The Reign of Edward III [Hardcover]

W.M. Ormrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

The 50 year reign of one of England's most charismatic leaders is rehabilitated in this lucid and incisive work. W.M. Ormrod traces Edward's life from his birth, when the very future of the monarchy in England was under threat, to his death, when he was regarded throughout Europe as the very model of an ideal monarch. A revealing insight into the nature of Edward's relations and dealings with his subjects shows how the king was able to cultivate this image; political acumen and elaborate propaganda won the loyalty of his realm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A most stimulating and effective read.” -- Antiquity --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The Normans remain an amazing political phenomenon. They emerged early in the tenth century and disappeared off the map by the mid–thirteenth century. But in this time they conquered England, southern Italy and Sicily, and established outposts in north Africa and the Levant. Trevor Rowley looks at their legacy—feudalism, castles, churches, place–names—and examines why such an energetic people disappeared so quickly off the political stage.

A distinguished landscape archaeologist and historian, Trevor Rowley has recently retired as Director of Public Programs in the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tempus; Updated edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752417738
• ISBN-13: 978-0752417738
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,745,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, boring book, January 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reign of Edward III (Hardcover)

As a collector of medieval books, I found this book to be wanting. You really don't get to know what this king's life was like. There is no detailed history of some of his greatest battles in France (Crecy and Poitiers), and nothing that tells you who he was. His son, the Black Prince, perhaps the greatest Prince of Wales there ever was, is hardly mentioned. I'm just glad I got this book at a discount. If you want to know more about Edward III, Froissart's Chronicles goes into more detail.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Edward III Strikes Back, August 28, 2009

By 

Mars Ultor "Eagle" (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reign of Edward III (Hardcover)

The Reign of Edward III is a very well written book on Edward III. For those who found it lacking because it didn't say enough on the king's life or his military skill, I recommend that you buy Ormrod's new biography on Edward III when it comes out next year

Ormrod wrote with a clear, historically sound penl. He included the high points of Edward's life: Sluys, Crecy, and the Treaty of Bretigny. He also highlighted the low points, especially the Crisis of 1341. The battles, although not heavily descriptive, were made known and shown how the contriputed to Edward's success. But it wasn't Ormrod's policy to write a life story.

Ormrod, through this book, highlighted Edward's relationships with the great peoples of 14th century England: the minister, magnates, and clergy, as well as the Provincal Society and the Gentry, and lastly the Urban society and the Merchants. Each of these realtionships were important to Edward's unique brand of kingship.

The ministers: Stratford, Edington, and Wykeham all came in as Edward's cheif ministers and the did very well, for the most part. It showed how Edward was able to keep the magnates on his side, something his father had no success at. The Clergy's importance is reconzied, although if you want Edward III's personal religion, Ormrod has his own account of that.

This book was really fascinating. Edward III's world expert did him justice.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book of skill and knowledge, July 21, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Reign of Edward III (Hardcover)

W.M.Ormrod is known world wide as the greatest living expert on Edward III.I'm happy to report that this book did nothing to spoil that image.I was very intrested by Edward's cheif ministers. My favorite would have to be William Edington because he was simply the best.
I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to take a broder picture of Edward's reign with all its military,cultural,and political changes. I can't wait for Ormrod's new biography on Edward to come out.