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History of King Richard the Second of England
Abraham Lincoln raved that this series of historical biographies gave him "just that knowledge of past men and events which I need. I have read them with the greatest interest. To them I am indebted for about all the historical knowledge I have."
Considered what we would now call "young adult" literature, this collection, first published between 1848 and 1871, was designed to present a clear, distinct, connected narrative of the lives of the great figures of world history, those people who have been most influential, at least as American author and educator JACOB ABBOTT (1803-1879) saw it from his 19th-century perspective.
Wildly popular and republished many times under different collected names, this replica set mimics the 1904 reprint known as the "Makers of History" series. It will delight students of history as well as show the scholar how history telling has changed over the last few centuries.
More than 30 other volumes in the series are also available from Cosimo Classics.
This volume, dating from 1858, covers English king Richard II (1367-1400), from the story of his father, the "Black Prince," to his coronation, the Peasants' Revolt, his "Good Queen Anne," and much more.
Considered what we would now call "young adult" literature, this collection, first published between 1848 and 1871, was designed to present a clear, distinct, connected narrative of the lives of the great figures of world history, those people who have been most influential, at least as American author and educator JACOB ABBOTT (1803-1879) saw it from his 19th-century perspective.
Wildly popular and republished many times under different collected names, this replica set mimics the 1904 reprint known as the "Makers of History" series. It will delight students of history as well as show the scholar how history telling has changed over the last few centuries.
More than 30 other volumes in the series are also available from Cosimo Classics.
This volume, dating from 1858, covers English king Richard II (1367-1400), from the story of his father, the "Black Prince," to his coronation, the Peasants' Revolt, his "Good Queen Anne," and much more.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
350 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1858
About the author
Jacob Abbott
1,771 books93 followersAbbott was born at Hallowell, Maine to Jacob and Betsey Abbott. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820; studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824; was tutor in 1824-1825, and from 1825 to 1829 was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 19, 2012
Should have been called History From Edward I to the Black Prince, Then Richard II About Halfway In, Then My Thoughts On Class Structure and Social Order, Then My Crush on Queen Anne, With a Lot of Knights Talking. Fun to read, though!
February 5, 2018
When I first started reading this book, I felt like it was being written to a child and upon further investigation, I discovered that the author did indeed write a number of children’s books. Unfortunately this was not one of them although it could be catalogued as such. It should also be catalogued as historical fiction because there are a number of things in here that aren’t true. The author has no way of knowing conversations among the people he writes about. This is also not a book about Richard II, at least not until nearly half way through. We are introduced to the first Richard and given a brief history of each monarch up through Edward II, Edward III, and finally the Black Prince. I felt there might’ve been some substance to a couple of chapters dedicated to Wat Tyler and the peasants’ rebellion, and I wanted to like this book more than I did, and therefore 2 stars is being generous.
September 13, 2026
Another decent history lesson from Mr Abbott. The first half of this book is dedicated to setting up the tale of Richard II. It tells what happened after Richard I, through the Edwards to the start of Richard II's reign.
This book feels a bit less focused than others in this series but it still gives a good overall picture of a time in history. A lot of the historical figures this series of books are telling us about come across as not very nice people and the majority in this book are the same. The levels of greed, corruption and oppression of the masses beggars belief.
Again I'm left intrigued to read more about the times and will most likely add some more books on those times and some historical fiction to my ever increasing massive TBR pile.
Another solid book from Jacob. 3/5.
This book feels a bit less focused than others in this series but it still gives a good overall picture of a time in history. A lot of the historical figures this series of books are telling us about come across as not very nice people and the majority in this book are the same. The levels of greed, corruption and oppression of the masses beggars belief.
Again I'm left intrigued to read more about the times and will most likely add some more books on those times and some historical fiction to my ever increasing massive TBR pile.
Another solid book from Jacob. 3/5.
November 15, 2020
In contrast to his grandfather, Richard cultivated a refined atmosphere at court, in which the king was an elevated figure, with art and culture at its centre.
The king's dependence on a small number of courtiers caused discontent among the influential, and in 1387 control of government was taken over by a group of aristocrats known as the Lords Appellant. By 1389 Richard had regained control, and for the next eight years governed in relative harmony with his former opponents.
The king's dependence on a small number of courtiers caused discontent among the influential, and in 1387 control of government was taken over by a group of aristocrats known as the Lords Appellant. By 1389 Richard had regained control, and for the next eight years governed in relative harmony with his former opponents.
November 27, 2016
Enjoyable little book that barely has Richard II in it. This is of a species of British readers on British monarchs, because that's how they used to understand their history, and it's good enough for what it does.
The chapters on Wat Tyler are better than some histories on the subject, worse than others. At least it's honest.
Richard II is an unusual historical figure, in that he manages to be somehow colorless. In the midst of great pageant and tumult, he somehow manages to stay aloof. Still, I like him. He was sincerely devoted to the causes of peace and leisure, and I appreciate that in a monarch. It's not his fault he sat between the Black Prince and Henry IV.
The chapters on Wat Tyler are better than some histories on the subject, worse than others. At least it's honest.
Richard II is an unusual historical figure, in that he manages to be somehow colorless. In the midst of great pageant and tumult, he somehow manages to stay aloof. Still, I like him. He was sincerely devoted to the causes of peace and leisure, and I appreciate that in a monarch. It's not his fault he sat between the Black Prince and Henry IV.
June 25, 2012
An excellent introduction the Plantagenets and the mediaeval period in general with only half of the book discussing Richard II. However, the forgoing material does serve to give context to Richard's life and I feel makes a big difference to the way he is often perceived by history.
This book is excellent in conjunction with A Time Traveller's Guide to Mediaeval History (or some such name, it's on my profile if you want to know) as that gives much more detail about mediaeval life. The two together probably give quite a complete picture.
This book is excellent in conjunction with A Time Traveller's Guide to Mediaeval History (or some such name, it's on my profile if you want to know) as that gives much more detail about mediaeval life. The two together probably give quite a complete picture.
June 27, 2014
A very good history lesson
Within this book, you get a history lesson. This book is about King Richard II and so much more. He gives an in-depth account of the Wat's Tyler insurrection of 1381. This event almost plunged England into civil war. You learn that he adored his first wife Anne and cherished his second wife though she was just a child. His form of death is uncertain, though this author gives you an idea of how it may have occurred.
Within this book, you get a history lesson. This book is about King Richard II and so much more. He gives an in-depth account of the Wat's Tyler insurrection of 1381. This event almost plunged England into civil war. You learn that he adored his first wife Anne and cherished his second wife though she was just a child. His form of death is uncertain, though this author gives you an idea of how it may have occurred.
February 23, 2013
Richard the Second doesn't get much fanfare in history or even here in Abbott's account. He has some remarkable moments but ends up appearing as such a self-absorbed and self-serving monarch that it becomes easy to appreciate the endless intrigues and uprisings against him. His early life held such promise though and one wonders how things could have been different.
April 9, 2012
First Read in April 2012.
June 17, 2014
so so history
Pretty general and superficial. Ok for beginners. There are better books done by scholars since this one was written .
Pretty general and superficial. Ok for beginners. There are better books done by scholars since this one was written .
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews