Queens of the Crusades

Queens of the Crusades by Alison Weir

This is a very interesting and comprehensive book that covers the lives of several medieval queens, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine and her successors: Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of Richard the Lionheart; Isabella of Angoulême, wife of King John; Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III; and Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I.

Eleanor of Aquitaine has always been a fascinating historical figure, from her marriage to and subsequent divorce from the King of France, to her later marriage to Henry II of England, who eventually had her imprisoned after she and her sons rose against him. I particularly enjoyed the well‑researched insights into the travel and organisation of the King’s and Queen’s households and the level of detail that Weir has been able to uncover about these historical figures.

Weir also writes about how our views of these queens may have changed over time, particularly in the case of Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Edward I. Her saintly image has been carried into our time through her representation on the Eleanor Crosses and various statues that still decorate several buildings. In reality, it appears she was more focused on money and beautiful things and lived beyond her considerable means.

I would recommend this book, as well as any of Alison Weir’s other works. She is a brilliant researcher and writer and brings a flair for storytelling and engagement alongside accurate and detailed historical research. The result is an engaging style that holds the reader’s attention over several hundred pages.

Queens of the Crusades by Alison Weir

Jenny