Books like Now is the Time by Melvyn Bragg

During the final week of May 1381, the thirteen-year old King Richard II of England faces a perfect storm of disease, empty royal coffers and widespread evasion of the tax imposed by his own ministers. With the support of his strong, respected mother, he believes his divine right to rule will keep him safe. Yet, within two weeks, the inhabitants of London, led by a former soldier, Walter Tyler, and the radical preacher, John Ball, launch an armed uprising. The protestors demand freedom, equality, and a radical break from both the Church and the State, claiming they are rescuing the King from corrupt advisers and saving England. For three brutal days, the rebellion approaches the palace’s walls, threatening to overturn the established order. Melvyn Bragg portrays this pivotal, historical episode with vivid detail, portraying both the grand scope of the rebellion and the intimate fates of its key figures. His account highlights the clash between those holding power and the seemingly powerless, underscoring the drama of a nation’s struggle over its destiny.

First publish date: 2015