The Vow on the Heron

The sequel to The Follies of the King this book is about the reign of Edward III. He didn't have much to live up to following his father. He didn't really even know what happened to his father. All he knew was that he was king and he must somehow make England great again. But he has his mother, and her lover, Roger de Mortimer, to contend with. After an embarassing campaign into Scotland Edward is determined to never feel that again. After that he works very hard on making sure that he's the best at what he does. He was certainly the best at having children with his wife Philippa of Hainault. In this book I really liked that Plaidy keeps the queen in the fore. I felt that Philippa and Edward worked as a team, instead of her being pushed to the side. Plaidy makes their relationship seem like it's a sort of instruction book on how to make a marriage work, teamwork. But Edward didn't just have vast amounts of children or put down risings in Wales. He aimed to have the crown of France that he wanted through his mother, regardless of the Salic Law in France that would deny him this. Because of this vow and his campaigns into France, specifically the battles of Crecy and Poitiers, it begins the Hundred Years War and the loss of many lives. This book isn't just about Edward though, but also has a lot to do with his son Edward, the Black Prince of Wales. I didn't know a lot about him so I was excited to learn, even though this is historical fiction. I felt Plaidy made him just as important as his father and didn't make him just some extra, like it could have been done. Definitely an interesting book. I didn't want to put it down. Another score for Jean Plaidy.

The Vow On the Heron is another of Jean Plaidy's fabulous novels about the Plantagenet reign. This novel is the ninth in the Plantagenet Saga, focusing on King Edward III. Edward was crowned King after his mother and her lover, Roger de Mortimer deposed Edward II only to be ruled himself by the power hungry Mortimer. Once Edward 'removed' Mortimer and housed his mother in the Castle Rising, he went on to rule his country for over fifty years. He married the 'Good Queen' Phillipa of Hainault, whom he adored and was ever faithful to for nearly all of their marriage. She bore him many children, including the Black Prince, Edward IV and the ambitious John of Gaunt. Edward III was 'provoked' into claiming the French crown for himself by his royal cousin Robert de Artois, who had been exiled from France. Edward had a claim to that throne through his mother, but he never sought for it until the day de Artois captured a heron, had it roasted and placed before the King of England, claiming the King was meek like the heron. Edward then vowed on that heron that he would rage war on the French and take the crown for himself. Thus began the Hundred Years' War. I truly loved this novel, I think far more than most of Jean Plaidy's works because of my complete fascination of the fourteenth century. Plaidy always sweeps me into the passionate medieval world in such a way that I can hardly put the book down-as she did with this one.

Jean Plaidy, a consummate storyteller known as Victoria Holt to her legion of devoted fans, has written a riveting work of historical fiction, detailing the ascension of Edward III to the throne of England. The author expertly interweaves fact with fiction, resulting in a riveting tapestry of political intrigue, betrayal, murder, and love.The author details the events that led to the coronation of fourteen year old Edward III, son of King Edward II and Queen Isabella, while his father still lived. Due to the perfidy of Isabella and her ambitious lover, Roger De Mortimer, Edward II was taken prisoner and held against his will. He abdicated under duress in favor of his son, Edward III. Shortly after, Edward II was murdered in an excruciating fashion. It was a murder in which Isabella and her lover were complicit.Isabella and Roger de Mortimer thought that they would rule England through her son, Edward III. They were in for a rude awakening, as Edward III would prove to have a mind of his own. Moreover, when Edward III got wind that his father's ostensible abdication may not have been all it was purported to be, he would leave no stone unturned in uncovering the circumstances under which his father had lost his crown and the manner in which he had died. When he discovered what had really happened to his father, Edward III avenged his death, and not even Isabella, his mother, escaped the hand of justice.The reign of Edward III would be an improvement over that of his father's reign, as Edward II had been a foolish king, more concerned with his favorites at court than with wisely ruling his country. Edward III selected his own wife, Philippa of Hainault, to be his Queen. It would prove to be a felicitous choice and a love match. She would become known as Philippa the Good and give her husband many children, including an heir who would become known as the famous Black Prince. Edward III, for his part, would prove to be a faithful husband for most of his years. . The reign of Edward III, which had started out auspiciously enough, took a turn for the worse at one point. Certain events, and a belief that the King of England had a claim to the French throne, would lead to a war with France that would become known as the Hundred Years' War. This would prove to be a costly venture for England. Moreover, towards the end of his reign Edward III would become besotted with a greedy and notorious opportunist, Alice Perrers, who would make the King a laughingstock in his own Court. Upon the death of Queen Philippa, her influence would know little bounds. The author brings these personages, who were an integral part of the reign of Edward III, to life on the pages of this book, amidst all the tumult and pageantry of medieval life, providing hours of pleasure to its reader. Those who are fond of historical fiction will most definitely enjoy this well-researched book.

If you really want to enjoy this book you might want to read its prequel first, "Follies of the King." This one was good, another typical Plaidy pleaser. It isn't her best, but still worth your while.

This book has everything-history, murder,adventure, romance. I found this book about Edward the Third hard to put down.