An interesting book covering the medieval period. With detailed research and pictures adding to the richness of the content, I can only imagine the length of time it took to write.

As it displays on the reverse of the jacket, this is all true which highlights the darker side of royalty in the Middle Ages.

Not a book for the faint of heart, it’s an educational read and one that historians of this period would devour.

For the Love of Books

All in all, Usurpers is accessible, enlightening, and informative. Those who are interested in the British Medieval Monarchy may find it helpful.

NetGalley, Katherine Wacker

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The research was great. It was built upon facts without sacrificing readability. The conclusions reached on whether the subject was an usurper or not facilitated thought on the readers part. This was an enjoyable aspect of the read.

NetGalley, Peter Skelly

It was interesting to read the authors thoughts regarding who was a usurper and his reasoning. I really enjoyed this book.
4.5/5⭐

Leanne Tuck - Good Reads

The book has obviously been well-researched and is a concise and easy read. There are several sections of repetition where monarchs overlapped, especially with the final three kings who did all overlap with each other, so sections are repeated from the views of the different kings.

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Tudor Blogger

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A very detailed and thoughtful account of the different monarchs and rulers of the medieval era. I love this time in history, so I’m an avid reader of anything regarding this period. I found this a very informative and easy read, and would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about this period.

NetGalley, Sarah Haugh

A masterpiece of academic scholarship that will prove of interest to both academia and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in Royal British History.

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Midwest Book Review

This book I should say is a very good one, well written and well researched by the author Michelle Morrical. This book presents in good detail, the story of all the medieval kings of England, what they did and how they got into the position of being made king. The book is also split into sections that separate the various kings/families into their own group, and then after each group there is a conclusion as to whether that particular king was a usurper king or not. Certainly well worth a read although a number you can’t help but agree with because over time a consensus has been met, but the author has argued her points well and it makes for a good balanced book.

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UK Historian

This book was a fascinating look at the "usurper" kings of English history and the steps they took to legitimatize their reigns after the overthrow of their predecessors. I also liked that it looked at royal women such as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Margaret of Anjou who took royal power for themselves, even if they didn't rule in their own name.

NetGalley, Melisa Safchinsky

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I have always loved reading fictional books about usurpers and fights for a throne but I never ventured into nonfiction tales of the same subject. After reading this I'll have to make sure that I dip my toes in the water more often.

NetGalley, Morgan Schaer

This book describes the turbulent and chaotic Middle Ages. It details events from the Norman Conquest to the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, when Richard III was disposed. The author discusses whether William the Conqueror, Stephen of Blois, Henry Bolingbroke, Edward IV, Richard III and Henry Tudor all deserve the title usurper King.

It is a fascinating and well written book, which makes the reader consider the medieval period from the context of legitimacy of power and rule.

The section on the Wars of the Roses is particularly helpful as the author explains clearly why the Wars of the Roses continued for so long, with the balance of power continually changing from the Yorkist’s to Lancastrians.

I would recommend this book to all those interested in the medieval period. It will appeal to the lay reader and academic alike.

Alison Wall, Local History Group

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I found this book fascinating! Very well research and the author did a great job. Highly recommend!

NetGalley, Heather Michael

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a great book on Medieval kings. I would highly recommend this to anyone else who is fascinated by the medieval world as I am and like to read about it for pure entertainment.

NetGalley, Dylan Simon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A fun look at medieval English history, through the stories of William the Conqueror, Stephen of Blois, Henry Bolingbroke, Edward IV, Richard III, and Henry Tudor, and other fascinating figures -- many of them, purported "usurpers" who became kings by seizing the throne for themselves. What is especially good about this work is how it engages with the primary source material -- understanding that the "chronicles" of that era were just as much works of contemporary political propaganda as historical record, and acknowledging that our perceptions of these figures is highly biased by that context. This is an interesting and thoughtful read about a fascinating and exciting time in English history and is sure to be enjoyed by lovers of history.

NetGalley, Rob Brown

Overall, a great narrative overview of some key moments in British monarchic history. Easy-to-read and informative, with immaculate detail and explanation throughout... An enjoyable read for a History buff like me.

NetGalley, George Burnett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating look at the early years of English rule and the politics behind the hostile takeovers of the throne. The stories surrounding each of the events were intriguing and really kept my interest.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An usurper is the title given to any figure who seizes the throne illegally or by force. In this concise, highly readable volume, Michele Morrical takes a look at six medieval kings who have traditionally been labelled usurpers in the past and decides if they really deserve the title.
The kings are: William the Conqueror, victor of the 1066 Battle of Hastings. His grandson, Stephen who battled with Matilda during the 12th century Anarchy. The last four all ruled during the turbulent 15th century (there is some overlap here): Henry IV, the reckless Edward IV, the murderous Richard III and the first Tudor, Henry VII. Morrical's conclusions are well-argued and clear in this fascinating book.

NetGalley, Chris Hallam

This book is well written and linearly plotted. It is interesting... There were many tidbits in this book that I either did not know, or had not considered before. Food for thought! There is such a wealth of rich history, this book could have gone on for pages and pages.

NetGalley, Joyce Fox

With the abundance of information, this book gives a fascinating insight into the background of some of the most controversial and notorious figures in English history.
Noteworthy as well are the authors own opinions on the relevant findings. This is especially the case when he points out how biased and one-sided information was against individuals. But the author uses all the up to date facts available at his fingertips to create this epic book.
I like Usurpers, A New Look at Medieval Kings, as it gives the reader an in-depth look behind the scenes at all the political machinations that occurred during the time. Personally, I was particularly interested in Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, played in history. So, I was fascinated with the information the author had about the supposedly Kingmaker.
This is a well written and well-researched book that offers insightful observations into the famous and infamous. Written with real style and precision like a good textbook should be. The information is interesting, very well organised and fully up to date. And it would grace any library history reference shelf.
At the end of the book, there are authors notes, which are very useful, a bibliography and an index. Plus photographs, pictures and drawings... I found myself enthralled and lost in the book.

NetGalley, John Derek

Featured in

Mortimer Matters, the magazine of the Mortimer History Society, July 2021