Eleanor the Queen [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Norah Lofts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2009

At a time when a woman's value was measured in terms of wealth, her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure - of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lion Heart. It is the rich, incredible story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A natural storyteller.”

—The New York Times

“Lofts is a master”

–Historical Novels Review

“Norah Lofts gets the mix of historical fact and lively characterizations just right.”

—Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown and The King’s Grace --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Norah Lofts was one of the best known and best loved of all historical novelists, renowned for her authentic use of period detail. Born in 1904 in Norfolk, England, Lofts wrote more than fifty books of fiction, nonfiction, and short stories over the course of her half-century-long writing career, including The King's Pleasure and Here Was a Man, and was a bestselling author on both sides of the Atlantic. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 343 pages
• Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books; Lrg edition (July 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753183285
• ISBN-13: 978-0753183281
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,201,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A QUEEN OF LEGENDARY BEAUTY AND EXTRAORDINARY INTELLIGENCE.., January 1, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Eleanor the Queen (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an interesting work of historical fiction by a noted writer of historical fiction and gifted storyteller, Norah Lofts. the author capably details the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most famous and celebrated women of the middle ages. Touted by the troubadours of her time as being a woman without compare, Eleanor of Aquitaine could certainly be held to be the first feminist.

Married first to the pious King of France, Louis VII, she bore him two daughters and went with him on an unsuccessful Crusade, where she was to have a number of adventures. Stifled by the King's somewhat misogynistic advisors, she and the King would come to a parting of the way after fifteen years of marriage. No sooner was she divorced and returned to her Duchy of Aquitaine, than she met eighteen year old Henry Plantagenet, who was to become King Henry II of England. Nearly a dozen years separated them but this was to be no bar to their marriage.

Eleanor and Henry were to marry, and she bore him numerous sons and daughters. She lived happily with Henry for many years, until she discovered that he had a mistress, the fair Rosamonde of legend. The break in their relationship would eventually result in the estrangement of Henry from his sons and the imprisonment of Eleanor for nearly eighteen years.

This is an excellent work of historical fiction, filled with the political intrigues of the day, historical events and personages, and a story that has withstood the test of time. It is a book that those who like well-written historical fiction will, undoubtedly, enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction at its Best, November 13, 2001

By 

DONALD G. FOX "Santee Sioux" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eleanor the Queen (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book back in 1978. I was still in middle school back then and it intrigued me so much that I eventually came to do a lot more reading about Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, Richard the Lionhearted, King John (Lackland)and the Plantagenet intrigues and accomplishments of the 12th century. Ms. Lofts had a way of really engaging the reader in making Eleanor a real woman: a woman both vulnerable and truly strong. Indeed, she was both. I recommend this book wholeheartedly for those who might like to get a feel for what medieval life for the Plantagenets was like as well as what it might have been like for a very priveleged noblewoman of great intelligence and legendary beauty.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bits of excitement nearly lost among long stretches of dullness, January 15, 2006

By 

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

Eleanor of Aquitaine must be one of the most interesting women in history. Her intellegence, her legendary beauty and her joint crusade with her first husband, the King of France would make for an amazing story alone. Now add to it that she was also the wife of King Henry II of England and the mother of Richard the Lionheart (and SEVERAL other children) and you have the makings of an epic story filled with love, betrayal, political intrigue and so much more! Instead, Lofts tells a nice story though uninspiring which touches areas of excitement briefly toying with them and then instead wanders down the a road that is interesting but dull. This is my third Norah Lofts novel and I am still seeking the same talent and style I found in A Wayside Tavern. I am again left disappointed and wondering how the same woman wrote that book and this.