Medieval Queens Book Tag

I’m having quite a lot of fun doing some of these tags and this was one I hadn’t come across until Queenie (over at The Erudite Labyrinth) tagged me in it. This tag was created by Jess at Jesticulates and if you’re reading this and feel like giving it ago, consider yourself tagged!

Empress Matilda (1102-1167)

After her father, Henry I, died naming her his heir, Matilda’s cousin, Stephen, subsequently took the throne for himself. Matilda never stopped fighting for what was rightfully hers. Though she would never be named Queen of England in her own right, she was able to convince Stephen to name her son, the future Henry II, his successor over his own children. 

Choose a book with a protagonist who stands their ground.

I’m going to have to go with The Midnight Bargain by C.L Polk for this one. This was one of my favourite books of 2020 because of Beatrice. She is a character who is determined to achieve her goal of becoming a mage and she won’t let anyone get in the way of that.

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)

Before she married Henry II and became Queen of England in 1152, Eleanor was Queen of France as the wife of Louis VII. She sought an annulment from her marriage to Louis and he eventually agreed because 15 years of marriage had produced no sons, only for Eleanor to go on to have eight children with Henry—five of whom were sons. Ouch! 

Choose a book or series in which the heroine has more than one romantic relationship

I’m going to pick K.S Villoso’s The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen for this prompt. I read this entire trilogy back in March and I do recommend proceeding with caution if you do decide to read it.

Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290)

A keen patron of literature and a successful businesswoman in her own right, Eleanor was Edward I’s first wife. He was so heartbroken when she died that he erected the Eleanor Crosses, 12 stone crosses marking the places where her body rested over night on its journey from Lincolnshire, where she died, to her burial place in London. Three of the crosses still survive today. 

Choose a bittersweet book

I have to go with The Galaxy, And The Ground Within for this one. While the book itself isn’t sad, I enjoyed the Wayfarers series so much that when it came to finally reading this, it left a really bittersweet feeling. I’m sad it’s over, but this book wraps up the series so well.

Isabella of France (1295-1358)

Often known as the ‘She-Wolf of France’, Isabella was Edward II’s wife. Unfortunately for Edward he wasn’t particularly good at being king, and Isabella soon grew tired of his (possibly homosexual) relationship with his favourite, Hugh Despenser. After she began an affair with English nobleman Roger Mortimer while on a diplomatic mission to France, the pair returned to England with an army and she deposed Edward and acted as regent until their son, the future Edward III, came of age. 

Choose a book where the romance overtook the plot

This feels like I’m shirking a bit, but I genuinely cannot think of a book that fits this prompt.

Philippa of Hainault (1310 / 15-1369)

Queen of England as the wife of Edward III, Philippa was beloved by the English people for her compassion and kindness. The Queen’s College, Oxford, founded in 1341, is named in her honour.

Choose a book set at a university

I feel like this one might come up quite a bit for this prompt, but I’m going to have to choose Babel by R.F. Kuang. I am really looking forward to reading this, especially after all the good things I’ve seen on social media over the last few months.

Joan of Navarre (1368-1437)

Joan was Henry IV’s second wife. Six years after his death, Joan was accused of attempting to poison her stepson, Henry V, through witchcraft and was imprisoned for four years until he ordered her release, just six weeks before he suddenly died. 

Choose a book about witches

I’m going to choose 2 for this one – the first is The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. I absolutely adored this book and it was definitely a case of the right book just when I needed it!

The second one I’m going to choose is one from my TBR – Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson. This one has a really interesting premise and I’m looking forward to diving in.

So that’s it for this book tag! I won’t tag anyone in this, but please feel free to give it ago – I’m looking forward to seeing other people’s responses!