Queens of the Crusades: Eleanor of Aquitaine and Her Successors

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Esther Wane

Length: 17 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Plantagenet queens of England played a role in some of the most dramatic events in our history. Crusading queens, queens in rebellion against their king, queen seductresses, learned queens, queens in battle, queens who enlivened England with the romantic culture of Southern Europe - these determined women often broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence, for good and sometimes for ill.

Alison Weir’s ground-breaking history of the queens of medieval England now moves into a period of even higher drama, from 1154 to 1291: years of chivalry, dynastic ambition, conflict with the church, baronial wars and the all-pervading bonds of feudalism. We see events such as the murder of Becket, the Magna Carta and the birth of parliaments from a new perspective. Her narrative begins with the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Henry II establishes a dynasty which rules for more than 300 years and creates the most powerful empire in Western Christendom - but also sows the seeds for some of the most destructive family conflicts in history and for the collapse, under her son King John, of England’s power in Europe. The lives of Eleanor’s successors were just as remarkable: Berengaria of Navarre, queen of Richard the Lionheart, Isabella of Angoulême, queen of John, and Alienor of Provence, queen of Henry III, and finally Eleanor of Castile, the grasping but beloved wife of Edward I.

Through the story of these first five Plantagenet queens, Alison Weir provides an enthralling new perspective on a dramatic period of high romance and sometimes low politics, with determined women at its heart.

©2019 Alison Weir (P)2020 W F Howes

A real Masterpiece!

I've enjoyed every single second of this audiobook!! Wonderfully written and narrated!! It has enriched both my mind and soul!

Ladies of the Crusades

Well written and performed. m
Ms Weir once again proves her knowledge of the period is remardable.

Very interesting book

I very much enjoyed the information that this book provided. It added to the knowledge from other books of this subject that I have previously read. My only issue was that the reader, although very articulate, read the book very quickly and so, instead of simply enjoying the reading, I found myself having to pay such close attention to what she was reading that I was loosing the relaxing enjoyment of the book. But fortunately an easy fix; I simply slowed down how fast she spoke in settings and all became well. 😊

Amazing

Another wonderfully detailed book by Alison Weir on English Queens few people know little about. Once again, Ms. Weir does not disappoint.

This one really grew on me

I wasn't too crazy about this book the first time I listened to it but I appreciated it more upon re-listening. I do think it starts a little slow, even though the information about Stephen of Blois and Matilda was interesting, I really enjoyed it more later on. My favorite chapters were the ones about Eleanor of Aquitaine. I've always thought she was really unique and interesting but, surprisingly, there aren't a lot of biographies about her. Alison Weir is a great writer and I've listened to many of her books. I hope she follows this one up starting with the queen of Edward II.

Not one of weir's best.

I've read and enjoyed most of Weir's books. this one, however, is not one of them. The book is a litany or diary of travels with little substance when compared to her other work.

The narrator ends every sentence the same

It’s the inflection I can’t stand. She takes a very interesting account and murders it by doing this weird structure of speaking. I can’t put my finger on it but it drove me mad. I wanted to finish it but didn’t even get through Eleanor of Aquitaine. 😞

Eleanor of aquitaine

Was really looking forward to this book but I find 5he narration difficult to hear. Really disappointed and feel am missing out on a good tale. Don't buy this

Hard to listen for too long

I love the book but it's taking a long time to listen, as the narrator has a very hard voice. She modulates very well but the tone is so hard and clipped that after a while I just have to stop the book and go to another with a more relaxing voice. Excellent content though

fascinating listen

this was a fascinating listed, I've always know that there have been powerful women throughout history but this was enlightening as to how pivotal a role the 3 Eleanor's play in English history.

the only downside to this book was that something it was a case of king (insert name) did a thing and Elanor was there. that is only a small portion however and the rest of it is truly eye opening