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Isabella

She-Wolf of France

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Isabella

By: Alison Weir
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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About this listen

 Here is the first full-length biography of a much maligned but astonishingly colourful Queen of England.

In Newgate Street, in the city of London, stand the meagre ruins of Christ Church. On the same site once stood a royal mausoleum set to rival Westminster Abbey in the 14th century. Among the many crowned heads buried there was Isabella of France, Edward II's queen - one of the most notorious femme fatales in history. But how did she acquire her evil reputation? And is it justified? Alison Weir's engrossing biography sets out to put the record straight.

©2005 Alison Weir Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism England Royalty Thought-Provoking Tudor

Critic reviews

"Pierces the veil of history with scholarly precision....A serious rendering of a sensational life." ( Irish Times)
All stars
Most relevant
An engrossing read. The chief players and key events are unfolded with admirable detail; furthermore the narrative momentum is maintained to the closing chapter. What an utterly intriguing period brilliantly communicated by the author and reader.

Engrossing

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Detailed, balance and clearly deeply researched.
Beautifully read.
I’m no historian but was captivated throughout.

Thorough

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Lays into Edward mercilessly and at length, to the book's detriment. I don't have a favourite monarch but I found myself becoming quite defensive of Edward II, in particular the insistent reference to "normal sex" as opposed to "sinful, forbidden sex". At the beginning, it states that women were subject to particular expectations in history and we should now reassess the judgements passed then and take care to have sympathy. It seems as the author has no interest in extending such grace to homosexuals.

Otherwise a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone who has even a passing interest in the history of English and French monarchy. The narrator has a pleasant, clear voice and many of the descriptions are simply joyful.

Fascinating, but savagely judgemental

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I enjoyed this book and the narration as I do with other Alison weir books on here. my only criticism is that it was jumpy going in to new chapters but still enjoyed learning about a queen I have never read or studied before and the politics and difficulties she faced.

a different queen and view of medieval life.

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An insight into the destructive power games of the English / French Kings of the 1300's, and the shaping of Britain.

Brutal English history......

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