Nemesis

Medieval England's Greatest Enemy

Dr Catherine Hanley, Tina Ross

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Osprey
01 January 2026

The extraordinary tale of Philip Augustus, one of medieval Europe’s greatest monarchs, and the part he played in the downfall of four Plantagenet kings of England.

Philip II ruled France with an iron fist for over 40 years, expanding its borders and increasing its power. For his entire reign his counterpart on the English throne was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, and Philip took on them all: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III. And yet we know so little about medieval England’s greatest enemy.

Historian Catherine Hanley, author of the critically acclaimed 1217, redresses this imbalance, bringing Philip out of the shadows in this fascinating new history. Delving into French medieval archives, Nemesis explores Philip’s motives for attacking England and in doing so we learn not only about him but discover so much more about England’s most colourful and controversial of rulers – the Plantagenets.

When Philip first succeeded to the throne in 1180, Henry II of England, thanks to his Angevin and Norman ancestry as well as his wife’s inheritance of Aquitaine, ruled more of France than Philip himself. By the end of Philip’s reign in 1223, the pendulum of power had swung the other way. Nemesis reveals how Philip exploited the constant familiar squabbles of the Plantagenets to secure his grip on France, his wily political manoeuvring combined with a mastery of the medieval battlefield turning France into a powerhouse of Europe.

By: Dr Catherine Hanley
By (artist): Tina Ross
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 238mm, Width: 162mm, Spine: 30mm
Weight: 506g
ISBN: 9781472867445
ISBN 10: 1472867440
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 01 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Catherine Hanley has a PhD in Medieval Studies. She has written five books of popular history including Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior (2019) which was named by both the Financial Times and BBC History Magazine as one of their ‘Best Books of 2019’. She has recently written 1217: The Battles that Saved England which was a Sunday Times book of the week.

Reviews for Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy

This book is long overdue, and is a compelling portrait of Philip Augustus. Dr Catherine Hanley writes with great subtlety, clarity and precision, capturing the essence of Philip's kingship in an engaging, dynamic and well-paced narrative. A must-read. * Caroline Burt, co-author of 'Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State' * Catherine Hanley’s excellent account of King Philip Augustus's struggle against – and ultimate destruction of – Plantagenet England’s continental empire is both lively and learned. A must read for lovers of medieval history. * Justine Firnhaber-Baker, author of 'House of Lilies: The Dynasty that made Medieval France' *