Francis stared down at the Duchess of York’s letter. He swallowed, then read aloud in a husky voice, “It was showed by John Sponer that King Richard, late mercifully reigning upon us, was through great...

Historians like a quiet life, and usually they get it. For the most part, history moves at a deliberate pace, working its changes subtly and incrementally. Nations and their institutions harden into shape or crumble...