HRH Princess Michael of Kent-
F. Volume I of The Anjou Trilogy. Volumes II and III will follow in 2014 and 2015. All the main characters in the story lived during the first half of the 15th century, and the historical events described are true to fact. The dialogue, minor characters, incidents and the decorative details are the author’s invention.
At the age of nineteen, Yolande, daughter of the King of Aragon and a high-spirited beauty, sets out with her huge train of courtiers, to wed the young Duke Louis II of Anjou in Provence, one of his sovereign territories. Betrothed since nine years, he has kept her waiting while he fought to establish his rule over his inheritance of Naples and Sicily. Reluctantly, she leaves behind her family, her friends, and everything she knows, to marry the first cousin of the King of France. The purpose of their union is to bring an end to a generation of bitter conflict between Aragon and Anjou for possession of this distant kingdom, an inheritance claimed by both their families. To Yolande’s delighted surprise, their marriage becomes not only a great love story, but also sets in motion events which will change the course of history.
As Louis spends more time and money fighting to regain his throne on the Italian peninsular, as her husband’s regent, Yolande is left alone with their five children to govern their vast inheritance. With her wealth, her subtle intelligence, her charm – and the clever use of her spies – she becomes the saviour – not only of her own territories – but also of France.
The author unveils this seldom told story, enriched by her insider’s perspective of court life. This is an epic, sweeping historical novel which vividly recounts the true story of England’s invasion of France in the 15th century, a dramatic and enthralling period in the history of both countries, witnessed by the captivating and complex heroine, Yolande, known as The Queen of Four Kingdoms.
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