Elizabeth Chadwick

Thirteen-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine is forced into a marriage she does not want, and when a death thrusts her into the role of queen, she faces scandal, forbidden love, and the complexities of the ruthless French court at every turn.

It is the winter of 1154 and Eleanor, Queen of England, is biding her time. While her husband King Henry II battles for land across the channel, Eleanor fulfils her duty as acting ruler and bearer of royal children. But she wants to be more than this - if only Henry would let her. Instead, Henry belittles and excludes her, falling for a young mistress and leaving Eleanor sidelined and angry. Frustrated at Henry's hoarding of power, Eleanor is forced...

A penniless young knight with few prospects, William Marshal is plucked from obscurity when he saves the life of Henry II's formidable queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In gratitude, she appoints him tutor to the heir to the throne, the volatile and fickle Prince Henry, but being a royal favorite brings its share of danger and jealousy as well as fame and reward.

Queen Adeliza is married to a warrior who supports Stephen, grandson of the Conqueror, while her stepdaughter, Empress Matilda, will let no one, not even Stephen himself, stand in the way of her inheritance.

Loyal knight Fulke Fitzwarin loses his opportunity to become a castle-owner after a violent quarrel with King John.