Sharon Kay Penman

The sunne in splendour

Michael Springer

This book is somewhere between a 4 and a 5. It's a historical novel about the War of the Roses. It's quite epic.

Sharon Penman

This special thirtieth anniversary edition of the bestselling The Sunne in Splendour, features an author's note from Sharon Penman. Richard, last-born son of the Duke of York, was seven months short of his nineteenth birthday when he bloodied himself at the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury, earning his legendary reputation as a battle commander in the Wars of the Roses, and ending the Lancastrian line of succession. But Richard was far more than a warrior schooled in combat. He was also a devoted brother, an ardent suitor, a patron of the arts, an indulgent father, a generous friend. Above all, he was a man of fierce loyalties, great courage and firm principles, who was ill at ease among the intrigues of Edward's court. The very codes Richard lived by ultimately betrayed him. But he was betrayed by history too. Leaving no heir, his reputation was at the mercy of his successor, and Henry Tudor had too much at stake to risk mercy. Thus was born the myth of King Richard III, the man who would stop at nothing to gain the throne. Filled with the sights and sounds of battle, the customs and love of daily life, the rigours and dangers of Court politics and the touching concerns of very real men and women, The Sunne in Splendour is a richly coloured tapestry of medieval England.

The Sunne in Splendour

Roos Kuijper 

This was fantastic! I devoured it and wanted more but at the same time I didn't want to finish it, knowing what was to come. My heart broke when Anne died, and after that for Richard. I just love these two.
Penman did a fantastic job in writing Richards life. It is big, with a lot of details but don't let that scare you because its been done great! Not only because of Richard and Anne, but also of the many other (great) characters. This book has definitely become one of my favourites and I wil reread it in the future(probably many times).

Judy McClure

Rachel Rozdzial

'The Sunne in Splendour' is a magnificent historical novel about Richard III. Set against a vast, colourful canvas it covers the whole period of The War of the Roses opening with Richard as a child of seven and following him through a turbulent youth and manhood to his betrayal and death at The Battle of Bosworth Field. The historical detail is brilliantly depicted and brings to life the atmosphere of the time with extraordinary immediacy and excitement.

Lisa Miller

Leia Shorney

Departing from the traditional Shakespearian and Tudor historical portraits, this saga depicts the love story of Richard III and Anne Neville against the backdrop of royal family intrigue

The sunne in splendour

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