Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings: What a King Should Know

Janina Ramirez explores how illuminated manuscripts contributed to the education of England's medieval princes and kings. She discovers why Edward III's childhood reading helped him prepare for the Battle of Crecy in 1346 - one of the most important conflicts of the Hundred Years War - and learns how texts plundered during foreign campaigns were adapted for use by the younger members of the royal family. She also examines how literature helped reinforce national identity in times of crisis and spread knowledge among the wider population