Cecelia holland primary author only author division. Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir overdrive rakuten. The firebrand by marion zimmer bradley tells of the trojan war through the eyes of cassandra a womans perspective. Eleanor of aquitaine biography childhood, life achievements. Cecelia holland is the author of more than 30 novels, including the secret. Eleanor of aquitaine, wife of two kings and mother of two more, was born in 1122, the daughter of william x of aquitaine, a large important duchy in southwestern france. Cecelia holland bases a story on the viewpoint of her sister petronilla, thence building a compelling picture of the personality and life of eleanor, a remarkable woman, who became the mother of two kings of england, richard the lionhart, and king john, was imprisoned for fifteen years by her ex yet in old age triumphed over adversities to become a virtual ruler of england before her death aged 82. Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article.
Cecelia hollands historical fiction is well known for its immersion in exotic cultures, and until the sun falls, one of her most successful books, takes the reader into the heart of the mongol horde during the conquest of russia and eastern europe in the thirteenth century. Eleanor of aquitaine ebook by 9781477300244 rakuten kobo. Eleanor of aquitaine was the wife of two kings, louis vii of france and henry ii plantagenet of england, and the mother of two others, richard the lionhearted and john lackland. In that sense it complements bonnie wheelers and john parsons eleanor of aquitaine. She was born in 1122 on bordeaux in the country of aquitaine,1 having for a father the future duke of aquitaine, william x, and her mother aenor of chatellerault. Queen and legend is the book for readers who want their eleanor, beauty, warts and all, but shorn of celebrity fluff. Highly acclaimed and prolific novelist cecelia holland arguably the true queen of historical fiction, whose books cover everything from early byzantium to early 18th century california brings us a novel about a pivotal year in eleanor of aquitaines tumultuous career, when she launched her quest to get her marriage to pious louis of france annulled so she could marry fiery henry plantagenet. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of france and england. A sister, aelith called the more pronounceable, petronilla and a brother, william, would follow in short order.
She lost her little brother and her mother very early in life. The fleurdelis is a symbol of france and was commonly found in the art of the middle ages. Holland spent between 2000 and 2010 writing the six novels in her corban loosestrife series. An interview with cecelia holland, author of the secret eleanor. Holland continues her viking saga following the soul thief and the. In may 1152, eleanor of aquitaine married henry fitzempress. Cecelia holland has been one of my favorite authors of historical fiction since the 70s when i first read great maria so i was looking forward to reading her take on eleanor of aquitaine. Though the exact year and place of birth is unknown, it is speculated that she was born on either 1122 or 1124 in poitiers, bordeaux, or nieulsurlautise. Eleanor of aquitaine is considered by many to have been the most powerful and enlightened woman of her age, if not the entire medieval epoch.
Louis and eleanor were married in july 17, but had little time to get to know one another before louis father the king fell ill and died. Proud daughter of a distinguished french dynasty, she married the king of france, louis vii, then the king of england, henry ii, and gave birth to two sons who rose to take the english thronerichard the lionheart and john. I would recommend that parents read aloud this book to younger children, because there are illegitimate children mentioned. Eleanor of aquitaine seized hold of life in the 12th century in. Eleanor has exerted a fascination over writers and biographers for 800 years, but the prevailing myths and legends that attach to her name still tend to obscure the truth.
This book covers the period when eleanor was desperately trying to escape her husband, the french king louis vii, and obtain an annulment and her freedom. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of both louis vii of france 1752 and henry ii of england 11521204 and mother of richard i the lionheart and john of england. She brought the province of aquitaine to england when she married henry ii of england. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books. Cecelia holland bibliography jump to navigation jump to. She was the sixth child and second daughter of henry ii, king of england, and eleanor of aquitaine. By careful research, alison weir has produced a vivid biography with a fresh and provocative perspective on this extraordinary woman. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable. Apr 20, 2017 about marie of france, countess of champagne marie was born to eleanor of aquitaine and louis vii of france. See more ideas about eleanor of aquitaine, aquitaine and history. She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. Her marriage to louis vii of france has yet to produce a son and heir only two. I love books, good books, books to read, my books, teen books, elizabeth chadwick, eleanor of aquitaine, historical fiction books, fiction novels what others are saying lord history cover books holland livros historia book libros. A novel of eleanor of aquitaine 9780425234501 by holland, cecelia and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
The secret eleanor by cecelia holland nook book ebook. Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the woman and the queenin all her glory. Hollands take on eleanor of aquitaine begins in 1150. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Holland continues her viking saga following the soul thief and the witches kitchen. While henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, eleanor is an adept acting ruler and mother to their growing brood of children. Cecelia holland is the author of more than 30 novels, including the secret eleanor and the kings watch. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the secret eleanor. See more ideas about eleanor of aquitaine, medieval and middle ages. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Eleanor of aquitaine had a lot of secretsan ambition to rule, a much younger lover, and. William x held one of the largest domains in franceeven larger than that held by the king of france himself. The secret eleanor by cecelia holland at home with a good book. Jan 18, 2003 these twentyone chapters by scholars in various fields provide a fresh context for understanding eleanor of aquitaine s multifaceted career and reputation. The secret eleanor kindle edition by holland, cecelia. In her eventful, often stormy life, she not only influenced the course of events in the twelfth century but also encouraged remarkable advances in the literary and fine. Eleanor of aquitaine seized hold of life in the 12th century in a way any modern woman would envy. A reprint of one of cecelias most popular novels, the life of an ambitious and. At fifteen eleanor married a relative soon to be king louis vii r. The secret eleanor by cecilia holland gives an authentic look at the period when eleanor was married to and dissolving the same marriage to louis of france and, the subsequent union with henry. The always reliable holland turns her attention to the everintriguing eleanor of aquitaine in this solid fictional biography of the consummate womanbehindtheman. Eleanor of aquitaine had a lot of secretsan ambition to rule, a much younger lover, and one secret which, if discovered, could blow up all her dreams and change history. Crown jewel of aquitaine is a wonderful fictionalized diary.
Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. He was also the heir to the throne of england as settlement of the conflicting claims of his mother empress matilda empress maud, daughter of henry i of england, and her cousin, stephen, who had seized the throne of england at. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Eleanor of aquitaine is represented by a fleurdelis, repeated on the front and back of her runner, as well as in the illuminated letter e at the beginning of her name. Eleanor of aquitaine seized hold of life in the 12th century in a way any modern.
She had a younger sister called petronilla of aquitaine. While not being depressing, the book shows how sad eleanors childhood was. Eleanor of aquitaine 11241204 is the most famous queen in all the middle ages and one of the most infamous women in history. We meet the young eleanor as the wife of louis vii of france. A renowned beauty, with a headstrong, spirited personality, she has been compared to cleopatra, the celebrated egyptian queen, elizabeth i of england and many others. That marriage was already shaky when eleanor gave birth to a second daughter, alix, in 1151, and the pair realized that they were not likely to have a son.
A novel of eleanor of aquitaine 2010, set in the years 11511152, is centered on eleanors relationship with her sister petronilla. I was reading that eleanor of aquitaine book, and a friend of mine suggested i read when christ and his saints slept by sharon penman, because its set during the anarchy. Im happy to present this interview with cecelia holland, one of. Her newest novel the secret eleanor, which takes place during one landmark year in the life of eleanor of aquitaine, queen of france, is published on august. Prince henry, still in his teens, has made the legendary eleanor of aquita. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 171152 and england 11541189 and duchess of aquitaine in her own right 171204. As duchess of aquitaine, eleanor grew up knowing what it was to be regarded for herself and not for her husbands title. Eleanor of aquitaines extraordinary life seems more likely to be found in the pages of fiction. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Her newest novel the secret eleanor, which takes place during one landmark year in the life of eleanor of aquitaine, queen of france, is published on august 3rd by berkley.
As a member of the ramnulfids house of poitiers rulers in southwestern france, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western europe during the high middle ages. Is kellys eleanor of aquataine and the four kings a reissue of the 1950 book, or did she rewrite it. A novel of eleanor of aquitaine holland, cecelia on. She lives in northern california, where she teaches creative writing. Cecelia holland is currently considered a single author. Henry was the duke of normandy through his mother, empress matilda, and count of anjou through his father. Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the womanand the queenin all her glory.
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