The story in When
Christ and His Saints Slept continues with the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and
Henry II. It’s a captivating tale set in the 12th century, a story of a wonderful woman and a king who was often
distracted by affairs of his kingdom and his mistress and not careful to let
his wife know how she was valued. For that, he would pay a price.
It
began with Thomas Becket, Henry’s closest confidant, who he elevated to be
Archbishop of Canterbury. It ended with a perceived betrayal that made a royal
murder seem inevitable. Along the way were enough scheming, seductions, and
scandals to topple any kingdom but their own.
Penman weaves an intricate story that will draw you in with great attention to historic detail, making up for gaps in the historic record with wonderful fiction. Ranulf, Henry’s fictional uncle, returns to show us life in Wales, which I loved. There are some dark moments with the murder of an archbishop and a Welsh prince. The ending is clearly a transport to book 3 so it leaves many questions unanswered.
The Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy:
When
Christ and His Saints Slept
Time and Chance
Devil’s Brood
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