Queen Isabella

Just finished reading Alison Weir's latest history tome: "Queen Isabella"

You've got to love the sub title: "Treachery, Adultery, And Murder In Medieval England". Although she left out "Buggery". Must have been to much for British sensibilities.

Actually, it is a wonderful book. Isabella is one of those surprising characters that cries out from the mists of time for vindication. A powerful queen in times when the fairer sex had no power.

Thank you, Robert, for introducing me to Alison Weir. She vividly brings history to life. I await her books like most await Ms Rowlings' Potter's

Those were the days!

Daughter of Phillip IV the Fair of France (of Friday the 13th de Molay infamy for all you Masonic or Da Vinci Decoders). I particularly admired the manner in which she and her l'amore des arms dispatched her enemy and arch rival for her estranged husband's (Edward II) affections, the rapacious Hugh de Spencer (progenitor of the beloved Princess Diana). Tied to a ladder, castrated, disemboweled,and then roasted alive over a roaring bonfire. This guy really did have it coming.

But she also, overthrew a corrupt, hated, regime. Tough stuff for a 14th century woman, queen or no queen.

But then, blinded by love for her beloved Mortimer, helped establish a corrupt, hated regime during the minority of the soon to be great Edward III.

And for that she gets slandered as the She-Wolf of France. Perfide Albion!

Postscript:

Hmmmm....
I haven't seen "the Queen" yet but I wonder, Queen Elizabeth being a direct descendant of Isabella, if the Diana - QEII rivalry might be a tad genetic.