Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: History, Biography, Royal History, Medieval History, Non-Fiction

Book Review:
''Queens of the Conquest'' by Alison Weir is a magnificent and riveting historical work that brings to life the extraordinary women who stood beside and shaped the Norman kings of England. As Tracy Borman writes, this book is a ''masterpiece'' that ''brings England's Norman queens out of the shadows and dazzlingly to life.''

Weir tells the stories of five remarkable queens—from Matilda of Flanders, who supported William the Conqueror's invasion in 1066, to the formidable Empress Maud, who fought a bitter war to claim the throne in her own right. These women were not mere consorts but were recognized as equal sharers in royal authority, and their lives were filled with love, murder, war, betrayal, and high drama. Weir's meticulous research and engaging narrative style make this book as gripping as a novel, as noted by The Times.

This is an essential read for anyone interested in medieval history, royal biography, or the often-overlooked role of women in shaping the course of English history. It is a compelling and illuminating work that restores these pioneering women to their rightful place at the center of the story .