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She-Wolves

The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth
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( 8,448 ratings, 645 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
She-Wolves by Helen Castor explores the lives of medieval England's formidable queens who wielded power in an age dominated by men. Focusing on Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, and Margaret of Anjou, the book delves into their struggles for authority and influence amidst the tumultuous backdrop of English history. Castor provides a richly detailed narrative that highlights the challenges these women faced while trying to assert their rule.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by the power dynamics of medieval Europe and the extraordinary women who challenged societal norms by ruling England. Helen Castor delves into the lives of these remarkable queens and explores their struggles, triumphs, and the lasting impact they had on history.

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The fascinating story of how royal power came to lie in female hands for the first time under the Tudor queens - and of the four women who came before them who, whilst never reigning monarchs, held great power.

She-Wolves by Helen Castor is a fascinating, true account of how royal power came to lie female hands thanks to the influence of four women: Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou. As seen on the BBC documentary series.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When Edward VI—Henry VIII's longed-for son—died in 1553, extraordinarily, there was no one left to claim the title King of England. For the first time, all the contenders for the crown were female.

In 1553, England was about to experience the 'monstrous regiment'—the unnatural rule—of a woman. But female rule in England also had a past. Four hundred years before Edward's death, Matilda, daughter of Henry I and granddaughter of William the Conqueror, came tantalisingly close to securing her hold on the power of the crown.

Between the 12th and the 15th centuries, three more exceptional women—Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, and Margaret of Anjou—discovered, as queens consort and dowager, how much was possible if the presumptions of male rule were not confronted so explicitly.

The stories of these women—told here in all their vivid humanity—illustrate the paradox which the female heirs to the Tudor throne had no choice but to negotiate. Man was the head of woman, and the king was the head of all. How, then, could a woman be king? How could royal power lie in female hands?

She-Wolves by Helen Castor is a fascinating exploration of the challenges faced by these pioneering women who laid the groundwork for female sovereignty in England.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

She-Wolves by Helen Castor receives praise for its engaging narrative and scholarly depth, offering a captivating account of powerful English queens. The book is lauded for its vivid storytelling, insightful analysis, and the author's ability to bring historical events to life with elegance and sympathy. Critics appreciate its exploration of timeless issues and commend its appeal to both history enthusiasts and casual readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571237067

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 411g

Pages: 496

About the Author

Helen Castor is a historian of medieval England, and a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Her last book, Blood and Roses, a biography of the 15th century Paston family, was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2005 and won the English Association's Beatrice White Prize in 2006. She lives in London with her husband and son.

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