Queen Isabella; Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England.

QUEEN ISABELLA; TREACHERY, ADULTERY, AND MURDER IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND. Alison Weir. 2005. Read by Lisette Lecat. 18 cds. 22 hrs. Recorded Books. 1419354809. $119.75. Vinyl; content, reader notes. SA

Medieval Queen Isabella is generally remembered as a ruthless ruler who connived to have her husband killed and to take over the English throne. This biography is based on new research that shows much of our understanding of Isabella was based on fallacious reports written by her enemies. Isabella, a beautiful young royal French girl, was married to King Edward II of England in 1308 and was then ignored by the King, who preferred young men and scandalous behavior. However, though Isabella managed to produce four children, she was often deprived of her rightful land holdings and was treated shabbily. When she fled to France, she and her lover and Edward's enemy, Baron Roger Mortimer, gathered an army and invaded England to rid it of her enemies. She, and then her son King Edward III, took over the throne. The story is regally narrated by Lecat, who is often asked to read long lists of descriptions of rooms in palaces or land holdings bequeathed at the time of marriages, but those interested in British history will enjoy this new portrait of a beautiful and powerful queen. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.