Henry VI by M.E. Christie

Henry VI is a historical novel by Mabel Elizabeth Christie, originally published in 1922. The book is set during the tumultuous reign of King Henry VI of England, who ruled from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. The story follows the young king as he struggles to maintain control of his kingdom amidst political intrigue, religious conflict, and military campaigns.The novel is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different phase of Henry VI's reign. The first part begins with Henry's coronation and his early attempts to rule England, including his marriage to Margaret of Anjou and his efforts to reconcile the warring factions of the Lancastrians and Yorkists. The second part covers the period of the Wars of the Roses, a series of battles between the two factions that led to Henry's temporary deposition and the rise of the Yorkist king, Edward IV. The final part of the book follows Henry's restoration to the throne and his eventual downfall at the hands of his own court.Throughout the novel, Christie weaves a vivid and detailed portrait of life in medieval England, with its complex political alliances, religious tensions, and social hierarchies. She also explores the personal struggles of Henry VI, a well-meaning but weak-willed monarch who is constantly torn between his duty to his people and his own desires and beliefs.