The Bastard King [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Plaidy (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (March 12, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449242730
• ISBN-13: 978-0449242735
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #955,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE DUKE WHO WOULD BE KING..., July 19, 2002

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Bastard King (Norman Trilogy, Book 1) (Hardcover)

This is the first book in the Norman Trilogy series written by the author and a very good work of historical fiction. It chronicles the the life of William the Conqueror, the bastard son of the Duke of Normandy. Born to the daughter of a tanner, his illegitimacy was to be a sore spot and bone of contention for many years. Designated by his father to succeed him as the Duke of Normandy, the circumstances of his birth would cause him to have to fight usurpers within his duchy in order to retain his title.

After a somewhat unusual courtship, William married Matilda, the fiercely independent and beautiful daughter of the King of Flanders. Together, they had a number of children who were to cause him much anger and much sorrow. One of them would eventually bring about a fissure in his relationship with his beloved Matilda.

William, always ambitious, coveted the throne of England and was supported in his desire to be king by his intelligent and equally ambitious wife Matilda. In 1066, after the death of the King of England, Edward the Confessor, with whom he had had a longstanding friendship, William crossed the channel from Normandy to England. He wrested the English crown from King Harold, Edward's popular Saxon successor. In doing so, he forever changed the course of England and its history.

Vividly written and well researched, the author weaves a spellbinding tale of the Duke who would be King. A tapestry of exciting historical events makes this an enthralling tale that will capture the imagination of the reader. Lovers of historical fiction will especially enjoy this interesting and well written book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The full story, October 1, 2004

By 

S. E. Kennedy "ocinnedeagh" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bastard King (Mass Market Paperback)

So many books about William the Conqueror get side-tracked into the tale of Harold II of England. This book certainly mentions their meeting and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but it was really a much fuller accounting of William's life than just the one conquest of England. This book begins with William as a child and although there were some differences in this author's account (such as his mother's name, who actually cared for him as a fugitive youth, etc.) the tale was well portrayed. The book becomes it's best, however, when the author reaches his marriage with Matilda of Flanders - a strong woman for a strong man and then some! Their lives together and love for each other is a wonderful background tale that supports the more commonly known image of William as a ruler and warrior. What I liked best about this book was the deep involvment of their children in the story. The author brings us through to their adulthood and through the deaths of both Matilda and William and sets the stage for the second book in the trilogy beautifully. I had not had much interest in William Rufus, Robert or Henry (William's sons) until I read this book. I immediately started book #2 (Heart of the Lion) and I can tell you that the story continues seemlessly. If you are interested in 1066, if you like English, Norman or French history, if you are interested in strong military leaders or strong women, or if you are just looking for a fascinating tale about a man that seemed (then as now) larger than life - this is a fantastic book for all of the above! I think today's publishers are crazy for beginning the re-publication of Ms. Plaidy's work by starting with the Tudor series. Take us back to whence it began - and that's the Norman Trilogy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man Who Will Be King, March 29, 2005

By 

Alina SanJuan (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bastard King (Mass Market Paperback)

First in the Norman Trilogy series, this book chronicles the life of William the Conqueror, illegitimate son of Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy. and the daughter of a tanner. Robert dies on his way to the Holy Land, leaving William, only eight years old at the time, as heir to the Duchy of Normandy. William, with the aid of a few loyal men loyal, is forced to fight ruthless, ambitious usurpers in order to retain his title. He sees death in the face more than once, but Fate has decreed he would be Duke of Normandy. Then, in 1066, William crosses the channel from Normandy to England, defeats King Harold, Edward's popular Saxon successor and forever changes the course of England's history. William and his descendents will control both Normandy and England for centuries to come. A highly recommended, most enjoyable read.