Eleanor the Queen

by Norah Lofts

Eleanor is young, high-spirited, supremely intelligent, heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine - at a time when a woman's value was measured in terms of wealth. Her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure - of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lion Heart. It is the rich, incredible story of Eleanor Of Aquitaine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Royalty, British Literature, Medieval, 12th Century

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Norah Ethel Robinson Lofts Jorisch (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.

Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.

Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.

Reviews

[Infosifter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice bedtime comfort read; this author has a deft hand with characterization.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Eleanor Of Aquitaine and it is a wonderful read, filled with adventure, beauty and history.

I would advise anyone interested in Eleanor's life to read this. The prose is vivid and it is a wonderful piece of Historical literature that was very enjoyable to read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approach books about the royals (tongue in cheek) with a bit of fear and trepidation. Their stories are often hyped-up dramas of evil, ruthlessness, and scandalous people. I am delighted, from what I have read so far, this is not true of Norah Lofts. She writes in good taste. It's not that she avoids the issues of these often messy lives but rather she is not sensational for the sake of shock value. She is a truly great, classical author.
I liked Eleanor the Queen because Eleanor is not as well known as other royalty; say Anne Boleyn or Elizabeth I. Yet she was the queen of two kings and the mother of Richard the Lionhearted. She was imprisoned for several years by husband Henry II, seemly unscathed, to then reign as Queen Consort while Richard was off fighting a crusade.
Another reason I liked Eleanor the Queen were the scriptural references scattered throughout the book. As I read I concluded the author had to have had personal knowledge of the scriptures to write as she did. After looking at Lofts’ book-list I discovered she also wrote a book about Old Testament Women of the Bible. Ah, a soul mate. No wonder I like this author. :)

[Erin Germain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little read. It's a slim book, so I knew it would gloss over a lot of her life, but it still gave a sense of what a strong woman Eleanor was. I think I'd prefer an actual biography, but this was fun to "flesh out" some of the relationships and give you a chance to peek into what might have been going through her head, especially during the fifteen years she was in prison.

[John Naylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someine else has described this book as historical fiction. I am not sure that is an accurate description. It does use real events as a framework. It just has a lot of speculation too. I will accept that this is historical fiction while also stating I don't read a lot of historical fiction.

Some of the life events that the book uses are as accurate as they probably could be. Some of the omissions from Eleanor's life are quite surprising and it also ends well before her notable deeds did.

I feel that some conversations that this book contains are a lot longer than they would have been in reality. They feel padded out. Conversely, some events got very little coverage when they seem that be very significant in her life.

I did not fully enjoy reading this book. It felt uneven in tone and slow plotted. I also accept that it was written over 60 years ago about events that happened nearly a thousand years ago. It just lacked a balance in my opinion. I would recommend it to fans of the genre but not to every reader. A true biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine would probably suit a lot of readers better.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I haven't read a historical fiction for a while and I had forgotten how much I love them. This book is based around fact. I love to learn about the history of Englands royals. It is a really fascinating read and written in a way that is easy to read without all the stuffyness of some factual books.

[Mandy Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I thought the story telling was exceptionally vivid, in addition to being very accurate.
Eleanor was such an amazing woman! From the crusades of her youth to her 15 year imprisonment as an old woman, her life was fascinating.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems like a "prequel" to a couple of other books the author has written about Eleanor of Aquitaine, which are: ELEANOR THE QUEEN and THE LUTE PLAYER. This one covers her early life, from just after her father's death and her subsequent marriage to Louis, King of France through her divorce from Louis, her second marriage to the king of England, Henry II (Plantagenet) until the end of her sixteen-year imprisonment. By the end of this novel, she is 62 years old, an immense age for the times!
I love Norah Lofts and the way she writes. She is the kind of writer who stands head and shoulders above other writers, even at her worst and their best! This is not her worst, by any means, but it is not her pinnacle either. The story flows well as it catches the reader up and immerses him or her in the medieval world of the Crusades, political alliances, the Plague and the rough-hewn lives of the aristocracy, commoners and peasants of the Middle Ages. The language, while not overtly attempting the Middle English of the period, still rings authentically on the mental ear in a very satisfactory way. The descriptions of the manner and articles of dress are such a natural part of the narrative that one is never interrupted by a passage dealing just with fashion or hairstyles only, but always as an enhancement of the plot line. This type of storytelling is so cohesive that it makes reading a real pleasure while being extremely informative! When you have an author who does her research and bases her tale on a strong foundation of facts, then you ca relax and learn a lot of history painlessly while enjoying the story!
To be fair, while the book has many outstanding features, there are also some shortcomings. I thought that the years when Eleanor's Plantagenet children were being born and growing up were brushed over far too quickly. All of the three daughters and one son were virtually ignored, while the main plot revolves around her son, Richard, later called The Lion Heart, and his battles with his father, King Henry. I sorely missed some character development here. It would be nice to think that these children treated so peripherally in this book, might be more fully realized in the other two "Eleanor" books, but sad to say, they are not. There is a slight exception for Her daughter, Joanna of Sicily, who features somewhat in THE LUTE PLAYER.
Despite the flaws of passing over dismissively some very significant events (the death of Thomas a Beckett is one that suffered this fate,) the book is highly readable and makes one long for more!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely work of fiction about Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard the Lionheart, Eleanor the Queen brings forth the seldom spoken of mother of one of historical fiction's most popular king and knight. It's a quick and simple read, but still worth the attention and shows the world where Richard allegedly gets his headstrong nature and his tumultuous rise to become King of England. I'd almost call in a prequel to any of the Robin Hood legends. Definitely worth a read for those who enjoy the time period/ Robin Hood and want to know more about the events leading up to Prince John attempting to take over the English crown.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although I found the author rather skittish when it came to explaining the real historical facts of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Given the fact it was written in the 1950’s and strong women were still strongly discouraged in every arena, it is slightly understandable, but still a disservice to the strong character that was Eleanor. Letting the story end where it did was even more travesty since we know she survived Richard and went on to live past the age of 80.

[Ktmholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a Duchess in her own right, who married the kings of two countries, went on a Crusade, and was mother of Richard the Lion Heart. However, what struck me so forcibly in this book is how even educated, capable women (particularly royalty and nobles) were so often mere pawns in the hands of men, to be traded for money, land, and/or titles. An absorbing story that brought the time period to life.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better written than the Concubine but full of historical inaccuracies and the writing itself (while better) still felt off and poorly transitioned. You can make an interesting piece of media/entertainment without immediately reducing to dramatics.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a lot about Eleanor of Aquitaine but little by Norah Lofts, so I thought I'd give this a try. It was basically a refresher for me, not as detailed as many other books I've read about Eleanor, but it would be a good starting point for anyone unfamiliar with her story.

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is just okay. Parts of it are really fascinating, and other sections just skip past the interesting things. And some of it really drags. The ending has no resolution; it just *stops* (in kind of a weird place too). Meh.

[Kathrin Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Eleanor of Aquitaine is fascinating and Norah Lofts tells it with passion and engagement. For my taste, there is a little too much conjecture in this book and the language is somewhat simplistic.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but was sadly disappointed when I realized that it did not continue throughout her life time.

[Alex Roma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I'd heard the name Eleanor of Aquitaine but didn't know that much about her before reading this book. It was kind of a boring introduction, but I might look into her further in the future?

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little fast read on someone I'd never heard of. And we should know about Eleanor as she was quite a woman!
Liked the writing style.

[Patzia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible
Good to hear Eleanor's life again.

[Kelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a prophecy from a soothsayer. Plus a superstitious curse placed on a king. True that people were superstitious in this time period.

[Karen Wrobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many, many years ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Eleanor is one of my favorite historical figures, a tough, determined, survivor.

[Rosemarie Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

As my Mom has just said to me, while discussing this book over the kettle, "Norah Lofts is a poor man's Jean Plaidy" - and in terms of historical fiction she's right.
I'm reliably told that Lofts has written fiction which, whilst in the historical realm, are not based on actual, living breathing, written in the history books people. And that, again I am told, is very good. I can see why - Lofts has a flair for narrative which really draws you in. The only problem I had with Eleanor the Queen is this - I've read Jean Plaidy.
I've read The Plantagenet Prelude and The Revolt of the Eaglets and revelled in Jean Plaidy's no holds barred, completely flawed and wholly steely portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine. So Lofts overly sympathetic view just didn't hold with me. I may be biased; I worship at the font of Plaidy, accepting her flaws and studiously ignoring them all the same, so it was always going to be difficult for any other book to measure up for me.
Also; Eleanor the Queen is a whistle stop tour of the life of the woman who, in succession, was Queen of France and then Queen of England - an impressive portfolio to be sure. Plaidy takes a more in depth and leisurely look, spreading Eleanor's story over three or four books. At just tipping two hundred and fifty pages Lofts glances through, often drawing attention to fictitious and historical characters alike and turning the attention from Eleanor more than once in their favour. Usually I would applaud that; but in a book so short if feels like the main character should indeed hog the spotlight. Saying that, as I have previously said, Lofts writing style won me over more than once when I felt exasperation at the lack of detail (the amount of time spent on the Crusade with Louis was a shame as it could have been a descriptive gold mine).
However, despite all of that, for those looking for light historical fiction based on one of the most formidable people in history this is just right. Just as this would be a fine addition for those who want to begin their interest in the Plantagenet's and Eleanor; it's a book which makes you eager to do more in depth research as you skid over her marriage to Louis, glide past Raymond of Antioch and sweep through Eleanor's second marriage to Henry Plantagenet with very little being truly said about any of them or of their effect on her.
For beginners in the period this is a great start. For anyone who has read Jean Plaidy I think you would find this overly simplistic. If you have read this and it's sparked an interest Alison Weir did a very in depth look at Eleanor of Aquitaine in Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life (also known as Eleanor of Aquitaine: By The Wrath of God, Queen of England).
Over all nicely written and narratively kind but real Eleanor buffs will be disappointed by the lack of detail and perhaps even the wholesomeness of the thing.

[Alana White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor the Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine
by Norah Lofts
Touchstone/2010

First published a half-century ago, this reprint of Norah Lofts' story of one of history's most famous and powerful queens follows Eleanor from her marriage to the future king of France through her tempestuous marriage to King Henry II, her imprisonment at Henry's hands, and her eventual role as England's regent when her son, King Richard the Lion Heart, left Europe for Jerusalem on Crusade.

Fifteen at the time of her father's death in 1137, high-spirited, extremely intelligent Eleanor found herself the richest and most eligible heiress in Europe, and she was married within the year to King Louis VII of France. The alliance was doomed from the start. She accompanied Louis on the Second Crusade, itself unsuccessful, and bore him two children, but no son. Thus, when Eleanor was thirty, she and Louis divorced.

Enter red-haired Henry Plantagenet, eighteen, cocksure, and England's future king. Lofts' retelling of Eleanor and Henry's relationship and marriage (just two months after Eleanor and Louis divorced) has the crusading queen falling deeply in love with Henry. But theirs was a relationship that was to spiral downward over the years, beset by jealousy and hateful political intrigue. Eleanor's beauty was legendary, and she and Henry parented five sons and three daughters, among them two future kings, yet Henry took as mistress the fair Rosamonde of legend and song.

Henry's anguish over Rosamonde's death by poisoning, for which he blamed Eleanor, and Eleanor's subsequent fifteen-year imprisonment is the emotional high point of Lofts' story. Lofts' description of vibrant, beautiful Eleanor relegated to a tiny cell, her only connection to the outside world her attendant and spotty news brought to her at risk by a kind peddlar, is heartbreaking. Only when Henry dies can his son, Richard I, order Eleanor's release.

Free at last, Eleanor, now in her mid-sixties, survived to take a strong hand in English affairs, along with her son, King John (Lackland). Although Lofts chose to conclude her tale earlier than this, "Eleanor the Queen" remains a classic of royal fiction written with passion and style by one of the best known of all historical novelists. (Originally published in "Renaissance Magazine," Issue 76)

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely rich novel which begins with the death of Eleanor's father while on a crusade. As the heiress of a valuable estate, she was quickly married off to the future king of France.

Trained to rule by her father, she attempted to help her husband, King Louis VII, but his advisers denigrated her and kept them apart. When the Archbishop wanted a new crusade, she circumvented him and led her knights and nobles on the crusade.

After 15 years, she and Louis only had daughters. Using the excuse that they were cousins, their marriage was annulled.

Later she married Henry Plantagenet, bearing him several children including Richard the Lionhearted and John Lackland. She was a strong queen who was very involved in the kingdom at first. As she became more involved in raising her children, she stayed home more. Henry continued his rounds of the kingdom without her and began an affair with the dying Rosemund. Henry attributes Rosemund's death to his wife and confines her. Eleanor's sons try to free her, plunging England into war, but were unsuccessful.

Lots of family drama made this a very interesting tale.

[Bon · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly easy read, but ultimately disappointing. As eventful as Eleanor's life was, this book manages to skim over the truly interesting things and, instead, focuses on the mundane details of her life. Of the real historical events that were actually mentioned, the author succeeded in completely fictionalizing them and brushing them aside. I get that this is fiction, but if you're going to change these events, it'd be nice to at least make them interesting to read. And finally, the book ends very abruptly, no epilogue or anything, so I had to go to wikipedia to see how the rest of Eleanor's life played out (in the process learning that her real life was much more interesting). Overall, a letdown and poorly narrated.

[Hannah Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a chronology of the life and times of a famous woman, this book has it all: introductions for all the important historical figures, geographic and historic explanation of the politics, and a simple, straightforward narrative style that moves from key point to key point in Eleanor's life. As historical fiction, it falls seriously flat. It reads like a well-written history textbook interspersed with sections of blatantly information-filled dialogue. I was disappointed that Lofts made no real attempt to characterize Eleanor. But that is not to say that I didn't enjoy the book--I did. I was looking for a general overview of the life and times of Eleanor, and that is exactly what this book delivers.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had very high expectations for this historical novel, having heard that Lofts' novels about Anne Boleyn were among the best. Eleanor of Aquitaine is my favorite historical figure, so I figured I would enjoy it immensely. I was sadly disappointed. Lofts takes quite a few liberties with the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, including inventing a betrothal and tragedy early in her life and creating a witch-burning scene later on, neither of which I found plausible at all. I did not find her character portrayals at all compelling. I would much highly recommend Sharon Kay Penman's trilogy about the Plantagenets instead.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little leery starting this book. I've read about Eleanor's life by Sharon Kay Penman and Elizabeth Chadwick already so really did I need to read another one. I was able to grab the audible version and have to say that I really enjoyed it. The reader did a wonderful job and the writing was just as good. The book doesn't go into great details about certain major events and skips over others totally. Originally written in the 1950's I found this book to be very entertaining, the author has a writing style that I like.

Will definitely be on the lookout for more of her books.

[Margaret]

I thought this was a good book. I am relatively new to the Historical Fiction genre and I like the story to have a more human-interest angle than a history angle. I especially like stories about strong women, so this fit the bill. After reading this though, I realize that I do not know much at all about the Crusades.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I love English royalty stories and have recently become enamored with Eleanor of Aquitaine. Sadly this was an extremely boring book. It was just a recounting of Eleanor's life with some invented dialogue thrown in. Read more like a lightly fictionalized biography than an actual novel. Not very impressed.