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Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI
- Author
- Lauren Johnson
- Narrator
- Jennifer Ness
- Publisher
- W. F. Howes Ltd
- Publish Date
- 23 January 2020
- Run Time
- 20 hours 43 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Rating
- 5.0 (1 review)
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What to expect
First-born son of a warrior father who defeated the French at Agincourt, Henry VI of the House Lancaster inherited the crown not only of England but also of France, at a time when Plantagenet dominance over the Valois dynasty was at its glorious height. And yet, by the time he was done to death in the Tower of London in 1471, France was lost, his throne had been seized by his rival, Edward IV of the House of York, and his kingdom had descended into the violent chaos of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI is perhaps the most troubled of English monarchs, a pious, gentle, well-intentioned man who was plagued by bouts of mental illness. In Shadow King, Lauren Johnson tells his remarkable and sometimes shocking story in a fast-paced and colourful narrative that captures both the poignancy of Henry's life and the tumultuous and bloody nature of the times in which he lived.
“The best life of Henry VI now in print” DAN JONES
“Vivid, absorbing and richly detailed” HELEN CASTOR
“A well-crafted moving account of a tragic reign” MICHAEL JONES
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
I've always thought Henry VI was a rather dull king, and in many ways he was, but this book is gripping from start to finish. It throws light on one of our lesser known royals and a period jam-packed with drama. It is also excellently read (a few mispronounced place names aside) by Jennifer Ness.
Malkini 2026-06-23
Details
- Author
- Lauren Johnson
- Narrator
- Jennifer Ness
- Duration
- 20 hours 43 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 January 2020
- ISBN
- 9781838935986
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- W. F. Howes Ltd
- Genre
- Biography: historical, political and military
- Rating
- 5.0(1 review)
- Narration
- 5.0(1 review)
Synopsis
A thrilling new account of the tragic life and troubled times of Henry VI.First-born son of a warrior father who defeated the French at Agincourt, Henry VI of the House Lancaster inherited the crown not only of England but also of France, at a time when Plantagenet dominance over the Valois dynasty was at its glorious height. And yet, by the time he was done to death in the Tower of London in 1471, France was lost, his throne had been seized by his rival, Edward IV of the House of York, and his kingdom had descended into the violent chaos of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI is perhaps the most troubled of English monarchs, a pious, gentle, well-intentioned man who was plagued by bouts of mental illness. In Shadow King, Lauren Johnson tells his remarkable and sometimes shocking story in a fast-paced and colourful narrative that captures both the poignancy of Henry's life and the tumultuous and bloody nature of the times in which he lived.“The best life of Henry VI now in print” DAN JONES“Vivid, absorbing and richly detailed” HELEN CASTOR“A well-crafted moving account of a tragic reign” MICHAEL JONES
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