The Bastard King

Rating:
Summary: Good information, poorly presented
Review: From reading this book I got the impression it had been written and printed in the early part of the century and that subsequent editions had not been edited, merely reprinted.

First of all the sentences are often very awkwardly written with no punctuation, or what we would now consider inappropriate punctuation. Here is a paraphrased example: "William who was incensed at this treatment sent his mother Arlette out of the room to pursue his fleeing brother and then continued arguing with the Bishop about the income from the Duchy of Normandy and its use towards a new war with England." Some of the sentences are very long, and without the punctuation it is hard to read-with-the-flow.

Secondly, there are zillions of typos in this book and the subsequent ones in the Norman Trilogy. The Duchy is referred to as "Normundy" a few times. This is the only one I can remember but every couple of pages there is a major misspelling.

But the information is good; it just takes longer to wade through it.

Rating:
Summary: Great story!
Review: Jean Plaidy is an excellent author. She manages to make you fascinated with all the characters in the story--from its hero William the Conqueror, to his worthy adversary Harold Godwinsson. A must-read for a historical fiction buffs.

Rating:
Summary: very entertaining
Review: Jean Plaidy's <u>The Bastard King</u> is an enthralling novelization of the life of William the Conqueror. Covering the life of a man who was arguably the most important figure in the history of England, the story reads like a Wagnerian epic. Highly dramatic, especially in its portrayal of the relationship between William and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, the book is one that engages the reader.

While Plaidy is far from the most gifted of writers, sometimes bordering on downright silly and trashy, she does have a talent for pushing a story along, which she does with great skill in this book. With the recent reissue of many of Plaidy's Tudor novels, historical fiction fans may well find themselves searching their local libraries for more Plaidy novels. Plaidy's Norman Trilogy would seem a logical place to start, and this first of those novels does not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: The full story
Review: So many books about William the Conqueror get side-tracked into the tale of Harold II of England. This book certainly mentions their meeting and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but it was really a much fuller accounting of William's life than just the one conquest of England. This book begins with William as a child and although there were some differences in this author's account (such as his mother's name, who actually cared for him as a fugitive youth, etc.) the tale was well portrayed. The book becomes it's best, however, when the author reaches his marriage with Matilda of Flanders - a strong woman for a strong man and then some! Their lives together and love for each other is a wonderful background tale that supports the more commonly known image of William as a ruler and warrior. What I liked best about this book was the deep involvment of their children in the story. The author brings us through to their adulthood and through the deaths of both Matilda and William and sets the stage for the second book in the trilogy beautifully. I had not had much interest in William Rufus, Robert or Henry (William's sons) until I read this book. I immediately started book #2 (Heart of the Lion) and I can tell you that the story continues seemlessly. If you are interested in 1066, if you like English, Norman or French history, if you are interested in strong military leaders or strong women, or if you are just looking for a fascinating tale about a man that seemed (then as now) larger than life - this is a fantastic book for all of the above! I think today's publishers are crazy for beginning the re-publication of Ms. Plaidy's work by starting with the Tudor series. Take us back to whence it began - and that's the Norman Trilogy!

Rating:
Summary: One of many fabulous books on the Kings of England by Plaidy
Review: The first in a wonderful series on the History of England. Plaidy makes the life of the first King of England interesting and wets your appetite for more. A must for all history buffs!

Rating:
Summary: The story of William the Conqueror
Review: This is a great book about the life of William the Conqueror, his childhood, marriage and his dreams of conquering England.

Rating:
Summary: THE DUKE WHO WOULD BE KING...
Review: This is the first book in the Norman Trilogy series written by the author and a very good work of historical fiction. It chronicles the the life of William the Conqueror, the bastard son of the Duke of Normandy. Born to the daughter of a tanner, his illegitimacy was to be a sore spot and bone of contention for many years. Designated by his father to succeed him as the Duke of Normandy, the circumstances of his birth would cause him to have to fight usurpers within his duchy in order to retain his title.

After a somewhat unusual courtship, William married Matilda, the fiercely independent and beautiful daughter of the King of Flanders. Together, they had a number of children who were to cause him much anger and much sorrow. One of them would eventually bring about a fissure in his relationship with his beloved Matilda.

William, always ambitious, coveted the throne of England and was supported in his desire to be king by his intelligent and equally ambitious wife Matilda. In 1066, after the death of the King of England, Edward the Confessor, with whom he had had a longstanding friendship, William crossed the channel from Normandy to England. He wrested the English crown from King Harold, Edward's popular Saxon successor. In doing so, he forever changed the course of England and its history.

Vividly written and well researched, the author weaves a spellbinding tale of the Duke who would be King. A tapestry of exciting historical events makes this an enthralling tale that will capture the imagination of the reader. Lovers of historical fiction will especially enjoy this interesting and well written book.

Rating:
Summary: THE DUKE WHO WOULD BE KING...
Review: This is the first book in the Norman Trilogy series written by the author and a very good work of historical fiction. It chronicles the the life of William the Conqueror, the bastard son of the Duke of Normandy. Born to the daughter of a tanner, his illegitimacy was to be a sore spot and bone of contention for many years. Designated by his father to succeed him as the Duke of Normandy, the circumstances of his birth would cause him to have to fight usurpers within his duchy in order to retain his title.

After a somewhat unusual courtship, William married Matilda, the fiercely independent and beautiful daughter of the King of Flanders. Together, they had a number of children who were to cause him much anger and much sorrow. One of them would eventually bring about a fissure in his relationship with his beloved Matilda.

William, always ambitious, coveted the throne of England and was supported in his desire to be king by his intelligent and equally ambitious wife Matilda. In 1066, after the death of the King of England, Edward the Confessor, with whom he had had a longstanding friendship, William crossed the channel from Normandy to England. He wrested the English crown from King Harold, Edward's popular Saxon successor. In doing so, he forever changed the course of England and its history.

Vividly written and well researched, the author weaves a spellbinding tale of the Duke who would be King. A tapestry of exciting historical events makes this an enthralling tale that will capture the imagination of the reader. Lovers of historical fiction will especially enjoy this interesting and well written book.