Catherine Hanley has become my go-to author for English and French history in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries and so I was delighted to hear that she had a biography on Philip Augustus coming out.

Philip Augustus can arguably be called Medieval France's greatest king - he takes France from a fractured kingdom where the King of England holds the most land to one that is firmly his to dominate. He plays Henry II of England's sons off one another, steadily fracturing the Angevin Empire Henry creates and taking Normandy - one of the greatest duchies and practically autonomous - for his own. In doing so, he effectively closes the book on the Norman period.

Because he's French, English speaking history has often cast Philip as the villain, often portraying him as a schemer who manipulated others. And he did - he was a master at exploiting relationships and personal flaws. But he was also a gifted strategist, but not a showy one (unlike contemporaneous Richard II of England - Richard the Lionheart.) This book demonstrates his military prowess and how he used his mind to bring about great, but often unflashy, victories.

The book also explores his flaws, the temper in his youth that he conquers, his treatment of women and Jews. It is not trying to rewrite the narrative and paint over blemishes but rather put him back as a powerful opponent who has been viewed more for some abilities than others.

It is a good companion to 1217 and TWO HOUSES, TWO KINGDOMS, zeroing in on the most impactful man in both books. It is less sweeping than TWO HOUSES but less tightly focuses (and a more narrative style) than 1217.

Philip Augustus was the King of France for over forty years and spent his time plotting the downfall of his main enemies, the Plantagenet dynasty of England. Ascending to the throne as a teenager, Philip quickly earned a reputation as a tough fighter and a strong ruler. Manipulating Henry II's son Henry, the Young King, he gained territory and caused family issues. So the pattern continued with Richard and the Crusades, and with John. When he died, as an old man, he had made France stronger than it had ever been.
Hanley is a great historian and I loved the idea of this book. It's not a straightforward biography of Philip, it places his actions into the context of his feud with the Plantagenets. This really helps to round out much writing on the late 12th and early 13th centuries. There is far more to Philip, and the book merely touches on his interesting personal life. However it is quite short, quite succinct and written with a modern voice, despite the obvious research which is hugely detailed.

French history has yielded many fascinating leaders: Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, Francis I, Louis XIV, Napoleon. Less often we hear of Philip II Augustus, the late 11th/early 12th-century Capetian king who effectively defanged the English Plantagenet dynastic threat in France from Henry II down to John Lackland.

Furthering her research on medieval Anglo-French politics and warfare, Dr. Catherine Hanley illuminates how Philip wielded his political and military acumen to exploit Plantagenet familial infighting in an effort to eliminate both the dynasty’s French territorial holdings and the family itself in her latest work Nemesis: Medieval England's Greatest Enemy.

Hanley begins with tracing Philip's origins as the son of King Louis VII and his third wife Adela of Champagne, a descendant of William the Conqueror. His birth represented the continuation of the Capetian dynasty, one in danger of extinction in the senior male line. Until that point, the Capetians bore the distinction of having an uninterrupted father-son succession since the tenth century, a rare phenomenon at that time.

Complex inheritance politics marred the Plantagenets as Henry II followed Norman custom in dividing his sons’ patrimony rather than investing everything in his eldest son Henry the Young King. As the eldest son, Henry would inherit the English throne. The second and third sons - Richard the Lionheart and Geoffrey - received duchies; Richard inherited Aquitaine from his mother, and Geoffrey gained the title Duke of Brittany jure uxoris through his wife Constance. John would likely receive titles and lands through an advantageous marriage. However, Henry the Elder’s sons bit the hand that fed them, and, unhappy with their lot, they often rebelled against their father.

Philip delighted in political maneuvering by supporting one or another of Henry's wayward sons as it suited him in order to expand French royal holdings and protect existing boundaries. As Hanley remarks, “This drive to empower France was the underlying foundation of Philip’s lifelong struggle against the Plantagenet dynasty, although the rivalry would change in nature over the years.”

Empowering France also involved both cultivating an ever-changing series of alliances and neutralizing internal factions. Hanley aptly navigates readers through these myriad groups. Within France, a young Philip contended with the Blois-Champagne, Flanders-Hainaut, and his fellow Capetian factions in addition to the Plantagenets. Without France, a mosaic of states scattered across Eurasia in a geopolitical chessboard: the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, the Italian city-states, and other major and minor players. That Philip held his own against both internal and external threats during his reign speaks much to his success as a monarch.

Hanley credits such success to Philip’s intellectual agility and political acumen, hard-earned from his assumption of the French throne at a young age:

"The new king might have been young, but he was not stupid. Neither was he unprepared to face the task ahead: he had been the heir to the French throne since the day of his birth, he had spent his entire life learning at a rapid pace, and he was already in possession of a great deal of political acumen."

Through hard lessons, Philip learned from mistakes early on and grew into a capable, politically astute, and pragmatic ruler. He proved adept at observation and appropriate action, vacillating between military action or diplomacy as the situation required. He also, however, showed little regard for the women in his life - as evidenced especially in his marriages and the saga involving his second wife Ingeborg of Denmark - adhered to anti-Semitism, and showed little interest in patronizing the arts to establish a cultural, literary, and artistic legacy.

Nemesis’ end result reveals a morally complex individual whose desire to build and assert French prominence precluded the continuation of the English Continental presence and laid the pathway for a single, unified French state. Philip's actions decimated Plantagenet French holdings, eventually leaving only the sliver of Calais as England's sole French possession. Calais and the Pale would later revert to French ownership under Mary I in 1558.

Nemesis benefits from Hanley's meticulous research and deft wielding of primary source material from both sides of the Channel, making it an academically rigorous work. The dynamic narrative and supplementary materials such as family trees and images, however, render the book approachable and unintimidating for anyone new to the subject.

Hanley's excellence as an author and researcher is on full display in Nemesis and proves a worthy addition to the existing historiography on Philip Augustus himself and the Plantagenets as a whole.

Nemesis is out now! Thank you to Osprey for offering me this book via NetGalley for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

This interesting, informative, and easy-to-read biography reveals the life and reign of Philip II of France, illuminating his strategic conflicts with the Plantagenet kings of England. It showcases his political maneuvering and military prowess that transformed France into a European powerhouse.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

King Philip II, ruler of France (medieval England's ultimate enemy) for over 40 years, tussled with & variously befriended King Henry II of England & his 4 sons, always to his own advantage. Seemingly the consummate early politician & Machiavellian manoeuvrer behind the scenes, Philip outdid & outlived them all.

This is not a definitive biography of Philip II but a look at his dealings with the Plantagenet kings: Henry II, Richard I, John, & Henry III. Although I've read about the English kings, I've never really bothered about their fellow ruler over the Channel which seems to have been a mistake as Philip appears to have been a fascinating character. This was an excellent introduction to Philip II which gives a wealth of information without getting bogged down in minutiae. It's written in a very accessible style which avoids the pitfall of becoming so academic that it's no longer enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in what I term the 'Robin Hood era', the late 12th & early 13th centuries of England. 4.5 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Osprey Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The Plantagenets, one of England’s most dynamic dynasties, were always in the middle of some sort of conflict. Whether they were fighting foreign adversaries, their own people, or their own family, it felt like the Plantagenets were always getting into some sort of trouble. And there was one king who knew how to use the weaknesses of the kings of England to his advantage. He was King Philip II of France, also known as Philip Augustus. He had to deal with four different Plantagenet kings and had a strategy for each one of them. Just what were Philip II’s strategies, and how did his reign affect English/French relationships as a whole? These questions are answered in Catherine Hanley’s book, “Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy.”

I would like to thank Osprey Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoy reading about the Plantagenets and their impact on England and Europe as a whole. When I saw that this book took a French approach to the Plantagenets and focused on Philip Augustus, it was an intriguing premise to me.

As Hanley states in the introduction, this book is not your typical biography, as she focuses on the relationship between Philip Augustus and his Plantagenet opponents. That does not mean that we do not get biographical information for Philip, who was the son of Louis VIII and Adela of Blois. Per tradition, as the heir to the French throne, Philip was crowned as Junior King of France on November 1, 1179, which meant that his father was still alive when he was crowned, and he trained to become the proper King of France.

While Philip knew that he had factions to deal with inside of France, his main concerns were overseas with the Plantagenets, primarily King Henry II and his sons. Over the course of his forty-year reign, Philip dealt with Henry II, Richard I the Lionheart, John, and Henry III. Each English king presented his own challenges for Philip, but Philip took them in stride and worked hard to make France stronger. At the same time, Philip had to deal with his own family dramas. He was married three times to Isabelle of Hainault, Ingeborg of Denmark, and Agnes of Merania. It was his marriage to Agnes of Merania that gave Philip his heir, the warrior King Louis VIII of France. However, it was Ingeborg of Denmark who gave Philip the biggest headache as she never gave up fighting for her marriage.

From military to political strategies, Hanley shows how Philip maneuvered against the English, and yet she shows that he was not a perfect person or a king. Philip was a flawed human who had to deal with the cards he was dealt like anyone else. Hanley presents a comprehensive book that explores the complex nature of medieval politics and how one man battled against an entire dynasty during his reign. If you are someone who wants to explore the early Plantagenets from the eyes of their enemy, King Philip II of France, I recommend you read “Nemesis: Medieval England’s Greatest Enemy” by Catherine Hanley.

I was first introduced to Hanley's work when I picked up her book on Empress Matilda, Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior. Since I've obtained a copy of a few of her other works. So, when I saw she had written a new book, I jumped at the chance to read it, even though I had no idea who Phillip II was before picking up this book.

Luckily, Hanley provides a linear timeline of Phillip's life in the story, even though Phillip's relationship with the first Plantagenet kings is the focus of this book. I was instantly engrossed in the story, which is a great testament to Hanley's writing because often I find the history of men far less interesting than that of women. However, I was captivated by the complicated dynamics at play between France and England as well as Phillip and King Henry II and his three sons, Henry III, Richard (the Lionheart), and John, who all succeeded to the throne.

I think the thing that struck me was how, even though he was young when he came to the throne, Phillip became a shrewd operator as king, which I immediately contrasted with Richard II almost two centuries later. This made me particularly interested in learning more about Phillip's mother, Adela of Champagne, as she seems to have played a vital role in his upbringing.

One of the most interesting things about the framing of Phillip's life against his relationship with England's Kings is seeing the evolution of Phillip as a king. Phillip's ability to drive a wedge between the Plantagents as they struggled for the throne showed how Phillip's preference for diplomatic channels and ability to play the long game aided in the creation of bringing the vassal states of modern-day France together. Hanely's evaluation of the evidence to provide perspectives on Phillip viewed both Richard and John, was one of the best parts of the book. Although I do not know a great deal about Richard the Lionheart (other than the 1973 Robin Hood film), the image of him as a strong, chivalrous king prevades my understanding of him. However, his rivalry with Phillip demonstrates Richard's Machiavellian side as a ruler. It was also mildly entertaining to see Phillip's personal views of John against the backdrop of how John was viewed within England.

My favorite part of the book, however, was learning about Phillip's wives and his relationship with them. His marriage to Ingeborg of Denmark was so dramatic, and I want an entire book just on her life and her struggles within her marriage. Hanley does acknowledge that the sources of all three of Phillip's wives are sparse because women were not often included in the record, but I hope Hanley's next book is a combined biography of all three women.

The ability to write an accessible, captivating, and well-researched work of nonfiction is quite a feat, and Hanley managed to tick every box. If you are a history lover or enjoy the Plantagenet period of British History, this is a must-read. Interweaving the life of a successful and complicated King of France with the foundation of the Plantagenet dynasty was so interesting. All of the major players of this period make appearances in this book, including Eleanor of Aquitaine. Highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Classism
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage

For those looking for a straight up biography of this French King, you may find yourselves disappointed - or might I suggest reading the synopsis wherein the author, Hanley, states her intent.

This is literally a look at the man on a broader political scale, in context with four Plantagenet Kings - Henry II and his sons, Henry the young King, Richard, John and grandson, Henry III - all of who at one time or another were enemies, rivals and allies, often all three ... at once.

It is a study of a young man determined to rule on his own, "... fully aware of the nest of vipers that surrounded him..." - both within and without France. He was a shrewd, methodical ruler, who exploited the factions around him for his own benefit. Philip had a well-developed political acumen; he was a mentally competent and agile strategist, often both single-minded and ruthless - "... he did not necessarily have to draw his sword in order to achieve his political aims ...".

Philip was a monarch driven to protect and empower France, and as a consequence of this self-styled mission, he raised up men based upon their talent and aptitude. But his greatest quality was his patience - he was all about playing the long game, and stored up information for future use. Such was his military and political acumen that he outlived, outwitted and outfought Henry II, his four sons and grandson.

Hanley's book on Philip is well researched, informative, very readable, being neither dry nor pompously academic in tone. There are ample footnotes at the end of each chapter to allow the reader to explore more on their own. Being slightly pro-Plantagent myself, I found myself moving into Philip's corner on more than one occasion.

For a more indepth biography and history of the period, you would do well to chase up books by Jim Bradbury and Elizabeth Hallam.

An excellent book on the life of one of France's greatest monarchs, and how the policies he created, would shape relations between England and France for decades.

As it happens, I've been watching various Great Courses about the history of Europe, especially Britain and France. So I had a lot of background to this book. Nevertheless it was a bit of a struggle. Too many Henrys! I commend Ms Hanley for her efforts, but I won't be reviewing the book.

In their introduction, Hanley states that "this book is not a biography in the traditional sense." Indeed, it tells the life of Philip Augustus through his campaigns against the royal Plantagenet family of England. It began with Henry II, who was 47 when Philip - aged 16 - became King of France. Henry II controlled vast portions of France, largely thanks to his marriage to indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine, but suffered from near constant familial turmoil. Of his sons, Richard the Lionheart, later Richard II, reveled in being the biggest thorn in Philip's side. Hanley explains that traditionally, Philip "has been portrayed as a schemer who avoided combat," but truthfully "his military prowess has been vastly underrated." Richard may have had the reputation of a foolishly brave yet cruel warrior, but Philip knew how to play the long game, facing his enemy in battle when the time was right. France remained Philip's top priority, for worse or better, and he outlived them all.

I enjoyed this one, especially when Hanley delivers a line of biting sarcasm to take these royal lads down a peg. However, I thought that Philip's exceptional anti-Semitism, his willful detachment from the persecution of the Cathars, and his cold treatment of his wife, were not explored nearly enough. Hanley brings up these points, offhandedly and at various times as personality flaws, but just as quickly moves on. I realize that Hanley has generations of "jolly King Richard" myth to overcome, but Philip's own cruel actions cannot be understated or ignored. That being said, Hanley's descriptions of the siege of Château Gaillard and the Battle of Bouvines were excellent and the action packed family drama never lets up.

Nemesis by Catherine Hanley is one of those books that satiated a certain thirst, but also left me with a feeling that somethings were missing. Nemesis looks at the life of Philip Augustus, King of France, and how he battled (almost literally) through a slew of Plantagenet kings. As far as dealing with the interplay of Philip and Henry II and his sons, the book is very readable and moves at a very brisk pace.

The counterpoint to that is the reader is left feeling like a bit too much is glossed over. For instance, Hanley certainly mentions the amazing amount of antisemitism Philip unleashed during his reign. However, because this is not related to his battles with the Plantagenets, it is not much more than a quick aside. As a reader, I felt very much like I was told a tremendous amount about Philip but did not get to know him. These were the aspects that left me wanting much more in a bad way.

That said, Hanley has done wonderful research and as a book which zips by and clearly tells a story, it is a good one. I really enjoyed Hanley's previous book, 1217, and those who enjoyed that one will be happy here as well.

(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by NetGalley and Osprey Publishing.)