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The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster (Hardback)
  • The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster (Hardback)
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The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster (Hardback)

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£20.00
Hardback Published: 15/04/2021

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Waterstones Says

Vividly evoking all the political turmoil of fourteenth-century England and Europe, Carr traces the life and character of John of Gaunt, the brother of The Black Prince and father to Henry IV, in this utterly compelling work of narrative history.

John of Gaunt was son of Edward III, brother to the Black Prince, father to Henry IV and the forefather of the Tudors. His character and motivations have been hotly disputed: supposed usurper of Richard II's crown and a focus of hatred throughout the latter part of the fourteenth century, culminating in the dramatic Peasants' Revolt and the torching of his home, the Savoy Palace.

Helen Carr paints a complex portrait of a man who held the levers of power on the English and European stage, passionately upheld chivalric values, patronised early religious reform and supported a renaissance in art and literature in England ...inspiring Shakespeare to characterise Gaunt in Richard II, in giving the most beautiful oration on England ('this sceptred isle... this blessed plot').

An engrossing drama of political machinations, violence, romance and tragedy played out at the cusp of a new era.

Publisher: Oneworld Publications
ISBN: 9780861540822
Dimensions: 234 x 153 x 28 mm


MEDIA REVIEWS

'Helen Carr is a really exciting new talent in the world of history writing, whose work strikes a perfect balance between lucidity and scholarship. Her debut, The Red Prince, is a beautifully nuanced portrait of an oft misunderstood man.' - Rebecca Rideal, author of 1666: Plague, War and Hellfire

'Superb, gripping and fascinating, here is John of Gaunt and a cast of kings, killers and queens brought blazingly, sensitively and swashbucklingly to life. An outstanding debut.' - Simon Sebag Montefiore

'A long overdue reappraisal of one of medieval England's greatest but most enigmatic figures. The Red Prince announces Helen Carr as one of the most exciting new voices in narrative history.' - Dan Jones, author of The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown

'Helen Carr is one of the most exciting and talented young historians out there. She has a passion for medieval history which is infectious and is always energetic and engaging, whether on the printed page or the screen.' - Dan Snow

'Deploying vivid and compelling prose alongside her considerable scholarship, Helen Carr fully succeeds in restoring John of Gaunt to his rightful place - in the first rank of medieval princes. This is an excellent book, that brings the fourteenth century back to life through a thoughtful parade of intriguing characters - none more fascinating than John of Gaunt himself.' - Charles Spencer, bestselling author of Blenheim and Killers of the King

'John of Gaunt is a name to conjure with - an English duke who sought to become a king in Spain, a complicated, controversial man to whom, as 'time-honour'd Lancaster', Shakespeare gives one of his greatest speeches. Helen Carr puts him centre stage: The Red Prince is the rattling good story of a life lived on an epic scale, told with care, insight and humanity.' - Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves and Joan of Arc

'Helen Carr tells the gripping story of John of Gaunt's dramatic and controversial career, from the wars he waged across Europe to the political intrigue and rebellion he faced at home, and above all the way in which his life was marked by profound love, and loss. This is an engaging and moving portrait of one of the leading figures of the Hundred Years War.' - Sophie Therese Ambler, author of The Song of Simon de Montfort

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“Hugely Accomplished”

I really enjoyed this, a gripping narrative of a fascinating time told via the life of John of Gaunt. The subject was a great choice, allowing Carr to dart in and out of some of the most important events of medieval... More

“The Red Prince: a biography of John of Gaunt, the founder of the royal House of Lancaster”

I have no idea why this book is called “The Red Prince”. There is only one reference to this soubriquet in the introduction, and it does not explain why it was used. As far as I am aware John of Gaunt was not... More

Hardback edition
Helpful? Upvote 29

“Comprehensive”

A fascinating and comprehensive biography of John of Gaunt. This is an indepth account of Medieval Britain, accompanied by colour photographs. It strikes me a well researched and it is written in a way that makes the... More

Hardback edition
Helpful? Upvote 20

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