The Prince of Darkness is the book about the youngest son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England. Together they had 5 sons and 3 daughters. William the eldest died before his third birthday. Henry, the Young King, was crowned by his father the King when he was 15 years old and died when he was 28 without ever ruling because he predeceased his father he is not counted in the numerical succession of the Kings of England. Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death in 1199, aged 41. Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond, he died at a jousting tournament, aged 28.King John of England reigned as King of England for 17 years,unti is death, aged 50. Being the youngest of 5 sons he was never thought to become the King of England, although his father had other idea of overlooking older sons in favour of John, who it is believed was his favourite son. Before his accession, John had already acquired a reputation for treachery, having conspired sometimes with and sometimes against his elder brothers, Henry, Richard and Geoffrey. In 1184, John and Richard both claimed that they were the rightful heir to Aquitaine, one of many unfriendly encounters between the two. In 1185, John became the ruler of Ireland, but the people grew to despise him, causing John to leave after eight months.King John's reign has been characterised as one of the most disastrous in English history.This book is another fascinating account of the Plantagenets
Upon the death of Richard I, called the Lionheart, his younger brother John (known for various lovely things such as being the über-villain in a lot of Robin Hood stories and trying to usurp his brother's throne pre-ascension to the throne and losing most of the British possessions in France, signing away a significant amount of his power through the Magna Carta, losing the crown jewels, quite possibly having murdered his nephew and generally being a horrid person all around) becomes king. Accomplished historical novelist Jean Plaidy chronicles his reign from John's own POV, but also various others such as his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, his wife Isabella, William Marshal and more to present a complex, engaging story without feeling the need to make her characters any more likable than historical facts suggest. A good read as always!
What do You think about The Prince Of Darkness (2007)?
Of the Plantagenet series , this was the most gripping so far. It has sent me rushing for the next one, keen to discover the further fortunes of these violent monarchs.
—Simone
The evil Prince John! I knew very little about him, other than that he was called Lackland when he was born, for he had so many older brothers that there was nothing left to give to the baby of the family.However, in J. P.'s book he is an evil, horrible, almost psychotic figure who you could definitely believe was descended of the Devil. His wife, never an innocent despite her young age, was as manipulative and vindictive as John was malicious and bloodthirsty.I sped through this book, wanting to read more of the destructive couple who loved each other in their own strange way...
—Amber
