The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy

"When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his fifteen-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 no limit and, in the years to follow she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I'm so pleased to have been able to acquire a beautiful set of Plaidy's Plantagenet series from the UK, and I know it will be a delight to savor each one. Jean Plaidy has a gift for bringing history alive, and her novels weave history and everyday life and drama togther to give the reader an imaginative glimpse into the past. I also have two more Eleanor of Acquitaine books to read (The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy and To Be Queen by Christy English), so it will interesting to compare and contrast the depictions of this very intriguing historical figure.

In The Plantagenet Prelude, Plaidy paints a portrait of young Eleonor (English Eleanor) that was one of beauty, intelligence, and courage. As a young queen, she was renowned for her passion for music and storytelling, and her court would often sit before a fire in the great hall and sing songs of love and chivalry. Her arranged marriage to Louis VII, the King of France, brought her more power and two daughters, but not happiness. Proud and haughty, strong enough to boldly embark on a Crusade, she eventually began to show disdain for her husband who was more devoted to the Church than to her, and sought the attentions of other men. The marriage of Louis and Eleanor was eventually ended on the basis of consanguinity (related by blood).

Eleanor's marriage to England's king, Henry II, brought her more children and contentment, but unfortunately, it was not to last. After many years, Henry's long relationship with Rosamund Clifford was a devastating shock to her after her support of Henry and the many children that they had together. Plaidy also details the relationship between Henry and Thomas Becket, the once close friend and confidante of the king. As the story ends, Henry is lamenting his part in the murder of Becket as Henry wanted to be supreme ruler of both the State and Church, and Becket was against this. As a result, Thomas was murdered and Christendom considered him a martyr.

The next installment, The Revolt of the Eaglets, continues with Henry's precarious predicament: he is punished by the Pope for his involvement in Becket's death, and he now has an enemy in his Queen, as Eleanor is now determined to seek vengeance and will use her sons to conspire against their father.

For a complete list and synopsis of Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet series, click here.

And thanks to a heads-up from Misfit, I learned that the fabulous Elizabeth Chadwick has recently signed a deal to write an Eleanor of Aquitane trilogy!! The novels will be The Summer Queen, The Winter Crown, and The Autumn Throne. Click here for Chadwick's website for more info!

3.5/5 stars

Title: The Plantagenet Prelude
Author: Jean Plaidy
original publication: 1976, 2006
Random House
417 pages
genre: historical fiction

Murder Most Royal by Jean Plaidy

"One powerful King...two tragic Queens. In the court of Henry VIII, it was dangerous for a woman to catch the king's eye. Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were cousins. Both were beautiful women, though very different in temperament. They each learned that Henry's passion was all-consuming--and fickle.
Sophisticated Anne Boleyn, raised in the decadent court of France was in love with another man when King Henry claimed her as his own. Being his mistress gave her a position of power; being his queen put her life in jeopardy. Her younger cousin, Catherine Howard, was only fifteen when she was swept into the circle of King Henry. Her innocence attracted him, but a past mistake was destined to haunt her.
Painted in the rich colors of Tudor England, Murder Most Royal is a page-turning journey into the lives of two of the wives of the tempestuous Henry VIII."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:


Jean Plaidy (real name Eleanor Hibbert -- 1906-1993), was one of Britain's most popular and beloved historical fiction novelists. She is often referred to as the "queen of historical fiction," or the "godmother" of historical novels. I read and enjoyed many of her gothic romantic suspense novels that she wrote using the nom de plume Victoria Holt, and she also published under the name Philippa Carr, among others.

Murder Most Royal is one title from Plaidy's Tudor series; while I admit it's not the best book I have read on the subject of Anne Boleyn, it was an interesting tale comparing and contrasting the two executed wives of Henry VIII and the events which shaped their destinies as queen and their tragic endings. Plaidy devotes a good deal of the story to the internal thoughts of Henry VIII as he battled with his political advisors, church leaders, and his own conscience over matters of his marriage, the necessity of a male heir, and his methods of eliminating one wife for another. Ran a bit long in parts, and the story did not always flow smoothly, but still, the tale of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard's execution is always chilling and haunting.

I think everyone who enjoys historical fiction will find something of Plaidy to enjoy. Her books cover a wide range of historical topics and there are several series to explore: Normans, Plantagenets, Tudors, Stuarts, Queens of England, Queen Victoria, the Borgias, de'Medici, just to name a few.

I'm looking forward to reading Plaidy's The Loves of Charles II next with Barbara, the Countess of Castelmaine; Louise de Keroualle, and Nell Gwyn. I became fascinated with Restoration England and Charles II after reading Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor, one of my favorites.

You can go here to explore all of Plaidy's titles.

3/5 stars

Title: Murder Most Royal
Author: Jean Plaidy
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Original copyright: 1949/2006
451 pages