Follies of the King

If you've seen the movie Braveheart then you may know somewhat of Edward I's son Edward, the Prince of Wales. This is his story and it's an amusing, although very sad tale. Edward had so much to live up to and he just couldn't do it. I don't know if it was from lack of ambition, lacking of trying, or if he just wasn't cut out to be king, but his rule was awful for England. He listened far too much to his advisors who were only out for themselves and he didn't have any inclination to even try for himself. Edward II was never meant to be king and it was completely unfortunate that he was. It was even more unfortunate for him that he was married to Isabella of France. A very forceful and intense woman he just couldn't, or wouldn't, try to be with her outside of getting heirs. This turned out to have dire consequences for himself and others. Plaidy really goes to the depths for this book. She is able to draw out the intensity of the situation for everyone the whole way through. Whether it's the ending of Piers Gaveston, the fear felt by Edward II, or the hatred and love felt by Isabella you can't help but keep the pages turning trying to find out what's next. I really loved this book. The only thing I didn't like was that the beginning was a little slow, but definitely picked up towards the middle and at the end.

The Follies of the King is a great historical fictional novel told by the fabulous Jean Plaidy about the misguided Edward II and his beautiful, yet scorned wife Isabella. After the death of his father (the great Edward I) Edward II immediately brings his long time friend, and lover, Piers Gaveston back to England. (Piers had been banished by King Edward I) Having been reunited, Piers once again rules over Edward and Edward is all too willing to let it happen. Soon Edward marries the beautiful daughter of Phillip IV of France, Isabella. Isabella falls in love with her handsome husband immediately and while at the French court, they share many glorious nights together. Isabella goes to England with her handsome husband and is welcomed happily. Upon meeting Gaveston, she hates him immediately. She learns quickly that her husband will do anything and give anything (including very fine jewels-ruby and diamonds-that Isabella's father gave Edward upon his marriage to Isabella)to Piers no matter what the cost-ie; the decline of the people's favor. Isabella is not one to be humiliated in such a way. She's a beautiful, sensual woman who knows what power she holds in her beauty. She tries to persuade Edward to be with her, but he only has eyes for Piers. Of course, Isabella does get four children off of Edward, for she knows she must have an heir-an heir, Edward III (named after his strong and just grandfather) who she sees ruling under her regency. She simply bides her time, waiting for the right moment to strike. Edward suffers the loss of his wonderful Gaveston and soon finds another to take his place-Hugh le Despenser, the younger. Isabella vows her revenge and in meeting a prisoner at the Tower-where she birthed her last child-she sets her plan in motion. She soon takes the prisoner-Roger Mortimer-as her faithful lover. She has finally found someone who loves her with the intensity she has always possessed. She helps him escape to France and soon she meets him there and they form an army-with the help of the Count of Hainualt, who is the father to Edward III's future wife Phillipa-to dispose Edward II of his crown. She succeeds and Edward III is crowned only after he has his father's consent. (Edward II is now his wife's prisoner and his beautiful Hugh has been given a traitor's death) Isabella and her lover are disappointed, however when they are told they will not be regents. But they have schemes to influence the young king in spite of this. In the end, the once beloved queen is not so beloved. The people she once respected and needed are not happy to have a queen who is an adulteress. And her young son is becoming suspicious of his mother's (and his mother's lover's) intentions. The Follies of the King is a great read and Jean Plaidy is the only one who could bring the story to life with such beauty. She never fails to teach the reader a fantastic lesson in the perilous lives of English royalty.

Jean Plaidy, noted for her historical fiction, is also known to her legion of fans across the world as Victoria Holt. Ms. Plaidy has written many enjoyable works of historical fiction, and this, her eighth book in her Plantagenet saga is no exception. Here, Ms. Plaidy tells the story of King Edward II who, as did his ancestor Richard the Lionhearted, preferred the company and affections of men over that of women. Unlike his ancestor, who was married to the complaisant and submissive, Berengaria, who did not make waves about Richard's lack of attention, Edward II had a wife that was secretly infuriated by her husband's predilection for young men. Interestingly enough, nowhere in this work of historical fiction does the author make use of the word homosexual, though that is really the only inference a reader may draw about the romantic proclivities of Edward II. The book focuses heavily upon the attachment had to Piers Gaveston, a young man, son of a Gascon knight, who had grown up with Edward, and the young and handsome Hugh the Dispenser, the courtier who eventually took Gaveston's place in the king's affections after Gaveston was murdered. The book chronicles the unfortunate relationship that Edward II had with his wife, the beautiful and strong-willed Isabella, daughter to Philip, King of France. Edward II did his duty, however, while Isabella suppressed her hatred and contempt of him, and together they managed to produce an heir, a son who would one day be crowned Edward III under unusual circumstances, as well as three other children. Edward II, as foolish and weak as his father was wise and strong, allowed Robert the Bruce of Scotland to flourish. Scotland, which had been crushed into submission by Edward I, who had been known as the Hammer of the Scots, now became a force with which to be reckoned under the strong leadership of Robert the Bruce. Meanwhile, England, under the reign of Edward II, became weaker and vulnerable, losing its Scottish castles and strongholds one by one. At the battle of Bannockburn, Edward II would receive a stunning defeat at the hands of Robert the Bruce, losing forever that for which his father, Edward I, had fought so hard. Eventually, Queen Isabella, who was disgusted by her husband's proclivities and weakness, took a lover, Roger de Mortimer. Together, Isabella and Roger plotted and schemed against Edward II, who was a inept ruler whose kingdom always seemed to be on the cusp of civil war. Their schemes came to fruition when Edward III was crowned King while his father, now a prisoner of Isabella and Roger, still lived. This untenable situation would not last long, as Edward II would meet a most cruel and ignominious death while held captive at Berkeley Castle. The author brings to life these royal personages, political intrigues, and historical events, weaving them into a well-written tapestry of historical fiction. Set amidst the political turmoil of fourteenth century England, peppered with names

Jean Plaidy, noted for her historical fiction, is also known to her legion of fans across the world as Victoria Holt. Ms. Plaidy has written many enjoyable works of historical fiction, and this, her eighth book in her Plantagenet saga is no exception. Here, Ms. Plaidy tells the story of King Edward II who, as did his ancestor Richard the Lionhearted, preferred the company and affections of men over that of women. Unlike his ancestor, who was married to the complaisant and submissive, Berengaria, who did not make waves about Richard's lack of attention, Edward II had a wife that was secretly infuriated by her husband's predilection for young men. Interestingly enough, nowhere in this work of historical fiction does the author make use of the word homosexual, though that is really the only inference a reader may draw about the romantic proclivities of Edward II. The book focuses heavily upon the attachment had to Piers Gaveston, a young man, son of a Gascon knight, who had grown up with Edward, and the young and handsome Hugh the Dispenser, the courtier who eventually took Gaveston's place in the king's affections after Gaveston was murdered. The book chronicles the unfortunate relationship that Edward II had with his wife, the beautiful and strong-willed Isabella, daughter to Philip, King of France. Edward II did his duty, however, while Isabella suppressed her hatred and contempt of him, and together they managed to produce an heir, a son who would one day be crowned Edward III under unusual circumstances, as well as three other children. Edward II, as foolish and weak as his father was wise and strong, allowed Robert the Bruce of Scotland to flourish. Scotland, which had been crushed into submission by Edward I, who had been known as the Hammer of the Scots, now became a force with which to be reckoned under the strong leadership of Robert the Bruce. Meanwhile, England, under the reign of Edward II, became weaker and vulnerable, losing its Scottish castles and strongholds one by one. At the battle of Bannockburn, Edward II would receive a stunning defeat at the hands of Robert the Bruce, losing forever that for which his father, Edward I, had fought so hard. Eventually, Queen Isabella, who was disgusted by her husband's proclivities and weakness, took a lover, Roger de Mortimer. Together, Isabella and Roger plotted and schemed against Edward II, who was a inept ruler whose kingdom always seemed to be on the cusp of civil war. Their schemes came to fruition when Edward III was crowned King while his father, now a prisoner of Isabella and Roger, still lived. This untenable situation would not last long, as Edward II would meet a most cruel and ignominious death while held captive at Berkeley Castle. The author brings to life these royal personages, political intrigues, and historical events, weaving them into a well-written tapestry of historical fiction. Set amidst the political turmoil of fourteenth century England, peppered with names

This book was just fabulous. Henry II, the effeminate and unworthy ruler of England, is bested by his high-spirited and beautiful wife Isabella of France. Jean Plaidy is the best!