The Pageant Of England Complete Plantagenets Series

The Pageant of England is a four volume collection by Thomas B. Costain which covers the late medieval history of England. The series starts with the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and closes with the death of Richard III at Bosworth. George R. R. Martin has cited this collection as an influence on his book Fire and Blood, part of Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. The Conquering Family The Magnificent Century The Three Edwards The Last Plantagenets

The Pageant of England is a four volume collection by Thomas B. Costain which covers the late medieval history of England. The series starts with the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and closes with the death of Richard III at Bosworth. George R. R. Martin has cited this collection as an influence on his book Fire and Blood, part of Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. The Conquering Family The Magnificent Century The Three Edwards The Last Plantagenets

The Magnificent Century, the second volume of Costain's A History of the Plantagenets, covers Henry III's long and turbulent reign, from 1216 to 1272. During his lifetime Henry was frequently unpopular, unreliable and inconsistent. Yet his reign saw spectacular advancement in the arts, sciences and theology, as well as in government. Despite all, it was truly a magnificent century. "Combines a love of the subject with factual history. . .a great story." —San Francisco Chronicle A History of the Plantagenets includes The Conquering Family, The Magnificent Century, The Three Edwards and The Last Plantagenets.

A vast and brilliant panorama of love and intrigue, passion and power—told by Costain, the incomparable storyteller at his best. Here is the drama of the men and women of one powerful family who sought to sweep the whole world before them... “BRILLIANT...SWIFT-MOVING...FULL OF ACTION, RICH IN COLOR”—Henry Seidel Canby, Book-of-the-Month Club News “To this Costain has brought all the skill of a prime storyteller. He riots amid the actual happenings in perhaps the most richly dramatic and romantic country we know...A thrilling narrative...history told with all the interest found only in a great novel.”—Salt Lake City Tribune “Crowded with epochal events and grandly heroic personalities...much bloodshed and battle and violence and suffering...lively, fascinating”—Orville Prescott, New York Times “The glorious pageant of England...the most exciting of all stories.”—Christian Herald

Experience a riveting journey through the tumultuous reigns of three Edwards who shaped the destiny of England in 'The Three Edwards' by Thomas B. Costain in this history book. Delve into a narrative spanning the years from 1272 to 1377, a period of transformation and turmoil. Witness the rise of Edward I, a visionary king who propelled England into a new era. Uncover the tragic reign of Edward II, overshadowed by personal struggles and political unrest. Finally, bask in the glory and violence of Edward III's rule, as he leads England through triumph and war. Immerse yourself in the politics, wars, and captivating dramas of this pivotal era in British history.

There are periods in history when things are seen dimly as through a veil. Such were the years from 1377 to 1485. During this time the Chronicles were silent and the sources of information few. And yet these were eventful years, filled with important, strange, colorful and sometimes mystifying events. The Wars of the Roses were fought; a few men began to preach and a nation began to listen to new beliefs; the stout men of the soil rose against feudal injustices; and the greatest of mysteries grew out of the deaths of two princes in the Tower of London. This is the period covered by Thomas B. Costain in THE LAST PLANTAGENETS. It is not claiming too much to say that here the veil has been raised and that throughout the book a bright light plays on this century of excitement and romance and stories stranger than fiction. Here we read of a king who devoted much of his reign to revenge; of the same young monarch riding out boldly to face the peasants demanding a fairer deal; of the winning of Fair Kate of France by the spectacular warrior king, Henry V; of the emergence of a commoner known in history as the Kingmaker; of a ruler who condemned his brother to death and the carrying out of the sentence, according to public report at the time, by drowning the prince in a butt of wine. By way of climax to the saga of the extraordinary Plantagenets with their brilliant successes, tragic reverses and wild extravagances, the last section of the book is devoted to a summary of the case of Richard III. Was Richard the villainous hunchback of stage and story who had his nephews murdered to clear his way to the throne? Or was he the whipping boy of history, whose voice could not be raised in defense from the grave and whose friends did not dare speak out? All the evidence in this unsolved mystery is gathered up and the author achieves in the telling a mounting tension which has never before, perhaps, been reached. Readers today might well raise their eyes from the perusal of newspaper murders to find in this case the strangest and most gripping story of all. This is the fourth, and last, volume in what Thomas B. Costain originally intended to be a history of England. The three earlier volumes were published under the titles The Conquerors, The Magnificent Century and The Three Edwards. Some time in the future the publishers may combine the four, with some necessary additions, to be issued as a history of the Plantagenet kings.