Henry V's Brother (Hardback)
John of Lancaster, Regent of France
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 256
Illustrations: 40 black and white illustration
ISBN: 9781399004466
Published: 30th January 2025
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Named after his famous grandfather, John of Gaunt, John of Lancaster Duke of Bedford, has been largely forgotten and sidelined in history. As the third of four sons, he was not his father’s heir, but he nonetheless distinguished himself in his youth in his service on the Scottish borders.
As an adult, he was overshadowed by his charismatic older brother, the warrior king and victor of Agincourt, Henry V. Yet Henry trusted John the most of all his brothers and twice left him to rule England during his expeditions in France. John Duke of Bedford was the man who really governed England for almost half of his brother’s nine-year reign.
John reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Regent of France. As Regent, he governed a polity that had not existed for three centuries: a truly Anglo-Norman realm. It was not just ruled by England but populated by English settlers who lived & fought alongside the French.
For thirteen years, John held the English kingdom of France together on the negotiating table and often on the battlefield. He struggled against renegade soldiers and his adversary, Charles VII of France, but sometimes against the political machinations of his relatives to keep his late brother’s dream alive.
John became a man noted for equitable rule and an unshakeable commitment to justice. In England, people looked to him to heal the divisions which poisoned Henry VI’s government, and in France, they viewed him as the only statesman fully committed to the good governance of Normandy and Paris.
Today, John is only remembered as the man who condemned Joan of Arc, even though he was not involved. This biography provides a much-needed reassessment of John’s life and political career.
This is a solid 4-star read—meticulously researched, insightful, and refreshingly balanced. John of Lancaster might never be as famous as his brother, but Arman makes it clear that he deserves to be remembered as more than a historical afterthought. If you’re a fan of medieval history, dynastic drama, or unsung heroes who quietly held empires together, this biography is well worth your time.
NetGalley, Chelsea Dugan
I found this to be a reall interesting and engaging look at a seemingly forgotten man of history! I knew very little of John of Lancaster so was very eager to learn more about the man and the times, and this book delivered on that front perfectly!
NetGalley, karen mace
It looks into the turbulent times that were prevalent in the 15th century and the challenges that faced the Royal Family from both in the UK and in France too. There's so many historical names that were relevant at the times, so there's many paths that the author takes you down, seeing their relationship with Henry V and all around him, along with the threats from overseas.
I loved learning more about him as a person, and how he was so loyal to the family and played such a pivotal role in many of the battles and trying to thwart the plots against them. It's also led me to start researching more on my own about various goings on of the time as this book has really sparked off a big interest in me now in the characters of the time. Highly recommended!
The contents of this book are written clearly and serve to illuminate the life of someone overshadowed by the historical giant that is Henry V. An excellent read for those interested in that time period as well as wanting more of Henry V's upbringing.
NetGalley, Spencer Wright
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Caroline Palmer
An amazing look into an important historical figure who has been largely marginalized by his older brother and nephew.
However, there is no maybe about the fact that Geoffrey Chaucer’s wife was Katherine Swynford’s sister even though Philippa de Roet is known to history by her maiden name and Katherine is known to history by her first husband’s name.
About Joanna Arman
Joanna Arman gained her love of Medieval History from childhood trips to castles, cathedrals, and Joust Weeks at Arundel Castles, before reading the Venerable Bede and watching Shakespeare’s history play as a graduate of the University of Winchester where she obtained a BA Degree in Medieval History quickly followed by a Masters.
She has a special interest in Medieval Women: not just Queens and noblewomen but also those lower down the social order, such as female landholders, businesswomen and female plaintiffs in marriage cases. Her first book was a biography of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians which was published by Amberley in 2017.
She lives in Sussex, the county where she grew up, a stone’s throw away from the South Downs.
Henry V (Hardback)
Somewhat contradictory views of Henry V are held within contemporary and near-contemporary accounts. Some said Henry was a pious, prudent and likeable prince who was concerned with the welfare of his people, others painted him as a callous, single-minded and reckless man who shed blood both at home and in France. Keith Dockray's controversial biography begins by assessing 15th-century sources from England and France before looking at Shakespeare's Henry and the ways in which 20th-century historians portrayed him. Henry's life and career form the second part of the book which concludes with a survey…
Click here to buy both titles for £29.95
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