Edward III

Overview: It gives a full background of Edward's reign and the period he lived in, as well as providing new perspective. While many of his policies were innovative they weren't new, they had their predecessors going all the way back to his grandfather and namesake. The Edward that emerges from Ormond's biography is ambitious, scheming (plotting with the pope and other councilors to get rid of Mortimer) but also pragmatic and a great military commander who had a great team of administrators and above all, a man not afraid to compromise when the occasion called for it. Ormond also puts his flaws, while a careful administrator and able leader, his taxation crippled many and there were times when he was forced to submit to Paliament's rule and the commons' representatives. This is not a sign of weakness, as Edward was a great negotiator and nothing he did came without a price. The last years of his reign however after his wife and eldest son died, became decadent and this is seen through the demans of the Good Parliament that Ormond goes over in various sections. I like the narrative, and that he went step by step explaining how each group was relevant in medieval society and how much it infouenced or was affected by Edward's policies. I only wish it had more details, it seemed as if each part was a short summary and he kept reeating himself at times. Nonetheless, it was still a good book.