Richard I dies in 1199 without a legitimate heir, leaving the English crown disputed between his younger brother John and his nephew Arthur of Brittany. John secures the throne, but his reign quickly becomes a struggle to preserve the Angevin inheritance against Philip II of France while also controlling barons who distrust his methods and ambitions.
Jean Plaidy follows John through the dynastic, political and personal crises that make him one of England’s most controversial kings. His marriage to Isabella of Angoulême, the disappearance of Arthur, the loss of Normandy and his conflict with the papacy all weaken royal authority. By the time rebellious barons force John to accept Magna Carta at Runnymede, the king’s attempts to recover power have created opposition he can no longer contain. The novel portrays a reign shaped by suspicion, appetite and repeated political miscalculation.
Philippa Gregory
32 books
Georgette Heyer
41 books
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
55 books
Paul Bannister
16 books
Henry Treece
35 books