| sjwalker38 | 14 Apr 2015 1:11 p.m. PST |
Says it all really – can you suggest any good (military campaign orientated) histories of the Plantagenet civil wars 1139-54? |
| Garand | 14 Apr 2015 1:16 p.m. PST |
The Gesta Stephani apparently is available from some book vendors for various prices (both used and new in-print). Has been on my "must buy" list for a long time, but I haven't gotten around to it… Damon. |
| Garand | 14 Apr 2015 1:56 p.m. PST |
So it was suggested via the interwebs that the "Brother Cadfael Mysteries series takes place in that time frame, and aside from being good mysteries, they give some good "color coverage" for the period." Source is from a certain person in the slammer… :) Damon. |
| MajorB | 14 Apr 2015 2:14 p.m. PST |
The Gesta Stephani apparently is available from some book vendors for various prices Or you can read it online for free:
PDF link |
| GurKhan | 14 Apr 2015 2:33 p.m. PST |
Jim Bradbury, "Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53"(History Press 2005) John Beeler, "Warfare in England 1066-1189" (Cornell U P 1967) |
| autos da fe | 14 Apr 2015 2:45 p.m. PST |
The opening chapters of Dan Jones' The Plantagenets taught me a lot recently about this. Just came out in paperback so I've seen the hardback remaindered a number of places. Am interested to follow through on the citations people recommend here. |
Shagnasty  | 14 Apr 2015 7:08 p.m. PST |
A second for the Cadfael books. Very atmospheric. |
| Wackmole9 | 14 Apr 2015 7:59 p.m. PST |
I just finish this one "Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53" and it was a good read |
| Toronto48 | 14 Apr 2015 9:21 p.m. PST |
OK Let's try again after the bug got the last two. Ken Follett's novels "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" are set during the time of Matilda and Stephen and their struggle is an important theme It too s very atmosperic and basically accurate but like most Follett books they are long There is also a TV miniseries based on the novels which is worth watching |
| Garand | 15 Apr 2015 1:05 p.m. PST |
Slight correction to above: World Without End is set at the tail end of Edward II, with most of the "action" taking place during Edward IIIs reign, spanning the beginning of the 100 Years War, the Black Death, etc. Pillars, however, is set during King Stephen's reign. Damon. |
| Toronto48 | 15 Apr 2015 1:52 p.m. PST |
Thanks Damon for the clarification |
| Great War Ace | 15 Apr 2015 2:41 p.m. PST |
Nobody seems to remember Graham Shelby. I'll put in a plug for his Stephen vs Matilda novel. It can be found under two titles: "The Villains of the Piece", or, "The Oath and the Sword"…. |
gets medieval.
