Lancaster and York cover art

Lancaster and York

The Wars of the Roses

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Lancaster and York

By: Alison Weir
Narrated by: Maggie Mash
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About this listen

Lancater and York is a riveting account of the Wars of the Roses, from the beloved and best-selling historian Alison Weir. The war between the houses of Lancaster and York was characterised by treachery, deceit, and bloody battles. Alison Weir's lucid and gripping account focuses on the human side of history. At the centre of the book stands Henry VI, the pious king whose mental instability led to political chaos, and his wife Margaret of Anjou, who took up her arms in her husband's cause and battled in a violent man's world.

©1995 Alison Weir (P)2012 W F Howes Ltd Europe Great Britain Historical Medieval Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty War England Middle Ages Marriage United Kingdom Military Tudor

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All stars
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Very good book, but spoiled by the narration. Magpie Mash over-does the "quotes'" by trying to act the character's voice. I found this to be very irritating, and it seemed over-indulgent on her part. Apart from this, she reads very well, but someone needs to have a word with her!
Having said that, I have listened to this book time and time again. This period of history is very interesting but, as I listen in bed, I fall asleep so there is always something I have missed!
I would recommend to anyone interested in medieval history.

Good value for money

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This is an excellent book and a clear account of a fascinating period in English history. Marred however by the ridiculous and off putting voices used by the narrator for quotes from contemporaneous chronicles. I also felt that Weir showed a prejudice against Margaret of Anjou rather than maintaining a historians impartiality.

A fascinating history.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. The content level was, in the words of Goldilocks, "just right." It was not too detailed nor too light. The narration was very good, very clear and well paced. Don't know why the narrator did not pronounce the "h" in adhere and similar words. I guess it is in the same order as the word scone.

Excellent

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Not finished book yet, but have to write a review before finishing, the narrator has a lovely voice but insists on doing the most ridiculous accents throughout. So far the complex information from the wars of the roses has been explained very clearly, hope it continues!!!

Accents are cringe worthy

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I feel like the structure of the book is almost backwards. There is a very lengthy build up to the actual War of the Roses, starting with Richard II and Henry IV usurping the throne. Weir makes good arguments as to why the origins of the war starts back there but this build up is a significant part of the book. At the other end of the book, after the restoration of Edward IV we speed through at a remarkable speed with a brief explanation of the rest of the war and its end and then the book is over. I would have prefered a shorter lead in and to finish the rest of the war properly. I think more so because I recently read Dan Jones' Henry V and felt like I was already knew a lot of it as that book was much more detailed on the lives of Henry IV and V. Maggie Mash's normal reading was good but the accents she gave each person became annoying.

Could have been so much more

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It is a bit dull, which is odd considering the incredible events that it covers are so dramatic. I like 'academic' presentations and I think AW does a great job in this, and her other non-fiction titles, at making history live, whilst retaining historical integrity.

But in this book, I wonder if part of the problem is the narration. The reader has a nice voice, when she is just reading. A bit querulous, but soothing. But the accents - European and all sorts of growly, British attempts, were really quite annoying. AW always tells us that, for example, the Italian Ambassador is about to speak; I do not need a theatrical Italian accent to drive this point home. If it was a novel, maybe it would be alright, but it's not.

Anyway, I carried on to the end, despite several times thinking I'd pack it in. I learned a lot, I just didn't enjoy it very much.

Incredible Events - Oddly Dull in Presentation

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This is an absorbing and well researched history of the 'Wars of the Roses' - well worth listening to. For the most part it is very well read. However I have two gripes.
1. Why does the narrator insist on reading all lines attributed to French, Italian or German observers in silly accents that are reminiscent of those used in TV productions such as 'allo allo'. This is not necessary and is infuriating.
2. The text is riddled with 'translations' of £ s d currency amounts into their decimal equivalents. It adds nothing to tell us, for instance, that the £66, 13 shillings and 4 pence, spent on a particular item/activity, is equivalent to £66.67!. It would have been far more useful, if the author had given us some estimate of the value, in current day terms, of the purchase in question. Despite these annoyances, an enjoyable book.

Fascinating story and well written but.....

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Liked the book immensely - good coverage of one of the most interesting periods in English history. Well narrated except for the bizarre selection of accents the narrator uses when quoting any primary source! Other than that, excellent!

Excellent book but dubious accents!

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Far too many names and titles to take in at first. Very informative, though. Better if I'd made notes of names and connections as I read. Had to 're-read' sections to clarify. Might have been better if it had been read in physical rather than audio form.

Interesting history. difficult to follow at times

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The history is well written and the reader did an excellent job in brining a complex work to life. Most enjoyable.

Excellent history, extremely well read

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