Online history course

Warrior Kings of England – The Story of the Plantagenet Dynasty : MC04

With historian Toni Mount

25-lesson course 12 hours 32 minutes Audio / Text

About this course

Discover the Plantagenet kings, their battles, betrayals and ambitions, and the dynasty that transformed medieval England.

For more than three centuries, the Plantagenet dynasty ruled England, producing some of its most formidable kings and shaping the course of medieval history. But who were these powerful monarchs, and how did their ambitions, victories and failures change the kingdom forever?

Join historian Toni Mount as she explores the extraordinary story of the Plantagenets, from Henry II and his turbulent family relationships to the warrior kings who fought for power, territory and the English crown.

Discover a world of royal rivalries, rebellion, crusades, political intrigue and epic battles. Meet the remarkable personalities behind the crown and uncover how the Plantagenet kings helped transform medieval England, leaving a legacy that continues to fascinate us today.

25 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Introduction - England Before the Plantagenets

    A brief introduction to English history up to 1135, setting the scene for the rise of the Plantagenet dynasty.

  2. 02

    Lesson 1 - King Stephen and Henry Plantagenet

    Discover how England's longest-reigning dynasty came to the throne following the turmoil of Stephen's reign.

  3. 03

    Lesson 2 - Thomas Becket and Royal Justice

    Explore Henry II's attempts to reform royal justice and his disastrous conflict with Thomas Becket.

  4. 04

    Lesson 3 - Eleanor of Aquitaine

    Follow the extraordinary life and adventures of Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of medieval Europe's most remarkable queens.

  5. 05

    Lesson 4 - A Family in Turmoil; William Marshal

    Discover the rebellions within Henry II's family and the extraordinary loyalty of William Marshal.

  6. 06

    Lesson 5 - Richard I, the Crusader King

    Explore the Crusades and Richard the Lionheart's adventures on his journey to the Holy Land.

  7. 07

    Lesson 6 - The Third Crusade and the Return Journey

    Follow Richard's experiences during the Third Crusade, his capture and the enormous ransom demanded for his release.

  8. 08

    Lesson 7 - The Death of the Lionheart – John is King

    Discover the circumstances of Richard I's death and the difficulties John faced in retaining the Plantagenet lands in France.

  9. 09

    Lesson 8 - King John, the Pope and Magna Carta

    Explore John's conflicts with the Church and his barons, culminating in the crisis surrounding Magna Carta.

  10. 10

    Lesson 9 - The Minority of Henry III and Thirteenth-Century London

    Discover William Marshal's regency during Henry III's childhood and the growing importance of medieval London.

  11. 11

    Lesson 10 - The Family of Henry III; Simon de Montfort

    Explore Henry III's family relationships, Simon de Montfort's growing influence and the development of Parliament.

  12. 12

    Lesson 11 - The Barons' War

    Follow Simon de Montfort's rebellion, the battles of the Barons' War and their bloody aftermath.

  13. 13

    Lesson 12 - Edward I and the Welsh Wars

    Discover Edward I's military campaigns and his determination to bring Wales under English control.

  14. 14

    Lesson 13 - Queen Eleanor of Castile

    Explore the life of Edward I's queen and the extraordinary monuments erected in her memory.

  15. 15

    Lesson 14 - Edward I – Hammer of the Scots

    Examine Edward's involvement in Scotland and his confrontation with William Wallace.

  16. 16

    Lesson 15 - Edward II – An Unconventional King

    Discover Edward II's troubled reign, his controversial favourites and his relationship with Queen Isabella.

  17. 17

    Lesson 16 - The Abdication of Edward II – the Accession of Edward III

    Explore Edward II's downfall and the attempts of Isabella and Roger Mortimer to govern through the young Edward III.

  18. 18

    Lesson 17 - Beginnings of the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death

    Discover Edward III's claim to the French throne and how the Black Death transformed medieval society.

  19. 19

    Lesson 18 - The Black Prince and the Order of the Garter

    Explore the height of English chivalry and the military career and tragic decline of the Black Prince.

  20. 20

    Lesson 19 - The Deaths of Princes, a Young King and the Peasants' Revolt

    Discover how royal deaths led to Richard II's accession and the unrest that culminated in the Peasants' Revolt.

  21. 21

    Lesson 20 - Richard II – New Loves, New Ideas

    Explore Richard II's early reign, his relationships and the influence of his queen.

  22. 22

    Lesson 21 - Richard II's Tyranny and the House of Lancaster

    Follow Richard's increasingly controversial rule and the growing importance of John of Gaunt and the Lancastrian family.

  23. 23

    Lesson 22 - Henry IV, the Battle of Shrewsbury and a Prince-in-Waiting

    Discover Henry IV's seizure of the crown, the rebellions against him and the emergence of his son as a military leader.

  24. 24

    Lesson 23 - Henry V, Treason and the Battle of Agincourt

    Explore the plot against Henry V and his celebrated victory at Agincourt in 1415.

  25. 25

    Lesson 24 - Conquests in France and the Minority of Henry VI

    Follow Henry V's final campaigns and the challenges of governing England and France after his death.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 752minutes of course material (12 hours 32 minutes)
  • 25lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate

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Enrol in this course

Course price$99 USD

Approximately £73.90 GBP / €88.20 EUR / A$140.90 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Toni Mount

Meet your historian

Toni Mount

Toni Mount is a historian, author and experienced history teacher specialising in medieval England, particularly the lives of ordinary people, medieval medicine and the Wars of the Roses.

She earned her research MA from the University of Kent in 2009, studying a medieval medical manuscript held at the Wellcome Library in London. She also holds a First-class Honours degree and a Diploma in European Humanities from the Open University, as well as a Certificate in Education from the University of Greenwich.

Toni has written numerous books on medieval history, including The Medieval Housewife & Other Women of the Middle Ages, Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine, Everyday Life in Medieval London and Richard III: King of Controversy. She is also the author of the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery series.

Her research brings the medieval world to life, combining historical scholarship with fascinating details about the people who lived, worked and struggled through the Middle Ages.

View historian profile

Learner perspectives

Course reviews

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Virginia

I thought the course was excellent. It gave enough information, but not too much. It was thorough, interesting and I enjoyed having to answer the questions. Again, I thought the balance of the course to be perfect. Many thanks, I genuinely enjoyed it!

Virginia August 21, 2016

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Sandra

The courses are great and I hope to take as many as possible. Not having a deadline is nice and no final exams or papers to write!

Sandra October 21, 2016

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Amanda

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course, and plan on taking many more from you!

Amanda November 14, 2016

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Sandra

I'm still working on The Warrior Kings which is a challenge with so much to remember! I always enjoy whatever you have to say about any of these great historical topics

Sandra January 30, 2017

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Wendy

Absolutely fascinating - I have learned so much.

Wendy A April 18, 2017

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 12 hours and 32 minutes of audio lectures. You can stream or download them and listen at your own pace, with lifetime access.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The audio lectures and downloadable transcripts provide everything you need. A further reading list is included if you'd like to explore the subject in more detail.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.