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When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his 15-year-old daughter, Eleanor. But such a position for an unmarried woman puts the whole kingdom at risk. So on his deathbed William made a will that would ensure his daughter's protection: he promised her hand in marriage to the future King of France. Eleanor grows into a romantic and beautiful queen, but she has inherited the will of a king, determined to rule Aquitaine using her husband's power as King of France. Her resolve knows show more no limit and, in the years to follow, she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
As a child, my mum had a shelf of books that I avoided as they were "romances". this included Georgette Heyer and Jean Plaidy. The two authors couldn't be more different. This is the first Plaidy I have tried and it may well be the last. Based on this, her writing hasn't stood up to the passage of time.
This was curiously flat, for such a roller coaster of a story in our history. It starts as being the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, but mid way through it changes focus and concentrates on the relationship between Henry II and Thomas a Becket. Eleanor comes over as fickle and it is as if the author thinks she should just submit to Henry and brush the rest under the carpet. There are much more interesting, dramatic interpretations of this show more story out there. show less
This was curiously flat, for such a roller coaster of a story in our history. It starts as being the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, but mid way through it changes focus and concentrates on the relationship between Henry II and Thomas a Becket. Eleanor comes over as fickle and it is as if the author thinks she should just submit to Henry and brush the rest under the carpet. There are much more interesting, dramatic interpretations of this show more story out there. show less
This is the third work of historical fiction I’ve read that focuses on King Henry II of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine (aka Queen of France, aka Queen of England), and Thomas Beckett. All three personages are among the most fascinating in history.
The second part of the book appealed to me more than the first. This is owing to the unique friendship-cum-rivalry between Henry and Thomas.
A lesser-known yet even most amazing story is that of Beckett’s parents. How they met, how they were separated, and how they were reunited is a great tale, which is a well-portrayed “side-story” in this novel.
Would’ve rated this book five stars if the author had refrained from repeating information so frequently. Many times the reader is show more needlessly reminded that Henry II is grandson of Henry I and great-grandson of William the Conqueror.
There’s also an overuse of the term “without delay”. For example:
>‘You have told the King you will appeal to the Pope. You must do so without delay.’
‘Will you help me, my Lord Chancellor?’
‘I will despatch a message to the Pope without delay,’ said Thomas show less
The second part of the book appealed to me more than the first. This is owing to the unique friendship-cum-rivalry between Henry and Thomas.
A lesser-known yet even most amazing story is that of Beckett’s parents. How they met, how they were separated, and how they were reunited is a great tale, which is a well-portrayed “side-story” in this novel.
Would’ve rated this book five stars if the author had refrained from repeating information so frequently. Many times the reader is show more needlessly reminded that Henry II is grandson of Henry I and great-grandson of William the Conqueror.
There’s also an overuse of the term “without delay”. For example:
>‘You have told the King you will appeal to the Pope. You must do so without delay.’
‘Will you help me, my Lord Chancellor?’
‘I will despatch a message to the Pope without delay,’ said Thomas show less
Great book and great start to what I know is going to be a wonderful series on my favorite English historical family - The Plantagenets! I just love this author and how she wrote - it is constantly a page turner and you enjoy reading every written word. This first book is mainly about the start of the family i.e., Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II. A must read if you enjoy reading about The Plantagenets!
What a struggle! Historical fiction has come so far since Plaidy’s heyday …
Disappointing. Didn’t finish it. Maybe Jean Plaidy isn’t for me any more. I loved her novels when I was a teenager but having read a number of Sharon Penman novels I appear to have "moved on".
Jean Plaidy's books are great but do lack a certain something hence only 4 stars
needs editing: sentences are repeated
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Author Information
254+ Works 37,200 Members
Jean Plaidy was a British writer who wrote under various pen names. Her real name is Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert. She was born in London on September 1, 1906. Most of the books written as Jean Plaidy are historical romances based on English history featuring historical figures. The first, Beyond the Blue Mountains, was published in 1947. Hibbert show more also wrote five nonfiction histories and two children's books. Besides Jean Plaidy, Hibbert wrote under Victoria Holt, Phillipa Carr, Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Ellalice Tate, and her maiden name, Eleanor Burford. Hibbert died on January 18, 1993. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Notable Lists
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Plantagenet Prelude
- Original publication date
- 1976
- People/Characters
- Eleanor of Aquitaine; Henry II, King of England
- First words
- From a window of the Chateau de l'Ombriere the Duke of Aquitaine looked down on the scene in the shaded rose garden.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 344
- Popularity
- 91,619
- Reviews
- 8
- Rating
- (3.35)
- Languages
- English, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 19
- ASINs
- 7
