The Conquering Family

The kind of history I most like to read. Costain covers the Plantagenets from Henry I to “soft-sword John” in a very entertaining, story-telling way that most historians would probably disdain, but which makes these people come alive. I’d had only the vaguest idea of who these early Plantaganets were, but Costain draws them in vivid and memorable strokes: beautiful Eleanor of Aquitaine and her determined Henry, their viperous brood of sons; Stephen and Maude and the misery they inflicted on England as they battled for the throne . . . not to mention a whole host of secondary characters. Lovely – a great place to start and perfect for the more casual reader of history.

If you know little to nothing about the Plantagenets this is an easy intro to that complex family.

Five stars here for Costain’s narrative drive, which makes this old popular history of the first Plantagenets a very easy read.

Four stars for the author’s occasional snark of ordinal sources.

Two stars for the author’s obvious biases, the lack of documentation, and authorial inventions of the moods and even appearance of the characters. Two stars also for Costain’s cherry picking which of the original sources he chooses to rate as credible.

Only for beginners or inveterate Costain fans.

The first volume of Thomas B. Costain's 4-volume history of England's Plantagenet dynasty covers the period between the death of Henry I and the death of John. Costain makes the most of the colorful characters and events of the period – the civil war that followed the death of Henry I, when both Stephen and Matilda claimed the throne; Henry II's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine; the rise and fall of Thomas à Becket; the bitter rivalry and changing allegiances among Henry's sons; the 3rd Crusade; the Magna Carta. I listened to the audio version, and the reader's sardonic tone and aristocratic voice are a perfect fit for the dramatic nature of this era's history. This book provides historical context for some popular series such as show more Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries and Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death mysteries, and it would be good background reading for fans of either series. show less

2021 reread via Kindle book from OCLN:
Just as good as I had remembered - I had forgotten most of the details of Costain's 4 book history of the Plantagenets but the wonderful way that he wrote stuck with me. This first book covers Henry II, Richard I (the Lionhearted) & John - the 3 Angevin kings.

I am so excited to have found this book, and the others that go with it. Thank you so much LT Recommends. I would never have discovered these without you. Though it's not a novel, it reads like one. I doubt you'll find more exciting fiction anywhere. THE CONQUERING FAMILY [ Thomas B. Costain} begins the saga of the Plantagenets of England, starting with Henry I, the youngest son of William the Conqueror and continues through the life of King John. The author has a wonderful flair for bringing these kings to life as well as all the 'supporting cast' . Going beyond the simple we've -already- heard -this descriptions, they are exploding with human qualities and the ability to pull responses from the reader.. I loved them, I hated them, i show more cried for them. Mostly i was Shocked by them. What I knew about these people, before I read this book, could, indeed be fit into a Walt Disney animated production. Kings, Queens, Popes, barons, knights, and all the other supporting 'characters' and their escapades have been artfully woven together from start to finish with a very nice finishing chapter that gives a historical overview and conclusions. Also, printed in it's entirety is the Magna Charta. How cool is that ?!!! And you won't believe what happens to John at the end. I really got my money's worth with this book. I will immediately start The Three Edwards, and begin a search to acquire them for my own. If this review sounds a bit 'uncontained,' it's because I am so thrilled with these books. Thank you so much, Librarything, for recommending them to me. show less

Thomas Costain was a Canadian Writer, and decided to write a history of the highly romantic Plantgenet family, and began with this volume which sketches England until Henry II, and then gets into its stride, ending with the melancholy death of john in 1216. There are a number of good stories here, anf TC misses none of them. It is overall a good popular trip, but not likely to produce authorative footnotes.

Containing no footnotes or end notes, this first of four volumes comprising a history of the Plantagenets presents a highly readable history from the Norman Conquest until the death of King John. The narrative offers a wealth of information on Eleanor of Aquitaine, Thomas a Becket, and others. The Magna Carta's text appears in the volume's final chapters. Although its lack of citations makes it inappropriate for scholarly pursuits, its readability endeared it to the masses.