This is a great story that really pulls you into the 12th and 13th century Wales. There are a lot of characters in the beginning of this book, but keep reading and they will all cross paths. There is a lot of political upheaval, intrigue, deception and fighting in and among royal families of modern day Wales, England and France. The country lines were not that defined in those days and there were constant battles to keep possession of castles and the lands they controlled.
The four male sons of Henry, King of England are constantly fighting for their right to the crown. Richard, the Lion Hearted, is constantly at war with surrounding lands and his own brothers. Meanwhile, Llewelyn, a Prince of Wales is fighting his uncle for possession of Welsh lands. The Welsh and English distrust each other; however they make alliances with each other and the King of France in order to raise armies and survive.
Upon Richards death, John is crowned King of England. It is customary for royalty to promise their children in marriage to competing royalty in order to forge bonds and gain power. Joanna, an illegitimate daughter of King John is offered in marriage to Llewelyn, Prince of Wales in hopes of curtailing the Welsh fighting the English.
Joanna is a young, protected 14 year old girl and is afraid of marrying a Welshman and moving far from her home in a strange land with people who do not speak her language. She eventually falls in love with her husband and then is torn between her two loves, her father John, King of England and her husband, Llewelyn, Prince of Wales. John and Llewelyn are constantly at battle with one another over lands and power.
This is a fantastic book which fills in the limited history of 12th and 13th century England, Wales and France in a very believable and engaging way. I did not want to put the book down and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy. This is a genuine 5 star read.
The four male sons of Henry, King of England are constantly fighting for their right to the crown. Richard, the Lion Hearted, is constantly at war with surrounding lands and his own brothers. Meanwhile, Llewelyn, a Prince of Wales is fighting his uncle for possession of Welsh lands. The Welsh and English distrust each other; however they make alliances with each other and the King of France in order to raise armies and survive.
Upon Richards death, John is crowned King of England. It is customary for royalty to promise their children in marriage to competing royalty in order to forge bonds and gain power. Joanna, an illegitimate daughter of King John is offered in marriage to Llewelyn, Prince of Wales in hopes of curtailing the Welsh fighting the English.
Joanna is a young, protected 14 year old girl and is afraid of marrying a Welshman and moving far from her home in a strange land with people who do not speak her language. She eventually falls in love with her husband and then is torn between her two loves, her father John, King of England and her husband, Llewelyn, Prince of Wales. John and Llewelyn are constantly at battle with one another over lands and power.
This is a fantastic book which fills in the limited history of 12th and 13th century England, Wales and France in a very believable and engaging way. I did not want to put the book down and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy. This is a genuine 5 star read.
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