Book Three of the Anne of Brittany Series describes the middle years of Anne of Brittany’s marriage to Louis XII of France. Anne of Brittany devises the perfect match for her only child by Louis XII, King of France. Their daughter will become the most powerful woman in Europe if she marries the future Holy Roman Emperor. But Louis balks.Instead, he wishes to see her marry his successor. How else … else to keep his own bloodline on the throne? Knowing how impossible it is to win an argument with his wife, Louis resorts to backroom schemes to ensure that Claude will marry the future Francis I, the Renaissance King.Anne is incensed. Why should her daughter not rule Brittany one day as her successor? Better to be a decision maker as ruler of Brittany, where women are not forbidden to rule, than only to sit next to France’s future king as queen-consort, bereft of true political power.Meanwhile, the age of chivalry is in its last gasp at the dawn of the sixteenth century. Louis finds out the hard way in his dealings in Italy with Ferdinand of Spain. But what’s to take its place?As lovers, Anne and Louis are in accord. As rulers, their aims differ. Who will prevail in their struggle over who their daughter will marry?
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Having read the first two books in the Anne of Brittany series I was very happy to receive the third book from Netgalley in return for a review. I enjoyed this book as much if not more than the first book. The first two books covered Anne from her childhood through her her first marriage with Charles VIII of France and after his death her subsequent marriage to Louis XI.
This book opens with Anne and Louis awaiting the arrival of Philip of Flanders and Juana of Spain. Anne and Louis hope to betroth their daughter the Princess Claude to Philip and Juana’s son Charles. The book also relates Louis’ wars in Italy and Anne’s heartbreaking attempts to try and provide France with an Heir.
Although this is a work of historical fiction it is quite accurate and an excellent and enjoyable read. There is a bibliography if the reader wishes to reader more in depth about Anne of Brittany. There are also numerous illustrations scattered through this book which make this book even more interesting.
Although it took me a few chapters to understand the characters and the political intrigues of 14th century France, not having read the previous two books in this serial, I soon began enjoying the story of Queen Anne and King Louis who are both deeply in love and deeply at odds. Well-written and researched, Rulers and Lovers is a lively romp into a little known era.
At best, I can sum up this third novel in a three-book series on Anne of Brittany as UNEVEN and an apparent set up for a fourth novel.
Covering the years 1501 -09 Anne and Louis XII of France are now settled in their marriage and in their administration of Brittany and France respectively. Theirs is a love match, though each prioritizing the governing of their individual realms above anything else. After a sad history of miscarriages, stillbirths, and young children dying from illness — they have only one living daughter Claude. And while both love her dearly — they have different visions for her future. In the absence of a living son (though they are still trying for one), Louis wants Claude to marry his male heir, Francois, Count of Angoulême, and become Queen of France. Anne wants Claude to take over Brittany and marry the heir to the more powerful Holy Roman Empire.
The sections of the book I enjoyed most were those that showed the close and loving relationship between Anne and Louis, where each partner, despite their political and temperamental differences, treasures the strength and independence of the other. As well as the relationship between Claude and her father which closely parallels Anne’s memories of her own relationship with HER father.
But, unfortunately, too much of the book reads like a dry history text. Long passages with details about battles involving Louis and treaty disputes with Ferdinand of Aragon. And equally long passages about Anne’s support for the arts — including quite tedious and UNinteresting conversations with various artists working on the elaborate tombs Anne wants for her parents and dead children as well as planning and executing an opulent “Book of Hours” (a Christian devotional work). The material simply was not very compelling.
Though I expected the book to end either with the death of one or both of these rulers, instead it ends quite abruptly in 1509 with Anne in the middle of labor. (This is why I assume there will be a sequel since Anne lives another 5 years beyond 1509.) It seemed like a strange place for an ending.
I can’t say I recommend the series, except to those who have an interest in either Anne or Louis or both. I can say I learned more about these two historical figures.