There have been eight King Henrys of England & this book examines their lives in detail. Up until Henry VII, a monarch's reign seems to have been one long battle. Kings were forever having to swing themselves up into the saddle & fight some 'Johnny-come-lately' who thought they could do a better job at ruling England. It must have been tiresome & I'm surprised anyone wanted to take on the responsibility in the early centuries.

It was also quite taxing to read about actually, in that there was a lot of information (births, marriages, deaths interspersed with much fighting & innumerable sieges) but not much personality came through until Henry VII & III. Well-researched but rather dry to read. 3.25 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This book was perfect for me. I've been really delving deep into the past with a particular focus on Henry V so this was a great intro to the other Henry's!

My knowledge of kings called Henry was, like many, limited to Henry VII and VIII. And really, mainly Henry VIII if truth be told. After reading this relatively short book, I feel like part of their (rather dysfunctional) families. It took me quite a while to read because there was so much to learn. My takeaways ended up being varied, but mainly, it's a bad idea to be British royalty and to name your second son Henry. Very bad. But also, we have a massively varied history of having complete bastards in charge.

I learned loads and really enjoyed doing so. This is a concise, detailed account of each Henry. Plot spoiler: There's a lot of fighting!

Another great read from Pen and Sword. As a historical fiction writer who loves Tudor history, this was a great opportunity to learn more about the lesser known Henrys. I was just familiarizing myself with Henry VII for another project and this adds a new layer of knowledge to my repertoire. I would recommend this for any British history lover.

So this review will actually be pretty brief because I will be honest that I did not finish the book.

Shocking, as it covers some of my most favorite time periods.

But a terrible slander occurred attempting to - either accidentally or on purpose - stain the reputation of my beloved Eleanor of Aquitaine. At best it was poor research; at worst it was lazy research. Neither of which I can abide.

I made it through the reign of Henry I, chugging along nicely. Then came the chapter I was most excited about, because Eleanor was sure to receive several mentions over the course of Henry II's reign.

Yet one of the very first appearances of Eleanor early on in Henry II's chapter mentions Eleanor on Crusade with her first husband, Louis VII. The author states, "Her alleged sexual relationship with her uncle, Raymond, Prince of Antioch, led to the end of her marriage."

Nope nope nope.

First, there's no actual evidence that she had an affair with Raymond. He was the only family she had left besides her sister, and they had not seen each other in several years. These rumors did not start until a couple decades later, likely because we do not know what actually happened that made Eleanor refuse to leave Antioch in the first place. Had the two really had an affair, it would have been an immediate scandal. They were far more closely related than Eleanor and Louis (third cousins, once removed). Some contemporary chroniclers were already hostile to Eleanor, even in her lifetime and more most certainly after her death. Despite my love for the Middle Ages, it - and the entirety of human history - reeks of misogyny, and almost all of the chroniclers were men. Women who did write mainly lived in convents and wrote of their religious experiences. Even Christine de Pizan came along a couple hundred years after Eleanor.

Secondly, even if she had had an affair with her uncle, that is not what ended her marriage to Louis VII. Eleanor did not want to leave Antioch. She wanted Louis to join forces with Raymond, but he refused. She was forced to go by Louis, with some accounts stating he forcibly put her on the boat himself. When they returned from Crusade, Eleanor wanted nothing to do with her husband. It certainly did not help that she learned her uncle had been captured and beheaded at the Battle of Inab. They were guests of Pope Eugenius III after a slog of a trip to get back home.There had already been talk of getting the marriage annulled prior to this, and it was brought up once again. The Pope refused the request and at one point threatened excommunication if they did not attempt to work things out. He insisted they sleep together while there and of course Eleanor ended up pregnant again. She gave birth to their second daughter in 1150, and two years later was finally able to shake herself free from the marriage.

If you do not write accurately about someone I know so much about, how am I to know if you are writing accurately about others I know less about? It is hard to trust someone's words when events are massively misconstrued and no context or detail is given.

So is this continuing in the vein of those chroniclers from hundreds of years ago, or just lack of interest in further research? Yes, the book is about the eight Henrys, but Eleanor of Aquitaine was no small player in history.

Either way, not interested in anything else this book has to say.

An in-depth look at the King Henrys of England over a period of almost a thousand years. This book is a solid introduction to the rulers but not an easy read by any means. Historians and history buffs may gravitate towards this for its well-researched information, but it's not a casual read for sure.

I think this is a must for any author interested in writing Historical fiction or historical fantasy. Whether you want to learn more about the Henry’s for fun, or fiction I think this should be on your shelf. The book is thorough considering the subject matter spanning multiple rulers.

The Eight King Henrys of England was a rather thorough guide to the Henrys who were Kings of England between the 1100’s through the late 1500’s. To be able to get so much information into a book with 8 main characters is no easy feat, yet this book did it well. I do suggest to perhaps have a piece of paper and pencil to write down some of the other names mentioned in the book, to help you from being confused, because there are so many “players” associated during each reign.

If you are interested in a “who’s who” of English rulers, I suggest you to add this book to your collection. It includes information regarding the friendships and enemies of certain European countries during the various time frames, political issues, and military battles. Getting ready for a 2nd trip to the UK, I am very glad I have read this book to better help me understand England’s history.

This book covers a brief history of each of the 8 King Henrys in our history. Each King gets his own section leading to a great history lesson on the 8 King Henrys of England.

I was overwhelmed reading this, the dates and facts were helpful but it was hard to follow. It is informative, but not necessarily interesting.

Henry I (c.1068–1 December 1135) was King of England from 1100 till death. He was the 4th son of William the Conqueror.On William's death, Henry's elder brothers Robert Curthose and William Rufus inherited Normandy and England, respectively, but Henry was left landless.He purchased the County of Cotentin in western Normandy from Robert,but his brothers deposed him in 1091.He gradually rebuilt his power base in the Cotentin and gained allies.

Henry II (5 March 1133–6 July 1189) was King of England from 1154 till death.He was the grandson of Henry I.He fought to claim the English throne,which at that time was held by Matilda's cousin Stephen of Blois.During his reign, he controlled the Angevin Empire and also held power over Scotland and the Duchy of Brittany.

Henry III (1 October 1207–16 November 1272),was King of England,and Duke of Aquitaine from 1216 till death.The son of King John, Henry assumed the throne in the middle of the First Barons' War.Henry's forces, led by William Marshal, defeated the rebel barons at the battles of Lincoln and Sandwich in 1217. Henry promised to abide by the Great Charter of 1225, a later version of the 1215 Magna Carta.

Henry IV (c. April 1367–20 March 1413),was King of England from 1399.Henry was the first English ruler whose mother tongue was English.

Henry V (16 September 1386–31 August 1422) was the son of Henry IV.He was King of England from 1413.Henry's outstanding military successes in the Hundred Years' War against France made England one of the strongest military powers in Europe. Immortalised in Shakespeare's Henriad plays,Henry is renowned as one of the greatest warrior-kings of medieval England.

Henry VI (6 December 1421–21 May 1471) was the only child of Henry V.Henry VI was averse to war and mentally ill, so his rule was ineffective.

Henry VII (28 January 1457–21 April 1509) was King of England from 1485,founding the Tudor dynasty through his victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Henry VIII (28 June 1491–28 January 1547) was the King of England from 1509 till death.He increased the
power of the monarchy and government over the country.He was hedonistic and temperamental.

A very genius idea to team up all of England's Henrys together. I would recommend it for a history novice, but not a pro, however, as it does go over the same ground and may not be of interest to someone who has read these eight biographies as full books. Still a great book, though!

A very good book if you don't know much about the history of these monarchs. It covers the important aspects of their lives, families and the good and bad decisions of their rule. I also think it would make a very good book to add to ones collection. My only negative is that it could use some more pictures but the maps were pretty cool. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love reading about English history, especially Kings and Queens. This book covers a brief history of each of the 8 King Henrys in our history. Each King gets his own section, with sources for the information given at the end of each section. Their stories are interesting with lots of facts and figures and the author has done a great job of researching information and bringing it all together. It is though very in depth in some parts and I did find myself getting lost in all the information which I didn't find as interesting. There were certain Kings I knew more about and found their sections more enjoyable. I did learn a few things though and overall the book was a fascinating journey through history.

Philip Potter’s "The Eight King Henry’s of England" is a meticulously researched and engagingly written exploration of one of England’s most storied royal lineages. Potter skillfully brings to life the fascinating and often tumultuous reigns of the eight kings named Henry, providing readers with a comprehensive and vivid account of their impact on English history.

Potter's narrative is both scholarly and accessible, making complex historical events and figures approachable for a broad audience. His ability to intertwine political intrigue, personal drama, and historical context ensures that each King Henry's story is not only informative but also captivating. Potter’s detailed portraits of these monarchs highlight their unique contributions and flaws, offering a nuanced understanding of their legacies.

From the medieval battles of Henry I to the infamous marital escapades of Henry VIII, and beyond, Potter delves into the political, social, and cultural changes that each king oversaw. His insightful analysis and engaging prose bring a fresh perspective to well-trodden historical ground, making the book a compelling read for both history enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

One of the standout features of "The Eight King Henry’s of England" is Potter’s ability to weave together the broader historical narrative with intriguing anecdotes and lesser-known details. This approach not only enriches the reader’s understanding but also keeps the story lively and engaging throughout.

Overall, "The Eight King Henry’s of England" is a masterful work of historical biography. Philip Potter has succeeded in crafting a book that is both educational and entertaining, shedding new light on the lives and times of England’s Henrys. It is a must-read for anyone interested in English history, royal dynasties, or the complexities of leadership and legacy.

The Eight King Henrys of England by Philip J Potter is an intriguing account of a 100 year history in the British Monarchy. Many of us are aware of Henry VIII and his six wives, but what of Henry II who sailed to France to have a war and remove his cousin from the throne, later replicated by Henry v who also sailed to France to have a set-to and his son, Henry VI had a really rough time of it and pretty much lost everything that was gained throughout his fathers reign. Not so well batted that chap

The Henry's have a sometimes successful, sometimes desolate reign, but all of them have a fascinating story to tell which is written with style and panache in this book. Absolutely loved it

Thank you to NetGalley, Pen & Sword | Pen & Sword History and the author Phillip J Potter for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

For all those like me who really only know one King Henry, Henry VIII, this book was a wonderful way to delve into the lives of the first seven - a crash course, of sorts, on the all eight Henrys that have sat on the throne during England's 1,000-year monarchical history. Although relatively short, this novel is not a quick read. Dense with dates, names, and facts, there is a wealth of information contained within these pages. While definitely a beneficial resource for those who know little about the kings, it can also be a bit overwhelming at times. Each Henry's life is it's own chapter, but there is no further separation within those chapters, resulting in 20+ pages of solid text. Overall, a comprehensive work and an interesting look into the lives of early English monarchs.

The whole conceit of this book is that it's a history of about five hundred years of English history, told as eight biographies of the King Henrys. It's a unique way to write history, and it worked well. I will warn you, it's dense. It's meaty. But that's good history.

This was super interesting. The tutor line itself is so long. This gave some background on the Henrys in the line. If you like this sort of read then add this to your list