A History of the Plantagenets, in Four Volumes: The Conquering Family; The Magnificent Century; The Three Edwards; The Last Plantagenets

368 pp.; vi, 374 pp.; vi, 472 pp.; viii, 467 pp. Complete four volume set. Grey cloth, gilt titles. Includes: The Conquering Family; The Magnificent Century; The Three Edwards; The Last Plantagenets. "Thomas B. Costain's four-volume history of the Plantagenets begins with The Conquering Family and the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066, closing with the reign of John in 1216. The troubled period after the Norman Conquest, when the foundations of government were hammered out between monarch and people, comes to life through Costain's storytelling skill and historical imagination." "The Magnificent Century, the second volume of Costain's A History of the Plantagenets, covers Henry III's long and turbulent reign, from 1216 to 1272. During his lifetime Henry was frequently unpopular, unreliable and inconsistent. Yet his reign saw spectacular advancement in the arts, sciences and theology, as well as in government. Despite all, it was truly a magnificent century." "The Three Edwards, third in Thomas B. Costain's survey of Britain under the Plantagenets, covers the years between 1272 and 1377 when three Edwards ruled England. Edward I brought England out of the Middle Ages. Edward II had a tragic reign but gave his country Edward III, who ruled gloriously, if violently." "This, the fourth volume of the author's chronicle of English history entitled The Last Plantagenets, covers the period from the rule of Richard II to the end of the dynasty in Richard III. A story of intrigue and murder, much of which is still a mystery to historians."