Two Houses, Two Kingdoms

A History of France and England, 1100-1300

By: Catherine Hanley

Narrated by: Jennifer M. Dixon

An exhilarating, accessible chronicle of the ruling families of France and England, showing how two dynasties formed one extraordinary story

The twelfth and thirteenth centuries were a time of personal monarchy, when the close friendship or petty feuding between kings and queens could determine the course of history. The Capetians of France and the Angevins of England waged war, made peace, and intermarried. The lands under the control of the English king once reached to within a few miles of Paris, and those ruled by the French house, at their apogee, crossed the Channel and encompassed London itself.

In this lively, engaging history, Catherine Hanley traces the great clashes, and occasional friendships, of the two dynasties. Along the way, she emphasizes the fascinating and influential women of the houses—including Eleanor of Aquitaine and Blanche of Castille—and shows how personalities and familial bonds shaped the fate of two countries. This is a tale of two intertwined dynasties that shaped the present and the future of England and France, told through the stories of the people involved.

©2022 Catherine Hanley (P)2022 Tantor

A Historian Who Can REALLY Write!

Between author Catherine Hanely's detailed research and Ms.Dixon's narration, this book is a must for those interested in its subject.
What really sets it apart from others is not only the in depth history is her the writing. It is smooth yet concise, flows in and around so you feel you are there. Easy to grasp all the delicate layers of the intrigue. A book worth a second go round. Looking forward to her other books. Highly recommend.

Great book with a bit of slant

This was a great book with enriching information. My only criticism is that the author indulges in the fallacy that, if women were given equal opportunities to men, they would be better leaders. It's true that inequality towards women was and is wrong and has rob us of historical information. But, if women of this time were put on equal footing they would simply mirror men. Both are human and, as such, some will be good and others will be corrupt. Women should have been treated equally but the assumption that they would have been superior to men is fanciful. They would have been themselves; good, bad and horrific. We know because some of the women who did get in power were just and others were monsters. It was all done on a smaller scale compared to men but human nature is still there.

Good, lots of backstory. It will help you sort who

I've listened to hundreds obooks on medieval Great Britain and never found them boring...until now. I just couldn't get focused on the material and I noticed I was rewinding a lot.
Well, I was able to listen to the stories provided and enjoyed they.
Itsn

Good book let down by a poor narrator

The narrator is perfect if you want to take a nap. Otherwise her voice and presentage are just boring

Unique among other publications, one book that beautifully combines the histories of two dynasties in two great kingdoms

A spectacular book that is full of fantastic histories of the Angevin dynasty in England, and the Capetian dynasty in France. Numerous tales of friendships, animosities, marriages, conflicts, and much more. How Fortune's wheel keeps turning infinitely, lifting the wretched to nearly touching the heavens with given blessings, and smiting the proud or tyrants to smash against the earth. So many historical figures are mentioned with perfect accuracy, that this book almost makes owning other publications that separately speak of those dynasties, as insignificant. I heartily recommend this book to those researching or interested in both the medieval English and French histories.