Jonathan Sumption

Good man, bad king: a portrait of Henry III

The beleaguered monarch cuts a sad figure at the opening of David Carpenter’s second volume of biography – in contrast to his brilliant arch-enemy Simon de Montfort

The coronation of Henry III. [Getty Images] 
issue 10 June 2023
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  • Henry III: Reform, Rebellion, Civil War, Settlement, 1258-1272

    David Carpenter

    Yale, pp. 576, £30

Henry III sat on the English throne for 57 years. Among English monarchs, only George III, Victoria and the late Queen reigned for longer. But they only reigned. Henry’s problem was that he was expected to rule. In medieval England, the role of the king was critical. Public order collapsed without a functioning court system founded on the impartial authority of an active ruler.

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