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He took one of them as his third wife, a teenage beauty who was forty years younger than him.Ever a seeker of glory, luxury and pleasure, Richard turned Wallingford and Berkhamsted into the famous castles they became later on and sired numerous children with mistresses. He gladly squeezed the peasants to finance his ventures and lifestyle, but also came to their rescue when famine beset the realm. As with any complicated individual of that era, he was both admired and hated when he died in 1272.In this first biography of Richard of Cornwall in more than fifty years, Darren Baker explores Richard's accomplishments, going much further into his life than any previous work, and shows why the only Englishman to carry the prestigious title of king of the Romans is always worth another look.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49514791534865,"sku":"GOR012675026","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49741430063377,"sku":"NGR9781398112179","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53367194878225,"sku":"GOR013550911","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398112178.jpg?v=1756707815"},{"product_id":"henry-iii-book-darren-baker-9780750968140","title":"Henry III","description":"‘Henry III is generally classed among the weakest and most incompetent of England’s medieval kings. Darren Baker tells a different story.’- Michael Clanchy, author of England and Its Rulers, 1066–1307  ‘A personal and detailed narrative…bring[s] alive the glamour and personalities of thirteenth-century England.’- Huw Ridgeway, author of ‘Henry III’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography  ‘Enterprising, original and engaging.’ - David Carpenter, author of The Reign of King Henry III  Henry III (1207–72) reigned for 56 years, the longest-serving English monarch until the modern era. Although knighted by William Marshal, he was no warrior king like his uncle Richard the Lionheart. He preferred to feed the poor to making war and would rather spend time with his wife and children than dally with mistresses and lord over roundtables. He sought to replace the dull projection of power imported by his Norman predecessors with a more humane and open-hearted monarchy. But his ambition led him to embark on bold foreign policy initiatives to win back the lands and prestige lost by his father King John. This set him at odds with his increasingly insular barons and clergy, now emboldened by the protections of Magna Carta. In one of the great political duels of history, Henry struggled to retain the power and authority of the crown against radical reformers like Simon de Montfort. He emerged victorious, but at a cost both to the kingdom and his reputation among historians. Yet his long rule also saw extraordinary advancements in politics and the arts, from the rise of the parliamentary state and universities to the great cathedrals of the land, including Henry’s own enduring achievement, Westminster Abbey.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49532872032529,"sku":"GOR009308892","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49769008693521,"sku":"GOR013328144","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49906953158929,"sku":"GOR012749378","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52627995525393,"sku":"GOR011456126","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0750968141.jpg?v=1750785350"},{"product_id":"with-all-for-all-book-darren-baker-9781445645742","title":"With All For All","description":"Like his crusading father before him, Simon de Montfort's combination of charisma, determination, and fearlessness, reinforced by a wife with similar qualities, made him one of the greatest men of his age. This biography follows his life from his birth and upbringing in France until his defeat and death at the hands of the future Edward I. The pivotal year was 1264, when Montfort captured Henry III in battle, established a constitutional monarchy, and in the act he is most famous for, revolutionised the representation of parliament, the future Commons. While calling him the founder of that institution begs too much, Montfort recognised and cultivated a new awakening in national identity and political awareness not seen since before the Norman Conquest two centuries earlier. Henry's long reign of fifty-six years saw many changes taking place in England and on the continent, most strikingly the rise of humanism and power politics, and Montfort's entree to the courts of Paris and Rome was instrumental in his rebellion against the king. Not for another four hundred years, until the advent of Oliver Cromwell, would England see a revolution led by figure of comparable stature.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49577174073617,"sku":"GOR006662386","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49644175655185,"sku":"GOR009789684","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49810690998545,"sku":"CIN1445645742G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445645742.jpg?v=1756707794"},{"product_id":"your-financial-coach-book-darren-baker-9781783061464","title":"Your Financial Coach","description":"Many elite athletes find themselves having to retire early. They are deposited back into the real world; sometimes without the qualifications or experience required to compete for skilled jobs. 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He lives with the Bunting family on Leaf Lane, and is best friends with their daughter Lily.  The story begins with Albert attending a job at the home of Old Major Brandy (a heavily decorated army dog with a penchant for a drop of Whisky!). Albert narrowly avoids serious injury while cleaning the Major's gutters and cannot wait to get home to his nightly bubble bath soak.  However, his sud-soaked dreams of relaxation are dashed when he arrives home to find visitors. Mrs Bunting's rude, pointy-faced sister is arriving with her husband, they are staying the night on their way to a very important business meeting. Albert tries his best to help make their stay run smoothly - but you see, wherever Albert goes, trouble seems to ensue...  Albert the Handydog is a funny and exciting read that will be enjoyed by adults and children alike. The beautifully illustrated Albert and his friends are memorable characters that teach children about the importance of selflessness.   This adventurous book would be ideal for children who are fans of iconic childhood characters like Paddington Bear.  All net profits from the sale of this book will be donated to The Prince's Trust.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49624331256081,"sku":"GOR008788498","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1783063556.jpg?v=1751090550"},{"product_id":"crusaders-and-revolutionaries-of-the-thirteenth-century-book-darren-baker-9781526745491","title":"Crusaders and Revolutionaries of the Thirteenth Century","description":"One of the families that dominated the thirteenth century were the de Montforts. They arose in France, in a hamlet close to Paris, and grew to prominence under the crusading fervour of that time, taking them from leadership in the Albigensian wars to lordships around the Mediterranean. They marry into the English aristocracy, join the crusade to the Holy Land, then another crusade in the south of France against the Cathars.   The controversial stewardship of Simon de Montfort (V) in that conflict is explored in depth. It is his son Simon de Montfort (VI) who is perhaps best known. His rebellion against Henry III of England ultimately establishes the first parliamentary state in Europe.   The decline of the family begins with Simon's defeat and death at Evesham in 1265\\. Initially they revive their fortunes under the new king of Sicily, but they scandalise Europe with a vengeful political murder. By this time it is the twilight of the crusades era and the remaining de Montforts either perish or are expelled. 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