Queen Jezebel

Catherine de Medici #3

by Jean Plaidy

The ageing Catherine de' Medici has arranged the marriage of her beautiful Catholic daughter Margot to the uncouth Huguenot King Henry of Navarre. Margot, still desperately in love with Henry de Guise, refuses to utter her vows. But even Catherine is unable to anticipate the carnage that this unholy union is to bring about...In the midst of an August heatwave, tensions run high between the Catholic Parisians and the Huguenot wedding guests: Margot's marriage to Henry has not resulted in the peace that King Francis longed for. Realising her weakening power over her sickly son, Catherine sets about persuading Francis of a Huguenot plot against his life. Overcome by fear, he agrees to a massacre that will rid France of its 'pestilential Huguenots for ever'. And so the carnival of butchery begins, marking years of terror and upheaval that will end in the demise of kings, and finally expose Catherine's lifetime of depraved scheming...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, France, 16th Century, Italy, Royalty

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the Catherine de Medici trilogy, it discusses the last year's of her life. The first third to half is a study of the wholesale murder of the Huguenots on St. Bartholomew's Eve. Then it flows into the perverse reign of Henri III. Catherine is a constant controlling presence, pressuring him into action. The last third of the book covers The War of the Henris-the battle between Henri of Navarre, Henri III, and Henri of Guise for France's thrown, and for two, their lives. At this point Catherine no longer has a say in her son's actions. He kills at will, including his younger brother.
This was by far the best of the three in the trilogy. Glad I stuck it out.

[Lígia Bellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always think that read about history is fascinating! It always makes me wonder, how is possible to humans, searching for power and wealth, do whatever they want, not caring if their acts will bring suffering for people. And history is, almost all the time, about that. One wanting more power than another, one thinking that his/her believes are true and the other, not. It's so crazy and so sad! And more i read about St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, more i think that it was an abominable act! Catherine de' Medici didn't want to lose her power as Queen Regent on throne, and as Philip of Spain was constantly questioning her faith, she decides to use Charles' mental disorder and bring the killing on the huguenots. The cruelty that happened during days on France, was  totally full of terror and butchery! Catherine's decision, makes Charles become even more crazy and sick. He became the mad King. She use all her power to keep the throne, so Henry can become a King. She plots against the lifes of innocents, she doesn't care for Margot, she doesn't care for no one, just Henry. Seriously, i think Catherine was the Evil on earth. A mother that instigate the cruelty to scare her sick son, to make him become even more mad, a mother that wanted the sons dead, so she could place her favorite on throne and a mother that would beat a daughter, till she loose consciousness, that's impossible to don't see her as an evil woman! Of course, besides that, there're so many assassinating by her command! But at the end, she did so many bad deeds to put her "ALL" (Henry) on throne, and it was a huge disappointment. Henry was a fop, useless person. As his mother, Henry was also hated by french people! All Henry cared was to keep his extravagances, while the french people were starving. After reading this trilogy, i believe the House of Valois were the wickedest family who ever ruled on France! Catherine never was loved and because of that, her only wish was to rule, to have power. She was indeed a Madame Serpent, the Queen Jezebel! That was another excellent reading!

[Monica Hills · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally love Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt. She is a 20th century writer but I still enjoy her novels. I bought this trilogy years ago at a garage sale and I really enjoyed the first book. The second novel was not my favorite and this one was work to get through. I wanted to see what happened but there were just too many characters to be able to keep track of everyone. One character would be featured and then they would be murdered and then another one would be prominent in the story. I know this is based on real history and that part is what I found fascinating. After reading about this family it is shocking that the French Revolution did not happen sooner after reading about how horrible this ruling family was. I will definitely keep reading Jean Plaidy's books. I was just disappointed with this one.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was as good as I remembered. I do enjoy Jean Plaidy’s historical fiction.

[Cia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up in the "erotica" section of a used bookstore and am disappointed to find there is no erotica in it at all. It is a dramatized retelling of the French Catholic/Protestant wars from the viewpoint of the royal family and nobility. The prose is a bit of a slog.

[Dulce Nevarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta novela es de las mejores que he leído, Catalina de Mèdicis intenta frenar la tensión ente católicos y hugonotes casando a Margot con Enrique de Borbón y Margot acepta al ver como Enrique de Guisa se casó con otra mujer por presión de su familia, con lo que comienza su fama de mujer hermosa y licenciosa aunque instruida, gran amiga de poetas y artistas. Sin embargo pasarán a la historia como las "bodas de sangre" al iniciar espantosos días de asesinatos entre civiles, con la única excusa de las diferencias de religión, relatados tan vivídamente por Jean Plaidy que por momentos se experimenta la atmosféra desesperada e inquietante de la famosa noche de San Bartolomé.
Es el final de la solitaria y cruel vida de Catalina de Mèdicis, muy lejos está la alegría de Italia con Hipólito o la amabilidad del rey Francisco, sus hijos están muertos y Francia está al borde de la revuelta, país que por siempre la recordará como una mujer perversa y sin escrúpulos, también es el fin de la dinastía Valois como casa reinante, un libro con excelente narrativa.

[betty russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series. Ms. Plaidy knows how to tell a story. I found that I'm very glad I didn't live in France during that time. Catherine de Medici was a very evil woman and her children were just as bad.

Ms Plaidy knows how to tell a story. I'm really glad I didn't live back then. Catherine de Medici was a wicked wicked woman and her children weren't much better

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book introduced me to the most scheming and wicked woman that I believed ever lived. It was hard to read at times but I did want to know what she would do next. Catherine de Medici worshiped power. Nothing else. To obtain it she would do what she had to do to gain influence. She poisoned some, persuaded others of the dangers of individuals, hired assassins, used doctors, clergymen and noblemen to influence the lives of so many.

The people of Paris calle her Queen Jezabel, a name she certainly earned. Of course, she was not responsible for all that she was accused of doing but she did so much that France was plunged into a bloody month beginning on Aug. 24, 1572. Conflict between the Catholics and Huguenots began in Paris and spread throughout the country. Thousands, particularly Huguenots including children and babies, were murdered.

The country's economy was shattered. Some of those involved were so distraught that they became caught up in the blood bath that they committed suicide. But this was only the beginning of the strife. France had to live through yet more blood letting during the War of the Henrys. For the full tale, read this book from cover to cover. She was one wicked woman.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queen Jezebel is the final installment of the Catherine de Medici trilogy, which focuses on the final years of her life. The novel starts with Catherine's youngest daughters wedding. Margot aware of her own beauty is forced into a marriage with Henry of Navarre, which is not a suitable mach due to their differences in religion and Margot's love for the handsome Henry de Guise. Catherine who has bigger problems she is losing control over her son Charles the King, therefore it will take all of her plotting to keep her hold on power and to put her beloved third son Henry on the throne.

I did enjoy the begging of this book especially finding out what happens in the later life of Catherine, and how the conflict between the Catholics and Huguenots affected the Royal family during these turbulent times. However, towards the end I did feel that the story was dragged out too long, but that is just personal opinion.

I have really enjoyed the Medici trilogy and am looking forward to reading more of Jean Plaidy's books in the future.

[Sue Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the last quarter of Catherine de Medici's life, starting with the marriage of her daughter Margot to Henry of Navarre, the event which triggered the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Catherine's attempts to stabilise France after the massacre are compromised by Charles IX's erratic behaviour and France becomes increasingly polarised between Catholics & Huguenots. Relieved when he dies leaving only a daughter, Catherine's hopes rest with her favourite son, Henry III, but the hoped for partnership fails to materialise as Henry continually changes direction in response to continuing religious crises.
Plaidy shows a Catherine by this time totally French whose sole aim in life is to maintain the power and pre-eminence of the house of Valois in France. Alas for her, even the marriage of Margot to Navarre (the eventual successor) failed her. The couple remained childless and Henry IV's heirs were by his second, non-Valois wife.
A steady, but not rivetting, read.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this final book in the series a 5 star rating because I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. A great conclusion to the three part book series. I will say this - I am glad Catherine de Medici wasn't my mother! I am also glad that I wasn't her - what effort it took to be her. Her desire for power was her entire life and I got exhausted just reading about it. The series, overall, is crowded with people, however, it never gets too confusing. In my humble opinion, Jean Plaidy, who wrote this novel, as well as the majority of her books in the early to mid 1950's, can have her books hold right up there with today's modern historical fiction writers such as Philippa Gregory, Anne Easter Smith and others. I love her writing!

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third of the Catherine Medici trilogy, of the infamous Medici woman who became the queen of France. I only intended to read a short bit to see if was worth getting the full set and because of my interest in the Huguenots in France - ended up reading the whole book. Should have read the first two volumes first, so missed out on earlier life in this fictional tale of her life - the early years that drove this Medici woman to seek power at any cost - even using her daughter as a pawn in the marriage game for one. Great historical depth and a good old fashioned historical heroine romp at the same time. I have read Plaidy/Holt novels before and forgotten how good they are. Definitely deserves a four

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof this one was tough. There's sex, murder, and diabolical plots yet I was so bored. The pacing was incredibly slow with lots of extraneous details, even about tertiary characters. It was filled with repetition (omg I get it, so-and-so is mentally unstable, this other person is fanatically religious, and that character wants power). Considering its largely conjecture, I didnt see the point in including much of this as it didnt serve to further the plot, provide more dynamic characters, or add interest imo. It seemed as though much of it was fluff. Looking back on the trilogy, I think that was the case with much of it and the overall story could have (should have imo) been edited down to a much more interesting single book, mayyybe a two-part series.

[Stephanie Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karmic Tragedy

She reaped what she sowed. She spent all that time ruining Charles and if she had tried to show him half the affection she showed Henry, he could have been a good king. Henry and Margot were never shown true discipline or proper education because if they had, they could have been great figures. Poor Francis, he tried and had potential but he failed. This is what happens when you love a child and decide to be blind to any faults. I hate that she automatically gets blamed for their bad decisions, but she was the one that 'raised' them. Such a tragic ending for Catherine, but it is a miracle she didn't die sooner from all the stupidity and after effects of her children's decisions.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in the trilogy. As Catherine enters her later years, her plotting and scheming intensify as she is determined to hold on to the legacy of her dynasty, despite her numerous disappointments in her offspring. Her machinations lead to the massacre of the Huguenouts and to further civil war. Catherine is determined to get her favorite son on the throne, but when she does, she finds that even he disappoints her. Her daughter, Margot, is truly the closest thing that she has to a worthy heir, but her carnal appetites disappoint Catherine. As her end comes, her son’s murderous actions lead to his downfall and the reign of the Valois.

[Maria Puerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fin

Pues en esta última parte de la trilogía de catalina de medicis ha mejorado un montón en temas de edición sigue habiendo fallos sobre todo gramaticales pero lo que concierne a la trama está muy bien.

Al ser el último se centra en la última parte de su vida lo que sería su vejez y me ha sorprendido que durará tanto ya que llegó a cumplir los 60 y pico, lo que si es que el final acaba justo con su muerte y en mi opinion le vendría bien un pequeño epílogo con que pasó después con el hijo.


En fin ha estado muy bien siempre y cuando te guste esta clase de libros, yo terminaré el que deje a mitad antes de irme de vacaciones que lo enco traéis en leyendo.

[Annibel Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

El último libro de la trilogía Medici de Jean Plaidy (Eleanor Bufford). El estilo de la autora es fascinante, arma la personalidad de sus personajes recopilando toda la información existente de ellos, combina el dramatismo con la realidad y hace que leer estas novelas históricas sea un camino bastante enriquecedor y a la vez entretenido.

Este libro en particular, se me hizo un poco pesado de terminar, creo que es porque se muestra a una Catalina debilitada, y los demás conflictos políticos que se describen no están tan detallados, aún así la considero una excelente lectura. Esta serie fue la primera que leí de este género y sin dudas es uno de mis nuevos favoritos.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this so much, I liked the first two but the end was so hurried and anti-climactic (well, so is life too I guess). Wanted a tid bit about what happened to family, who died, when, who became king, blah blah blah. None of that. Sure I can look it up but its more fun when you get to read it in the epilogue....

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm always a fan of Plaidy's books, this seemed more like light historical fiction where all the players were there but it read more like a summary of events without diving deeper into the main characters.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Mi-Suk Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the trilogy and I didn't expect a better ending than this one!

[Rí Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Quite a bit messier than the second in the series, but still mostly enjoyable.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit over the series now. She just gets more and more cunning. Mind you you'd have to be pretty ruthless after the life she endured at the beginning if her marriage

[Kimberlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2014/0...

[Tam Minton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Plaidy was a genius

I love all of her books, and this 3 book series was like knowing the serpent queen. Glad I did not!

[Phil Syphe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Book Two in the Catherine de Medici trilogy, this final instalment features many more characters and follows events in their lives. Thus, in a sense it’s better to have more variation, but I still prefer Book One – “Madame Serpent” – for its more limited yet more engrossing themes. Catherine is even less to the fore in this third novel than in the previous one. She’s more like the central character, rather than the main one.

Catherine only cares for her third-oldest son, who becomes France’s Henry III. The rest of her children are scared of their mother – a mother who’d readily see them dead if it meant advancement for her favourite son, though he strikes me as a complete and utter waste of space.

It’s hard to feel any warmth for someone of Catherine’s nature, but she nevertheless is the best-drawn character of the book. She, like the real Catherine de Medici, is a fascinating woman. Much of her reputation is based on rumours and on the reputation that sixteenth-century Italians had for poisoning those who stood in their way. Even so, there’s evidence enough to show she was no saint.

My favourite character is Margot, Catherine’s daughter who married Henry of Navarre, France’s future Henry IV, founder of the Bourbon monarchy.

Although I like the first in the trilogy best, while also preferring the second instalment above this third one, “Queen Jezebel” still proved to be an entertaining read.

[Annelies - In Another Era · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine De Medici - is er een koningin ooit meer gehaat de geschiedenisboeken in gegaan? Dit was mijn eerste boek dat ik over haar las. Het begint op het moment dat haar tweede zoon Charles op de Franse troon zit. Charles is echter geestesziek en neemt advies aan van Hugenoten. Catherine's macht op hem neemt af en ze hoopt alleen maar dat ze snel haar geliefde zoon Henry kan kronen.

Ondertussen regelt ze het huwelijk tussen haar katholieke dochter Margot en Henry, de protestantse koning van Navarre. Duizenden Hugenoten komen naar Parijs voor dit huwelijk, inclusief de grote leiders. Om Spanje en Rome te vriend te houden moet Catherine tonen dat haar loyaliteit wel degelijk bij de katholieken ligt. Dat leidt tot drastische maatregelen. Eind augustus zal Parijs een nacht ingaan die nooit meer vergeten zal worden.

Jean Plaidy beschrijft opnieuw heel gedetailleerd en feitelijk de gebeurtenissen. Er gebeurt zo ontzettend veel in dit boek, met zoveel personages, intriges, wisselende machtsverhoudingen. Je moet je er je hoofd bijhouden.

Wat dit boek mist zijn personages waarmee je gaat meeleven. Margot, de drie Henry's, Catherine,... ze zijn allemaal zo egocentrisch, zo wellustig. Eigenlijk krijg je vooral medelijden met het Franse volk. Enfin, goed om eens een perspectief te lezen op al deze brutale gebeurtenissen.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is the third book in Jean Plaidy's series on Catherine de Medici. At the start of this one, her third son, Charles is the King of France, and her daughter Margot is getting married to Henry, the King of Navarre, against her wishes.

I'm not sure I liked this one as much as the first two, but it got more interesting as I got further into it. It's also difficult with these royal families and keeping straight who everyone is (and I tend to go months or years between books in a series, so I need some kind of reminder). However, in the end, I still enjoyed it.

[Sara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best book of the trilogy. There was a lot of action and drama which the first two books (especially the first one) lacked. The book ends with the death of Catherine de Medici (I don't consider this a spoiler - a trilogy written about one historical person will probably end with the death of that person), but that kind of leaves certain events unresolved, so I've jumped straight into Evergreen Gallant (about Henri of Navarre). There is some overlap between the trilogy and the Navarre book, but I think it will resolve the events left in the trilogy after Catherine died.

[Joshua Pascoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't even read the other two books in this trilogy, but I think this book stands alone as a good read. I thought that Plaidy really had a feel for the period and the people involved, especially Catherine herself; described so effectively she genuinely gave me the creeps....Queen Jezebel has completely changed my outlook on French history as a whole, and now I want to learn more about Catherine and her family. Written back in the 50's, I don't think this book has aged at all, and manages to remain a story as opposed to historical lecture.