The Angevin Dynasties of Europe 900-1500: Lords of the Greatest Part of the World

by Jeffrey Anderson

From their small county in the heart of France, the lords of Anjou - the Angevins - produced dynasties that became kings of Jerusalem, England, Sicily, Hungary and Poland from 900 - 1500. They were described by a contemporary as 'lords of the greater part of the world'. Here is their extraordinary story, including figures such as Geoffrey Plantagenet, Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Acquitaine, Charles of Anjou, Queen Johanna of Naples, Louis the Great of Hungary and Saint Jadwiga of Poland.

Genres: Medieval History, History

360 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2019

Reviews

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another paper pusher retelling some story. Why this book? Because Anderson wants a bigger pension.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange book. It is supposed to be a book about the rulers of the county of Anjou. However, as I found out, the book is about a lot of subjects, like all the crusades, the Sicilian Vespers, and the Hundred Year’s War, including Joan of Arc. It also has large sections on well-known royals like Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard I of England, Philip II of France, Edward III of England, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Yolanda of Aragon (mother-in-law of Charles VII of France), and Margaret (wife of Henry VI of England). This doesn’t make it necessarily a bad book, it’s just not what I had expected.

[G Liguori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure I would agree that the Angevins continued as a dynasty that ruled much of Europe after John. The logic of the author could be applied to the Dukes of Normandy etc. Still, an interesting read that takes a sweeping overview of the medieval dramas, conquests, intriguing, and meddling so common amongst the ruling elite. I learned quite a lot from this book. It is well-written and researched. A pity about the central premise.