DESCRIPTION:
In this widely acclaimed biography, Bertram Wolffe challenges the traditional view of Henry VI as an unworldly, innocent, and saintly monarch and offers instead a finely-drawn but critical portrait of an ineffectual ruler. Drawing on widespread contemporary evidence, Wolffe describes the failures of Henry's long reign from 1422 to 1471, which included the collapse of justice, the loss of the French territories, and the final disintegration of his government. He argues that the posthumous cult of Henry was promoted by Henry VII as a way of excusing his uncle's political failures while enhancing the image of the dynasty. This edition includes a new preface by John Watts that discusses the book and its place in the evolving literature.

SUBJECT CLASSIFICATIONS:
Biography & autobiography: historical, political & military
British & Irish history: c 500 to c 1000
British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500

SERIES:
Yale English Monarchs Series

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Illustrations: 48 b&w illustrations
Number of Pages: 432
Dewey: 942.043092