From an early age, Eleanor of Aquitaine has been taught by her father, Duke of Aquitaine, to rule. With her mother dead, and no sons to be heirs, she must, as a woman, be strong and feminine, able to walk a fine line in a world working to tear her down because of her sex. Eleanor and her father work for years for her marriage to King Louis VII of France, with Eleanor determined to have the next Charlemagne as her son. But she quickly realizes how weak Louis is, answering always to the Church. After a distaster-filled trip to Jerusalem, and years of marriage that result only in two daughters, Eleanor is determined to end her marriage to Louis and return to Aquitaine to rule in her own right, alone. But when the young Henry of Normandy comes to France, Eleanor realizes that her future may not lay just in Aquitaine. Has she finally meet a man strong enough to let her stand beside him as ruler?
Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of those timeless women who has captivated the world for hundreds of years. With beauty, strength, and intelligence, she is one of the few women to rule alone and to also wear the crowns of two countries. "To Be Queen" by Christy English is an outstanding work, recreating the early years of Eleanor's life. For anyone who is a fan of historical entertainment, this is a must-have addition to their collection.
This book is slated to come out in April and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed "The Other Boleyn Girl" or historical fiction with strong women characters.
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