Queens of the Conquest

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Julia Franklin

In the first volume of this epic new series, Alison Weir strips away centuries of romantic mythology and prejudice to reveal the lives of England's queens in the century after the Norman Conquest. Beginning with Matilda of Flanders, who supported William the Conqueror in 1066, to the turbulent life of the Empress Maud, who claimed to be queen of England in her own right and fought a bitter war to that end, the five Norman queens emerge as hugely influential figures and fascinating characters.

©2017 Alison Weir (P)2017 W.F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Known for best-selling historical biographies, Alison Weir is in command of her detail." (Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail)

"Weir has a shrewd sense of what will seize the imagination of the keen historical amateur." ( The Independent)

Objective account of the Queens of Norman Kings

Fascinating stories. Narrator does a good job. Because there too many names to recall, I purchased the hard copy which includes helpful maps, genealogy and extensive appendices. I have enjoyed all 4 books of the Medieval Queens series

Appalling French pronunciation and elocution.

While this is a fascinating listen for the history, it does read a little dry as it’s not historical fiction but straight up history. Weir does a great job explaining source material and its limitations. However, the woman reading the book has an atrocious French accent and since much of the people and places are French or in France it’s impossible to understand who or what she is saying. She speaks the French words quickly, as tho if she says it quick then you won’t notice that she cannot in fact pronounce the words correctly. I spent much of the content wondering who, in which castle, and where, as she rushed thru the names.