Bloody Bedford (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] beoordelingen het boek quotes

Factually historical account of the Duke of Bedford, the last English Regent of France, from the death of Henry V to the death of Bedford, including Joan of Ark, Sir John Fastolf and lots of other interesting characters who are much more interesting in real life than their Shakespearian counterparts. Written as an alternative to Henry VI, Part I, it actually explains how and why England lost, and how and why they burnt Joan of Arc, and also why the French did nothing to stop them. The Hundred Years' War is far more blood-thirsty, cruel and human than we can ever imagine visiting the castles and towns in this account. This book answers the question - "What happened after Agincourt ?" and "How could the English lose ?" The political situation in France after the Black Death is described in personal detail, with the French Dukes, their Scottish allies, their European mercenaries and English spies mingling on the pages. On the other side, the brutal English - like the American or British forces in Iraq or Afghanistan - try to stay alive in a hostile environment, Bedford trying to keep the balance between those fighting the French to get rich and those trying to govern wisely.Bedford is the least documented character in English history and this is his first biography to focus on his later years. Georgette Heyer started a (heavily) romanticised version of his life, obviously recognising the great man that he was, but died before completing but the first book up till he was twenty. This play completes the story as the strongest man in England faces up to the only woman in France with any balls. Both of them died, but in the process France became the nation they loved. Before their disastrous affair, France was but an agglomeration of fiefdoms held together by force; afterwards, France was a national idea.