Queens of the Crusades, by Alison Weir
Alison Weir has written a three book series on the Queens of Medieval Europe; this one happens to be the second in the series. As a lover of history, I was also looking for a book whose title starts with a Q (for the alphabet challenge), this one fit the bill. The book covers Eleanor of Aquitaine, Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angouleme, Alienor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile, who ruled during the 1200s.
The Medieval period was a particularly bloody one in Europe, with a number of notable rivalries and wars between royal factions, the Crusades, and the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290. Although the Queens did not hold the same power as their husbands, they were certainly involved in decision making, holding land, controlling taxation (Queen’s gold) and supporting their husbands through their alliances. It was an interesting look at these monarchs in a time when information is sparse.
Weir does an excellent job of researching the existing historical record to determine where the Queens were at any given time, and what they were doing. Unfortunately, there are large gaps, periods of time when it is impossible to know. She quotes surviving letters, and accounts by record keepers, and pieces together the details of these women’s personal and public lives.
It was interesting, but I felt that the book was a little long, given the documentation available. Weir’s account is heavy on the details of how much things cost, and how much money was coming into the coffers (with exchanges into current values). I found that distracting, and it took away from the more interesting details of the Queens’ lives. I felt that could have been left out, without taking away from the narrative.
Overall, it was a decent book, if you are looking into the history of the European Queens. I think I’m more interested in a historical overview.
3 stars.
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