King's Bishop: A Fictional History

by Judith Koll Healey

The king and the chancellor were the best of friends, almost inseparable, until an irrevocable rift evolved between them. What caused their deadly quarrel? Was it politics? Was it position? Was it pride? The dramatic story of the 12th century quarrel between Henry, King of England, and Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, has echoed down through the ages. It is sometimes told as a close friendship gone bad, sometimes as a morality tale of pride, and sometimes as one of jealousy. History supports many versions of the story. But two things are The king forced his chancellor and favorite, Thomas Becket, to also become Archbishop of Canterbury. And at that point, Thomas switched his allegiance from the king to the church. In a fresh new recounting of this well-known story, Judith Koll Healey breaks into a new stylistic frame of historical fiction as she explores the conflict between king and bishop as humans, not simply as giants in history.

296 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2023

About the author

Judith Koll Healey is currently the president of a national firm that works with families in their philanthropic efforts. She is a published poet and short-fiction writer and has lectured internationally on the topic of art and the unconscious. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Series:
* Alais Capet

Reviews

[Lori Muraweh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this historical drama! Healey writes with such wonderful detail and brings the characters of this ancient, medieval era to life. The story of the relationship between King Henry II and Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has fascinated many throughout history, and Healey brings forth an incredibly rich and plausible account of what very well may have happened between the two men. Her characters jump off the page, and I especially loved the strength and power of the character of Eleanor of Aquitaine in this account, and her complicated relationships with her former husband King Louis and then current husband, King Henry II!