 |
| Eleanor of Aquitance #2 Sphere 2014 |
This is the second book of the Trilogy which started with The Summer Queen.
In the winter of 1154, Eleanor of
Aquitaine is crowned Queen for the second time. Her marriage to Henry II is
firmly established and she is already pregnant with their second child. It
could be said that life is good for the Angevins. However, power comes at a
price and whilst Eleanor keeps to her side of the marital bargain, Henry
discovers that keeping control of his empire is fraught with danger,
insecurities and interference from meddlesome priests. From the start of the marriage, Eleanor's duty
to produce many children is done with remarkable regularity and regardless of
her burning resentment towards Henry; you can never say that she shirked her
marital duty. However, between the years 1154 to 1174, what started as a
marriage built on lust and mutual ambition, inevitably over time becomes
riddled with resentment and utter distaste.
What then follows is in depth
look at the middle years in the life of Eleanor and Henry as they each seek to
gain control. Henry,by using his children in a deadly game of thrones, finds himself
in direct conflict, not just with his wife, but also with the church. The author
very cleverly gives us both sides of the argument, and whilst it is difficult
not to take sides, both had faults in abundance, it is interesting to see just
how history judges both of these charismatic figures.
As always with this author, you
get a fictional account which has its foot firmly placed in the history of the
period. It feels realistic to the point where you can smell the candles and
hear the crackle of logs and as the history comes alive in the imagination, you
feel the power of unscrupulous men and rant against the powerlessness of its
womenfolk.
The Winter Crown is a commendable
continuation in the story of the turbulent relationship between a powerful couple who lived,
loved and fought, often with each other, in unpredictable and dangerous times.
The third and final part of the
trilogy, Autumn Throne, is due for publication in 2016.
Best selling author Elizabeth Chadwick has written over twenty historical novels sold in eighteen languages worldwide.
~***~
~***~
I have just finished reading Winter Crown having read Summer Queen. I so enjoyed both books. Winter Crown fleshes out the turbulent relationship this couple had. The insight into the political machinations of Henry is clearly presented. Eleanor of Aquitaine is a woman who could well fit into the 21st century and I admire her tenacity to be her own self and not the sweet "yes" woman Henry clearly seemed to prefer. I look forward the final book if the trilogy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment Elma. I agree that Eleanor would not feel out of place in the 21st century, she was a remarkable woman. I wish I could have met her, don't you?...
Delete