(The Plantagenet Legacy, Book 1)
By Mercedes Rochelle
Audio Narrated by Kevin E. Green
Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants’ Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard’s inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.
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Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/King-Under-Siege-Plantagenet-Legacy-ebook/dp/B07L9L85GK
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Review
Sometimes, it can be a challenge for historical fiction to toe that fine line between covering genuine historical events, and still feeling like a novel. This book succeeds at it 100%. The historical detailing and descriptions are exquisite, and clearly the result of massive research, but at its heart, this is also a wonderfully-paced story, tearing along through rebellions, repercussions, and arguments at the heart of England’s court.
The early days of Richard II’s reign are a period I only have vague knowledge of, knowing some of the headlines, and his ultimate fate, thanks to Shakespeare. Here, we see the real struggles of a boy-king, surrounded by warring factions (both friend and foe), and the challenges any monarch in their minority would have had to deal with. It’s also interesting to see the names we’re perhaps more familiar with from later in the king’s life, and see the earlier days of those relationships, as well as famous (or infamous) events, such as the destruction of John of Gaunt’s London home.
Definitely recommended for fans of the period, or readers who want a deep-dive, easy-reading introduction into the same.
About Mercedes
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. The next series is called The Plantagenet Legacy about the struggles and abdication of Richard II, leading to the troubled reigns of the Lancastrian Kings. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story. Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended! Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.MercedesRochelle.com
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/authorRochelle
Facebook: facebook.com/MercedesRochelle.net
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mercedes-rochelle
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Rochelle/e/B001KMG5P6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1696491.Mercedes_Rochelle
Jennifer C. Wilson 