He marries Matilda, the equally intelligent and ambitious daughter of the King of Flanders, and together they have many children.
This is the roller coaster account of his efforts to become sovereign and the events in his life afterwards, including his turbulent relationships with various members of his family. Call of the Raven. Epitaph for Three Women. The Lady of Misrule. The Sunday Times bestselling book — a must read for Summer Root of the Tudor Rose. First of the Tudors. Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen. Red Rose, White Rose. Anne Boleyn, A King's Obsession. The Chateau of Briis. A Famine of Horses. The Queen of Diamonds. The Road to Compiegne.
The Sun in Splendour. Queen of This Realm: The Story of Elizabeth I. The Star of Lancaster. The Hammer of the Scots. Katharine, The Virgin Widow. The Princess of Celle. The Shadow of the Pomegranate. The King's Secret Matter. The Prince of Darkness. Spain for the Sovereigns. The Battle of the Queens. Matilda, ambitious, crown, Harold, title. I used to devour Ms Plaidy's books and there was a time where I read nothing but historical novels. It certainly helped with O Level history! I did find the story a little irritating at times.
I know that the author was trying to fill in the gaps of historical fact remember, though, that history is written by the victor but some of the interactions with the cast of characters were just a c I know that the author was trying to fill in the gaps of historical fact remember, though, that history is written by the victor but some of the interactions with the cast of characters were just awful.
When I was younger, I probably lapped this up. I do remember feeling that I should be of Norman stock, then of Viking stock, then of Anglo-Saxon stock - all depending on which stirring novel I was reading at the time. The description of the first meeting between William and Matilda irked me no end but I probably did not think anything of it when I first read the book.
Recommended to the younger members of the crew that are just starting to enjoy history. I knew next to nothing about William the Conqueror and his family, besides and all that jazz, before reading this novel. As always, Plaidy introduces unforgettable characters and it will take me quite awhile to forget them. Matilda is a tough woman, but her and William's relationship makes sense.
Their relationships with their children are complicated and, e I knew next to nothing about William the Conqueror and his family, besides and all that jazz, before reading this novel. Their relationships with their children are complicated and, especially as the children grew, sad. Overall, this was an excellent beginning to a trilogy and I can't wait to start on the next installment! Apr 03, Kristen rated it really liked it. I really enjoyed this book! My friend saw the title and said "WHAT are you reading?
It was a very clean book, no bad language or crude parts, and I loved learning the history of this very early time period of European rulers. I will definitely read the next book in the series. Mar 01, Lois rated it it was ok. This is the first book in the Norman Trilogy. Jean Plaidy writes fiction about the kings and queens of England. This one is about William the Conqueror. I didn't like the title, just saying.
The author does a pretty good job developing her characters, and this one was full of people with plenty of selfish ambition, desiring revenge, a refusing to forgive.
The Bastard King has ratings and 33 reviews. The Bastard King (Norman Trilogy, #1) .. It is the first in a series of three about this particular family. The Bastard King: (Norman Series) - Kindle edition by Jean Plaidy. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like.
This book lacked a good hero, however, which is why I rated it two stars. Jul 14, Mary Collin rated it it was amazing. I first read this back in the 70s and loved it. It got me fascinated with the Normans and the Plantagenets. That fascination has stayed with me ever since.
I was concerned I'd be disappointed re-reading as I had such a high opinion of it. I couldn't have been happier to reconnect with these amazing books. It's great to rediscover the wonderful Jean Plaidy. I'm hooked all over again almost 40 years on. Sep 29, Joy rated it liked it. William the Bastard fights his way to a new name, William the Conqueror.
The author's Victoria Holt style puts her simplified Jean Plaidy writing style to shame, but I was interested in her interpretations of William and his wife Matilda. I was even willing to follow William's career with sympathy for the length of this book. View all 5 comments. William was the bastard son of a nobleman, Robert the Magnificent and a common woman.
Matilda was a Princess of Flanders. Together they ruled the Duchy of Normandy with their eyes on the kingdom of England.
In this came to be along with the start of a monarchy that has lasted almost years. Feb 22, Kathleen rated it it was ok. When I was younger I read all of Victoria Holt's books. Victoria Holt was another pen name that Jean Plaidy wrote under. I was expecting the same standard of writing perhaps now I'm older my expectations of what a good writer is, has increased. I felt the characters were under developed and the whole book lacked sparkle. Aug 21, Kayla Tornello rated it really liked it Shelves: William the Conqueror was born a bastard, but managed to become both the Duke of Normandy and the King of England.
This is a novel about his life. The author does a good job of bringing the central characters to life. Even so, there is nothing truly memorable about this book. Jan 29, James Burns rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have reread This Book and Many others. I Highly Recommend Her. May 11, Helen rated it really liked it. I first started reading Jean Plaidy books as a young teenager when my grandmother introduced me to them. At their first meeting, Matilda said she would notmarry him because he was a bastard and William responded by throwing herinto the muddy street.
That incident promptly persuaded Matilda to changeher mind. I guess she saw him as a forceful man and the scene played outquite hilariously in my mind. In England, the remaining of the Danes andSaxons struggled to keep control of the country. The Danes were relatives ofWilliam's family Edward the Confessor was William's father's cousin andwhen Edward was nearing death, he proclaimed that William should be his heirand unite Normandy and England.
The rest of Edward's family tree whichincluded other claimants to the throne seemed rather complicated andPlaidy's explanation of it was rather lacking.