Having known little of Richard’s sister Joanna, I was especially interested in the storylines that featured her. She deserved a better life, but alas! Such was the fate of princesses. She strikes me as the perfect wife, being both beautiful and devoted. Disappointing too, if she really loved her husband. Don’t know how much of Ms Plaidy’s accounts are factual, but the queen’s life must’ve been a lonely one.
Eleanor, of course, features in the previous two books in the Plantagenet series, for hers was a long life.Ĭouldn’t help but feel sorry for Berengaria.
Other characters, such as Richard’s neglected wife Berengaria and his formiddable mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, are also of interest. He taxed the people heavily to fund his ambition of going on a crusade to Jeruselem. While Richard was a great leader and warrior, he hardly cared for the country who crowned him, spending little time upon English soil. Richard I, aka Richard the Lionheart, is portrayed more realistically than in other accounts I’ve read, and especially more so than in most film adaptations I've seen. The author does a good job of bringing one of England's most famous kings to life. Overall I cannot recommend enough and look forward to the next title!!
Overall I was entirely impressed with this installment, perhaps more so than Revolt of the Eaglets, because the voice of Richard is so clear, just like that of Eleanor of Aquitaine was in the Plantagenet Prelude. Speculation about Richard's sexuality runs rife and Plaidy's take on his relationship with Saladin (a mutual respect and nobility in both characters) is novel. The Heart of the Lion is packed with facts concerning the reign of Richard I and also has a fair bit of fiction in there too. However if I watch series, films and read fiction about it before hand I find the information sinking in easier, the whole thing becoming pleasure instead of pain. For me engaging a new historical period solely on the strength of non-fiction is daunting. Plaidy books are for those who love history but need a light or fictitious doorway to saunter in through. Whilst having little to no interest in the Plantagenet dynasty before now I suddenly find myself enthralled, almost entirely through her wonderful writings, and gaining new knowledge day by day of the period. I am, if anyone hadn't guessed thus far, a massive fan of Jean Plaidy.
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