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'… this is a very important book which challenges many of the orthodoxies prevalent in late-medieval studies. By building on recent research, it brings important new ideas to a wider audience and skilfully combines an understanding of both the national and local dimensions of politics. It will doubtless set the agenda for future research for some years to come.' The Ricardian
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This is a new interpretation of English politics during the extended period beginning with the majority of Henry VI in c. 1437 up to the accession of Henry VII in 1509. The later fifteenth century in England is a somewhat baffling and apparently incoherent period which historians and history students have found consistently difficult to handle. The large-scale 'revisionism' inspired by the classic work of K. B. McFarlane led to the first real work on politics, both national and local, but has left the period in a disjointed state: much material has been unearthed, but without any real sense of direction or coherence. This book places the events of the century within a clearly delineated framework of constitutional structures, practices and expectations, in an attempt to show the meaning of the apparently frenetic and purposeless political events which occurred within that framework - and which sometimes breached it. At the same time it takes cognisance of all the work that has been done on the period, including recent and innovative work on Henry VI.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Carpenter presents an interesting analytical account of the traumatic period of the Wars of the Roses. Unlike many academic books, the chronological nature keeps the work accessible without lacking in detail or complexity. Immediately the book sets up a detailed background picture of the fractured nature of English politics from Richard II until the victory of Henry VII.
Whether or not you agree with the thesis in support of Edward IV, it is an important text to understand as it draws very different conclusions from other writers of the period: particularly in the fragile success achieved by Edward IV after the effective chaos of Henry VI reign. The evaluation of the kings is excellent, although perhaps an over-reliance on 'norms' of Kingship suggesting Kings either fulfilling or deviating from the path of perfect rule is slightly misleading. But the use of source material is really enriching and overall I would say this is a must for any serious/semi-serious medievalist.
Whether or not you agree with the thesis in support of Edward IV, it is an important text to understand as it draws very different conclusions from other writers of the period: particularly in the fragile success achieved by Edward IV after the effective chaos of Henry VI reign. The evaluation of the kings is excellent, although perhaps an over-reliance on 'norms' of Kingship suggesting Kings either fulfilling or deviating from the path of perfect rule is slightly misleading. But the use of source material is really enriching and overall I would say this is a must for any serious/semi-serious medievalist.
6 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is an account of the traumatic period of the middle ages in which royal authority was circumvented by the nobility following the inept rule of Henry VI. However, Carpenter accredits Edward IV with the effective re-establishment of the crown's power. This contrasts greatly with the views of Pollard and Horrox, who are more critical of Edward IV's achievements.
The centrepiece of the book is the reign of Edward IV and this is also the most controversial. Although it is true that Edward reasserted royal power following the Lancastrian rule of Henry VI, Carpenter largely uses this as a justification for praising him as 'the greatest medieval monarch'. This is perhaps too great a praise for a king who failed to pass on the crown to his son and whose marriage contributed greatly to the fall of the Yorkist Dynasty.
It is an in depth book which delivers an overview of the period in question. However, I do think that the effective eulogising of Edward IV goes too far. It is a very lucid text and does give an insight beyond that originally outlined by McFarlane. It is a very enjoyable book to read but I do not think it is outstanding and does not go beyond other recent books in its analysis of events.
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