Summer of Blood : England's first revolution

by Dan Jones

Paper Book, 2016 ( First Edition 2009)

Status

Available

Call number

942.03/8

Genres

Collection

Anna

Publication

New York City : Penguin Books, 2016.

Description

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Plantagenets and a top authority on the historical events that inspired Game of Thrones, a vivid, blood-soaked account of one of the most famous rebellions in history--the first mass uprising by the people of England against their feudal masters. In the summer of 1381, ravaged by poverty and oppressed by taxes, the people of England rose up and demanded that their voices be heard. A ragtag army, led by the mysterious Wat Tyler and the visionary preacher John Ball, rose up against the fourteen-year-old Richard II and his most powerful lords and knights, who risked their property and their lives in a desperate battle to save the English crown. Dan Jones brings this incendiary moment to life and captures both the idealism and brutality of that fateful summer, when a brave group of men and women dared to challenge their overlords, demand that they be treated equally, and fight for freedom. Praise for Summer of Blood: 'Hot, brave and reeking with gore'--The Times (London); 'Sound scholarship and sexy writing make this essential reading'--The Independent (London), Book of the Year"--Provided by publisher.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Upthealbion

An enjoyable account of the events of the bloody Summer of 1381 when large scale unrest erupted in London, Kent, Essex, East Anglia and as far north as Yorkshire. Under the leadership of Wat Tyler, John Ball and Jack Straw the common people of England demanded equality and the end of villeiny but

instead received bloody reprisals. Jones retells the events in a highly readable way and his analysis of the effects of the rebellion on the young and impressionable King Richard are insightful.

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LibraryThing member hatpin

A bit thin, even for popular history. The narrative is coherent but moves at such a pace, and the book is so short, that the impact of the rebellion is somewhat lessened.

LibraryThing member adamclaxton

Summer of Blood by Dan Jones is an expertly written account of the Peasants Revolt of 1381 when the oppressed, disease and poverty stricken commoners of southeast England rose up in brutal rebellion. Prompted by yet another burdensome parliamentary poll-tax to fund England’s continental military

ventures, the disgruntled local populace banded behind the magnetic idealism of Wat Tyler and John Ball. With all-encompassing demands of equality and justice they marched on London, bringing the entire English establishment to its knees with wanton murder and destruction until the young Plantagenet King Richard II and his closest advisors had finally had enough – launching ruthless and swift retribution. The author shows true passion for his chosen field of study particularly this particular episode of history. He provides vivid descriptions of the events as they unfolded and also of life in fourteenth century Europe.

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LibraryThing member EricCostello

Unflinching look at one of the major upheavals of medieval England, the 1381 Wat Tyler Rebellion. The Rebellion left its mark on the then-teenaged Richard II, ushering in a fairly brutal reign that lasted until his deposition in 1399. The author's narrative flows logically and well, and he refrains

from a lot of speculation as to "what they must have felt." Good illustrations, but the placement of maps in the front of the book, rather than spread out in the relevant text, does hurt a bit, since geography does play a key role in the Rebellion. Still, recommended.

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LibraryThing member JHemlock

Not my favorite Jones book. But still a good yarn. Loved reading about the restraint of the mobs and how they just fell to madness and blood lust.

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Subjects

Great Britain History Richard II, 1377-1399

HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain

HISTORY / Europe / Western

HISTORY / Medieval

Tyler's Insurrection, 1381

Language

English

Original language

English

Original publication date

2009

ISBN

9780143111757

Local notes

Easily readable, enjoyable work of popular history, though it also has endnotes and bibliography. Interesting coverage of a fascinating event in English medieval history. Dan Jones is a bestselling medieval historian, with other works on the Magna Carta, The Plantagenet dynasty, Templars, and the Wars of the Roses.