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tahlia__nerds_out's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, switching back and forth between kindle edition and the audiobook, depending on which edition was more convenient to me at the time. The reader was easy to listen to, the author enjoyable to read, and the family discussed very interesting. My main issue was that when the author quoted contemporary sources, he kept their original spelling of words. While I appreciated the authenticity, it made understanding those sections much harder when reading the kindle vs listening to the audiobook. While I usually could figure out the gist of what the sources were saying, it would have been nice if the author had provided a translation underneath as I have seen other authors do (granted, for early medieval English history rather than late medieval); even adding a translation in the footnotes would have been appreciated. Other than that minor stylistic issue, I really enjoyed reading/listening to this book. I had not realized the full scope of how influential the Beaufort family was, and enjoyed learning how they influenced several generations worth of politics, being major players in both the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses, as well being instrumental in supporting the eventual Henry IV’s seizure of the English crown from Richard II. The reader is advised to pay attention, though; titles and lands change hands often in this era, and the name by which the people are known change with equal rapidity. Several men are known as Somerset at different points, as is the case with Gloucester, York, Warwick, etc. At one point, Thomas Beaufort #1 goes from being referred to as Dorset, to as Exeter once he was elevated to the dukedom of Exeter. Also, there are multiple Henry, Thomas, John, and Joan Beauforts, just to keep the reader on their toes (although they are not the only family to pass their Christian names down to their progeny). It’s not a problem - just typical English medieval nomenclature - but it does keep the reader a little bit on their toes if they want to understand who is doing what. I actually found it interesting to see how the namesake compared to the man he was named after in his actions. And - if the namesake was not named after his own father - how he also compared to his father. It added another layer to an already interesting history, as certain traits as well as names seemed to pass from one generation of Beauforts to the next. The House of Beaufort does not shy away from exposing the messiness of its subjects and their times, and it is glorious.
hmalagisi's review against another edition
5.0
The houses of York, Lancaster, the Nevilles, the Howards, the Mowbrays, the Percys, and the Tudors are often recognized as the families involved in the Wars of the Roses. However, there was one more house that was just as important as the others; the Beauforts. The Beauforts were the sons and daughters of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and his mistress Katherine Swynford. They were considered bastards since they were born out of wedlock, yet they were connected to the house of Lancaster and rose to power by their own right. They would help change not only English history but the history of Europe forever. The Beauforts made a huge impact during the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses, yet many people only recognize Margaret Beaufort and Edmund Beaufort 2nd Duke of Somerset. The Beauforts don’t get much attention. Nathen Amin, the founder of The Henry Tudor Society, wanted to tell the story of this remarkable family. It is in his book “The House of Beaufort: The Bastard Line that Captured the Crown”, that the Beauforts are given the attention that they rightfully deserve.
Nathen Amin explains why he chose to focus on the Beauforts:
The Beauforts are a family often encountered when reading or studying the fifteenth century and the Wars of the Roses, although commonly relegated to supporting roles in the life and times of more prominent figures like Richard, duke of York, Edward IV, and Henry IV, V, and VI. They were always in the background, serving a king, counselling a king, and even fighting for or against a king. …Yet, there were few family units more influential in the governance of England during the period, and none more devoted to defending the Lancasterian dynasty, whether against France in the last vestiges of the Hundred Years War, or against the House of York in a new war of a very different kind. Born as bastards to a mighty prince, the Beauforts were the right-hand men of their royal kinsmen, amassing considerable authority on the national and continental stage. From uncertain beginnings, the Beauforts became earls, dukes and cardinals, and in time kings themselves, their blood seeping into every corner of the English artistocracy within a few generations of their birth. (Amin, 7).
So how exactly were the Beauforts able to accomplish all of this, going from bastards to kings? It starts with John of Gaunt marrying his mistress Katherine Swynford, making his four children with Katherine legitimate and they were given the name “Beaufort”, after his second marriage did not work out. After their half-brother King Henry IV( also known as Henry of Bolingbroke) became king, he allowed his half-siblings to obtain royal status, however, they could not be in line for the English throne.
John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford’s four children found a way to live successful lives without pursuing the English throne and they continued to support their Lancasterian family. John Beaufort became the 1st Earl of Somerset and his children became earls, counts, dukes and his daughter Joan became Queen of Scotland. John Beaufort’s granddaughter was Margaret Beaufort, the mother of the future King Henry VII. Henry Beaufort was able to become a very wealthy man and was promoted all the way to Cardinal of England, quite a feat for an English man at that time. Thomas Beaufort became the 1st Duke of Exeter and his sister Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland was the matriarch of the powerful Neville family.
The Beauforts went through numereous highs and lows as they worked hard to protect England and the honor of their Lancastrian relations. Nathen Amin is able to navigate the complex world of the English court during both the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses to give us the intricate story of the Beaufort family. As someone who is acquianted with parts of the Beaufort family story, I found this book rather fascinating and very informative. This was my first time reading a book by Nathen Amin and I cannot wait to read more of his books. In a complex time, it would be easy to forget one person, but Amin spends the time to write about each Beaufort child and how they made a difference.
The only real issue I had with the book was the family tree. I wished that there were birth and death dates included because I found myself getting a tad bit confused about who was who, especially when some of the Beauforts shared the same name and a similar title.
Overall, I found this book extremely fascinating and informative. Amin’s writing style is easy to understand and he brings the Beauforts from the background and onto center stage. They may have started as illegitimate children of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, but they rose to be dukes and kings. If you want to learn more about this remarkable family and their influence in both the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses, I absolutely recommend that you read “The House of Beaufort: The Bastard Line that Captured the Crown” by Nathen Amin.
Nathen Amin explains why he chose to focus on the Beauforts:
The Beauforts are a family often encountered when reading or studying the fifteenth century and the Wars of the Roses, although commonly relegated to supporting roles in the life and times of more prominent figures like Richard, duke of York, Edward IV, and Henry IV, V, and VI. They were always in the background, serving a king, counselling a king, and even fighting for or against a king. …Yet, there were few family units more influential in the governance of England during the period, and none more devoted to defending the Lancasterian dynasty, whether against France in the last vestiges of the Hundred Years War, or against the House of York in a new war of a very different kind. Born as bastards to a mighty prince, the Beauforts were the right-hand men of their royal kinsmen, amassing considerable authority on the national and continental stage. From uncertain beginnings, the Beauforts became earls, dukes and cardinals, and in time kings themselves, their blood seeping into every corner of the English artistocracy within a few generations of their birth. (Amin, 7).
So how exactly were the Beauforts able to accomplish all of this, going from bastards to kings? It starts with John of Gaunt marrying his mistress Katherine Swynford, making his four children with Katherine legitimate and they were given the name “Beaufort”, after his second marriage did not work out. After their half-brother King Henry IV( also known as Henry of Bolingbroke) became king, he allowed his half-siblings to obtain royal status, however, they could not be in line for the English throne.
John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford’s four children found a way to live successful lives without pursuing the English throne and they continued to support their Lancasterian family. John Beaufort became the 1st Earl of Somerset and his children became earls, counts, dukes and his daughter Joan became Queen of Scotland. John Beaufort’s granddaughter was Margaret Beaufort, the mother of the future King Henry VII. Henry Beaufort was able to become a very wealthy man and was promoted all the way to Cardinal of England, quite a feat for an English man at that time. Thomas Beaufort became the 1st Duke of Exeter and his sister Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland was the matriarch of the powerful Neville family.
The Beauforts went through numereous highs and lows as they worked hard to protect England and the honor of their Lancastrian relations. Nathen Amin is able to navigate the complex world of the English court during both the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses to give us the intricate story of the Beaufort family. As someone who is acquianted with parts of the Beaufort family story, I found this book rather fascinating and very informative. This was my first time reading a book by Nathen Amin and I cannot wait to read more of his books. In a complex time, it would be easy to forget one person, but Amin spends the time to write about each Beaufort child and how they made a difference.
The only real issue I had with the book was the family tree. I wished that there were birth and death dates included because I found myself getting a tad bit confused about who was who, especially when some of the Beauforts shared the same name and a similar title.
Overall, I found this book extremely fascinating and informative. Amin’s writing style is easy to understand and he brings the Beauforts from the background and onto center stage. They may have started as illegitimate children of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, but they rose to be dukes and kings. If you want to learn more about this remarkable family and their influence in both the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses, I absolutely recommend that you read “The House of Beaufort: The Bastard Line that Captured the Crown” by Nathen Amin.
georginaspriddell's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
5.0
I read this book in lower sixth, and can safely say its virtuosity and verve is what kickstarted my love for this period of history. Amin writes the history of a family whose impact we can still see across the British Isles today, in an engaging and rhythmic way. Now, as an undergraduate, the House of Beaufort is still the book I recommend to my friends who say they have an interest in "The Tudor Period". The House of Beaufort will always have a special place amongst my books!
sarahbryson's review against another edition
5.0
The House of Beaufort by historian Nathen Amin is a fascinating book that explores the origins of the Beaufort family. From the first born son of John of Gaunt and his mistress Katherine Swynford, John Beaufort, to the last legitimate heir, Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII; Amin examines the lives of one of history’s most extraordinary families. Born a bastard line, the Beaufort’s were eventually legitimized and at one point became indispensable to the Kings of England. Yet Fortunes Wheel was forever part of the Beaufort’s lives and their lives would be turned upside down eventually losing it all, including the last male member of the family, leaving a small girl to carry on the family name.
Often when history books cover multiple generations it can be difficult to keep track of who is who, especially when fathers and sons tended to have the same name! Yet Amin’s book is clear and concise, each member of the Beaufort family detailed with great clarity. In addition it is clear that Amin has done a wealth of research for this book, using letters, parliamentary documents and other first-hand documents to bring the history of the Beaufort family to live.
This is a compelling, captivating and fascinating book that explores the lives of the members of the Beaufort family. If you enjoy history then this is a must read book!
Often when history books cover multiple generations it can be difficult to keep track of who is who, especially when fathers and sons tended to have the same name! Yet Amin’s book is clear and concise, each member of the Beaufort family detailed with great clarity. In addition it is clear that Amin has done a wealth of research for this book, using letters, parliamentary documents and other first-hand documents to bring the history of the Beaufort family to live.
This is a compelling, captivating and fascinating book that explores the lives of the members of the Beaufort family. If you enjoy history then this is a must read book!
silverselkie's review
3.0
This is a very well researched book, but due to its extremely poor family tree, and various editing errors usually involving "the", I can only give 3 stars.
irenep19's review
5.0
I've been interested in learning more about the Beaufort family since reading [a:Leanda de Lisle|90578|Leanda de Lisle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1363634721p2/90578.jpg] 's [b:Tudor: The Family Story|17456974|Tudor The Family Story|Leanda de Lisle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375463991s/17456974.jpg|24349043]. Books usually focus on the Tudor origins of Henry VII, beginning from Catherine of Valois as the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty, overlooking his maternal ancestry. This book gave me the chance to understand his claim to the throne of England from another perspective and, more importantly, learn about his Beaufort roots.
In the book, the Beauforts are, finally, in the spotlight. It all starts from the beginning, giving the reader a clear understanding of how they managed to reach the top and of their subsequent fall from grace. It was actually sad to read about their great beginnings knowing that they were doomed all along. While reading historical books, I always have the question of "what if" in my mind, imagining what could have happened if things had been different. Of course, the Beauforts were somewhat vindicated by the success of Henry VII in claiming the throne, but so many of his ancestors died defending it, through physical and political battles. Who among them could have imagined that their wars would have led to this outcome, one of their own Beaufort kin sitting on the throne? Is it possible that they could have thought that all this fighting would result in one of their relatives as King, not a member of the "pure" Lancastrian family that they never stopped defending after all?
These questions will probably never be answered, but I like to think that the Beauforts thought of themselves as a family destined for greatness, for a place on the throne of England. This book was a trully fascinating read and succeeds in giving the reader great insight into the story of one of the most historically obscure medieval families. Nevertheless, I think I would have liked more details on Margaret Beaufort who was, after all, significantly instrumental in the events that unfolded, leading towards the accession of her son. I imagine that, since the Beaufort name and house ended with the last male descendant, the book had to stop there and Margaret's life is another story on its own.
All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely, delving into its history and emerging with a lot of new facts and a more extensive knowledge on the subject of the Beauforts. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to expand their awareness of English history and, especially, the Beaufort family and how their role in the Wars of the Roses shaped the country's fate.
In the book, the Beauforts are, finally, in the spotlight. It all starts from the beginning, giving the reader a clear understanding of how they managed to reach the top and of their subsequent fall from grace. It was actually sad to read about their great beginnings knowing that they were doomed all along. While reading historical books, I always have the question of "what if" in my mind, imagining what could have happened if things had been different. Of course, the Beauforts were somewhat vindicated by the success of Henry VII in claiming the throne, but so many of his ancestors died defending it, through physical and political battles. Who among them could have imagined that their wars would have led to this outcome, one of their own Beaufort kin sitting on the throne? Is it possible that they could have thought that all this fighting would result in one of their relatives as King, not a member of the "pure" Lancastrian family that they never stopped defending after all?
These questions will probably never be answered, but I like to think that the Beauforts thought of themselves as a family destined for greatness, for a place on the throne of England. This book was a trully fascinating read and succeeds in giving the reader great insight into the story of one of the most historically obscure medieval families. Nevertheless, I think I would have liked more details on Margaret Beaufort who was, after all, significantly instrumental in the events that unfolded, leading towards the accession of her son. I imagine that, since the Beaufort name and house ended with the last male descendant, the book had to stop there and Margaret's life is another story on its own.
All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely, delving into its history and emerging with a lot of new facts and a more extensive knowledge on the subject of the Beauforts. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to expand their awareness of English history and, especially, the Beaufort family and how their role in the Wars of the Roses shaped the country's fate.