![]() ![]() The best historical novels require more than accurate backgrounds, exciting storylines and vivid ambience. ![]() The travel required of these rich royal overlords provides a lively journey that moves from the sunny climes of Poitiers, France, to the grand palaces of London to the wilds of Oxfordshire in wintertime. There are fabulous descriptions of clothing, cuisine, furnishings and other material luxuries. She does a good job illustrating the political climate, from the English and French monarchs' complicated feudal ties to Henry's troubles with the church. Weir has a narrower focus, limited to interpersonal relationships and the outside events affecting them. This isn't a sprawling Plantagenet epic (Sharon Kay Penman's superbÄevil's Brood) or a full-blown fictional biography (Jean Plaidy's The latter lands her in prison for 16 years. Their union unravels through a succession of betrayals: Henry's preference for chancellor Thomas Becket's company, his refusal to yield to her authority in Aquitaine, his affair with Rosamund Clifford and her decision to incite rebellion among their sons. ![]() ![]() But their passionate bond, envisioned via juicy sex scenes, isn't enough. Her marriage to Henry swiftly follows, and in 1152, they become king and queen of England. Because Eleanor has borne only daughters, convincing Louis of an annulment isn't difficult. ![]()
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