Book Review: Kingmakers: How Power in England Was Won and Lost on the Welsh Frontier, by Timothy Venning

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

I learned a few interesting things from this highly detailed account of the history of the Welsh Marches. I'd wondered about the name in the past, and now know it derives from 'mark', which appropriately is to do with borders. I also found that Pembrokeshire (where I live) falls within the definition of lands of the 'Marcher Lords.'  

Unsurprisingly, there are very different accounts, depending on who is telling the story, about the ebb and flow of control of the Welsh border. The Welsh chroniclers talk about invaders pillaging their lands, while the Anglo Normans saw it as bringing civilisation to impoverished rural communities, in return for huge territories of land.

Timothy Venning livens up his account with blunt asides, such as 'after they surrendered the leader was blinded and his men mutilated' and manages to keep the complex narrative lively and interesting I'm happy to recommend this book, particularly to anyone living close the border with Wales.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Timothy Venning studied history at Kings College, London to PhD level, winning the London University History Prize in 1979. He has written articles for the Dictionary of National Biography, as well as a book on Oliver Cromwell and reference works on British office-holders and the chronology of the Byzantine Empire. He also contributes to major biographical publications and his research forms the basis for many other publications.