Richard Duke of York, Father of Kings

The Origins of Tudor England

Paul L Dawson

$80

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Frontline
01 November 2025

Biography: royalty; History; British & Irish history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700

Richard of York, Father of Kings explores the life and legacy of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, shedding new light on his role in the Wars of the Roses and the events surrounding the Battle of Wakefield. While Richard III often dominates historical discussions, his father's impact has been comparatively overlooked. The Battle of Wakefield in December 1460 marked a turning point in the Wars of the Roses. Richard of York's death paved the way for his son Edward IV's ascent to the throne and ultimately the Tudor dynasty through his grandchildren, Edward V and Elizabeth of York. Elizabeth's marriage to Henry VII linked Richard of York's legacy to the English monarchy. Historian Paul Dawson, however, presents a provocative reinterpretation of these events. Utilizing previously unseen archival documents from institutions such as the Bibliothèque nationale de France and The National Archives at Kew, Paul Dawson uncovers fresh insights into the Battle of Wakefield. These sources reveal a complex web of alliances stretching across Europe, challenging traditional narratives and recontextualizing Richard's role in the geopolitical struggles of the era. This ground-breaking work provides a nuanced understanding of Richard of York's influence on both English and European history, reshaping perceptions of this pivotal period in the late medieval world.

AUTHOR: Paul L. Dawson BSc Hons M. Res MIFA FINS has had a lifelong passion for archaeology and history, holding both a degree in archaeology, and a master's degree in history. Over the last twenty-five years he has written almost fifty books, primarily on the period 1660 to 1831, exploring the relationship between political and religious dissent with the state, equine nutrition and biomechanics, as well as the history of his home city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Perhaps he is best known for his series of ground-breaking books on the Waterloo Campaign of 1815 and his studies of the uniforms and equipment of the French army 1792-1815\. Outside of writing and research, he is a gifted equestrian, riding for film and TV, as well as competing dressage and teaching classical equitation. In his free time, he is a church musician both organist, choir director and solo singer and lay minister with the General Assembly of Unitarians and Free Christians. Following a severe traumatic brain injury, resulting in speech, cognition and some mobility issues, he is a campaigner for disability rights for others recovering from brain injury.

16 b/w illustrations

By: Paul L Dawson
Imprint: Frontline
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781036126117
ISBN 10: 1036126110
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 01 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

PAUL L. DAWSON BSc Hons M. Res MIFA FINS has had a lifelong passion for archaeology and history, holding both a degree in archaeology, and a master’s degree in history. Over the last twenty-five years he has written almost fifty books, primarily on the period 1660 to 1831, exploring the relationship between political and religious dissent with the state, equine nutrition and biomechanics, as well as the history of his home city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Perhaps he is best known for his series of ground-breaking books on the Waterloo Campaign of 1815 and his studies of the uniforms and equipment of the French army 1792-1815. Outside of writing and research, he is a gifted equestrian, riding for film and TV, as well as competing dressage and teaching classical equitation. In his free time, he is a church musician – both organist, choir director and solo singer – and lay minister with the General Assembly of Unitarians and Free Christians. Following a severe traumatic brain injury, resulting in speech, cognition and some mobility issues, he is a campaigner for disability rights for others recovering from brain injury.