The Plantagenets

I'm looking for good and interesting books on the Plantagenets. (I read Derek Wilson and Dan Jones). More precisely I'm interested in their impact on the formation of governement, laws and justice; and their relation with the French kings.

I'd start with the Yale English Monarchs Series: http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/SeriesPage.asp?series=64

The only problem is I can't say for sure how interesting they are. Some can be a bit dense but I like them.

I read John T. Appleby's biographies of Henry II and John and enjoyed them many years ago, but they're probably considered dated now.

I liked Richard and John: Kings at War by Frank McLynn. It compares Richard and John and also talks a lot about Henry II as to why the two brothers turned out so different.

Of course, the Plantagenets effectively hung on till Bosworth Field (through the various dynastics links, often exceedingly frail, via the Lancasters and Yorks), but if you want the earlier period, I would also recommend Maurice Collis' THE HURLING TIME for its surprisingly positive picture of the young Richard II, who usually gets such bad press (much of it deserved) for his later antics. Happy digging, -- Goddard

It is hard to get through some of these dynastic books because frankly some of the rulers in the line are dead boring, or complete idiots. And then it does come down to personal taste as well. I think works about Henry II are great, but I like to read about Eleanor (although I recognize that is another side of the story, she was also a strong Queen and that was not that easy with someone like Henry as King. And his relationships with his sons and how that impacted who they became and their lives and actions.

I wish I could remember the names of the books, but I have read a couple about John of Gaunt and although he was never King, he was one who shaped several.

There is a recent work by Alison Weir that goes into the Grays (very far down), but I think they were the last, last of the line. (At least that were anywhere near to being in competition for the throne.)

After that you get Henry Tudor. Starts a new line there.