The Death of Kings

A king's death was a highly dramatic moment, with major political consequences. Death in battle, whether that of Harold at Hastings or Richard III at Bosworth, could end a dynasty, while the secret murders of Edward II, Richard II, and Edward V blighted the fortunes of their murderers. Full of fascinating detail and personal information about the char-acters and attitudes of English kings and queens, The Death of Kings thoroughly chronicles royal deaths in medieval times and shows how various writers, including Shakespeare, drew meaning and morals from these deaths, giving them an imaginative and symbolic resonance that has lasted until the present day.