The Eagle and the Hart

The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV

De: Helen Castor

Narrado por: Helen Castor

From an acclaimed historian and author comes an epic history: the dual biography of Richard II and Henry IV, two cousins whose lives played out in extraordinary parallel, until Henry deposed the tyrant Richard and declared himself King of England.

Richard of Bordeaux and Henry of Bolingbroke, cousins born just three months apart, were ten years old when Richard became king of England. They were thirty-two when Henry deposed him and became king in his place. Now, the story behind one of the strangest and most fateful events in English history (and the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s most celebrated history plays) is brought to vivid life by the acclaimed author of Blood and Roses, Helen Castor.

Richard had birthright on his side, and a profound belief in his own God-given majesty. But beyond that, he lacked all qualities of leadership. A narcissist who did not understand or accept the principles that underpinned his rule, he was neither a warrior defending his kingdom, nor a lawgiver whose justice protected his people. Instead, he declared that “his laws were in his own mouth,” and acted accordingly. He sought to define as treason any resistance to his will and recruited a private army loyal to himself rather than the realm—and he intended to destroy those who tried to restrain him.

Henry was everything Richard was not: a leader who inspired both loyalty and friendship, a soldier and a chivalric hero, dutiful, responsible, principled. After years of tension and conflict, Richard banished him and seized his vast inheritance. Richard had been crowned a king but he had become a tyrant, and as a tyrant—ruling by arbitrary will rather than established law—he was deposed by his cousin Henry, the only possible candidate to take his place.

Henry was welcomed as a liberator, a champion of the people against his predecessor’s paranoid despotism. But within months he too was facing rebellion. Men knew that a deposer could in turn be deposed, and the new king found himself buffeted by unrest and by chronic ill-health until he seemed a shadow of his former self, trapped by political uncertainty and troubled by these signs that God might not, after all, endorse his actions.

Captivating, immersive, and highly relevant to today’s times, The Eagle and the Hart is a story about what happens when a ruler prioritizes power over the interests of his own people. When a ruler demands loyalty to himself as an individual, rather than duty to the established constitution, and when he seeks to reshape reality rather than concede the force of verifiable truths. Above all, it is a story about how a nation was brought to the brink of catastrophe and disintegration—and, in the end, how it was brought back.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Helen Castor (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Divine right goes with the usurper?

If you were a fan of Barbara Tuchman’s masterpiece, A Distant Mirror, and wondered what came after the tumultuous 14th century, this is the book for you. The new king is a child when he inherits the throne. Bathed in praise for merely being and anointed with holy oil, he rules as if his subjects’ lives depend on his inflated sense of divine right. He cousin, also a prince of the realm but born to the third son of the previous king, has to earn his right to rule the hard way: by his wits and war.
Helen Caster describes the world after the worst of the Black Death, the changes in the fortunes of those left behind, and the struggle to turn the kingdom back from tyranny.
Caster’s narration is flawless and easy to listen to.

Solid re-telling of a fascinating story.

The author knows her material and is an accomplished story teller. She also reads her work very well, which is rare.
Readers not steeped in British history of the time will sag a bit under the weight of an endless array of aristocratic titles. There’s really no help for it, and it is not fatal to the flow of the story. The essential characters are presented clearly.
The storyline was good enough to catch eye of Will Shakespeare, and this author is gifted enough to do the tale justice. If you’re at all curious about the origin of England’s terrible ordeal of the late medieval years, this is a good place to start.

In depth

The most in depth telling of the story I’ve heard, from before the birth of Richard II into Henry V’s reign. I especially liked the description of their tombs and afterlife.

Meticulously researched, beautifully written and beautifully narrated. Excellent.

I already know quite a bit of English history, especially for an American, but this book provided the detail that I was hoping for, that detail we just don’t get in popular histories, even those covering a relatively limited time period. It is a very dense read with a lot of facts, so I listened to it on reduced speed and am re-reading it to fix it all in my memory. Dr. Castor’s writing is wonderful, clear, sparse and elegant and so is her narration. Her knowledge of Latin and French is a big bonus, this is the first Audible book that didn’t jar my ears, or leave me mystified, by the abominable foreign-language pronunciations of other narrators. I really hope that Dr. Castor writes a book of similar scope for each of the other unsuccessful English kings, John, Henry III, Edward II and, especially, Henry VI and the Cousin’s War. Although, that’s probably more than a historian can accomplish in her lifetime! Excellent, well-researched, highly recommended work by a highly talented professional.

Helen is Always a Treat!!!

ive read & watched Helen for several years now & I am never disappointed!! wonderful story regarding a period of history that I only had experience from mentions in other books or the Shakespeare story- I do say story. can't wait to read this one soon!

Riveting start to finish

Entertaining and informative, I enjoyed every minute of this book. I am glad the author chose to read it herself. She has a very pleasant tone and excellent presentation. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and/or a well told story.

Wonderful!

If you’ve ever read or watched the Shakespeare plays and enjoyed them, you will love this book. It was very well written and performed. So interesting and moving. Highly recommend.

Excellent and compelling

One of the best books ever. Very dramatic with excellent jeopardy make it very hard to put down. Often compelled me to skip other activities so I could continue to listen. Great writing and great reading. Must reading. Thank you so much

A thrilling read

Exceptional, erudite book about the life and struggles of Richard II and his usurpation by Henry IV. I’m usually leary of audiobooks read by the author, but Helen Castor gives a tour de force performance. By turns gripping, thrilling, and heartbreaking, this book now stands among my favorite works of history. Eager to check out her other books.

Great Book!

The history was well developed. The narration was excellent. In places it was quite melancholy. Highly recommended.