Following in the Footsteps of Edward II is an insightful look into the life of an controversial English king and his role in medieval history.

This was a fascinating and enjoyable read. I always enjoy reading about English History especially her Kings and Queens and this wonderful book is a great place to start.
It might be confusing if you expect it to be a time table of Edward II's life because it is more an instuctional tourist guide to important sites with nuggets of information.

I found Following in the Footsteps of Edward II to be confusing read. Whilst the chapters themselves are organised in to chronological order, the contents of each is far from it. As someone who is unfamiliar with Edward, I had expected this to provide a succinct overview of his reign that would be easy to follow. However, the narrative jumps rapidly between years and decades, leaving me without an understanding of who was who, or how Edward was involved.

In addition to this, I found the references to opening times for the locations to further interrupt the narrative. They would have been best placed at the end in a collated fashion for easy reference.

I’m sure that if I become better acquainted with Edward I’ll be able to enjoy this. From what I can see, Warner already seems to have written excellent pieces on him, and you can absolutely feel her passion for his life throughout the text.

Literally tells you of the footsteps of Edward II where he went when and why. Who else is associated with those places and their connection to Edward. A book full of facts that would suit anyone interested in history and like facts and nothing but facts thats the downside you do get just a little overwhelmed with so many facts.

This book is a worthy addition to any history enthusiast, such as myself. The book had a great layout and I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. The author really does know her subject and has quite clearly done a lot of research and it showed in the book.

I was really surprised have visited quite a few of the places mentioned in the book in England, Wales and Scotland. It was great to be able to visualise the places in the book that were mentioned. We went to Caernarfon Castle in October 2019 and we went to Kenilworth Castle early in 2020 so it was great to be able to look back at some of the photos I had taken which were discussed in the book (although there have been quite a few changes to some of the sites). I definitely have a few more places added to my list now that I want to visit!

I thought that the chapter length was perfect and it was spot on to keep me fully engaged and this would be an ideal introduction too to people who want to learn more about how Edward II and how he eventually came to be deposed.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed the layout and the length of the chapters in the book. For me this is the perfect introduction to Edward II and I loved how it dispelled some of the common myths that surround his death.

It is a must read for anyone interested in medieval England. Very highly recommended!!

Teilweise ein wenig trocken, was am Schreibstil liegen mag - aber dennoch schön kompaktes Wissen zu Englands unerfolgreichem König.

What a great read bringing Edward II reign to life and illustrating it with a guided tour through the places in his eventful life. A man who really neglected his country to suit his favourites and how in the end his Queen, Isabelle of France took her revenge by uniting with Mortimer to have his son put on the throne and have him deposed. A well research journey through his life that gave the reader insight into the man.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was an easy but interesting read. My knowledge of Edward II and the Plantagenet period is fairly strong, but I did learn a fair amount from reading this. Although it may sound like you are simply following the places where he lived, you learn so much more about his life. And of course, the terrifying Isabella of France who created some particularly... interesting... royal situations.

This is a wonderful little look at Edward II. Whether you are already well versed in the kings life and reign or know very little, you will definitely glean something from this excellent work by Warner.

Following in the Footsteps of Edward II by Kathryn is a historical account of the life and reign of King Edward II., famously more interested in his garden than in his realm. This book was interesting as well written but as a history teacher with already a lot of background information I didn’t find this book informative. There was not much new here and it was a very quick, light read.
Nevertheless I enjoyed it and as a introduction to the places associated with Edward II it is a welcome addition to any bookshelf.

Livre immensément intéressant, relatant l'existence d'Edward II et de ses mauvais choix en tant que roi. On peut voir que l'humain n'est jamais bien loin derrière les titres,qu'ils soient des rois ou des papes.

History, particularly from eras where there is little in the way of historic documentation, can be dry, they can be packed with wild speculation, or they can bring things to life in a way that is exciting and vivid. I did not expect this book to be more than an accounting of the historic places associated with King Edward II but it developed from the very first page as an exciting retelling of Edward's life packed with detail and masterfully told.

I am far away from any of the historic sites referenced in this guide but I am fascinated by what still remains from earlier times and what we can deduce from these places. My interest in English History pretty much revolves around the era of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare so my familiarity with the earlier kings is very limited. As I read this book I found myself becoming fascinated by the way the author brought the time to life.

I would not have expected what is essentially a guidebook to be as readable as a narrative as this one but Katherine Warner did a great job in organizing the sites to fit the historic timeline of Edward's life. I am sure that in her more standard works on Edward she pads out what at times is a basic outline but the story here is intact and compelling from page to page, filled with a wealth of characters and events.

This book certainly made me interested in other titles by Warner, which I am eager to explore. I can't think of a better compliment for an author or for a book.

Following in the Footsteps of Edward II by Kathryn Warner is a fabulous historical account of the life and reign of Edward II (reigned 1307-1327). Very interesting to learn more about a King that continued to make bad choices, continued to surround himself with “favorites” that did not help his cause, as well as the inevitable decline that was sped forth by his wife, Isabella of France, and her coupe with Roger Mortimer to instill his son Edward III. A quick read in 2 days.

Thank you NetGalley and Pen And Sword History for this delightful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.