Short Synopsis
A vivid and colorful history of the most dominant royal dynasty in English history, from Richard the Lionheart and Edward the Black Prince to Henry IV and Richard III.

Full Synopsis
The Plantagenets reigned over England longer than any other family—from Henry II to Richard III. Four kings were murdered, two came close to being deposed, and the last—and most notorious, Richard III—was killed in a battle by rebels. Shakespeare wrote plays about six of them, further entrenching them in the national myth.

Based on major contemporary sources and recent research, acclaimed historian Desmond Seward provides the first accessible overview of the whole extraordinary dynasty, in one volume.

"This is popular history at its most buoyant and informative." ---Booklist Starred Review

“Seward reminds us of a style that has been all but lost in this thundering account of the Plantagenet family.” ---Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl

"Seward is a good author to turn to for ease in reading history; his writing style is quick, vibrant and delightfully pithy in its simplicity of phrase." ---Kirkus

"Delightfully incisive . . . A short, clear, clever overview of the Plantagenet family, England's longest-ruling dynasty." ---Shelf Awareness

Booklist Review