Angevin

The historian’s desire for certainty is hard to square with the fragility of sources and their constant reworking by the profession. Casting a cold eye on the remaining evidence relating to the deaths of Edward II and Richard II, Ian Mortimer plots a way forward for his discipline.

Henry II was fatally injured by the Count of Montgomery during a jousting tournament. He died on July 10th, 1559.

Richard the Lionheart was born in Oxford on September 8th 1157.

Nicholas Vincent celebrates the founder of the Plantagenet dynasty who was crowned 850 years ago this month.

Nick Barratt argues that Normandy’s loss in the reign of King John has had a far-reaching impact on Britain.

Arthur of Brittany was captured on August 1st, 1202.

England's royal black sheep may well turn out to be the instigator of the ancient ceremony linking Church and Crown. Arnold Kellett explains how this came about.

A damned inheritance, hopelessly over-extended and out-resourced by the kings of France? Or an effective empire thrown away by incompetence and harshness? John Gillingham weighs the blame for John's loss of the Angevin dominions.

The Angevin Empire may have come about by a mixture of luck and calculation, but skill and respect for local custom were required for Henry II to preserve it intact.

Patriotism, propaganda, profit - Anthony Tuck finds that these were the motives that led Englishmen to fight in France.