I’ve always wanted to know more about King Charles I’s nephew. I found it to be incredibly well-researched and written. It's truly informative, offering new insights that really help to explain Rupert's actions throughout his military life. The battle descriptions were a little much for my taste.

Prince Rupert of the Rhine was born on December 17, 1619, in Prague, CZ. He was a military leader, admiral, scientist, and colonial governor.

Early Life and Exile
Rupert was the third son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. After his family's defeat in the Battle of White Mountain, Rupert spent his childhood in exile in The Hague, where he was raised with strict Calvinist values. He was known for being fiery and mischievous as a child, earning the nickname "Rupert the Devil".

Military Career
Rupert became a soldier at 14 and quickly gained recognition for his fearlessness and excellent planning skills. He fought in the Thirty Years' War, was captured by the Emperor's forces, and held prisoner in Linz, Austria, for nearly three years. After his release, he joined his uncle King Charles I in England and became a prominent Royalist commander in the English Civil War.

Rupert served as a skilled cavalry commander, known for his bravery and military tactics. However, his impulsive nature and tendency to charge into battles without proper support sometimes led to criticism and controversy, due to defeat or unnecessary losses, as well as disagreements with other Royalist commanders. Despite this, he remained a key figure in the Royalist army, achieving successes at the start of the war.

After his dismissal from the Royalist army due to his decision to surrender Bristol to Parliamentarian forces, Rupert turned to a naval career, commanding Royalist ships and privateering in the Caribbean. After the Restoration, he became a senior English naval commander, fighting in the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars. Rupert died of pleurisy on November 29, 1682, in Westminster.

Personal Life and Achievements
Rupert had romantic relationships with Frances Bard and Margaret Hughes, with whom he had children, Dudley Bard and Ruperta. He was known for his artistic skills, scientific interests, and inventions, including introducing the art of mezzotint printmaking to England. Rupert became the first governor of the Hudson's Bay Company and was a founding member of the Royal Society.

I enjoyed reading this book I knew a little about the civil war but mostly from the parliamentary point of view so it was very interesting to read from the royalist view point. My impression is that he was very misunderstood and things could have been different had he not had soo many in the court circle working against him.
At times I did get bogged down by some of the battle descriptions but I did enjoy reading.

Handsome, dashing, an excellent soldier and fiercely loyal to his uncle King Charles I, Prince Rupert is always a fascinating character. His reputation has taken a bit of a beating over the years, however, and Mark Turnbull’s sympathetic look at him gathers new information and discovers the truth behind the legend. Rupert in his battles in the Civil War faced a poisonous rivalry from the envious Digby, in-fighting from jealous cavaliers, a brother who was sympathetic with the other side and an indecisive King. He had much to contend with but in spite of all this, he almost won the Civil War for the King.

Rupert’s black dog Boye is also the stuffof legend, even regarded by some of the Parliamentarians as involved in witchcraft! They spread all sorts of fantastic rumours about Rupert and his dog.

Turnbull also studies his relationships with women, including his mother, his bossy aunt and his mistresses. It was good to see that he eventually settled down with a family in his beloved England after all of his years of fierce battles.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A fascinating look at a very interesting man and the people (especially women) in his life.

It is detailed, but immensely readable, which is not easily achieved in historical biographies. It shows Rupert as a clever, talented, charming, brave man but also shows his flaws. The focus on the people around him is welcome too: the man's life was full of fascinating people and I full-heartedly agree with the author that to understand the person, we need to get to know the people around them. Rupert's mom was my favourite in the earlier section of the book, and his lovers/partners (who were quite remarkable in their own right) get the attention they deserve as well.

The inclusion of the letters is also wonderful. Little comments and remarks, both the serious one and quite gossipy ones, made the book very entertaining. My favourite was this particular comment about Rupert after his birth: Despite the ‘infirmities’of infancy, it was recorded that there appeared appropriate ‘rayes’ of majesty in the child.

A wonderful book for those who are interested in history and those who want to get an insight into the life of one of the most intriguing people of the Stuart era.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.