The acclaimed Penguin Monarchs series: short, fresh, expert accounts of England's rulers - now in paperback Richard II (1377-99) came to the throne as a child, following the long, domineering, martial reign of his grandfather Edward III. He suffered from the disastrous combination of a most exalted sense of his own power and an inability to impress that power on those closest to the throne. Neither trusted nor feared, Richard battled with a whole series of failures and emergencies before finally succumbing to a coup, imprisonment and murder. Laura Ashe's brilliant account of his reign emphasizes the strange gap between Richard's personal incapacity and the amazing cultural legacy of his reign - from the Wilton Diptych to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Piers Plowman and The Canterbury Tales.
Laura Ashe Books
Laura Ashe is a Professor of English Literature whose work delves into the history and criticism of the field. She examines how texts and their interpretations have evolved over centuries, seeking to uncover deeper meanings and connections within literary works. Ashe aims to offer readers fresh perspectives on both familiar and lesser-known authors. Her scholarly approach combines meticulous research with original insights, establishing her as a respected figure in her discipline.
