
The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
Ian Mortimer
From the bestselling author of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England, comes the story of King Edward III, who - like Elizabeth and Victoria after him - embodied the values of his age, forged a nation out of war and re-made England.
He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father's throne; he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years, and taxed his people more than any other previous king.
Nineteenth century historians saw in Edward the opportunity to decry a warmonger, and painted him as a self-seeking, rapacious, tax-gathering conqueror. Yet, in this first full study of the King's character and life, Dr Ian Mortimer unveils that behind the strong warrior king was a compassionate, conscientious and often merciful man - resolute yet devoted to his wife, friends and family, and the father of both the English nation and the English people.
'A fascinating portrait. At times, the reader seems almost able to reach across time and touch this man' - The Economist
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About Ian Mortimer
Reviews for The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
Allan Massie
Daily Telegraph
A fascinating portrait. At times, the reader seems almost able to reach across time and touch this man
The Economist
In producing this fine biography, Mortimer has succeeded magnificently, and has gone a long, long way towards restoring Edward III to his proper place as one of the great makers of this nation
Alison Weir
Daily Mail
Ian Mortimer...has virtually single-handedly put medieval history back in the hands of ordinary readers, combining scrupulous research with a wonderfully iconoclastic approach to storytelling
Dominic Sandbrook
Daily Telegraph