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The Perfect King
The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation | Ian Mortimer
He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father's throne; he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years, and taxed his people more than any other previous king. Yet for centuries Edward III was celebrated as the most brilliant king England had ever had, and three hundred years after his death it was said that his kingship was perhaps the greatest that the world had ever known. In this first full study of the man's character and life, Ian Mortimer shows how Edward personally provided the impetus for much of the drama of his fifty-year reign. Under him the feudal kingdom of England became a highly organised nation and experienced its longest period of domestic peace in the middle ages. Nineteenth century historians saw in Edward the opportunity to decry a warmonger, and painted him as a self-seeking, rapacious, tax-gathering conqueror. Yet as this book shows, beneath the strong warrior king was a compassionate, conscientious and often merciful man - resolute yet devoted to his wife, friends and family. He emerges as a strikingly modern figure, to whom many will be able to relate - the father of both the English nation and the English people.
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Lcsmcat
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Hey #shakespearereadalong gang, what‘s a good, readable, biography of Edward III? I‘m particularly interested in his personal life, not his wars, and nothing sleep-inducingly academic. Thanks in advance. @GingerAntics @merelybookish @Graywacke

GingerAntics Hmmm… the only book I can honestly say I‘ve read that had Edward III in it that wasn‘t Shakes was Ed West. If you like your history a bit snarky, you‘ll love him, but his book isn‘t entirely about him. It‘s more about the social and political world of medieval England, but it centres itself around Edward III‘s reign in a sense. It‘s not strictly chronological, more thematic, so some people didn‘t like it for that reason, too. 2y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Thanks. I may add that to my list. I decided to start with Mark Ormrod‘s biography, which seems to be about the man rather than the warrior, if you know what I mean. . I‘m only one chapter in, but it‘s very readable so far. 2y
Graywacke I have no idea. But I‘m really curious. 2y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I look forward to your thoughts on Ormrod‘s book. I‘ve never been sure if I want to read it or not. (edited) 2y
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Dogearedcopy
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Pickpick

Ian Mortimer makes his case that Edward II was alive when Edward III was crowned King! It‘s just one of the things that makes this biography of Edward III engaging and thought-provoking. It‘s NF, but feels like an adventure tale told enthusiastically by the audiobook narrator, Alex Wyndham.
Maybe Mortimer is a crackpot, or maybe he‘s onto something; but regardless, can‘t wait to dig into his bios of Henry IV & V!

Dogearedcopy Image: Edward II‘s tomb at Gloucester Cathedral (from Gloucester Cathedral‘s web-site) *Who‘s buried in Edward II‘s tomb?* 3y
Lauraandherbooks You know I seriously told myself I wasn‘t going to buy anymore books on royal families 😜🤣🤣🤣🤣 it aren‘t they just so interesting??!! 3y
Lcsmcat Is this “readable history?” I‘m looking for something accurate but not academic on Edward III. 2y
23 likes3 comments
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Dogearedcopy
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🎧 I have the ebook edition, but with a rapidly closing reading window to get this in for February and, it being 500+ pages long, I wasn‘t sure I was going to be able to tackle it this month. But I saw the audio was only half price of what I was expecting *and* it‘s narrated by Alex Wyndham (same British narrator who read, ‘The Strangler Vine‘). So glad I dnloaded this! The pathos, melodrama, and rich excesses! *Better than fiction!!!* Loving it!

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wyvernfriend

“Contrary to popular belief his claim had absolutely nothing to do with Salic Law; a local land inheritance law whose relevance was pretended by French writers in the next century.“ p. 158 encapsulates the writers tone

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
wyvernfriend I'll have to look at the videos. Your guide is great 5y
LitsyWelcomeWagon So happy you've joined us! 5y
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