King John

View other editions of King John.
View books by Warren.
View books in the English Monarchs Series.

The reign of King John seen from beyond historical reputation - Rated
I suppose most of us have deeply engrained the picture of the "evil" Prince John trying to oust "the good and hero-like King Richard the Lionheart" as portrait in Robin Hood movies and books. How can one compete with such a personality? Just compare "The Lionherat" to "Lackland". Rightly Mr. Warren starts to explain how this reputation came about.

Somehow one longs for a bit for balanced approach. Indeed , is book provides excatly this, but without falling into the trap of completly whitewashing King Johan. Warren is not at all blind to his faults and spells them out. But he does not see just the negative sides of this King.
Here is a King of England who takes a keen interest in England and not just in his continental domains. He puts that into persepective with the rule of his brother Richard and his father Henry II. Much of the real essence of Richard's rule is covered up his hero-image and his military exploits.

John does not come across as a likeable person, but neither as the incapable ruler. It seems to me that John had to batter the demon of being the younger son, but in the end this younger son prevailed and continued the dynasty. WL Warren's book on King John is indeed a book that stood the test of times and is properly the best on King John.

Interesting balanced appraisal - Rated
A readable and interesting biography of this most maligned of kings who has, to some extent at least, been unfairly judged due to an over-reliance on the word of one particular non-contemporary chronicler, Roger of Wendover. While John's petty tyrannies towards the barons and character flaws are manifest, he was also a much sought after and judicious arbiter in legal proceedings involving ordinary men and also effectively founded the English navy. Up to a point it seems odd that John, unlike the equally but somewhat unfairly maligned Richard III, has no organised defenders today.

Warren's King John reviewed. - Rated
This is an excellent book. Written in the 1960s this biography has stood the test of time. It is well written, informative and an accessible guide to the reign of King John. Warren wrote this account to be useful for academics but also interesting for the general reader. Warren succeeded in his mission. The book in engaging and informative, relying on chroniclers more than previous biographies did, which presents a more interesting and personal view of John.

The book paints a portrait balanced between two extremes; the traditional "bad King John" approach; and an out and out defence his reign. Warren comes to the conclusion that John had "the intellectual capabalities of a great king but the inclinations of a petty tyrant." The case is argued well throughout the book. Despite its age this book is still the best biography of John around.

The book is at its best when describing the John's campaigns in Normandy. For guides to Magna Carta see J.C. Holt for detail and use this one for the general background.

(this review is largely based on the foreward in the front of the current edition written by David Carpenter)

A BALANCED ACCOUNT AT LAST!! - Rated
This is without doubt the definitive biography of King John! For too long dismissed as weak and cruel, this book shows him in a new and more favourable light. His skills in administering his realm, and his sporadic military genius all come together together to paint a picture of active and well informed King. The book is written well, and captures the King as if the author knew him himself. The series of the Yale English Monarchs books are clearly setting the standard for books on the Kings of England, and I hope that there are books in preparation for the remaining 'gaps' in the series. Very, Very Good!!