Packed with incredible true stories and legendary medieval intrigue, this epic narrative history chronicles the first five queens from the powerful royal family that ruled England and France for over three hundred years.The Plantagenet queens of England played a role in some of the most dramatic events in our history. Crusading queens, queens in rebellion against their king, seductive queens, … seductive queens, learned queens, queens in battle, queens who enlivened England with the romantic culture of southern Europe—these determined women often broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence, for good and sometimes for ill.
This second volume of Alison Weir’s critically acclaimed history of the queens of medieval England now moves into a period of even higher drama, from 1154 to 1291: years of chivalry and courtly love, dynastic ambition, conflict between church and throne, baronial wars, and the ruthless interplay between the rival monarchs of Britain and France. We see events such as the murder of Becket, the Magna Carta, and the birth of parliaments from a new perspective.
Weir’s narrative begins with the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Henry II established a dynasty that ruled for over three hundred years and created the most powerful empire in western Christendom—but also sowed the seeds for some of the most destructive family conflicts in history and for the collapse, under her son King John, of England’s power in Europe. The lives of Eleanor’s four successors were just as remarkable: Berengaria of Navarre, queen of Richard the Lionheart; Isabella of Angoulême, queen of John; Alienor of Provence, queen of Henry III; and finally Eleanor of Castile, the grasping but beloved wife of Edward I.
Through the story of these first five Plantagenet queens, Alison Weir provides a fresh, enthralling narrative focusing on these fascinating female monarchs during this dramatic period of high romance and sometimes low politics, with determined women at its heart.
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When I pick up one of Alison Weir’s books, either fiction or non-fiction, I know it is well written, researched and full of information. Queens of the Crusades is no different. This book covers five queens beginning in 1154 with Eleanor of Aquitaine and ending in 1291 with Eleanor of Castile. The research and detail of the author makes history come alive and gives us many hours of enjoyable reading.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Alison Weir for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
This is a very in depth look at the wives of some of the greatest kings of medieval England. We start off with Eleanor of Aquitaine, who first becomes the wife of Louis VII of France. After being denied an annulment through the Church, Louis later gives in after she gives birth to their second daughter. After her marriage to Louis ends, she becomes engaged to the Duke of Normandy, later named Henry the II of England. Not all was well in her marriage to Henry either, with the pair eventually separating and living in different areas. When Eleanor backed her son Henry when he attempted a revolt, King Henry imprisoned her, holding her for a total of about 16 years before he died and their son Richard (The Lionheart) became king. Eleanor acted as Richard’s regent while he was away on the Third Crusade. But this book isn’t only about Eleanor, it’s also about Richard’s wife Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angouleme (wife of John), Alienor of Provence (wife of Henry III), and Eleanor of Castile (wife of Edward I).
It is obvious from page one that Ms. Weir has done extensive research on all the people mentioned in this book, not just the five Queens discussed. I have walked away with more knowledge of some of the historical figures mentioned (especially Thomas Becket, and Richard the Lionheart). We are given a different view of historical events, such as the Magna Carta and the birth of the English Parliament. One cannot pick up this book and walk away without an appreciation for what the Queens went through during the time of the Crusades. These women were intelligent, hard-working, and determined during a time when women were thought to be less than a man and in no way able to run a country by themselves. Ms. Weir has taken a lot of time and patience to lay out a comprehensive history of these five women, their husbands, plus a lot of other side characters, and write the book in such a way that it doesn’t come across as a dry, boring, history book. It is chock full of facts, details, and intrigue.
**I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
560 pages
5 stars
The research for this book must have been exhaustive. My hat is off to Ms. Weir for her dedication and determination to fully examine any available documents of the day in order to put this book together. Covering so many important personages in one book is a serious undertaking. The reader gets a full picture of what life was like for these queens. Most I had not heard of – only their husbands. (Isn’t that just the way?) I was very glad to read about these courageous women who made a difference in their world. Alison Weir has been a favorite author of mine for years and I very much look forward to reading her next book.
We learn that the Plantagenet queens mentioned in the book were not just royal consorts of their husbands, but took an active part in the making of policy and the contributions to the monarchy were valuable. For over three hundred years, these women influenced the court. During a period of time when wives were completely subjugated to their husbands or fathers, being listened to and assisting with decision-making was quite an achievement. (Although not all of their decisions or machinations were for the good.)
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballantine/Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this instructive and interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Oh wow! This book is incredible! It is so full of history, intrigue, and tells the story of some absolutely incredible women who lived and ruled during the Middle Ages. Each time I picked up “Queens of the Crusades”, I was whisked back in time to Medieval Europe where I went on such an amazing journey learning about these women’s lives, and also learning quite a lot about this time period in history as well!
I have absolutely loved each and every book by Alison Weir that I have read thus far, She has such a magical way of bringing history to life! Ms. Weir’s book are so incredibly well-researched, well-written, and she brings history to life right before the readers’ eyes. Each and every moment jumps right off of the page, and I was hooked from the very first page to the last.
This is the second book in Ms. Weir’s “England’s Medieval Queens” series, and I so hope there will be many more! This book focuses on: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angoulême, Alienor of Provence, and Eleanor of Castile. Many other historical figures are featured as well!
If you enjoy Medieval History, I highly recommend this book! It is so gripping, so intriguing, and I was turning the pages into the early hours of the morning just to be able to continue reading all these women’s stories.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC of this book, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Queens of the Crusades by Alison Weir is an excellent nonfiction that gives the reader a wonderful opportunity to delve into the fascinating women that were the first of the Plantagenet Queens in England.
This book is the second installment of a fabulous series of books by Ms. Weir that delves into the women that helped rule and shape a nation in their own rights. The first book, Queens of Conquest discusses the pivotal women that predate this book. This is a stand-alone nonfiction, but if you enjoy this novel as much as I did, you will want to read its predecessor.
This book covers five queens:
1. Eleanor of Aquitaine- Queen of Henry II
2. Berengaria of Navarre- Queen of Richard I
3. Isabella of Angoulême- Queen of John (Yes that John)
4. Alienor of Provence- Queen of Henry III
5. Eleanor of Castile- Queen of Edward I.
Some more famous then others, all equally fascinating. Ms. Weir clearly did her research, and this book weaves together the stories of these women seamlessly. At times, it felt like I was reading fiction vs nonfiction…it was that enjoyable.
I learned so much more about these intriguing women, as well as even more English history.
Truly wonderful. 5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, and Instagram accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
This book is solidly based on historical evidence, but it reads easily, almost novel-like. These early English queens were remarkable.