Richard II

King, Culture, and the Court of Venus

Gemma Hollman

The colorful, often-violent story of how Richard II came to define one of the most controversial eras in English history.

Richard II is one of England’s most notorious kings. Just a child when he came to the throne, he was thrust into instability. Even so, Richard was not a warrior king, but a man who cared for art, literature, and frivolity. Women were to be found everywhere at court, and Richard lavished them with the honor of being appointed Ladies of the Garter.

But troubles rumbled under this carefree surface. The men of the court were accused of being "knights of Venus" who had "more prowess in the bedroom than on the field of battle,” and the prevalence of women did little to help this reputation. Tensions came to a violent head, with clashes leading to exile and murder, and the country teetering on the brink of civil war.

While often filled with tension and rebellion, Richard’s reign was, at the same time, a golden age for culture and the arts. Women found a greater importance at the heart of government, and the fracturing of the royal family sowed the seeds for the Wars of the Roses. Acclaimed historian Gemma Hollman explores this fascinating period in this stunning new narrative, offering a definitive look at the origins of one of the most significant eras of English history.

Gemma Hollman has a Master’s degree in Medieval History from the University of York. She runs the Just History Posts blog and Twitter account and has written for the British Numismatic Journal. She lives in Hertfordshire, England.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for Gemma Hollman’s Royal Witches:

“Hollman, who has a master’s degree in medieval history, provides an in-depth account of each woman’s rise to power and then chronicles the events of the time. A meticulous historical analysis.” Kirkus Reviews

"The way Hollman deftly untangles royal lineages and courtly machinations to bring sky to the stories of these women makes me want to accuse her of witchcraft. Well done.” J. W. Ocker, Edgar Award–winning author of A Season with the Witch

"Some of history's most overlooked witches finally have their day in a smart exposé boiling over with intriguing women.” Susan Fair, author of American Witches

"An important and timely book looking at royal women who faced envy and political attack in the guise of accusations of witchcraft.” Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"This introduces new readers, in the most accessible and colorful way, to a group of royal women who certainly deserve more public notice than they have hitherto received.” Professor Ronald Hutton, author of The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present

“Even readers familiar with the basic history of the Wars of the Roses will see aristocratic skulduggery in a strikingly fresh way in Royal Witches, as we continue to grapple with the treatment of women who rise to important positions even in our own time.” BookPage