Historical Novels of the Angevins and their Time:Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, King John (& Henry III)
Novels about King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and their Court Notable events on the European Continent during this period included the Italian merchant Marco Polo's expedition to China. The Crusades, which obsessed Europe from the end of the eleventh century, before Henry's reign, through the thirteenth century, are covered in a separate Crusades section. There is considerable overlap. For example, King Richard the Lionheart was an enthusiastic Crusader, and novels in which he appears primarily in a Crusades setting are located in that section. Novels about King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and their Court
The marriage between Henry of Anjou and Eleanor of Aquitaine, said by some to have been a love match, united his possessions of Normandy and Anjou, as well as his claim to the throne of England, with her realms in Aquitaine and Gascony, creating a kingdom that stretched across the Channel. Eleanor and Henry's amity did not persist. The two even warred against each other in 1173 when Eleanor joined the revolt of their eldest son, Henry, who died of dysentery during the revolt. The reign of Henry II was marked by power struggles with the Catholic Church, which came to a head when a group of noblemen murdered Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170.
Margaret Butler, The Lion of England Margaret Butler, The Lion of Justice Margaret Butler, The Lion of Christ Elizabeth Chadwick, The Greatest Knight (2006), about William Marshal, the landless knight who rose to power under King Henry II. Review or Author Interview Alfred Duggan, God and My Right Juliet Dymoke, A Pride of Kings Juliet Dymoke, The Royal Griffin Juliet Dymoke, The Lion of Mortimer Juliet Dymoke, Lady of the Garter Juliet Dymoke, The Lord of Greenwich Juliet Dymoke, The Sun in Splendour
Roberta Gellis, Alinor Roberta Gellis, Joanna Roberta Gellis, Gilliane Roberta Gellis, Rhiannon Roberta Gellis, Sybelle Roberta Gellis, Desiree
Diana Norman, The King of the Last Days (1981), about a young monk and his risky mission to bring a sword, believed to be King Arthur's Excalibur, to King Henry II in France. Sharon Kay Penman, Time and Chance (2002), set in twelfth century England, about the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine; #2 in the Eleanor of Aquitaine series (#1, When Christ and His Saints Slept, centers on Stephen and Maude and appears on the Normans page). Sharon Kay Penman, The Devil's Brood (2008), about the sons of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine; #3 in the Eleanor of Aquitaine series. Mary Pershall, A Shield of Roses Mary Pershall, Dawn of the White Rose Mary Pershall, A Triumph of Roses Mary Pershall, Roses of Glory Jean Plaidy, The Plantagenet Prelude (1976), about Eleanor of Aquitaine; #1 in the Plantagenet series. Jean Plaidy, The Revolt of the Eaglets (1977), about Eleanor of Aquitaine; #2 in the Plantagenet series. Jean Plaidy, The Courts of Love (1987), a stand-alone novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alan Savage, Eleanor of Aquitaine A. Schwartz-Bart, The Last of the Just (2000), about eight centuries of persecution of the Jewish people, from an 1185 massacre of Jews in York, England, to the rise of Hitler in Germany; awarded the Prix Goncourt in France. Philippa Wiat, Fair Rosamund Kings Richard and John, Their Queens and Courts
Henry and Eleanor's sons were as fractious as their parents. Richard, known as "the Lionheart" is best known for his energetic leadership during the Crusades (novels centering on the Crusades appear in the separate Crusades section). Even after succeeding his father as king, Richard spent most of his time at war trying to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim control. His mother, Queen Eleanor, ruled as regent in his absence. When he died, his brother John (who had tried to usurp the throne while Richard was on crusade) succeeded him. John was unpopular. His nobles forced him to sign the Magna Carta, which reduced the king's power.
Margaret Campbell Barnes, The Passionate Brood Rachel Bard, Queen Without a Country Rachel Bard, Isabella: Queen Without a Conscience (2006), about the beautiful and ambitious Isabella of Angoulême, the wife of King John of England. Elizabeth Chadwick, The Scarlet Lion (2006), about William Marshal during the reigns of King Richard the Lionheart and King John. Review James Goldman, Myself As Witness (1979), a sympathetic portrayal of King John from the perspective of a monk who acts as his friend and chronicler. Review Molly Costain Haycraft, My Lord Brother the Lion Heart Tom Holt, Overtime Norah Lofts, The Lute Player (1951), about Berengaria, who became Richard the Lionheart's wife, and Blondel, a minstrel who accompanied Richard to the Crusades. Review Jean Plaidy, The Heart of the Lion Jean Plaidy, The Prince of Darkness (1978), about King John; #4 in the Plantagenet series. Jean Plaidy, The Battle of the Queens (1978), about the Dowager Queens of England and France: Isabella, the widow of King John of England, and Blanche, the widow of Louis VIII of France; #5 in the Plantagenet series. Martha Rofheart, The Lionheart Gore Vidal, A Search for the King England in the Reigns of Henry II, Richard, John and Henry III
After the thirteen long years of warfare between Stephen and Matilda, the reign of Henry II came as a welcome interval of peace for England, in which cathedrals were built, laws stabilized, and simmering resentments between Saxons and Normans gradually gave way to a common purpose in the distant Crusades, though the Jews of Europe found new cause for fear. Many novels are set during this period, which offers a classic "High Middle Ages" atmosphere.John's eldest son succeeded him as Henry III. The reign of Henry III, who came to the throne as a child, was marked by warfare against Wales. Few historical novels center on Henry III, but he is an important antagonist in Sharon Kay Penman's Falls the Shadow and Edith Pargeter's Brothers of Gwynedd series, set in Wales during his reign. See the Medieval Celts section for these.
Elizabeth Chadwick, The Champion (1997), a coming-of-age story about a young knight and the woman he betrays, set in late twelfth century Normandy and England. Elizabeth Chadwick, Shields of Pride (1994), about a mercenary soldier's love for a beautiful young noblewoman during the wars between King Henry II and his rebellious sons. Elizabeth Chadwick, The Marsh King's Daughter (1999), about an injured soldier and the woman who nurses him back to health during the time of King John. Elizabeth Chadwick, Lords of the White Castle (2000), about a feud between two families over an estate in the Welsh borderlands during the time of King Richard the Lionheart. Thomas B. Costain, Below the Salt Thomas B. Costain, The Black Rose (1945), about a thirteenth century Englishman who travels to China. Katherine Deauxville, Daggers of Gold (1993), historical romance about a recently returned Crusader responsible for delivering a Saxon bride to Prince Henry in Norman England. Katherine Deauxville, The Amethyst Crown Katherine Deauxville, The Crystal Heart (1995), historical romance about a young wife who takes desperate measures to conceive an heir for her aged husband. Kathrynn Dennis, Dark Rider (2007), historical fantasy/romance about a woman in thirteenth century England with an uncanny ability to understand and heal horses. Kathrynn Dennis, Awakening His Lady (2009), spicy historical romance set in the time of King John about a knight sent to war in France after spending a single passionate night with the lady he loves; available in ebook form only. Alfred Duggan, Leopards and Lilies (1954), about a noblewoman in the time of King John. Barbara Erskine, Lady of Hay (1986), about a modern woman who slips back in time to the medieval England of King John Ken Follett, Pillars of the Earth (1989), about the building of a cathedral in twelfth century England. Review Virginia Henley, The Falcon and the Flower (1989), historical romance set in the time of King Richard the Lionheart. Domini Highsmith, Keeper at the Shrine Domini Highsmith, Guardian at the Gate Domini Highsmith, Master of the Keys Helen Humphreys, The Frozen Thames (2009), a collection of brief short stories about the forty times when the River Thames froze from 1142 to 1895. Review Grace Ingram, Red Adam's Lady Diana Norman, Fitzempress' Law Edith Pargeter, The Heaven Tree (1960), about a power-struggle between two men as one builds a cathedral for the other in thirteenth century England near the border with Wales; #1 in the Heaven Tree trilogy. Edith Pargeter, The Green Branch (1962), about a young man in the thirteenth century Welsh court of Llywelyn who sets out to avenge his father's death; #2 in the Heaven Tree trilogy. Edith Pargeter, The Scarlet Seed (1963), about a young man with divided loyalties during the wars between England and Wales; #3 in the Heaven Tree trilogy. Edith Pargeter, The Marriage of Meggotta (1979), about the secret marriage between ten-year-old Meggotta, the daughter of the Earl of Kent, and the Earl's ward, the orphaned Richard de Clare, and its tragic consequences. Anne Rice, Angel Time (2009), about a present-day killer given the chance to redeem his soul by going back in time to thirteenth-century England to protect an innocent Jewish couple accused of murdering their daughter. Review Patricia Ryan, Silken Threads Sir Walter Scott, The Betrothed (1825), a love story set in the violent Welsh borderlands during the reign of Henry II. Reay Tannahill, Having the Builders In Adam Thorpe, Hodd (2009), a realistic imagining of what the outlaw whose story developed into the Robin Hood legend might really have been like, based on the earliest ballad sources. Review Elsa Watson, Maid Marian, about the woman in the life of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood. Marco Polo
At the age of seventeen, Marco Polo set out on a journey along the Silk Road with his merchant father and uncle on a diplomatic mission for the pope to the imperial court of Kublai Khan in China. There they remained for the next seventeen years. Marco became a valued official of the Khan. After the Polos returned to Europe and settled in Venice, Marco wrote a book about his travels, which has inspired several novels.
Gary Jennings, The Journeyer Richard Llewellyn, Warden of the Smoke and Bells (1956), set in Italy during the time of Marco Polo Edison Marshall, Caravan to Xanadu Mysteries Set in Britain
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Ariana Franklin, The Serpent's Tale (2008; titled The Death Maze in the U.K.), King Henry II, suspecting Queen Eleanor of using poison to murder his mistress, summons the Mistress of the Art of Death out of retirement to determine the truth; #2 in the Adelia Aguilar mystery series; Ariana Franklin is a pen name of Diana Norman. Ariana Franklin, Grave Goods (2009), about a woman doctor from Salerno, Italy, called upon by King Henry II in the hope she can prove the bones recently uncovered at Glastonbury Abbey are those of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere; #3 in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. Review Judith Koll Healey, The Rebel Princess (2009), about a French princess who enlists the aid of a group of Cathar women to rescue her illegitimate son; #2 in the Alais Capet mystery series.
Bernard Knight, The Poisoned Chalice (1998), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon who suspects there are connections between a case of rape and a woman's death following an illegal abortion; #2 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, Crowner's Quest (1999), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon whose investigation into the apparent suicide of a canon is hampered by a corrupt sheriff; #3 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Awful Secret (2000), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon whose life is complicated when an old acquaintance from his years as a Crusader reappears claiming to be in possession of an awful secret; #4 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Tinner's Corpse (2001), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon and his investigation into the death of tin miner in the moors, where the Saxon miners resent his interference; #5 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Grim Reaper (2002), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon investigating a series of murders he deduces must have been committed by a priest; #6 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, Fear in the Forest (2003), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon investigating the murder of a forest officer charged with preventing poaching in the royal forests; #7 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Witch Hunter (2004), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Exeter who finds he must investigate a case in which a man's death is being attributed to witchcraft; #8 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, Figure of Hate (2005), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon who investigates a murder following a jousting tournament; #9 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Elixir of Death (2006), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon investigating the wreck of a ship and slaughter of its crew while Prince John plots to displace his brother, Richard the Lionheart, from the throne of England; #10 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, The Manor of Death (2008), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) in twelfth century Devon whose murder investigation in the harbor town of Axmouth is put at risk by a conspiracy of silence among the populace; #12 in the Crowner John mystery series. Bernard Knight, Crowner Royal (2009), about a crowner (the old name for a coroner) newly appointed to an important position in Westminster who suspects that a recent murder may be part of a plot to overthrow King Richard; #12 in the Crowner John mystery series.
Ian Morson, Falconer's Judgement Ian Morson, Falconer and the Face of God (1996), about a professor at Oxford who witnesses a death during a performance of street players and sets out to investigate it; set during the reign of Henry III; #3 in the Medieval Oxford Mystery series. Ian Morson, A Psalm for Falconer (1997), about a professor at Oxford who sees a body being uncovered from the sands at Lancaster Bay and wonders whether it was a case of murder; set during the reign of Henry III; #4 in the Medieval Oxford Mystery series. Ian Morson, Falconer and the Great Beast Ian Morson, Falconer and the Moving Sands (1999), about a professor at Oxford who investigates murder; #6 in the Medieval Oxford Mystery series. Ian Morson, Falconer and the Ritual of Death
Sharon Kay Penman, Cruel as the Grave (1998), about a knight in the service of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine charged with investigating not only political schemes but a murder in a churchyard; #2 in the Justin de Quincey medieval mystery series. Sharon Kay Penman, Prince of Darkness (2005), about a knight in the service of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who investigates a forged document implicating Prince John in a plot to kill his brother, King Richard the Lionheart; #4 in the Justin de Quincey medieval mystery series.
Priscilla Royal, Tyrant of the Mind (2005), about a young prioress during the reign of Henry III who tries to prove her brother is innocent of murder after he is discovered standing over the corpse with a bloody knife in his hand; #2 in the Eleanor of Tyndal mystery series. Priscilla Royal, Sorrow Without End (2006), about a young prioress during the reign of Henry III who helps in tracking down a vicious serial killer; #3 in the Eleanor of Tyndal mystery series. Priscilla Royal, Justice for the Damned (2007), about a young prioress during the reign of Henry III who is confronted with a case of murder when she investigates a suspected ghostly apparition; #4 in the Eleanor of Tyndal mystery series. Priscilla Royal, Forsaken Soul (2008), about a young prioress during the reign of Henry III who investigates a series of poisoning deaths; #5 in the Eleanor of Tyndal mystery series. 12th and 13th Century European Continent
Most of the novels about twelfth and thirteenth century Europeans from the Continent are about the Crusades and appear on the Crusades page. These centuries saw many interesting events on European soil, though, from the rise of the troubadours to a Mongol invasion. Some of the most interesting personalities of the period were people with religious vocations, such as Hildegard of Bingen and the lovers Heloise and Abelard.Jump to: Mysteries: 12th and 13th Century European Continent
Margaret Ball, A Bridge to the Sky Michelle Cameron, The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz (2009), about the wife of the Jewish scholar Meir ben Baruch of Rothenberg and the struggle of her and her husband to find safety in Paris and then Germany amid the anti-Semitism raging through Europe in the thirteenth century. James Cowan, A Troubadour's Testament (1998), about a writer who discovers a manuscript by the twelfth century troubadour Marcabru celebrating his love for a Cathar nun, and sets out on a journey in Marcabru's footsteps. Martin Davies, The Unicorn Road (2009), about a thirteenth century expedition sent by King Manfred of Sicily to China to bring back exotic animals as a gift for the pope. Review Umberto Eco, Baudolino (2002), a literary novel set in twelfth century Italy. Lion Feuchtwanger, Raquel: The Jewess of Toledo Cecelia Holland, Until the Sun Falls Barbara Lachman, Hildegard, the Last Year (1993; originally titled The Journal of Hildegard of Bingen: A Novel), about the final year of Hildegard of Bingen's life, when Hildegard and her community of nuns were forbidden to celebrate the Divine Office as punishment for burying in holy ground a man who was believed to have been excommunicated. Jeanne Lancour, The Storm and the Sword Marion Meade, Stealing Heaven (1979), about the twelfth century French lovers Heloise and Abelard. Joyce Elson Moore, The Tapestry Shop (forthcoming in 2010), about the French trouvere Adam de la Halle, who set down the first written version of the Robin Hood story. Mary O’Connell, The King’s Daughter: Hildegard of Bingen (2003), a biographical novel about the twelfth century nun who wrote books and songs, founded her own convent, and scolded popes and emperors; hard to find outside Australasia. Joan Ohanneson, Scarlet Music: Hildegard of Bingen, a Novel (1997), a biographical novel about Hildegard of Bingen. Bernard Reilly, Journey to Compostela: A Novel of Pilgrimage and Peril Luise Rinser, Abelard's Love (1998), about Astralabe, the son of the medieval French theologian Abelard and his student Heloise, and his quest to understand his parents' unusual relationship. Tod Wodicka, All Shall Be Well: And All Shall Be Well; and All Manner of Things Shall Be Well (2007), about a fanatical re-enactor from New York who specializes in the early medieval period and travels to Germany for a music festival celebrating Hildegard of Bingen; set entirely in the present day. New York Times Review Mysteries: 12th and 13th Century European ContinentClick on the title for more information from Powell's Books or another online source.
Alan Gordon, Jester Leaps In (2000), about a thirteenth century jester and agent for the Fools' Guild sent to Byzantium to investigate the disappearance of six agents; #2 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Alan Gordon, A Death in the Venetian Quarter (2002), about a jester and agent for the Fools' Guild who must solve a seemingly minor case of murder that may hold the key to saving Constantinople from a besieging army of Crusaders in 1203; #3 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Alan Gordon, The Widow of Jerusalem Alan Gordon, An Antic Disposition (2004), about a thirteenth century jester and agent for the Fools' Guild who realizes he knows the ending to a story told by their leader while the Guild is in hiding from the Pope's army; #5 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Alan Gordon, The Lark's Lament (2007), about a jester and agent for the Fools' Guild who must solve a murder that occurs in 1204 while he is seeking an abbot's help in interceding with the Pope; #6 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Alan Gordon, The Moneylender of Toulouse (2008), about a jester and agent for the Fools' Guild who must find out who murdered the moneylender of Toulouse in 1204; #7 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Alan Gordon, The Parisian Prodigal (2010), about a husband-wife team of jesters who must find out the truth when a man appears claiming to be the long-lost brother of the Count of Toulouse and a prostitute is murdered; #8 in the Fools' Guild mystery series. Review
Sharan Newman, The Devil's Door (1994), a novice in a twelfth century French convent tries to solve a mystery; #2 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, The Wandering Arm (1995), a former novice nun and her husband solve mysteries in twelfth century France; #3 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, Strong as Death (1996), a former novice nun and her husband solve mysteries in twelfth century France; #4 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, Cursed in the Blood (1998), a former novice nun and her husband travel from France to Scotland to find out who is murdering members of his family; #5 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, The Difficult Saint (1999), a former novice nun and her husband solve mysteries in twelfth century France; #6 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, To Wear the White Cloak (2000), a former novice nun and her husband solve mysteries in twelfth century France; #7 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, The Outcast Dove (2003), a Jewish-born Catholic travels from medieval France to Spain to solve a mystery; #9 in the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series. Sharan Newman, The Witch in the Well Top of Page
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Henry of Anjou, the son of Empress Matilda, claimed the throne of England as Henry II after her rival Stephen I died in 1154, becoming the first Angevin king of England. His queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a formidable royal personage in her own right. This section covers the period beginning with Henry's reign through the reigns of his sons Richard and John and his grandson, John's son Henry III (the first king to use the Plantagenet surname).
(1988), about William Marshal, the knight who served King Henry II and his heirs.
(1978), about an orphaned heiress raised by her grandparents to manage her estate, who becomes a ward of Richard the Lionheart and falls in love with the nobleman assigned to serve as her warden; #1 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1978), about a young widow vulnerable to King John's grudge against her, who reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience with a man who can protect her; #2 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1978), about an heiress afraid of her passion for a man amidst the intrigues of King John's court; #3 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1979), about a beautiful woman forced into marriage with a man she hates, who falls in love with her husband's enemy; #4 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1982), about the daughter of a Welsh prince and her passionate love for a young nobleman at Henry III's court; #5 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1983), about a woman whose love affair is disrupted by a rebellion against the king; #6 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(2005), about a woman happy in her platonic marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather until he falls ill and she meets the man sent to protect her as war with France looms; #7 in the Roselynde Chronicles.
(1995), historical romance portraying a sexually voracious Eleanor of Aquitaine from the age of thirteen until she marries King Louis of France.
(1993), about a World War II pilot who slips back in time and becomes involved in the search for the captive Richard the Lionheart.
(1977), about Richard the Lionheart; #3 in the Plantagenet series.
(1950), about the minstrel Blondel's search for Richard the Lionheart after the latter is captured and imprisoned by a rival while returning from the Crusades.
(1999), historical romance about an injured mercenary and the young widow who gives him refuge.
(1989), about a thirteenth-century architect and his travels in Egypt, France and Hungary.
(1981), a love story set in Aquitaine during the twelfth century age of the troubadours.