Product Description

This book illuminates Warwick′s character and motivation, showing that he was an emotional, charming, and popular man with a strong sense of family loyalty. It is the first full study of this compelling figure within the context of political life in late medieval England.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50949 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 364 pages

Review
"Thoroughly recommended to anyone wanting to make sense of the bloodbath in late medieval English history known as the Wars of the Roses." BBC History Magazine

"Hicks′ book will be the standard work on Warwick." History

"A rewarding essay ... founded on comprehensive research and a profound knowledge of the era which none today can match." History Today

"There is a great deal to admire in this book. It is shrewd and knowledgeable in its judgments, based on a tremendous amount of research, and has a lot of new and interesting things to say about the politics of mid–fifteenth century England." The Medieval Review

"Hicks has made another considerable contribution to our understanding of fifteenth–century England, and this book is sure to be widely read and vigorously discussed." American Historical Review

From the Back Cover
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, remains one of the most controversial personalities of fifteenth–century England. The archetypal over–mighty subject, he was the dominant figure in the dynastic revolutions at the heart of the fifteenth–century Wars of the Roses. Warwick played a pivotal role first in advancing the Yorkist cause, leading Edward IV to replace the Lancastrian Henry VI in 1461. Then, having lost influence at court, he changed sides and was reversed the process in 1470. Warwick "the Kingmaker" dominated national politics in his various roles as general, admiral, pirate, subaltern, administrator, politician, propagandist, statesman, and diplomat.

This book illuminates Warwick′s character and motivation, showing that he was an emotional, charming, and popular man with a strong sense of family loyalty. It is the first full study of this compelling figure within the context of political life in late medieval England.

About the Author

Michael Hicks is Professor of Medieval History at King Alfred′s College, Winchester, and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has published extensively on late medieval England and local history. His recent books include Bastard Feudalism (1995); Richard III (2000) and English Political Culture in the Fifteenth Century (2002).

Customer Reviews

Great Biography of the War of the Rose's central figure
A Warwick! A Warwick! Mr. Hicks work should be applauded. While the beginning of the book is very academic, in verse and research, it attempts look at Richard Neville, 16th Earl Warwick and Kingmaker, as a whole person. Hicks looks back on both primary and some secondary sources, makes some assumptions, buts overall lets the reader decide on Warwick's character. He notes the mixed temperament of 15th Century English - some hated Warwick, many more loved him. As a self proclaimed scholar of Neville, I have to highly recommend this work - along with four other titles entitled "Warwick" or "Kingmaker", all of which are out of print.