The Accursed Kings

Druon’s seven-novel sequence on the end of the Capetian dynasty, opening with Philip the Fair destroying the Templars in 1307 and the curse the Grand Master is said to have pronounced from the fire.

Why it’s on the list: Named in the “best history book” thread. Historical fiction rather than history, and the series George R. R. Martin has called the original game of thrones.

Where I saw it: In Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note, recovered from the reply thread to @typesfast asking “What’s the best history book you’ve read?” (June 5, 2025). The full recovered list lives on What’s the best history book… (tweet).

Carded on the first volume, The Iron King (1955); the series runs to seven books.

Connections

• What’s the best history book… (tweet) — the thread this came out of; the full recovered list lives there.