement, with it’s love of classical learning , new academic technique, and improved grasp of biblical languages would in turn inform the Reformation.
When I did this as a study of sources at GCSE the tacit assumption was that Richard was innocent. These days we’re not quite so sure.
March 3, 2020
For most of my life, including at school, I only studied modern history, so in latter years, I’ve tried to catch with the 15th and 16th centuries in particular. I don’t know if there is really anything new in this very in depth study of the War of the Roses and, especially, the three brothers York but I found it entertaining and informative. However, it’s something of a challenge to keep up with the sheer number of characters and their constantly shifting allegiances as well as the blitz of different treaties between England, France and Burgundy. Suffice it to say that, if you were an English nobleman in late 15th century England, your chances of ending up hung and eviscerated were high.
October 18, 2019
The saying goes something like "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family". There seems to have been little to choose between them in this sweeping history of the three York brothers: Edward IV, George (Duke of Clarence), and Richard III. Brother against brother, friend against friend - loyalty was ever-changing, depending upon which way the political wind was blowing and this well-researched book shows just how insecure the reign of any monarch was in the fifteenth century.
It's not a read for the fainthearted. It's quite a weighty tome at over 600 pages and it is packed with historical detail. There were also one or two icky bits - especially the death of one of the Burgundian horses which I found difficult to read and it made me dislike Anthony Woodville rather a lot. The majority of the book deals with Edward's reign and as a consequence I didn't feel as if I got to know as much about George or Richard, and the 'princes in the tower' were also rather shadowy figures. Overall though, it is a very well written, informative read especially if you aren't familiar with this era of English history.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Penguin Books UK / Allen Lane, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
It's not a read for the fainthearted. It's quite a weighty tome at over 600 pages and it is packed with historical detail. There were also one or two icky bits - especially the death of one of the Burgundian horses which I found difficult to read and it made me dislike Anthony Woodville rather a lot. The majority of the book deals with Edward's reign and as a consequence I didn't feel as if I got to know as much about George or Richard, and the 'princes in the tower' were also rather shadowy figures. Overall though, it is a very well written, informative read especially if you aren't familiar with this era of English history.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Penguin Books UK / Allen Lane, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
February 5, 2022
An enjoyable and readable summary of Yorkist England, beginning in the death throes of the Wars of the Roses and ending with the Tudor victory at Bosworth.
While a strong narrative of the period, the author set out his intention to refocus the story on the three sons of Richard, Duke of York: Edward IV, George of Clarence and Richard III. There was some focus on the relationship between the three brothers and how this influenced the body politic but I didn’t feel it was focused on enough to warrant this book being presented as offering new insights.
Rather, I felt the book would be better represented as a history of Yorkist England, with a focus on the three key players, rather than being solely focused on their relationship, which oft goes unmentioned for pages and pages at a time.
Only other thing to say is that this book, in my opinion - particularly early on - falls victim to Ricardian revisionism by seeking to present Richard as a loyal soldier who simply ‘lost his way’, oh, and ordered the deaths of his nephews and then tried to marry his niece.
While a strong narrative of the period, the author set out his intention to refocus the story on the three sons of Richard, Duke of York: Edward IV, George of Clarence and Richard III. There was some focus on the relationship between the three brothers and how this influenced the body politic but I didn’t feel it was focused on enough to warrant this book being presented as offering new insights.
Rather, I felt the book would be better represented as a history of Yorkist England, with a focus on the three key players, rather than being solely focused on their relationship, which oft goes unmentioned for pages and pages at a time.
Only other thing to say is that this book, in my opinion - particularly early on - falls victim to Ricardian revisionism by seeking to present Richard as a loyal soldier who simply ‘lost his way’, oh, and ordered the deaths of his nephews and then tried to marry his niece.
April 5, 2025
Wonderfully written and incredibly detailed. 4-stars reflects my level of interest really, rather than the quality of the book. I particularly enjoyed the portraits created of the three brothers and the struggle after the death of Edward IV for the throne.
July 25, 2020
Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-a book published in 2020.
Pretty interesting, but I found myself checking out a few times.
Pretty interesting, but I found myself checking out a few times.
September 13, 2020
There’s a lot of information to digest in this book. Some I’d read about before, some not. I only wish I could be more sure of the new information, except there are three problems. One, a lot of what Penn claims has no footnotes, and many that do aren’t from original sources but from previous books written on the subject.
Two, the author’s bias is blatant.
Richard of York “believes his own rhetoric, convincing himself” of his destiny as a reforming hero. And how does the author know what Richard of York does or does not think? Yet he treats these unknowable thoughts as fact.
Penn condemns Richard III for purchasing an “inexhaustible supply of alcohol.” But Richard wouldn’t have been the only one drinking it.
People, such as Charles of Burgundy, who fights on the Lancastian side, do so, not out of any gain, but out of a “deep sense of affinity of shared Lancastrian blood.” Or, like Somerset, who had “rediscovered his Lancastrian loyalties.” If for Lancaster, it’s for a noble cause, if for York, it’s always for money and power.
Elizabeth Woodville wasn’t being a spendthrift, she was maintaining “the magnificence that her royal rank demanded.”
Richard “concealed his physical condition, except when it suited him.” Suited him? When would it suit him? Physical deformity was seen as a manifestation of an inner evil.
Richard presents his “shriveled” arm as proof of Elizabeth of Woodville’s witchcraft. But Penn changes the story so that is Richard holding both arms straight in front of him, one being shorter than the other because of his scoliosis. But the study of Richard’s remains show proof positive that there was nothing wrong with either arm. They were the same length.
The third problem is that he was dead wrong on some things.
“Loyalte Me Lie” wasn’t Richard’s “new royal motto.” He took it while still Duke of Gloucester.
We don’t know if Richard’s son was “in delicate health.” It’s often been supposed, but there’s no proof either way.
Henry Tudor wasn’t a descendant of Henry VI.
We don’t know what happened to Francis Lovell. He may have “spent the rest of his days in the obscurity of a Scottish exile.” But that’s just conjecture.
George, Duke of Clarence’s son, Edward, was not a “harmless, backward child” when Tudor “did what he had to do.” (!) He was twenty-four. And there is no proof that he was backward.
There’s probably more but I think I’ve made my case. All in all, the book is an interesting, though flawed narrative.
Two, the author’s bias is blatant.
Richard of York “believes his own rhetoric, convincing himself” of his destiny as a reforming hero. And how does the author know what Richard of York does or does not think? Yet he treats these unknowable thoughts as fact.
Penn condemns Richard III for purchasing an “inexhaustible supply of alcohol.” But Richard wouldn’t have been the only one drinking it.
People, such as Charles of Burgundy, who fights on the Lancastian side, do so, not out of any gain, but out of a “deep sense of affinity of shared Lancastrian blood.” Or, like Somerset, who had “rediscovered his Lancastrian loyalties.” If for Lancaster, it’s for a noble cause, if for York, it’s always for money and power.
Elizabeth Woodville wasn’t being a spendthrift, she was maintaining “the magnificence that her royal rank demanded.”
Richard “concealed his physical condition, except when it suited him.” Suited him? When would it suit him? Physical deformity was seen as a manifestation of an inner evil.
Richard presents his “shriveled” arm as proof of Elizabeth of Woodville’s witchcraft. But Penn changes the story so that is Richard holding both arms straight in front of him, one being shorter than the other because of his scoliosis. But the study of Richard’s remains show proof positive that there was nothing wrong with either arm. They were the same length.
The third problem is that he was dead wrong on some things.
“Loyalte Me Lie” wasn’t Richard’s “new royal motto.” He took it while still Duke of Gloucester.
We don’t know if Richard’s son was “in delicate health.” It’s often been supposed, but there’s no proof either way.
Henry Tudor wasn’t a descendant of Henry VI.
We don’t know what happened to Francis Lovell. He may have “spent the rest of his days in the obscurity of a Scottish exile.” But that’s just conjecture.
George, Duke of Clarence’s son, Edward, was not a “harmless, backward child” when Tudor “did what he had to do.” (!) He was twenty-four. And there is no proof that he was backward.
There’s probably more but I think I’ve made my case. All in all, the book is an interesting, though flawed narrative.
April 8, 2025
Okay, I was a card-carrying member of the Richard III Society, and one of my favorite authors is Sharon Kay Penman, who wore The Sunne in Splendor about the Yorks and Richard in particular. When I started reading The Brothers York, it took me quite a while to set aside what I thought to be true, and to see more clearly what a clusterf#ck the entire Yorkist period was.
Penn covers all the bases here, up to and including the reign of Richard III. The once gorgeous 18-year-old King with the beautiful face and 6' 4" frame has succumbed to 20 years of gluttony, sexual adventures, and taxing the people endlessly to go to war to France while never quite getting to the battle part of it. Edward was like the original Brexiteer, believing that England holds all the cards, and that the rest of the world would beat a path to his door.
I could have done without the endless accounting of just how much money Edward IV got through hook or crook for all his various adventures, especially since it is in pounds, with no translation to current value. But overall, this is a thorough look at the brothers York- Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence, and Richard III. 4 stars.
Penn covers all the bases here, up to and including the reign of Richard III. The once gorgeous 18-year-old King with the beautiful face and 6' 4" frame has succumbed to 20 years of gluttony, sexual adventures, and taxing the people endlessly to go to war to France while never quite getting to the battle part of it. Edward was like the original Brexiteer, believing that England holds all the cards, and that the rest of the world would beat a path to his door.
I could have done without the endless accounting of just how much money Edward IV got through hook or crook for all his various adventures, especially since it is in pounds, with no translation to current value. But overall, this is a thorough look at the brothers York- Edward IV, George Duke of Clarence, and Richard III. 4 stars.
October 2, 2019
I'm something of a Richard III fangirl so devour anything Wars of the Roses-related with great fervour, so I was delighted at the prospect of The Brothers York. And it doesn't disappoint - you may think that with such fertile source material, how could it? But so many authors - fiction and nonfiction alike - don't do the topic justice. Thomas Penn, however, does.
Accessible but always erudite, The Brothers York focuses on the power struggle and relationship between the eponymous York brothers. This is a fresh approach to the tale - a tale which has been told so many times and in so many ways it's quite a feat to do it at all differently, and with success. It's meticulously researched and engagingly written - never dry, this lovely retelling fair bounds along. And I'm happy to say that Richard isn't singled out for either his dastardly evil nature or his misunderstood hero status - both of which are just as tedious! Penn presents a balanced, unbiased history, which also makes for a nice change.
This is great as a first stop if you want to learn more about this fascinating period of British history, but just as rewarding if you're a bit of a buff already. I loved it.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Accessible but always erudite, The Brothers York focuses on the power struggle and relationship between the eponymous York brothers. This is a fresh approach to the tale - a tale which has been told so many times and in so many ways it's quite a feat to do it at all differently, and with success. It's meticulously researched and engagingly written - never dry, this lovely retelling fair bounds along. And I'm happy to say that Richard isn't singled out for either his dastardly evil nature or his misunderstood hero status - both of which are just as tedious! Penn presents a balanced, unbiased history, which also makes for a nice change.
This is great as a first stop if you want to learn more about this fascinating period of British history, but just as rewarding if you're a bit of a buff already. I loved it.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2020
I'm not sure about the tragedy...maybe in the story of three able men, much damaged by the times and family in which they found themselves (RIchard was a child when his father and brother were hacked to pieces, his mother left to the mercy of the enemy) who collectively and individually ruined themselves. I hadn't really thought of Edward as the grandfather of Henry VIII before but the parallels are interesting. Both were golden, handsome, unusually tall young men with undoubted prowess. But sensual indulgence and greed - in Edward's case it's near an eating disorder - leave them bloated and splenetic. Clarence is barely rescued from the shadows but hios slipperiness is evient. Richard is defined by his mottoes, roughly translated 'I want it so much' and 'Loyalty binds me', and the tension between these shapes him and finally destroys him. The contradictions in his character can barely be reconciled - piety, learning, reliability but also brutality and a naked hunger for power.
The book is more than the family narrative though - there is a good deal about relations with France and Burgundy, for instance.
The book is more than the family narrative though - there is a good deal about relations with France and Burgundy, for instance.
March 8, 2022
This was a wonderful read.
Most of this book is dedicated to the reign of Edward IV, son of Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York. Penn writes wonderfully lucidly and wryly. We are treated to a vivid portrayal of Edward IV's court, his hedonistic lifestyle and his endlessly innovative attempts to fund his aforementioned lifestyle.
Edward IV is a man capable of great things. Unfortunately, he is ruined by his own weak character. Despite being a gifted diplomat, he was ultimately unable to retake the French territories lost by Henry VI, manage his relationship with his brother George, Duke of Clarence or accomplish anything of note either on the battlefield or the negotiating table.
The end of the book is devoted to the short reign of Richard III. All the while, we see the young Henry Tudor taking refuge in the Breton and French courts before his return to take the throne at Bosworth.
This is an eminently readable but highly detailed work. It does a wonderful job of detailing the Wars of the Roses from the Yorkist perspective. I read it after Lauren Johnson's Shadow King. The two pair very nicely together and I highly recommend both.
Most of this book is dedicated to the reign of Edward IV, son of Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York. Penn writes wonderfully lucidly and wryly. We are treated to a vivid portrayal of Edward IV's court, his hedonistic lifestyle and his endlessly innovative attempts to fund his aforementioned lifestyle.
Edward IV is a man capable of great things. Unfortunately, he is ruined by his own weak character. Despite being a gifted diplomat, he was ultimately unable to retake the French territories lost by Henry VI, manage his relationship with his brother George, Duke of Clarence or accomplish anything of note either on the battlefield or the negotiating table.
The end of the book is devoted to the short reign of Richard III. All the while, we see the young Henry Tudor taking refuge in the Breton and French courts before his return to take the throne at Bosworth.
This is an eminently readable but highly detailed work. It does a wonderful job of detailing the Wars of the Roses from the Yorkist perspective. I read it after Lauren Johnson's Shadow King. The two pair very nicely together and I highly recommend both.
November 8, 2019
Not being British, but having a great interest in all things British, including their long history, I was very happy to receive a digital review copy of this book.
It is not the kind of book you finish within a few days. On the contrary, it took me a few weeks because there is so much going on I had to think about what I've read (and occasionally consult Wikipedia for more comprehensive details of this part of history).
This book is beautifully written and very entertaining. Not just for lovers of history though; it's well worth reading if you enjoy thick volumes full of interesting characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
It is not the kind of book you finish within a few days. On the contrary, it took me a few weeks because there is so much going on I had to think about what I've read (and occasionally consult Wikipedia for more comprehensive details of this part of history).
This book is beautifully written and very entertaining. Not just for lovers of history though; it's well worth reading if you enjoy thick volumes full of interesting characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
February 3, 2020
For a book supposedly about three brothers it spent a lot of time only dealing with only two: Edward and Richard. I think I found out more about Warwick's actions and motivations than I did about the third brother, George, Duke of Clarence. The author seemed to cherry pick incidents to show Richard in as bad a light as possible.
The story rattled along and although this is a lengthy book, the narrative style kept it fresh and interesting.
The story rattled along and although this is a lengthy book, the narrative style kept it fresh and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2020
There's not much new here. George is glossed over and Warwick is an oddly peripheral figure. The author doesn't seem particularly interested in interrogating the motivations of his subjects. However, writing and pacing are fine.
October 31, 2019
A comprehensive and fascinating book that looks back on The Brothers York - Edward, Clarence and Richard - and made me realise how little I really know about the history of my own country!
The fifteenth century was certainly not a dull time in history and with these complex characters at the centre of the action, it was a most absorbing read and we got to learn more of their personalities, the bond (or lack of!) between the brothers and the lengths they were driven to in the quest for power and glory!
With the Yorkists v the Lancastrians at the core of the times, things were never pretty! It was a brutal time to be alive and even made Game of Thrones look a little tame when reading of the exploits of certain characters - the betrayals, the alliances, the deals!
With a big cast of characters central to each brother, I did find it a little overwhelming at times in keeping up with who was who! But it was told in such a way that you could keep up through the years as things progressed, and with what was going on with each brother. I'm sure I must have slept through history at school as there was so much that I knew very little about and getting to see each brother individually was a great way in learning more about them and how brutal the power struggle became.
It was also fascinating to see the kind of people they surrounded themselves with, as well as how the public reacted to each brother - we think of the Brexit years as being uncertain, but they are no patch on the tumultuous times back then with wars, feuds, betrayals, beheadings and battles amongst different factions across the country. It also bought home the human cost to people - the loss of life through plague, even in the royal household, and to read of 3 year olds getting married is just unimaginable to us now, but it was all part of life back then to gain more power and standing.
Full of staggering details and a complete eye opener for me and has just made me more eager to more history books, especially if they're all written as brilliantly as this one!
The fifteenth century was certainly not a dull time in history and with these complex characters at the centre of the action, it was a most absorbing read and we got to learn more of their personalities, the bond (or lack of!) between the brothers and the lengths they were driven to in the quest for power and glory!
With the Yorkists v the Lancastrians at the core of the times, things were never pretty! It was a brutal time to be alive and even made Game of Thrones look a little tame when reading of the exploits of certain characters - the betrayals, the alliances, the deals!
With a big cast of characters central to each brother, I did find it a little overwhelming at times in keeping up with who was who! But it was told in such a way that you could keep up through the years as things progressed, and with what was going on with each brother. I'm sure I must have slept through history at school as there was so much that I knew very little about and getting to see each brother individually was a great way in learning more about them and how brutal the power struggle became.
It was also fascinating to see the kind of people they surrounded themselves with, as well as how the public reacted to each brother - we think of the Brexit years as being uncertain, but they are no patch on the tumultuous times back then with wars, feuds, betrayals, beheadings and battles amongst different factions across the country. It also bought home the human cost to people - the loss of life through plague, even in the royal household, and to read of 3 year olds getting married is just unimaginable to us now, but it was all part of life back then to gain more power and standing.
Full of staggering details and a complete eye opener for me and has just made me more eager to more history books, especially if they're all written as brilliantly as this one!
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