Queens of the Conquest - (England's Medieval Queens) by Alison Weir (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A captivating, sweeping saga of England's medieval queens, from the New York Times bestselling author hailed as "the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing" (The Boston Globe)

"Polished [and] fascinating . . . It was a man's world but, as Weir convincingly shows, the five queens wielded real power in front of as well as behind the throne."--Sunday Express

The lives of England's medieval queens were packed with incident--love, intrigue, betrayal, adultery, and warfare--but their stories have been largely obscured by centuries of myth and omission. Now, in the first volume of an exciting series, esteemed biographer Alison Weir provides a fresh perspective and restores these women to their rightful place in history.

Spanning the years from the Norman conquest in 1066 to the dawn of a new era in 1154, this epic book brings to life five women: Matilda of Flanders, wife of the first Norman king, William the Conqueror; Matilda of Scotland, revered as "the common mother of all England"; Adeliza of Louvain, the young beauty whom the aging Henry I married to get an heir; Matilda of Boulogne, who fought a war on behalf of her husband, King Stephen, against this book's fifth queen, Empress Maud, England's first female ruler, whose son King Henry II would found the Plantagenet dynasty. More than those who came before or after them, these Norman consorts were recognized as equal sharers in sovereignty. Without the support of their wives, the Norman kings could not have ruled their disparate dominions as effectively.

Drawing from the most reliable contemporary sources, Weir skillfully crafts an all-encompassing portrait of English medieval queenship and a captivating chapter of English history.

Don't miss any of Alison Weir's fascinating England's Medieval Queens series:
QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST - QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES - QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY - QUEENS AT WAR

Review Quotes

"Underpinned by extensive reading in the original sources . . . [The book] will serve as a useful reference for those needing a detailed biographical compendium."--The Washington Post

"Alison Weir provides a fresh perspective and restores these women to their rightful place in history. . . . Drawing from the most reliable contemporary sources, Weir skillfully strips away centuries of romantic lore to share a balanced and authentic take on the importance of these female monarchs. What emerges is a seamless royal saga, an all-encompassing portrait of English medieval queenship, and a sweeping panorama of British history."--Bookreporter

"Another polished, fascinating gem from [Alison] Weir, herself the queen of history writing . . . It was a man's world but, as Weir convincingly shows, the five queens wielded real power in front of as well as behind the throne."--Sunday Express (U.K.)

"Another readable, well-researched English history, the first in a proposed four-volume series on England's medieval queens. . . . Weir's research skills and storytelling ability combine beautifully to tell a fascinating story supported by excellent historical research. Fans of her fiction and nonfiction will enjoy this latest work."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Another sound feminist resurrection by a seasoned historian . . . Though Norman queens were largely unknowable, leave it to this prolific historical biographer to bring them to life. . . . As usual, Weir is meticulous in her research."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Alison Weir is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous historical biographies, including The Lost Tudor Princess, Elizabeth of York, Mary Boleyn, The Lady in the Tower, Mistress of the Monarchy, Henry VIII, Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Life of Elizabeth I, and The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and the novels Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession; Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen; The Marriage Game; A Dangerous Inheritance; Captive Queen; The Lady Elizabeth; and Innocent Traitor. She lives in Surrey, England, with her husband.