In the first half of the thirteenth century, Isabella of Angoulême and Blanche of Castile stand on opposite sides of the rivalry between the English and French royal houses. Isabella, widow of King John and mother of Henry III, remains ambitious after returning to France, while Blanche becomes Queen of France beside Louis VIII and later protects the interests of their son, Louis IX.
Plaidy turns their hostility into the centre of a dynastic story involving inheritance, marriage alliances and competing claims in France. Isabella’s determination to recover influence for herself and her children repeatedly brings her into conflict with Blanche, whose political authority grows through queenship and regency. Their struggle gives a personal shape to the wider contest between Plantagenet and Capetian power.
Philippa Gregory
32 books
Georgette Heyer
41 books
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
55 books
Paul Bannister
16 books
Henry Treece
35 books