BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Alison Weir’s Mary Boleyn.In this vibrant biography, acclaimed author Alison Weir reexamines the life of Isabella of England, one of history’s most notorious and charismatic queens. Isabella arrived in London in 1308, the spirited twelve-year-old daughter of King Philip IV of France. Her marriage to the heir to England’s throne was designed to heal old … designed to heal old political wounds between the two countries, and in the years that followed she became an important figure, a determined and clever woman whose influence would come to last centuries. Many myths and legends have been woven around Isabella’s story, but in this first full biography in more than 150 years, Alison Weir gives a groundbreaking new perspective.
more
Well balanced and documented. Especially appreciated the material supporting the theory that Edward II escaped Mortimer’s attempt to murder him and survived hiding as a hermit for several years.
This has taken a couple of weeks to read but learned so much. It is all based on original sources with conflicting views presented. So, if you love English history and enjoy lots of dates and names you will get a lot from this book. If you are looking for romantic historical novel, it’s not for you.
Good source of information about Queen Isabella,the She Wolf of France. The sub title is “Treachery, Adultery and Murder in Medieval England.”
The book describes the tumultuous events of Isabella’s life in a scholarly fashion, avoiding unnecessary dramatisation,quite an achievement considering how Isabelle lived her life.
It deals with her …
I was disappointed in the abrupt ending to the book. It just felt unfinished.
I always wondered about Isabella and her husband, Ferdinand. Helps explain why Katherine of Aragon was so very religious. I loved how she described Isabella and Ferdinand’s long courtship. Interesting how she allowed the Inquisition to develop. A good read!
Weir again writes an interesting history. She never disappoints.
Written like a textbook. Too much unimportant detail. Example names of staff-then never mentioned again. The story of this time period and the conflict is not something I had been knowledgeable about. Would have been enjoyable if more concise.
Queen Isabella was new to me and Allison Weir’s always thorough review of her life was interesting to a history buff.
I have read quite a few of Ms Wier’s historical novels. This was well researched actual history and I truly enjoyed reading about such an amazing character from a long time ago. Queen Isabella would have fit right in during the women’s movement of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s even up to now.
Beautifully written and researched history.
This book is the kind of dull history that I despise: lists, names, dates. The narrative is buried in the facts. Such a disappointment. Save your money.
As usual, a great look at history making it real and interesting to the contemporary reader.
This author always writes a good, interesting novel about real-life people in history.
Very informative
It is like reading a history book. No real characterization of characters. I was hoping for a historical fiction, not lists of people who attended this or that. Boring!