Ebook: Tales from the long twelfth century: the rise and fall of the Angevin Empire

Prologue: a diabolical dynasty -- The birth of an empire -- The Earl's tale: Hugh Bigod, civil war and royal recovery -- The growth of an empire -- The disciple's tale: Herbert of Bosham and the Becket dispute -- The young king's tale: Henry Fitzroy and his troublesome family -- The princess's tale: Joan, the Crusades and the politics of Europe -- The death of an empire -- Nephew's tale: Arthur of Brittany and the collapse of Angevin power -- The friend's tale: William de Briouze and the tyranny of King John -- The exile's tale: Stephen Langton and the road to Magna Carta -- The matron's tale: Nicola de la Haye and the defence of England -- Epilogue: dreams and fortune.;This intriguin book tells the story of this great medieval era and the dynasty at its heart in an entirely new way. Departing from the usual king-centric, high-politics perspective, Richard Huscroft instead centres each of his chapters on the experiences of a particular man or woman who contributed to the broad sweep of events. This irresistible book deftly weaves together remarkable life-stories to illuminate anew the key themes of this exciting and formative era.