Between Kantorowicz’s hagiographical portrait and David Abulafia’s reappraisal, which camp do you fall in for Frederick II Hohenstaufen? Was he a brilliant model for enlightened despotism or a ruthless power player whose ultimate purpose was hegemonic and dynastic supremacy? Perhaps both?
Not sure if this might be in the works anyway, but I’ve always felt Frederick II and Kantorowicz deserve a special “This is History” episode. Cheers.
Hi Dan, back in November you made a highly skeptical post about Philipa Langley's "discovery" that "proved" Richard III did not murder the Princes in the Tower. I believe this post was made before watching the Channel 4 documentary. Did the documentary alter your opinion at all?
How does English history identify dynasties, or is this a modern construction? Here is the basis of my question: The Plantagenets were a dynasty, as near as I can tell, until Henry VII initiated the Tudor Dynasty and yet, the Lancastrians were at best a minor sub-branch of the Plantagenets when Henry IV usurped the crown. Why didn't that change the dynasty? Since the Plantagenets, there were the Tudors, the Stuarts, the Hanoverians and the Windsors of today (did I forget a dynasty?). They all trace their ancestry practically back to Woden (or at least William I) and yet they are different dynasties. Is there some moderator that says, "Alright mate, this is a new dynasty"? Does everyone agree on the members of the dynasty? This has been bugging me for a long time for no rational reason so I'd appreciate the favour of your enlightenment.
Hi Dan - what was the life expectancy of a typical person living in Tudor England assuming they made it through childhood. How long would a noble live as compared to a peasant. What was the most common natural causes killer?
Hi Dan - you mentioned in the last Q&A video the potential around a Templar/Crusader ‘This Is History’ style podcast. Is this something being considered or discussed? Given two of your publications are about the aforementioned topics and other works delve into them to some extent, it would be thoroughly interesting to hear it brought to life in the series.
I’m very much looking forward to your book on Henry V (copy on pre-order!) and wondered what your next non-fiction might be? Henry’s brother the Duke of Bedford has interested me for some time, might a book on his life be worth considering for the future?
Hi Dan, we know that Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine could be considered the original "power couple" for good reason. What other medieval partnership (does not have to be a marriage) was incredibly successful in producing major results?
Hi Dan - last Q & A session you made a comment about the dysfunctional Plantagenet family- and I wondered if you think it was because of the times they were in rather than the family itself being prone to acts of naked aggression and infighting.
Something seems to have happened when the Tudors came along- more civilized maybe? Aside from marriage uniting warring factions - perhaps humanist Renaissance thinking?
Just started Wolves of Winter and the prologue was off the chain!
My question is what do you think the ale to water ratio was during these times? Im trying to imagine a massive constantaly drunk mob making its way across the country side...
Being greedy with a few questions here so don’t feel like you have to answer all of them...
I’m looking forward to your biography on Henry V, I have read a few biographies on Plantagenet Kings (Morris - Edward I, Mortimer - Edward III and currently tackling Carpenter’s mammoth Henry III) and I wondered if there was a stand out one to go and read in your opinion?
Also, I read Michael Jones’ biography on the Black Prince pretty much the week before I read Essex Dogs so obviously those two books paint the Prince in a completely different light (appreciating that Essex Dogs is fiction of course) and I wondered if the way you portray the character in Essex Dogs resembled some of your own thoughts on the Prince or not? Or perhaps your thoughts on young kings in waiting in general (Henry the Young King also springs to mind here).
Finally he undoubtedly became a great martial leader but do you think he would have been a successful King had he not suffered from illness and died prematurely before Edward III? He obviously had issues governing as Duke of Aquitaine so may have just lacked the political skills to be a success in any event? All academic of course but still would like to know your thoughts if any!
I noted that in The Plantagenets you didn’t note that Thomas Swynford was Henry IV’s half-brother when he’s mentioned in the Epilogue (he isn’t even in the index). Do you not agree that it’s likely he oversaw the starvation of King Richard? The relationship between Henry and Thomas fascinates me.
Just a few more days until I can get Wolves of Winter on Audible. Can't wait! I just had to listen to Essex Dogs again to get ready for it.
The Battle of Shrewsbury video was great, I enjoyed it. Is the Dark Spectrum Tatoo Collective in the background of one of your shots a place you frequent?
Hi Dan, you wrote that your book about Henry V is coming to its conclusion. I was wondering, who sets the death line for finishing a new book? Is it your call or the editors? Or a mix of both?
Between Kantorowicz’s hagiographical portrait and David Abulafia’s reappraisal, which camp do you fall in for Frederick II Hohenstaufen? Was he a brilliant model for enlightened despotism or a ruthless power player whose ultimate purpose was hegemonic and dynastic supremacy? Perhaps both?
Not sure if this might be in the works anyway, but I’ve always felt Frederick II and Kantorowicz deserve a special “This is History” episode. Cheers.
Hi Dan, back in November you made a highly skeptical post about Philipa Langley's "discovery" that "proved" Richard III did not murder the Princes in the Tower. I believe this post was made before watching the Channel 4 documentary. Did the documentary alter your opinion at all?
Hey Dan,
How does English history identify dynasties, or is this a modern construction? Here is the basis of my question: The Plantagenets were a dynasty, as near as I can tell, until Henry VII initiated the Tudor Dynasty and yet, the Lancastrians were at best a minor sub-branch of the Plantagenets when Henry IV usurped the crown. Why didn't that change the dynasty? Since the Plantagenets, there were the Tudors, the Stuarts, the Hanoverians and the Windsors of today (did I forget a dynasty?). They all trace their ancestry practically back to Woden (or at least William I) and yet they are different dynasties. Is there some moderator that says, "Alright mate, this is a new dynasty"? Does everyone agree on the members of the dynasty? This has been bugging me for a long time for no rational reason so I'd appreciate the favour of your enlightenment.
I’ve wondered this exact same thing a dozen times! Great question
Good one Shane! I've already wondered the same thing.
Hi Dan - what was the life expectancy of a typical person living in Tudor England assuming they made it through childhood. How long would a noble live as compared to a peasant. What was the most common natural causes killer?
Which history book 📕 or books 📚 that have to come out are you looking forward for?
I put the book you wrote about in Substack The seven wonders of the ancient world on my to buy list.
Hi Dan - you mentioned in the last Q&A video the potential around a Templar/Crusader ‘This Is History’ style podcast. Is this something being considered or discussed? Given two of your publications are about the aforementioned topics and other works delve into them to some extent, it would be thoroughly interesting to hear it brought to life in the series.
Hi Dan
I’m very much looking forward to your book on Henry V (copy on pre-order!) and wondered what your next non-fiction might be? Henry’s brother the Duke of Bedford has interested me for some time, might a book on his life be worth considering for the future?
Thanks, Carol
Hi Dan, we know that Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine could be considered the original "power couple" for good reason. What other medieval partnership (does not have to be a marriage) was incredibly successful in producing major results?
Can you please explain the prophecy of the six kings and how it pertained to Henry IV?
Hi Dan - last Q & A session you made a comment about the dysfunctional Plantagenet family- and I wondered if you think it was because of the times they were in rather than the family itself being prone to acts of naked aggression and infighting.
Something seems to have happened when the Tudors came along- more civilized maybe? Aside from marriage uniting warring factions - perhaps humanist Renaissance thinking?
What are your thoughts?
Hello Dan,
Just started Wolves of Winter and the prologue was off the chain!
My question is what do you think the ale to water ratio was during these times? Im trying to imagine a massive constantaly drunk mob making its way across the country side...
Hi Dan
Being greedy with a few questions here so don’t feel like you have to answer all of them...
I’m looking forward to your biography on Henry V, I have read a few biographies on Plantagenet Kings (Morris - Edward I, Mortimer - Edward III and currently tackling Carpenter’s mammoth Henry III) and I wondered if there was a stand out one to go and read in your opinion?
Also, I read Michael Jones’ biography on the Black Prince pretty much the week before I read Essex Dogs so obviously those two books paint the Prince in a completely different light (appreciating that Essex Dogs is fiction of course) and I wondered if the way you portray the character in Essex Dogs resembled some of your own thoughts on the Prince or not? Or perhaps your thoughts on young kings in waiting in general (Henry the Young King also springs to mind here).
Finally he undoubtedly became a great martial leader but do you think he would have been a successful King had he not suffered from illness and died prematurely before Edward III? He obviously had issues governing as Duke of Aquitaine so may have just lacked the political skills to be a success in any event? All academic of course but still would like to know your thoughts if any!
Fred
I am a little late to the game but... what is your favourite myth or legend from the middle ages? And why is it your favourite?
I noted that in The Plantagenets you didn’t note that Thomas Swynford was Henry IV’s half-brother when he’s mentioned in the Epilogue (he isn’t even in the index). Do you not agree that it’s likely he oversaw the starvation of King Richard? The relationship between Henry and Thomas fascinates me.
Just a few more days until I can get Wolves of Winter on Audible. Can't wait! I just had to listen to Essex Dogs again to get ready for it.
The Battle of Shrewsbury video was great, I enjoyed it. Is the Dark Spectrum Tatoo Collective in the background of one of your shots a place you frequent?
Tom in Colorado
Hi Dan, you wrote that your book about Henry V is coming to its conclusion. I was wondering, who sets the death line for finishing a new book? Is it your call or the editors? Or a mix of both?