The restless kings

The sub-title for The Restless Kings by Nick Barratt is Henry II, his sons and the wars for the Plantagenet Crown. They were certainly members of a dysfunctional family living in what could only be described as chaotic times.

When William the Conqueror took over the governing of England he and his family were also responsible for Normandy and other parts of France. The Restless Kings examines the constant conflicts in keeping controls of these lands and acquiring additional lands through marriage. There were constant differences with kings in France with subsequent battles. There was also conflict with the church not to mention the barons vying for power.

Henry II had tried to bring in powers for the organisation of the governance of Britain with mixed results. He also tried to provide his sons with land and some power. However the four sons - Henry, Richard, Geoffrey and John - had their own visions and desires for power. Henry and Geoffrey died before their father leaving Richard as king when their father died. 

In reality however, Richard was more interested in military campaigns including involvement in one of the Crusades than ruling England. When he became king he spent three months in England including his coronation and organising finances for his crusading ventures. He later spent another week or two before returning overseas to other interests. Meanwhile the country was in financial crisis. 

When John became king he was left with disputes across the channel which ending up in England losing control of Normandy. Back in England there was rebellion from the barons and constant disputes with the church. There was growing resentment of the assumed total power of kings over their subjects and eventually the Magna Carta was drawn up shortly before John died.

During these years of chaos structures began to be implemented regarding organisation of England's finances and general laws. Unfortunately there were times when kings such as John did not behave rationally resulting in unfortunate decisions for the country. For all his faults, and there were many, John was the first of the Plantagenet kings to make ruling England his prime concern.

Reading this book in October 2023 you can't help but conclude past events involving the search for power at all costs by governments and parliamentary parties and also religious groups still exists in the world today.