The Passionate Brood by Margaret Campbell Barnes (Rated: C)ISBN 978-1-4022-4205-2Sourcebooks LandmarkPublished 2010Trade Paperback, 345 pagesReviewed by SandraThis is a historical fiction first published in 1944 and rereleased in 2010 that tells the story of the real 12th-century Plantagenet family and the folkloric Robin Hood. Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England are the parents of a rambunctious family consisting of 3 high-tempered girls and 4 boys, who are invariably described as “tall, ruddy, and turbulent “, thus the passionate brood. Robin is purported to have grown up in their midst, been educated like them, though they are proud royal Normans and he is of lowly Saxon birth.Henry II is a philanderer and soon tires of Queen Eleanor. When Richard discovers his father in a compromising situation, Henry’s temper flares and sends him to Navarre where he meets and marries Berengaria. It is she that gives Richard the nickname “Coeur de lion” – Lion heart. Richard eventually becomes king following the death of both his father and his older brother, the heir to the throne. As King he begins preparations to go on a crusade to save the Holy Land. Robin and Richard, who are the best of friends, part ways as Robin refuses to go on crusade and insists on staying in England. He has a more profane view of the Crusades, “How can the spirit of Christianity be confined in any one city? How can it sanction so much suffering? It seems to me there will be far more urgent crusading to be done here at home.” Robin is unceremoniously parted from the close-knit family when Richard, In typical Plantagenet temper, outlaws Robin, putting a price on his head. Robin, an experienced woodsman takes to the forest and thus begins the tale of Robin Hood.The rest of the narrative tells of the notoriety Richard gains as a fierce crusader with tireless enthusiasm for the fight to secure Jerusalem. The glamour attached to Richard move soldiers to willingly follow him and forfeit their lives to the cause. In the end, bitterly disappointment awaits him as they are unable to take Jerusalem. Eventually he is shot by a stray arrow and dies in his mother’s presence, without ever producing an heir to succeed him to the throne of England. However, he is the most famous of the crusaders and “Richard’s courage had made the name of Englishman something to be reckoned with throughout the world.”The author dedicated this book to her son who was killed in the Normandy invasion during World War II. Curiously enough, the Plantagenets traced their ancestry to Normandy and the 1066 invasion of Britain.Serious history/historical fiction fans may enjoy this rather detailed account that focuses mainly on Richard the Lion heart.
This book is about Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionhearted, who was the third legitimate son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard is a king who spent very little time as King of England as he was often off on the Crusades. Another character who played a major part of the story is the fictional (foster brother of Richard) Robin Hood. These two men have a close relationship until Richard outlaws Robin and puts a price on his head, he spends the rest of his days in the Shere Wood forest robbing the rich to give to the poor as the legend goes. I liked how this legendary figure was intertwined into the real facts of King Richard and the Plantagenet family.Richard married Berengaria of Navarre, first-born daughter of King Sanchbo VI of Navarre. Berengaria went on a few of the crusades with Richard which was a difficult situation for a marriage and there were no living children from this match. Richard is determined to win back the Holy Land but never actually does conquer Jerusalem. King Phillip of France and Richards brother John(who is regent while Richard is off on his crusades) are conspiring against him The marriage of Richard and Berengaria's was a love match according to this book even though as most marriages of the time were matches made for political reasons which also allowed families to stake claims of succession on each others lands. Even though Berengaria was actually Queen of England, she actually never set foot in England until Richard had died. Joanna Plantagenet (King Richards sister) was Queen of Sicily until King William II's death at which time she was brought back to England. Another fictional character in this story is Blondel de Cahaignes who is King Richards steward and close friend and is with Richard until his death. All of these characters, fictional or otherwise, tell the story of the young Plantagenets, their success and failures, their triumphs and tragedies. This is another great novel by Margaret Campbell Barnes and one that I enjoyed immensely.
What do You think about The Passionate Brood (1989)?
This is a different twist on the Infamous Family of England . Their beginnings and their quests what might have been. I have read many books talking about this era. It was interesting to have a personal view of their internal doings. My question is : Did Richard the Lion-heart really outlaw his friend Robin ,who became Robin-hood? It seems plausible . Yet somehow not so believable. Perhaps I have been jaded by previous reads. The event of the slaughter in the Crusade ,I have read accounts about . Deplorable and really inexcusable, anyone who reads of this account might understand the middle east conflict better.
—Chin
I loved My Lady of Cleves: A Novel of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves and King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives, and the One Man Who Knew All Their Secrets. I found Barnes' novels to have an old fashion writing style I couldn't help but love and prose that oozed with charm. I figured if she could make the Devil's Brood sing. I was sadly disappointed.Richard and John were reduced to one-dimensional figureheads. The character with the most potential, Berengaria, ended up being little more than a weeping wimple. Everything went back to Robin but Robin was thrown into the forest as soon as he appeared. The only thing keeping me reading was the fading hope that I would eventually see some of the brilliant charm I enjoyed with Barnes' Tudor era.
—Gretchen
I love European history, and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres of literature, but I usually skip books about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her children. I sometimes like reading stories about Robin Hood, but in those King Richard is usually only a background character. I can't say exactly why I skim that story so much, but I have never really connected with it. This book completely changed my opinion. I loved the author's interpretation of the classic Robin Hood story, and her portrayal of a very complicated family and time had me enthralled. I probably enjoyed it even more than other historical fiction I have read because I only knew the basic facts about the events, so I didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed reading about Robin Hood from an opposite point of view, after Robin is outlawed we only see him a couple more times, the story is mostly about Richard, his crusade, and the events, big and small, that made him a legend. I can't honestly say I like King Richard very much, but I might read more about him now. I was surprised to learn that this book was written during World War 2, as another review said, it felt timeless. I will be adding all of her books to my "to read" list.
—Danielle Reily
