Queen Without a Country

Plantagenet Queens #1

by Rachel Bard

As 25 year old Berengaria of Navarre journeys on a ship bound for Sicily, little does she know what adventures and trials lie before her. She must face an indifferent husband, a domineering mother-in-law and the turbulent political climate of twelfth-century Europe. Will she find happiness amid such tribulations?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, British Literature

356 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Rachel Bard had written eight nonfiction books from cookbooks to travel guides to histories when she began her series of historical novels about medieval queens. Her first, Queen Without a Country, was about Berengaria, wife of King Richard the Lionheart. In Isabella, she examines the life of Isabella of Angoulme, who succeeded Berengaria on the English throne. Her next, A Reed in the Wind, stars Joanna, Queen of Sicily, sister of Richard. Research for her novels has taken the author to England, France, Cyprus, Sicily, Spain the whole panorama of medieval Europe.

Her careers include advertising, journalism education and travel writing. She currently lives on Vashon Island, near Seattle.

Reviews

[Pat Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I'd never heard of Richard the Lionhearted's sister. What a wonderful woman! I wish I'd read about her sooner. She rose above everything thrown at her and deserves a larger place in history than she got. A truly great read!

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this for sometime, but I found it a bit disappointing. However, since in most histories, Berengaria disappears after her return to France, it was interesting to learn about the rest of her life. But I never really felt any sort of connection to any of the characters; they seemed rather flat.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Berengaria

What a shame she did not get to rule England..however,she was a remarkable woman..I am glad,though through a novel,her story is brought to life,and we are introduced to this beloved woman of strength and courage. Well done to the author!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about the monarchs of England..please do not miss this one!

[Lyn Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book about Berengaria of Navarre who was married to Richard 1st (the Lionheart) of England. Not much is known of Berengaria and I found this book very informative (assuming that the author did her research properly) and quite well written. I can recommend this to anyone interested in finding out more about Richard's little known queen.

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay for me. Maybe I needed a change from historical fiction but it seemed over long to me. I was fascinated by Berengaria but for whatever reason this just didn't grab me like I'd hoped.

[Sandra R. Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Finally she gets her story told no one remembers her very much even in the family trees from each family