[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars An absorbing read about some of the women who changed the course of Scottish and English history. The struggle between the Edwards (I, II & III) of England and the Scottish after the death of Alexander III of Scotland has been told time and time again. From Edward I, the 'Hammer of the Scots' to William Wallace and Robert I (aka 'the Bruce'), these figures loom large in history. But what about the women who lived during those turbulent times? Often forgotten and overlooked, Beth Reid has tried to address that imbalance and bring to the forefront some of the characters who took part. >From people such as Isabella MacDuff who crowned Robert the Bruce, to Robert's daughter Marjorie, from whom all the later Kings of Scotland - and after 1603 England - are descended, to Agnes Randolph, Countess of Dunbar and March who defended her home against a siege from the English, this book celebrates these heroic women and restores them to their rightful places, front and.. Read more
NetGalley, Sarah Aspden

“It might be unauthorized, but this book sure is comprehensive. This isn’t just a book about a game. The author focuses on the people who created it and expanded it over the decades as well as the people whose contributions have been hidden in the shadows. A richly detailed, exciting, and frequently surprising history.”
Booklist

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Royal Favourites of Medieval England is my first work by Taylor and something that I feel compelled to point out is that I absolutely love this writer’s sense of humor. As I started reading, I must admit that I was expecting something a bit drier, but the author manages to work in some amusing observations and subtle sarcasm that gives the text a little bit of extra flavor, which I found to be a nice thing. Taylor’s style is straightforward, and a lot of information is thrown at the reader, but in a very digestible way. Through the period covered, the author provides a biography of each monarch highlighting memorable moments of their reigns followed by shorter biographies of those courtiers to whom they gave their trust and favor. This volume is an excellent overview of English history during the medieval period and offers great, quick insights into each king from William the Conqueror to Richard III. A lot of interesting and figures emerge in the book,.. Read more
NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Kathryn Warner’s account of the Black Death is a compelling and often upsetting read. She brings the unimaginable reality onto stark life with reference to real families and the tragedies they suffered. Given that there are very few written records of the time, I can only imagine that her research has been both challenging and extensive. I’ve enjoyed her approach to this heartbreaking story. The scene is initially set pre plague in the first months of 1348. Edward III is monarch and Britain is at war with France. Chaucer was a child and the detail about a select few individuals gives real texture to the setting. The rest of the book considers the plague county by county with family stories recounted in convincing and, I’m sure, authentic detail. As awful as it was, it’s the first time I’ve read a book about the Black Death that really hits home. I felt as if I got to know some of those affected and shared their distress and sense of fear as the.. Read more
NetGalley, Anita Wallas

this immaculately researched and beautifully presented book is a delight. Highly recommended.
Penny Ingham, Historical Novel Society