An interesting study of the only Englishman in History ever to have become Pope. A lad from humble beginnings achieved a lot. I only wish there were more recent studies on him!
The author certainly did his homework, but this book shows its age in a number of ways: the main one being that the writing is heavily influenced by the assumptions and prejudices of the time in which it was written, namely the Late Victorian Age.

Of course, there were notions of 'progress' and the superiority of all things modern and British common during the period. Hence, the Medieval era is often dismissed as barbaric. One quote demonstrates this well 'Small wonder that the art of Literature did not flourish- the marvel is that any writing at all should have reached us from those dark days'. In another passage the people of the Early and High Middle Ages are dismissed as having 'untutored intellects and savage natures'.

Those being the early 12th century during 'The Anarchy' and the whole of the Early Middle Ages. Yeah, what about Beowulf, the whole Corpus of Anglo-Saxon poetry, and the Literature of the High Middle Ages?
Thank goodness, we have now come to realize that Medieval people were not so backwards, uncivilised and come to appreciate the achievements of the remarkable Millennium known as the Middle Ages.
If one can ignore that though, this book is a worthwhile read, shedding light on the life and career of a remarkable man.

I requested a copy of this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.