The Lion Rampant

Birth of the Plantagenets, Book 2

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The Lion Rampant

By: Blanche d'Alpuget

Narrated by: Colin Morgan

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About this listen

1154. After years of manipulation and political cunning, young Henry II accedes to the throne of England, with the beautiful and indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine by his side. But the kingdom he inherits is an impoverished shambles after the long, troubled reign of Stephen the Usurper. Together, the tempestuous royal couple use their charisma and shrewd diplomacy to restore England's prestige and power and ensure the future of their mighty dynasty. In order to replenish the English treasury, Henry appoints Thomas Becket, the unordained Archdeacon of Canterbury, as Chancellor. Becket is no ordinary man: born without rank, he is charming, quick-witted, a masterful intriguer and a lavish dresser with a genius for raising money. Beneath this lies a man seething with ambition, jealousy, treachery and desire. In a dance of scheming, vengeance and forbidden passions, during one of the most turbulent and compelling periods of English history, Henry, Eleanor and Becket fight for political power and control against forces seen and imagined – each with their own agenda, each determined to hide their own shameful secrets.©2014 Blanche d'Alpuget (P)2020 Bolinda Publishing

Fiction

Historical Fiction

Royalty

England

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Critic reviews

'The character of Thomas Becket will rivet [listeners] as they have not been riveted since Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell.’ (Thomas Keneally, winner of the Booker Prize)

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The book takes a journey through the life, attitudes and politics of the reign of Henry 11. I enjoyed every page, partly because it ventured into aspects I was not expecting. I must admit my knowledge of the relationship between the King and Thomas Becket derived from the film " Becket " and I had always imagined them being very close friends before Thomas was elevated to become Arch Bishop. According to the author it was a much more profound and difficult friendship. I am now going to discover what really went on and forget about the Film's version. In spite of this I must say the book is excellent and very intense in places.
I cannot praise the narrator, Colin Morgan, highly enough. His approach is fresh and delivered in an eminently clear tone, with great variety of voice and panache.