The Wars of the Roses

by Robin Neillands

The vicious conflict between the English noble houses of York and Lancaster—known as the War of the Roses—marked the end of medieval England and the birth of the Renaissance. Here is a concise and fascinating study of that 30-year period, which recounts the secret plots, hidden romances, royal murders, great battles, political intrigues, and broken promises. Written by a popular and well-known military historian, it follows the collapse of the great Plantagenet dynasty, which had ruled all of England and much of France for more than 300 years, and the rise of the Tudors, destined to dominate British political life during the 16th century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Military Fiction, Military History, Historical

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Robin Hunter Neillands was a British writer known for his works on travel and military history. A former Royal Marine who served in Cyprus and the Middle East, he later became a prolific author, publishing under multiple pen names. His military histories, often featuring firsthand accounts from veterans, challenged revisionist narratives, particularly regarding Bernard Montgomery, the Dieppe Raid, and the Allied bombing campaign in World War II. Neillands also authored numerous travel books inspired by his extensive journeys across Europe. His works, both popular and scholarly, earned him a nomination for the Royal United Services Institute’s Military Literature Award.

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neillands has two interesting historical debates: first that the War of the Roses is a direct result of how the Hundred Years War ended. Secondly, his navigation of the historiography of Richard III as either a hero or villan. The first argument is developed at the beginning of the book, while the second comes at the very end. Both are interesting and explained well.

However, everything in between, which is at least 70% of the book, is bewildering, confusing, and complicated to the average reader. Neillands talks about Earls, Heirs, and every other post from all the Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Northfolk, etc. of England as if the reader is fully versed in the titles and regions/kingdoms of 1400s Western Europe. Perhaps this is not as confusing to a reading audience in the United Kingdom as it is to Americans. I got the feeling though that even then he was still assuming too much from the readership. I say this as a recent Masters degree graduate in history, who served as a T.A. for an Early World Civ. course in which both the Hundred Years War and War of the Roses were covered.

If you feel interested in reading this I advise you to find a graph or similar table that lists who is on which side of the war (Lancastrians vs. Yorkists) and keep it at your side as you read Neillands work. He does supply a family tree, but that too is complex and needs thorough explanation.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the Wars of the Roses - or a refresher for those who've forgotten more than they learned about the conflict. This book is concise, which can be frustrating at times when more detail and explanation might help keep the various figures and their complex stories straight. Still, a good overview of the subject and a decent introductory text.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This was a thoroughly enjoyable read through the tangled morass of slippery allegiances, lofty ambitions, and slighted egos of English nobility on the eve of the Renaissance. Neillands' account is well-paced, engaging and draws the reader into the conflict by narrating from both camps, giving the reader an objective framing of each player actions and possible motivations in this bloody drama. Neillands quickly exposes Shakespeare's Tudor bias in his histories, and goes to original sources for many episodes in the book. Richard III deservedly gets the most analysis, especially concerning the fate of his nephews in the Tower, but stops shy of any clear judgement or vindication of their presumed murders. Some mysteries must be left to the purvey of playwrights to splash with dripping brushes in bold colors...

The only confusing aspect of this book was the profusion of family affiliation and lordly titles. The reader needed to be agile in switching from given name and title. The family tree packed into a twisting two-page spread was confusing to quickly make clear sense of. As with most history books, this one lacks three-colored battle maps and would have benefitted immensely from a full-color display of coat of arms for each lord. Highly recommended for a first read of these tumultuous and bloody decades of English history!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A succinct but complete history covering the salient points that make-up England's thirty year period of civil wars.

Its sole focus on the personalities and relationships of the main players in the multi-generational series of conflicts, precludes an assessment of the broader historical forces that may have forced these players hands.

Nonetheless this makes for an excitingly personal account of the wars which covers the whole of the political and military history of them.

[Elliot Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful and detailed, although the author has the annoying habit of changing how a person is referred to (ie. Henry, Richmond, _The Royals"), this is particularly difficult to follow as the titles and earldoms of persons change regularly.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly informative and interesting for anyone interested in this time period

[Ondřej Marek]

Kniha, která má podle mě dobrý obsah, přehledně podané informace. Strašně ji ale sráží dolů tragický překlad.

[Abigail Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's introduction to this book states its purpose well: to provide a brief, helpful overview of the struggles between the Plantagenet branches of Lancaster and York. The book follows through admirably. It is no easy thing to untangle the threads of factions, families, and shifting loyalties, and I confess I found it difficult to keep track of all the names of lesser nobility: there is a family tree provided, but it is (perhaps necessarily) somewhat difficult to follow and of course doesn't take all the players into account. However, Neillands is generally clear and evenhanded in dealing with these power struggles. He takes an especially cautious view of Richard III, neither damning nor fully defending him; which, while not terribly stimulating (it's much more fun to be passionate about it), is undoubtedly the best approach.

The book is not comprehensive, but since it was never meant to be, points can hardly be taken off for that; and it did inspire me with a desire to read more on the subject, which was Neillands' object.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not fiction - but neither can it be described as non-fiction. Un-fiction maybe?

The historical coverage of the text is good - stretching from 1399 through until 1485 - with a precis of happenings thereafter - however the author has a scanty bibliography, cites quotations from sources that are not included in his scanty bibliography, and takes direct quotes from sources without any form of referencing.

If you are wanting an easy read that explains some of the politics behind the Wars of the Roses, then this is what you are looking for. But be warned: the author all but states the date that the "Princes in the Tower" were murdered, a fact (and fate) that - even 20 years after the book was first published - is still unknown.

[Ginevra Riccarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

[My Amazon review - 29 Jan 2007]

I first read this when I was a teenager and have read it a few times since.

Exploring, as the title suggests, the causes, dramas, and battles of the Wars of the Roses, those between the two houses of York and Lancaster during the 15th century and the eventual Tudor victory.

This book is very readable with good background knowledge of past events and delves into good detail of the battle plans and family backgrounds at the time of these wars and what became after them.

A few pictures are in here, though not many and all in black and white.

[Nina-Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(to be honest i finished reading this quite a long time ago, i only forgot about goodreads.com existence) Very informative book, although i didn't like author's sense of drama, which is here probably to spice up certain historical events

[Karan Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly simple book about the wars of the roses, it told the facts in a way that is great for someone who doesn't have a broad knowledge of that period. But I feel it left out a lot of details and important people. Having said that it's an enjoyable enough read.

[Marylu Sanok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Research in my continuing reading of the War of the Roses. A good book, but nothing new was learned as I had read most of this from other books. I am always looking for one new thing.

[Darkpool]

Honestly, I can't remember if I've read this or not.