The Autumn Throne

By: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrated by: Katie Scarfe

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Eleanor of Aquitaine.

A loving mother. A betrayed wife. A queen beyond compare.

Imprisoned by her husband, King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of England, refuses to let her powerful husband bully her into submission, even as he forces her away from her children and her birthright.

Freed only by Henry's death, Eleanor becomes dowager Queen of England. But the competition for land and power that Henry stirred up among his sons has intensified to a dangerous rivalry.

Eleanor will need every ounce of courage and fortitude as she crosses the Alps in winter to bring Richard his bride, and travels medieval Europe to ransom her beloved son. But even her indomitable spirit will be tested to its limits as she attempts to keep the peace between her warring sons, and find a place in the centres of power for her daughters.

Eleanor of Aquitaine's powerful story is brought to a triumphant and beautiful close by much-loved author Elizabeth Chadwick.

©2016 Elizabeth Chadwick (P)2016 Little Brown Book Group

Critic Reviews

 "'An author who makes history come gloriously alive' The Times 

 'Meticulous research and strong storytelling' Woman & Home  

 'A sumptuous ride' Toby Clements, Daily Telegraph 

Beautiful story in the vein of Braveheart

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favorite historical figures. Sometimes greatness is aligned with destiny. Not often but it happens and when it does it's magnificent. Such is the case with Eleanor and Elizabeth Chadwick has done her research. Fortunately, because Eleanor is so interesting there's not too much fiction needed. She's colored the black-and-white photos but the bones of the facts are there. Add William Marshall to the mix and you I have characters that are so inspiring it's hard to believe they lived. I highly recommend Chadwick's Marshall series also, and The Scarlet Lion (the story of Richard the Lion Heart). these three major players lives are so intertwined you can't tell the story of one without mentioning the others. What a great way to get a feeling for history.
I love these books as much as I did Braveheart. What magnificent people.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Romance novel, at best.

Unfortunately this book feels more like a romance novel than good historical fiction. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong, heroic woman of the middle ages. She was twice queen consort. She was the mother of multiple kings. She was prisoner, thinker, leader. She suffered many devastating losses. She was superbly intriguing and is a perfect example of what it means to be a feminist. But in this series she often comes off as whiny and simpering. She is dependent rather than leader. I am surprised by all the five star reviews. I have read many better historical fiction novels, and several about Eleanor. Average.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Eleanor was a badass!

Eleanor of Aquitaine is no mere queen. She is THE Queen. Who else in history do you know of who dealt so well with not one but two power hungry, controlling, and sadistic kings? Who won the world? Eleanor did. But let me tell you, it wasn't easy. In this book we find Eleanor in her later years, after she managed to divorce and escape from sexist, insecure, and self centered King Louis VIII.

Eleanore, who had been blamed by Louis VIII for not bearing him sons, bore Henry II male heirs as well as used her mad skills to help him literally rule the world. What a woman, right? I bet you are thinking Henry II was very pleased and worshiped his wife. Nope. Having all that power, money, and land wasn't enough for him. Henry II made it his mission to punish Eleanor until she gave over her lands and her subsequent power. He punished her a very long time because Eleanore of Aquitaine did not allow him to defeat her.

You know how you say, "I would rather die than do (fill in the blank with some thing you think you are that resolved about)," and ask yourself if you *really* mean it. Do you really have the strength to endure hardship to hold onto what you claim to value? Eleanor did. Henry locked her away-- for a long, long time. She never once gave in. When she was taken from her children, when she didn't have adequate food, when she was practically going mad from the imprisonment, she held strong. Even when she could taste freedom, smell the air, dream of what it would be like to walk where she liked, to interact with people she desperately loved and missed, she refused to give in. She took her punishment and never let it crush her soul.

Through it all, she focused on the strength of her character. It reminds me of that scene in G.I. Jane where Jane told her fellow male soldiers that she would likely be raped. The enemy would do that to 1) destroy her inner self and 2) to upset her fellow soldiers. She told them that if she was raped, the rapists could take nothing from her. He would not have her permission to make her weak. She instructed her fellow soldiers to not react. If I made a sci-fi film, Eleanor of Aquitaine would somehow be able to time travel and she and G.I. Jane would have a discussion in which they would each think, I get you. I really get you. There were parts of her that Henry II could not defeat, no matter what he did, and because of this, because of her resolve, she is simply one of my favorite heroes of all time.

Her will was tested often, as the will of a queen often is. She endured the loss of two beloved sons and watched her daughters move to distant lands to make marriage alliances. However, she outlived Henry II by many years and enjoyed her rightful freedom and power for decades after his death. In the end, the men who tried to rule her were but a blip on her radar as she went on with her life.
#tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Eleanor, of Aquitaine Trilogy...Awesome!

The tidbits that I've read about her in other works of historical fiction have always left me wanting more. I'm always fascinated about the queens who give birth to great dynasties. But this was the first time I wished to have been a noble lady in waiting to a queen. .Lol..I was so engrossed that I took a a couple of vacation days, purchased my favorite snacks and stayed home to listen to all three books.. Elizabeth Chadwick has a new fan and Katie Scarfe can read to me from the cereal box and I'll hang on her every word. Simply marvelous!

Another awesome story by Chadwick!

Very much enjoyed Katie Scafe's performance of the story. Chadwick's writing always keeps me enticed and her symbolism is very direct and to the point which I love!

Awesome series of books.

Loved. the book in this series. Couldn't wait to Finnish want to listen to more

Great author grate narrative beautiful story

Very beautiful book contains everything which will make you enjoy a book. Love happiness reality war madness and finely life.

I recommend it to every one with no age limit

Lovely

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story and it was read beautifully by the narrator. Each character came alive and I felt totally enthralled chapter after chapter. I wholeheartedly recommend this story.

Worth the wait!

If, like me, you've read the other two amazing volumes of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life, this final chapter will satisfy you no end. Elizabeth Chadwick's richly researched and powerfully well written books make history alive in a way that few other writers have done before her. Be sure to have Kleenex available for the last chapter!

Loved this and learned a lot

I had no idea how interesting this would be. Eleanor of Aquitaine was such a powerful female character and leader for her times. Great story and narration was easy to listen to.
Thanks Audible.

what a woman!

what a stunning book and fitting end to this trilogy. beautifully written and performed. Loved it and moved to tears at the end. what a woman ! x

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

gripping trio

I could not stop listening. This, the last book in this series, was a magnificent read. Filling in the gaps of history and recounting the life of Eleanor, queen of England and France was a breathtaking journey of intrigue, cruelty, love, happiness and heartache. A long and well lived life. I very much enjoyed this audio book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical novel's.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So good

An fab book. It has tied up the ends and the third chapter brilliantly. An amazing trilogy.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Griping historical story

Loved every minute of hearing the life story of Elenor of Aquitaine. I feel like losing a close relative at the end of the book.

fascinating historical era and people

really enjoyed the whole series
will look at more by the same author
as long as they are not 'romancy', don't like that

I was hoping she'd die sooner.

I know this trilogy is pure fiction, but I found the books irritating and padded out. Definitely more bodice ripper than anything else. I got to the end, but only just. Glad I got them in the two for one!

Trilogy

I absolutely love these books. They are read beautifully and create drama and suspense. Brilliant and informative.

A fitting conclusion to the trilogy

Quite long but fascinating. She outlived 8 of her 10 children but her grandchildren went on to create the royal dynasties of Europe. History from a womans perspective!

Great sequel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone who loves historical fiction will love this book.

What other book might you compare The Autumn Throne to, and why?

I wouldn't compare it to any, except the author's other works, and it more than measures up.

What about Katie Scarfe’s performance did you like?

She brings across the characters' emotions really well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was brought to tears more than once.

Any additional comments?

This was the second book in a trilogy, which had already had the bar set high by the first book, and it was more than equal to the challenge. This is the best story of Elinor of Acquitane you'll ever read.

What a woman!

I feel privileged to have shared the story of such an amazing, resilient and inspiring woman. I loved it.