The She-Wolf of France

Book 5/7 in the Accursed Kings series. This series takes place in medieval France (sometimes England) and is most interesting and informative as I'm not very familiar with the early history. This particular book told the story of Edward II of England his marriage to Isabella II, the sister of Charles V of France. Come to find out Edward was gay and Isabella found several lovers; although Edward and Isabella claim they did sire 4 children together. Most of the action in this book took place in France as Isabella returned there for prolonged periods as she hated the English court. The only downside to this book is there are just pages and pages of the Pope of Avignon arguing with Charles V over religious matters. (snooze) However, the show more read is still a solid 4/5 and I'm on to read the next one. show less

This is the fifth book in the author's Accursed Kings series of novels set in early 14th century France. However, unlike its predecessors, this is much more centred around England than France. The titular character is, of course, Isabella, daughter of French King Philip IV, sister of Louis X, Philip V and Charles IV, and wife of English King Edward II. The story of her estrangement from Edward and love affair with Roger Mortimer, their return to England and overthrowing Edward to replace him with their son, the boy King Edward III, and then the cruel murder of the deposed king, is one of the most well known and colourful stories of Medieval England, and the subject of many fictional treatments, unlike most of the rest of the series. show more Back in France, Charles IV, the last surviving son of the direct Valois line, is saddened when his only child is a daughter who, moreover, quickly dies. This will set the scene for the next crisis in French history when another line of the Valois must succeed, also pathing the way for Edward III's claim to the French throne through his mother and thus the Hundred Years' War. So history rolls on in this great historical fiction series. show less

This series was an inspiration for George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and shadows of that more famous series are apparent in this book. The grisly details of death and executions are provided, along with plenty of schemes, intrigues, secrets, and complex personal relationships. The deposition of Edward II of England by his wife Isabella of France and her lover Roger Mortimer provide the subject for this novel, but much of the book actually takes place in France, where a series of succession crises and scandals provide plenty of drama. Overall, this book makes for a compelling read and one that those interested in the Middle Ages in Europe would likely enjoy.

These book shows once again the consequences of having laws that forbid women to arrive to the power in France, and how the alliance between the aristocrats start to pay a price in France. Is a good book that helps to understand how the battle of the 100 years started. Is a little bit more slow to read than the others, but that does not means that is bad. The author is going more to the real history and leaving the fiction a little behind.

the Queen wins, but at a great cost. The side story of how the Italian bankers really call the shots is the important lesson. The Royal families of Europe were in such debt that they were no longer truly ruling.
Awaiting the translation to be completed on books six and seven.

Avec "La louve de France", Maurice Druon accomplit un léger saut dans le temps avec les protagonistes de la famille de France qui se déchirent allègrement. Philippe V le Long est mort, Charles le Bel n'a pas la trempe de Philippe le Bel et Charles de Valois occupe une place prédominante dans la politique française en faisant la pluie et le beau temps et en considérant le trésor royal comme bien personnel ou presque. Mais l'histoire se concentre surtout sur les histoires conjugales et extra-conjugales d'Isabelle, la fille de Philippe le Bel, mariée au roi d'Angleterre Edouard II, lequel préfère les hommes. En Angleterre, plus rien ne va, les révoltes grondent, les opposants sont emprisonnés et s'évadent pour venir en France. show more En venant voir son frère en France, Isabelle prendra pour amant Roger Mortimer, ce qui suscitera un grand scandale. Ce volume se concentre donc sur l'histoire anglaise, si proche de celle de la France, sur la conquête du pouvoir par Lord Mortimer, lequel fait abdiquer Edouard II en faveur de son jeune fils, le futur Edouard III, lequel revendiquera hautement la couronne de France !

Un volume mené tambour battant, qui ne ménage pas les nerfs du lecteur et qui nous rend l'Histoire tellement vivante... et proche de nos propres turpitudes politiques. show less

La Louve de France

Six années se sont écoulées depuis la mort des rois Louis X le Hutin et Jean Ier Le Posthume. La France connaît une série de calamités : croisade des pastoureaux, révolte des lépreux, troubles et massacres des juifs…

Philippe V est mort lui aussi. Son propre fils est mort. Encore une fois, sans descendance mâle, c’est le frère de feu le roi, Charles IV le Bel qui succède. Robert d’Artois et Charles de Valois sont au sommet du pouvoir.

L’Histoire, dans ses ressorts secrets, va venir d’Angleterre. La reine de Grande Bretagne va aider Lord Mortimer à s’évader de la Tour de Londres. Celle-ci le rejoint peu après avec son fils Edouard à l’occasion d’une guerre menée en Guyenne. Revenus en show more Grande Bretagne, ces derniers mènent ensemble la chasse au roi Edouard II et son amant. Peu à peu, Lord Mortimer va étendre son emprise sur sa maîtresse, la reine, puis l’Angleterre.

Dans ce cinquième tome, Druon installe les derniers éléments préparant la guerre entre les deux royaumes séparés par la Manche. Un excellent roman de cette saga. show less