The Queen from Provence

Quite a good book focused on the life an reign of one of the perhaps lesser known Kings of England, Henry III and his relationship with his French Queen Eleanor de Provence. Henry not only devoted but was one of the rare kings who was faithful to his wife, but his devotion proved to be a double edged sword, and his reluctance to deal with Eleanor's extravangance and manipualtion of him eventually have disastrouns consequences for the whole Kingdom.

The narrative is a little repetitive, and the way that the novel focuses as much on personal relationships of the leading characters as much as politcal events may be off-putting for some.

I found the depiction of the character, actions and motivations of some of the secondary historical show more figures fascinating, particularly Prince Edward (later Edward I Longshanks) and the King's Brother John Duke of Cornwall. Plaidy's depiction of Prince Edward was unusually sympathetic (though not uncritical) and her explanation for one controversial incident in teenage years makes seems to make sense and causes me to question the assertion that this incident serves as proof of Edward's allegedly uncompomisingly and uncurably evil nature. show less

I am truly running out of praise for this author - I adore her! What a great book regarding Queen Eleanor and Henry III. It also tells a smaller tale of her three sisters, Queen Marquerite of France, Beatrice and Sanchia. What a different tale as Henry III was the son of one of the worst Kings in history King John who came from probably the most dysfunctional royal family of all time to one of the closest and loyal families. Although I admire Queen Eleanor for the love of her husband and children but she truly would not be someone I would care for personally. This is the sixth book in the series and ends with her son King Edward I taking the throne - on to Book 7!

“The Queen From Provence” is an improvement on the previous novel in the Plantagenet Saga.

We still have to endure a certain amount of repetition, not only in repeating info in this book, but also from the earlier novels in the series. This is one of Ms Plaidy’s greatest faults.

One of her greatest attributes is to recreate the past in an on intriguing fashion. Once again we follow not only England’s Plantagenet monarchs, their friends, family, and emeries, but also their French contemporaries.

I consider myself knowledgeable regarding most English royal history, and to lesser extent France’s too, though the reigns of Henry III and of Louis IX are largely unknown to me.

Therefore, this novel – which, knowing Plaidy’s show more reputation for research – was an engaging way of learning what happened. Of course, many episodes have not been recorded from the 1200s, which gives the author room to add her own interpretations, something she does well.

A pretty good read. show less

Marguerite, la hija mayor del conde de Provenza, se había casado con un rey de Francia, y ahora su hermana Eleanor está decidida a hacer una boda igual de grandiosa. La buena fortuna y la astucia le traen a Enrique de Inglaterra. Un esposo bueno y generoso pero un rey débil, gobierna una nación que aún recuerda a su padre cruel y tonto, el rey Juan. Mientras Enrique colma de regalos a su nueva esposa, su extravagancia lo obliga a imponer impuestos cada vez mayores sobre la tierra, y el espectro de la revuelta pronto se cierne sobre él. Para Simón de Montfort, el aventurero que dará a Inglaterra su primer verdadero parlamento, la casa del destino está al alcance de su mano.