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A review by lilacashes
The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330 by Ian Mortimer
3.0
This book gives a pretty good impression of 14th century aristocratic England by following the life story of one extraordinary man. The author uses the book as a vehicle for sometimes very daring theses. The central thesis, that Roger Mortimer did not kill king Edward II as had been historical consensus for centuries, is introduced somewhat offhandedly and only substantiated in the last chapter. This makes seem much of the last third of the book seem pretty far out on a limb, but good evidence for it is given in the final chapter.
I cannot finish without one quote though, which shows the author's twisted understanding of love and view of women though: "There is no reason to doubt that Roger did love Isabella deeply, as shown by his blurted out threat to kill her if she returned to her husband in 1325."
Ian Mortimer writes engagingly and in deep detail about historical events and circumstances, but having read two of his books I don't think I need to read another one.
I cannot finish without one quote though, which shows the author's twisted understanding of love and view of women though: "There is no reason to doubt that Roger did love Isabella deeply, as shown by his blurted out threat to kill her if she returned to her husband in 1325."
Ian Mortimer writes engagingly and in deep detail about historical events and circumstances, but having read two of his books I don't think I need to read another one.