“Queens of the Conquest” by Alison Weir [BOOK REVIEW]

A book about 4 Norman queens of England, “Queens of the Conquest” is a lavishly-detailed account that takes you through the Norman Dynasty into the Plantagenet Dynasty through the eyes of its medieval queens. This is a superb narrative for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes lives of the founding families of all of England’s dynasties.

STAR RATINGS:

“QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST” BOOK STATS:

• Published 2017
• 556 total pages
• 403 pages of text
• 74 chapters
• 2 maps and 2 genealogies in front matter
• List of illustrations in front matter
• List of British Terms in front matter
• One 8-page color picture inset
• 2 Appendix sections
• 1 massive Bibliography
• 1 Notes and References section
• 1 Index section
• Hardcover available

“QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST” BOOK REVIEW:

“Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens” is set between the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the year 1154 which marked the end of the reign of King Stephen, son of Stephen, Count of Blois (d.1102). The end of King Stephen’s reign also heralds the beginning of the Plantagenet Dynasty (Angevin) under King Henry II of England.

Instead of focusing on the kings of a particular era, Alison Weir has always focused on its women. This book is no different. Although it necessarily dwells on the likes of William the Conqueror, Henry I of England and a few others, it is only because the lives of their queens cannot be told without them. It would be irresponsible scholarship to do so.

Therefore, “Queens of the Conquest” creates an interwoven, appropriately balanced narrative about the lives, and more importantly, contributions, of four of England’s most notable queens. The four queens discussed by Alison Weir are:

1. Matilda of Flanders – wife of William the Conqueror
2. Matilda (Edith) of Scotland – 1st wife of Henry I
3. Adeliza of Louvain – 2nd wife of Henry I
4. Matilda of Boulogne – wife of King Stephen

Queen Matilda of Flanders brought with her an illustrious genealogy. As a descendant of Charlemagne, the Baldwins, the Fulks, and even Rollo the Viking, she carried a lineage very few could hold equal to.

Matilda of Flanders and William the Conqueror, according to Weir, genuinely loved one another, for: “there is good evidence that Matilda came to love William” (p.37). Matilda displayed unusual independence and regnal aptitude for her era as she witnesses countless charters and ran her kingdom quite efficiently while William was absent. This is a trait that their daughter-in-law Matilda (Edith) of Scotland was also to possess.

Matilda (also called by her Anglo-Saxon name Edith) of Scotland was similar in temperament and ability as Matilda of Flanders. There were quite a few Matildas back then, including their daughter Matilda (also known as Maud) who was the first female to wrest the throne away from her male heirs!

Matilda (Maud) married Geoffrey Plantagenet and their son was King Henry II of England who most famously married Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. These two, along with King Edward I, are my favourite monarchs!

Matilda of Scotland was the daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland. Matilda’s brother was David who would be the next king of the Scots (1124 – 1153). Matilda and Henry I’s marriage was historically important in that it brought together both the Norman and Anglo-Saxon houses. It was a marriage of unification.

Queen Matilda of Scotland’s genealogy consisted of names such as: Edmund Ironside, Ethelred the Unready, Edward the Confessor, the kings of Mercia and Northumbria, as well as the descendants of Sweyn Forkbeard. These are all the antecedents to the Norman Invasion of 1066.

Adeliza of Louvain was more like a sidebar story in this book. Alison Weir seems to try and find a place for her, kind of mentioning her more in a sporadic fashion than anything. Her role in the latter half of this book is certainly upstaged by Matilda of Boulogne.

Historically, Stephen and Matilda are often treated as a pair in contradistinction to the struggle of their cousin Maud (Matilda, daughter of Henry I and Matilda, wife of Geoffrey Plantagenet) in their battle for the crown of England. Both were vying for the throne of England after the death of Henry I.

After a long and bloody civil war it was decided that King Stephen should reign until his death and then the crown would pass to Geoffrey and Maud’s son Henry. After King Stephen died in 1154, their first born son became King Henry II of England. It was then that the legend was born!

What also makes this book fun is the temptation of future excitement. “Queens of the Conquest” is actually BOOK ONE in a future series on England’s queens of different eras. Even though the Norman, Angevin, and Plantagenets are my favourites, I certainly look forward to Alison Weir’s future offerings as I definitely consider her one of the preeminent historical authors of our day.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Weir, Alison. 2017. Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens, Book One. New York: Ballantine Books.
• ISBN-13: 978-1101966662
• Amazon Link.