I am currently writing the bibliography for my new book. Sadly, I own all these!
Some are particularly recommended, as you can see.
Barry
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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
As an allegedly well-read historian I have a large library and rejoice in the title of ‘bibliophile'. Rather than just list my books I will throw up a select ‘top ten' and then a collection of some others which you may find of use.
MY TOP 10:
In no particular running order these are the ten books which I think any student of this period should have in their collection…
BLOOD RED ROSES – the archaeology of a mass grave from the Battle of Towton. Multiple authors include Andrew Boardman. Forward by Robert Hardy. At its heart this is the forensic investigation of 40+ bodies found at Towton Hall and much, much more. Oxbow Books. ISBN 978-1-84217-286-6
My assessment: simply superb, the ‘meat and potatoes' book for any historian of England's Livery Wars.
BOSWORTH 1485 – a battlefield rediscovered by Glenn Ford and Anne Curry. A meticulous investigation of the battlefield from documents and from metal-detecting. Oxbow Books. ISBN 978-1-78297-173-3
My Assessment: It literally puts Bosworth back on the map… about a mile from where everyone thought it was.
LONGBOW – a social and military history by actor Robert Hardy CBE. When not being Siegfried Farnon in TV's All Creatures Great and Small Hardy was Britain's leading longbowman. The later editions include the Mary Rose bows which Hardy took a leading role in examining and researching. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-412-3
My assessment: The oldest book on this list but not the least. Get a 3rd edition or later for the additional Mary Rose material.
THE MEDIEVAL SOLDIER – in the Wars of the Roses by Andrew Boardman. Boardman is a member of the Battlefields Trust. Sutton Publishing. ISBN – 0-7509-1465-3
My assessment: the man knows his stuff. This is a highly readable account of this period and still a ‘go to' for me.
THE BATTLE OF TOWTON – by Andrew Boardman. The second of his books on this list and one which explains his contribution to the first book on this list. Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-0771-1
My assessment : the man still knows his stuff!
HENRY VI, MARGARET OF ANJOU from contemporary chronicles, letters and documents by Keith Dockray. The first of three of these books which will appear in this list. These volumes do what they say on the covers – heavy on contemporary comments and reports, light on ‘filtering' or interpretation. Fonthill Media. ISBN-13 978-1-78155-469-2
My assessment: these are the sources which are the ‘nuts and bolts' of English history, as it was seen, at the time that it happened.
EDWARD IV from contemporary chronicles, letters and documents by Keith Dockray. As above. Same comments apply. Fonthill Media. ISBN-13 978-1-78155-416-6
RICHARD III from contemporary chronicles, letters and documents by Keith Dockray and Peter Hammond. As above. Same comments apply. Fonthill Media 978-1-78155-313-8
RICHARD, DUKE OF YORK – ‘king by right' by Mathew Lewis. The sleeve notes describe this as a ‘much-needed biography' and I agree. Although he started the conflict, he is often overshadowed by his sons. Amberley. ISBN 978-1-4456-4744-9
My assessment: it was Dan Jones who said this was much needed. I cannot disagree.
THE CASTLE IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Dan Spencer. Described as a first major study of the role of the castle during this period. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-52671-869-3
My assessment: already mentioned in the main text as a ‘must-read'. As a battlefield historian I tend to forget the guerrilla-type war of 1460 to 1465 waged through the castles of Wales and the North of England.
In addition – and in strict historical order:
BATTLES:
THE BATTLES OF ST ALBANS by Peter Burley, Michael Elliott and Harvey Watson. Pen and Sword Books. A small format ‘pocket' guide copiously illustrated.
THE BATTLE OF BLORE HEATH edited by Paddy Griffiths. Paddy Griffith Associates. A detailed look at an obscure battle.
THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON 1460 by Mike Ingram. Northampton Battlefield Society. Excellent detail inc lists of known participants.
THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD REVISITED by Helen Cox. Published by Helen Cox. Great on detail including known or suspected participants.
THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD 1460 by Philip A Haigh. Sutton Publishing. Solid and well-written, good maps.
FATAL COLOURS by George Goodwin. Towton 1461, introduction by David Starkey. My paperback published by Phoenix.
THE BATTLE OF EDGCOTE 1469 by Graham Evans. Northampton Battlefield Society. A detailed look at one of the most nebulous and difficult to pin-down battles in England.
BARNET – 1471 by David Clark. Another in the Pen and Sword books and in the same format. Pocket size and well illustrated.
BOSWORTH 1485 ‘psychology of the battle' by Michael Jones. Paperback edition by John Murray is a 2014 up-date of a 2002 original and includes reference to the discovery of the true battlefield and King Richard's body.
BOSWORTH ‘the birth of the Tudors' by Chris Skidmore. Published by Phoenix. Written post-discoveries it includes a resume of the findings.
BOSWORTH 1485 ‘battle story' by Mike Ingram. The History Press. Not my favourite book as his reconstruction maps differ from others. I find them unconvincing. Otherwise a good book.
LAMBERT SIMNEL and the Battle of Stoke by Michael Bennett. Alan Sutton Publishing. Detailed and authoritative. One of the best maps of the battle.
GENERAL BOOKS ON THE PERIOD:
THE HOLLOW CROWN by Dan Jones. A Sunday Times best-seller, my copy is by Faber and Faber in paperback. Excellent content and with a TV series presented by Dan himself which can now be found on YouTube. The man knows his subject.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Robin Neillands. Published by Cassell. A 1992 book which I only found by chance in a charity shop. Intelligent and well-written.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Anthony Goodman. Published by Routledge. Another ‘oldie but goodie'. Well written and concise.
THE HOUSE OF BEAUFORT by Nathen Amin. Published by Amberley. One of the best modern books (2017) it covers the whole history of the ‘bastard Beauforts' from the outset. Recommended!
THIS SUN OF YORK by Mary Clive. Published by Sphere. Acclaimed biography of Edward IV.
THE WOODVILLES, ‘the Wars of the Roses and England's most infamous family' by Susan Higginbotham. Published by The History Press. I would not go as far as ‘most infamous' but still a right riveting read. Recommended for a look at England's most over promoted family, at least!
BLOOD ROYAL is a two volumes in paperback by Hugh Bicheno. The first is 1440 to 1462, the second is 1462 to 1485. Both from Head of Zeus Ltd and noted as also available in e-book format.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Trevor Royle. My paperback by Little Brown Book Group. A great book let down by an unfortunate tag proclaiming "England's First Civil War". Somebody in the promotions department needs to be told about Stephen and Matilda, King John and Simon De Montfort's civil wars!
THE MILITARY CAMPAIGNS OF THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Philip A. Haigh. Sutton Publishing. Concise accounts of the fighting. The Mortimer's Cross map is unconvincing but so are other author's. Bosworth is wrong but this is a 1997 book so can also be forgiven.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES by J.R. Lander. Published by Grange. Good general history, well illustrated.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES by Charles Ross. Published by Thames and Hudson. Well illustrated large format paperback from an author much quoted by others.
WARWICK THE KINGMAKER and the Wars of the Roses by Paul Murray Kendall. A 1957 book but my Sphere paperback is 1972. Kendall is highly regarded and this was one of my first books on this period. I still dip back into it.
EDWARD IV AND THE WARS OF THE ROSES by David Santiuste. Pen and Sword.
WALES AND THE WARS OF THE ROSES by H.T. Evans. Published by Wrens Park. A 1915 book republished in 1998. Takes a particular Welsh view and covers the campaigns in or through Wales. Well illustrated.
OWEN TUDOR ‘founding father of the Tudor Dynasty' by Terry Breverton. Amberley. Excellent volume on an obscure figure.
EDWARD V ‘the prince in The Tower' by Michael Hicks. Tempus Publishing.
THE LAST WHITE ROSE – ‘the secret wars against the Tudors' by Desmond Seward. Published by Constable. Slightly outside the classic period but this covers 1485 to 1547, especially the Tudor relationship with the de la Poles and the Poles.
RICHARD III:
GOOD KING RICHARD? ‘an account of Richard III and his reputation by Jeremy Potter. Published by Constable. My 1989 edition is clearly pro-Ricardian and includes a chapter on the Richard III Society itself.
RICHARD III'S ‘BELOVED COUSIN' John Howard and the House of York by John Ashdown-Hill. The History Press. A fascinating account of the Howards, who become Dukes of Norfolk, and their relationship to the Crown. A recommended gem.
RICHARD III and BUCKINGHAM'S REBELLION by Louise Gill. Sutton Publishing. A bold choice of subject given Buckingham's unknown motives.
RICHARD III, brother, protector, king by Chris Skidmore. Weidenfeld and Nicholson in the UK but St Martin's in the USA. Somehow I bought both!
RICHARD III by David Baldwin. Amberley Press. My edition of 2015 includes an up-date on the new discoveries. Praised by novelist Philippa Gregory.
ANNE NEVILLE ‘Richard III's tragic queen' by Amy Licence. Difficult to write as so little known. Bold effort. Again praised by Philippa Gregory.
RICHARD III by Paul Murray Kendall. Unwin Paperbacks. Originally 1955, my copy is 1987. Although old Kendall is often quoted by modern writers.
RICHARD III and the Princes in the Tower by A.P. Pollard. Published by Alan Sutton. Distinguished author much quoted by others. Well illustrated.
RICHARD AND LEICESTER:
From what I can tell from the sidelines there appears to be some ‘distancing' and animosity among members of the team responsible for the discovery of Richard's body. I am not judging so you may want to get BOTH of these books and form your own opinions.
Both MBEs were awarded for the Leicester discovery.
THE SEARCH FOR RICHARD III, ‘the king's grave' by Phillipa Langley MBE and Michael Jones. Published by John Murray. Langley is heavily involved with the Richard III Society and promoted the archaeological excavation at Leicester. The Society had suggested the Leicester site as early as 1975.
THE MYTHOLOGY OF RICHARD III by John Ashdown-Hill MBE. Published by Amberley. His early interest in Richard's DNA led to BBC research which concluded the body had not been thrown in the river. Persuaded the council to permit the dig and the earlier DNA was used for positive identification. A pall bearer at Richard's funeral. Died in 2018 from Motor Neurone Disease.
returns from Mexico with a new vision for making palm trees from scratch.
