Customer Reviews

The Bastard King

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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.

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!

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.

Jean Plaidy's <u>The Bastard King</u> is an enthralling novelization of the life of William the Conqueror. Covering the life of a man who was arguably the most important figure in the history of England, the story reads like a Wagnerian epic. Highly dramatic, especially in its portrayal of the relationship between William and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, the book is one that engages the reader.

While Plaidy is far from the most gifted of writers, sometimes bordering on downright silly and trashy, she does have a talent for pushing a story along, which she does with great skill in this book. With the recent reissue of many of Plaidy's Tudor novels, historical fiction fans may well find themselves searching their local libraries for more Plaidy novels. Plaidy's Norman Trilogy would seem a logical place to start, and this first of those novels does not disappoint.

From reading this book I got the impression it had been written and printed in the early part of the century and that subsequent editions had not been edited, merely reprinted.

First of all the sentences are often very awkwardly written with no punctuation, or what we would now consider inappropriate punctuation. Here is a paraphrased example: "William who was incensed at this treatment sent his mother Arlette out of the room to pursue his fleeing brother and then continued arguing with the Bishop about the income from the Duchy of Normandy and its use towards a new war with England." Some of the sentences are very long, and without the punctuation it is hard to read-with-the-flow.

Secondly, there are zillions of typos in this book and the subsequent ones in the Norman Trilogy. The Duchy is referred to as "Normundy" a few times. This is the only one I can remember but every couple of pages there is a major misspelling.

But the information is good; it just takes longer to wade through it.

Once again I have been swept into another world by Jean Plaidy. The Bastard King was an easy read, which I enjoyed from beginning to end.

William was the bastard son of Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy. His father made William a Duke at an early age. He saw death and strife early on and feared for his life constantly. He never had much time for women, having been enthralled in his passion to be a good ruler, a good king when the time came (for it was foreseen by his mother). When he met Matilda, he was in love, but first he had a score to settle with her-a score that changed everything.
William and Matilda were as one. William sought her guidance often, for she was the only one who was just like him and only she could truly soothe him. But Matilda would betray him later in his life, as he would her. But still, their love remained great.

This book mentions William's children-ten in all, especially Robert, who William despised because of his height, amongst other things and who would form an army against William. Adelisa, who died of a broken heart, Richard, who William adored and Rufus, the selfish one.
It also mentions Edward the Confessor and how Edward had promised William his throne upon his death. A promise William would not forget and would fight for until it was done.

William changed the landscape of England with his passion for building and architecture. He was hated and feared, but Jean Plaidy paints a picture of him that shows us the human that he truly was. He loved, he ruled, he was betrayed and adored.

I learn so much from Jean Plaidy's works. She paints beautiful pictures with her words, leaving me with more knowledge than I had expected.

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.

Jean Plaidy is an excellent author. She manages to make you fascinated with all the characters in the story--from its hero William the Conqueror, to his worthy adversary Harold Godwinsson. A must-read for a historical fiction buffs.

Jean Plaidy has opened up a new world in history for me. The Bastard King is a nice introduction to Norman England. It's the first book in her Norman trilogy.

This book is about England's first Norman king, William the Conqueror. Born to a low born mother, and a high born father, William was born "on the wrong side of the blanket." It was the one thing that was to bother, but drive him, for years. Plaidy describes his early years with good detail, but not enough to bore you. She chronicles his journey from being proclaimed Duke at a very young age, and his training to be able to outdo everyone who would challenge him, to his later years and his being able to be Duke in every way.

She chronicles many of the battles William had to face (with just enough detail for you to know what's going on, but not enough detail to make you feel you're reading a tactical manual) to secure his dukedom and to let people know that just because he wasn't a legitimate child he can do as well as any one of them can, and indeed he did it better.

Plaidy also tells of his wonderful relationship with his wife, Matilda of Flanders. A woman as head strong and powerful as he was himself. They were a match made in heaven. Matilda gives birth to many children, many of whom were to cause both of them heartache and one which eventually puts a damper on their love.

Of course this book tells of his Conquest of England and how he was able to gain and maintain control of a nation that did not want him, but grew to understand and eventually tolerate his rule.

Jean Plaidy does a masterful job of bringing this important event and the important players to life. I learned things in her book that I never learned in school.

A former girlfriend introduced me to the author, who goes by several other pen names.

Her books are quite short but tend to be well-paced. Additionally, she is very accurate Historically, so, unlike GLADIATOR or BRAVEHEART, movies which I love but which are not accurate, you are getting a good coverage of what you missed in school.

Story follows the life of William the Conqueror, starting with his father's rise to power, William's birth and then an internal struggle. We then follow his path as he gets a wife by beating her for insulting him, his dealings with the English, his invasion and then his holding of the realms.

Like Henry II, upon his death bed, his servants take off with all his wealth.