When you pick up this book, you're essentially getting the most positive "spin" you can get on the life of Edward of Windsor, better known as the "Black Prince," with the particular emphasis being on how the man took the precepts of Chivalry seriously, and how that influenced his conduct. The practice of Chivalry, in theory and practice is a big part of this work. This becomes significant as Jones debunks some of the more brutal acts associated with the man, and makes a good argument that, specifically, the massacre at Limoges, the last significant military event in the Prince's life was mostly negative propaganda. Also important is the Prince's relationship with his father, Edward III, particularly as the king's judgment became more dubious, and the Prince found himself being compelled to go on military adventures that compromised his policy as Prince of Aquitaine. All in all, this was a good study, that works equally well as social and political history before you tackle more academic works. ( )

A very readable and engaging account of Edward of Woodstock, the warrior prince often held up as the chivalric ideal and the “embodiment of all valor.”

Using contemporary sources while also drawing from, and comparing different chroniclers Jones examines the life and achievements of the man behind the mythology to place him in his historical context in a way that’s understandable for the modern reader. ( )

5578. The Black Prince England's Greatest Medieval Warrior, by Michael Jones (read 30 Aug 2018) This book is 2018 biography of Edward, the first-born son of King Edward III. The Back Prince was born 15 June 1330, was at the battle of Crecy on 26 Aug 1346, Had a major role in the triumphal battle of of Poitiers on 19 Sept 1356, was named prince of Aquitaine on 19 July 1362, married Joanof Kent 29 June 1363, and died 6 June 1376--before his father, Edward III. died on 21 June 1377 The book is largely admiratory of the Black Prince and excuses some of the things he did by saying that that was the way everybody fought in those times. Sometimes the book is not overly attention-holding but at the end of my reading I felt that it was worthwhile reading it. ( )