Book Review – The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster
By Helen Carr – Published 25th May 2021
John of Gaunt is a fascinating medieval figure, and this book is an excellent place to start if you want a vivid and intriguing portrayal of the man. The biography explores his life and all of the ups and downs that came with it, shedding light on this truly misunderstood character.
John was born into the Plantagenet royal dynasty and he was the son of King Edward III, brother to Edward the Black Prince, and father of who would eventually become Henry IV of England. The decisions he made during his life deeply influenced the reputation that he would earn, giving the impression that he was a tyrant hated throughout the medieval period – but Helen Carr puts these myths to the test and gives us the true account of the Red Prince.
John of Gaunt was fiercely loyal to his family, fighting alongside his father and brother in various campaigns in France and Spain. He was an adept soldier, a cunning diplomat and a true English statesman – these contributed to him becoming the 1st Duke of Lancaster. He was one of, if not the most, wealthiest men in the country due to his marriages to Blanche of Lancaster and Constance of Castile.
His reputation starts to become tainted after the death of the Black Prince and Edward III. His nephew, Richard II, took the throne and got off to a rocky start, with the Duke of Lancaster, Parliament and Richard’s closest advisors doing everything in their power to try and influence the young king, some for better, some for worse. One particular period is the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, where John of Gaunt and others were accused of raising taxes so high it led to rebellion across the whole country.
Helen Carr does an expert job of changing the narrative, showing us who the real John of Gaunt was and putting an end to the tarnished reputation that he was given for so long. The book is well-detailed and extremely readable and is probably one of the best historical biographies I have read – it is difficult to put down. If you want to learn more about the father of the Lancastrian dynasty, look no further than this book.
It is a fascinating read, providing a detailed description of John of Gaunt’s life as well as a broader understanding of the historical context in which he lived.