King Stephen and the Anarchy - Chris Peers

[carojon]

An interesting period in British history is covered in Chris Peers new book.



Mr Steve has posted a review about his thoughts about this title. If you would like to know more then just follow the link to JJ's

https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2018/08/king-stephen-and-anarchy-civil-war-and.html

Jonathan (JJ)

[Breazer]

I've been meaning to read up on the Anarchy because I find it very interesting. I've never really read a book like this before so I have no comparisson for it but the review makes me a bit uncertain about if it is good or not. It seems to lean to the negative side.

[westwaller]

An interesting review, thank you. I had thought about getting it but I might not now. I have read Jim Bradbury's book on the subject in the past and it is quite a good read (iirc). Bradbury mentions that many of the newly raised castles during the anarchy were probably built out of timber only so that might be why there is no trace of many of them.

[Mr Steve]

I can recommend the History of England Podcast , I have just finished listening to the section on the Anarchy and he does quite a good job .

https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/2011/09/04/32-when-christ-and-his-saints-slept/

As I said in the review the book is OK if you can get it for under £10 or perhaps on Kindle for £4.

[carlos marighela]

I'm currently reading Teresa Cole's The Anarchy. The Darkest days of Medieval England. Reads well so far. Worth picking up in papaerback at least.

[Dice Roller]

'King Stephen' by R H C Davis is another good one.
Also worth reading the entries on the Anarchy in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

[SirRoystonPapworth]

I kinda have to agree with the review. I read the book when it came out. I had read his Saxon book and really enjoyed it and so was looking forward to this one as it was a period I am interested in but knew nothing about.

I didn’t come away feeling that much more enlightened or invested in the period. Not a book I’d recommend- sadly

[Rick]

I lost track of who the reviewer was talking about - he mentioned Queen Matilda when, I think, he should have called her Empress Matilda. Matilda was quite a popular name - several notable noble ladies were named Matilda or Maud, including Empress Matilda, daughter of Heny I as well as her cousin, Queen Matilda I, wife of King Stephen.