Richard and John Kings at War

Legend and lore surround the history of kings Richard and John, from the ballads of Robin Hood and the novels of Sir Walter Scott to Hollywood movies. Frank McLynn has returned to the original sources to discover what Richard and John, the warring sons of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, were really like, and how their history measures up to the old legends. "With narrative panache and anecdotal detail" (The Independent), McLynn explores the truth behind the early folklore tradition, confirming that "Richard was everything you'd hoped for, and his brother John was the toad you'd always suspected."This is history at its besta story well-told, thoroughly researched, unexpectedly revealing, and "a rattling good read" (Spectator).

Frank McLynn is the author of many critically acclaimed books, including Napoleon, 1066, Villa and Zapata, and Wagons West. He is a former Visiting Professor in the Department of English at Strathclyde University. He lives in England.