The Magnificent Century

by Thomas B. Costain

Ebook, 2019

Status

Available

Call number

942.034

Collection

Publication

Reading Essentials (2019), 414 pages

Description

The Magnificent Century, the second volume of Costain's A History of the Plantagenets, covers Henry III's long and turbulent reign, from 1216 to 1272. During his lifetime Henry was frequently unpopular, unreliable and inconsistent. Yet his reign saw spectacular advancement in the arts, sciences and theology, as well as in government. Despite all, it was truly a magnificent century. "Combines a love of the subject with factual history. . .a great story." (San Francisco Chronicle)

User reviews

LibraryThing member fuzzi
I found this book in a used bookstore and bought it. After enjoying my read (which paralleled a book I'd recently read by Sharon K Penman, "Falls the Shadow"), I found "The Three Edwards" which I also enjoyed reading.

Costain makes English history really interesting and understandable, despite many
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important characters having the same name! Whew!

I have a copy of "The Last Plantagenets" but have not yet read it. I'll post a review once I do.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
The reign of Henry III was very long, by medieval standards, 1216 to 1272. I suppose especially to Henry that it did seem to last a century. While England faced no existential challenges in his lifetime, the work of controlling the feudal nobility was beyond Henry's power. He watched the remains of
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the overseas possessions melt away, and his grip on Scotland was virtually non-existent. He died after the reins of power were firmly in the hands of his exceptional son, Edward I. Costain does present a readable account of this period, and the characters who sought to control Henry. There is coverage of the birth of the House of Commons during the de Montfort civil war.
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Awards

Language

Original publication date

1951 (Doubleday)
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