Harry of England : the history of eight kings, from Henry I to Henry VIII /

Eight kings of England were named Henry, but only two of them were born as heirs to the throne and these - the third and sixth - proved to be the weakest. Two seized the crown by force of arms, one by craft and opportunistic speed, and one by skilful diplomacy and an early flowering of that great British virtue, compromise. Among their number are saints and monsters, the best known and the least known of English kings. One was a storybook hero, leading an army to triumph against overwhelming odds. Another sat out a battle, singing to himself and playing with his fingers while the arrows flew. Half of them have been accused of murder, though in general the actual killings were carried out by others. Here is a fascinating multiple biography of eight English kings united by name.