Richard II: King, Culture and the Court of Venus

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The definitive extended biography of not only Richard II but also his fourteenth-century court.

Richard II is one of England’s most notorious kings. Just a child when he came to the throne, he was thrust into instability. Even so, Richard was not a warrior king, but a man who cared for art, literature and frivolity. Women were to be found everywhere at court, and Richard lavished them with the honour of being appointed Ladies of the Garter.

But troubles rumbled under this carefree surface. The men of the court were accused of being ‘knights of Venus’ who had ‘more prowess in the bedroom than on the field of battle’, and the prevalence of women did little to help this reputation. Tensions came to a head, with clashes leading to exile and murder, the country teetering on the brink of civil war.

While filled with tumult and rebellion, Richard’s reign was conversely a golden age for culture and the arts. Women found a greater importance at the heart of government and the fracturing of the royal family sowed the seeds for the Wars of the Roses. Acclaimed historian Gemma Hollman explores this fascinating period, offering a definitive look at the origins of one of the most siginificant eras of English history.

AUTHOR:
Gemma Hollman has a Masters degree in Medieval History from the University of York. She runs Just History Posts blog and Twitter account (1,400 followers). Her first book, Royal Witches, was published by The History Press in October 2019 and sold US rights in record time. She lives in Hertfordshire.

15 b/w illustrations

ISBN: 9781803995250
Author: HOLLMAN, GEMMA
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: 01/02/2027
RRP: $55.00
Dimension: 234mm X 156mm
Imprint: The History Press