Sergeant Press
eBook & Paperback; 310 Pages
Series: The Plantagenet Legacy, Book One
Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical
Synopsis
Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to
assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.
My Thoughts
A King Under Siege is an interesting insight into the early years of Richard II's reign, beginning with the pivotal event of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. Richard II was considered a weak king, but showed great courage when at the age of fourteen confronted Wat Tyler and his supporters in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Mercedes Rochelle writes of a young man, fearful, and also frustrated that the men who governed in his stead had allowed matters to escalate into violent confrontation. Richard II's intervention by way of listening to the people's grievances and issuing pardons did much for his self-respect, but ultimately resulted in more unrest as he was forced to renege on his promises.
Apart from the Peasants' Revolt, the reign of Richard II is an era in history that I knew little about or showed much interest in. However, after reading A King Under Siege I did feel some sympathy for Richard II and his plight. He found it difficult to live up to the reputations of his grandfather, Edward III, and of his father, the Black Prince. Thwarted by his uncles and other advisors, who cited his youth as an excuse to control him and rule the country, it is no wonder that he rebelled, often giving glimpses of the ruler he could have been if given more encouragement and guidance. Sadly, when he tried to exert some authority by establishing a loyal inner circle, this further alienated him from his uncles and sealed the fates of those that he relied on and trusted.
Another contentious issue was Richard II's marriage to Anne of Bohemia. Many of his opponents were against the marriage as the political gain was limited and Anne had no dowry, but she supported Richard and often gave good advice.
While this novel is about the politics of the time, I did enjoy mention of the fashion statements that Anne of Bohemia’s entourage brought to England. The elaborate horned headdresses worn by the ladies and the shoes with pointed tips that extended several inches from the toes would have looked spectacular if not a little awkward for the wearer.
A King Under Siege is informative as well as entertaining. It is a coming of age story filled with historical details, plots and counter plots that make it a compelling read. The story ends when Richard II gains his majority and claims the throne in his own right. He takes no responsibility for events that took place during his minority, laying the blame on his guardians. A very satisfactory ending that prepares us for the next phase of Richard II's reign.
About the Author
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Thursday, February 27
Review at A Darn Good Read
Saturday, February 29
Excerpt at Passages to the Past
Monday, March 2
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Wednesday, March 4
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Friday, March 6
Review at Books and Zebras
Tuesday, March 10
Review at Nurse Bookie
Thursday, March 12
Feature at I'm All About Books
Friday, March 13
Review at bookramblings
Review at Impressions In Ink
Monday, March 16
Review at Broken Teepee
Wednesday, March 18
Interview at Passages to the Past
Giveaway (US only)
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 5 paperback copies of A King Under Siege! To enter, please use the Gleam form HERE.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on March 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Nice. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Davida!
Delete