by Tracy Borman
Publication Date: April 3, 2012 | Bantam | 336p
{SYNOPSIS}
Around the year 1049, William, Duke of Normandy and future conqueror of
England, raced to the palace of Baldwin V, Count of Flanders. The
count’s eldest daughter, Matilda, had refused William’s offer of
marriage and publicly denounced him as a bastard. Encountering the young
woman, William furiously dragged her to the ground by her hair and beat
her mercilessly. Matilda’s outraged father immediately took up arms on
his daughter’s behalf. But just a few days later, Baldwin was aghast
when Matilda, still recovering from the assault, announced that she
would marry none but William, since “he must be a man of great courage
and high daring” to have ventured to “come and beat me in my own
father’s palace.”
Thus began the tempestuous marriage of
Matilda of Flanders and William the Conqueror. While William’s exploits
and triumphs have been widely chronicled, his consort remains largely
overlooked. Now, in her groundbreaking Queen of the Conqueror,
acclaimed author and historian Tracy Borman weaves together a
comprehensive and illuminating tapestry of this noble woman who stood
only four-foot-two and whose role as the first crowned Queen of England
had a large and lasting influence on the English monarchy.
From a wealth of historical artifacts and documents, Matilda emerges as
passionate, steadfast, and wise, yet also utterly ruthless and tenacious
in pursuit of her goals, and the only person capable of taming her
formidable husband—who, unprecedented for the period, remained staunchly
faithful to her. This mother of nine, including four sons who went on
to inherit William’s French and English dominions, confounded the
traditional views of women in medieval society by seizing the reins of
power whenever she had the chance, directing her husband’s policy, and
at times flagrantly disobeying his orders.
Tracy Borman lays
out Matilda’s remarkable story against one of the most fascinating and
transformative periods in European history. Stirring, richly detailed,
and wholly involving, Queen of the Conqueror reveals not just an
extraordinary figure but an iconic woman who shaped generations, and an
era that cast the essential framework for the world we know today.
Another goodie!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read it but that most be most horrid lovestory ever to tell the kids
ReplyDeleteOooh -- I have Borman's ... Elizabeth's Women (I think that's the title) -- and I really want this one! The cover is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteA big fan of Historical Fiction, and a student of History; this is one I want to read since I have heard of the event dipicted in your reviews opening paragraph and can't wait to read the entire book cover to cover.
ReplyDeleteI don't think William was the nicest of men...
ReplyDeleteWow, this one would be interesting. I may have to check this one out as well.
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