Helpful Score: 3
This book was very good in comparison to some of Plaidy's other novels. It was far better than In the Shadow of the Crown, which was the most recent novel by Plaidy that I have read. Although Plaidy is enjoyable, I have come to be spoiled by Philippa Gregory's historical fiction written about this era. Plaidy is much dry in comparison, and I felt that the book would have been better if one-third had been cut from it, specifically all the wishy-washy parts. There were a few slow parts that dragged on, but overall it was a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Kaye F. (Mysty) reviewed The Courts of Love (The Queens of England, Vol 5) on + 227 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Raised in the pleasure loving Aquitaine duchy of France, Eleanor was married young to Louis VII King of France and then to the great Plantagenet Henry II of England. She was passionately engaged in life as a Crusader against the Turks as the mother of two kings Richard the Lionhearted and wicked King John-as a shrewed politician and her husbands prisoner for sixteen years. Told by Eleanor herself, the story is a medieval tapestry come to blazing life with unforgettable scenes of war, betrayal adulterous passions heartbreak love and murder.
Jeannine W. (jrelehw) reviewed The Courts of Love (The Queens of England, Vol 5) on + 204 more book reviews
Eleanor of Aquitaine has always been a heroine of mine! She was a woman way before her time. I also believe QE1 was E reincarnated and that she learned from her mistakes. All her trouble came from men! :o) The confidence and bravery of this one woman, twice a queen, mother to 10 or so children, educated in a time when women are mere chattel, to ruling England alone in the absence of husband/son the King. Advisor& match maker to her granddaughter, Blanche of Castile,who with Es help became queen of France. Blanche was regent for her son, and dominated politics in Europe.
Maryann K. (mckorz11) reviewed The Courts of Love (The Queens of England, Vol 5) on + 285 more book reviews
The story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Susan H. (symphonie) reviewed The Courts of Love (The Queens of England, Vol 5) on + 158 more book reviews
Raised in the pleasure-loving Aquitaine duchy of France, where music, poetry and love were all, Eleanor was married young to Louis VII, King of France, and then to the great Plantagenet, Henry II of England. She was passionately engaged in life, as a Crusader against the Turks, as the mother of two kings - Richard the Lion-Hearted and wicked King John - as a shrewd politician, and as her husband's prisoner for sixteen long years. Told by Eleanor herself, this story is a medieval tapestry come to blazing life, with unforgettable scenes of war, betrayal, adulterous passions, heartbreak, love and murder.
Jean Plaidy's story of Eleanor of Aquitaine's Life and Loves is must reading for a view of the remarkable Duchess's influence over much of her long life as royal
consort twice and -always- the Duchess of the vast Aquitaine holding in France. Starting with Eleanor at five years in the court of her Grandfather William IX, the author illustrates her decades of love won and lost, to her 80th year when she stands aghast to know that her line of sons ends with the treacherous and monstrous John,who ascends the throne when Richard is killed and whom she could not defeat nor displace now in her dotage. Instead she retreats to a favored place, Fontrevault, the same place where her beloved Richard, King of England and her favorite son had been buried.
consort twice and -always- the Duchess of the vast Aquitaine holding in France. Starting with Eleanor at five years in the court of her Grandfather William IX, the author illustrates her decades of love won and lost, to her 80th year when she stands aghast to know that her line of sons ends with the treacherous and monstrous John,who ascends the throne when Richard is killed and whom she could not defeat nor displace now in her dotage. Instead she retreats to a favored place, Fontrevault, the same place where her beloved Richard, King of England and her favorite son had been buried.
