Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : H. Holt, 1995.
Description
In the wake of King Henry I's death in 1135, the Countess of Anjou, his beautiful daughter, prepares to claim the throne despite the reservations of the late ruler's barons, but her position is usurped by her cousin. As church bells tolled for the death of England's King Henry I, his barons faced the unwelcome prospect of being ruled by a woman: Henry's beautiful daughter Maude, Countess of Anjou. But before Maude could claim her throne, her cousin Stephen seized it. In their long and bitter struggle, all of England bled and burned. Sharon Kay Penman's magnificent fifth novel summons to life a spectacular medieval tragedy whose unfolding breaks the heart even as it prepares the way for splendors to come--the glorious age of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Plantagenets that would soon illumine the world.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member cyderry
The early history of England is chuck full of struggle and civil war and this book could easily be a detailed document of those struggles, but for the personal accounts created by the author which bring to life the individuals involved and their driving motivations.
The story begins with the sinking
Maude's second marriage was miserable but did eventually yield 3 sons - Henry, Geoffrey, and William. But after her father's death, when Maude was ready to take the crown of England it was claimed by her cousin Stephen, since the English barons preferred a man over a woman, and thus the Civil war that swept through that nation for nearly 20 years erupted.
Maude's supporters were led by her half-brothers and other lords, while Stephen frequently needed to purchase mercenaries as well as some of his own nation's noblemen. Often there were defections back and forth.
Maude's oldest son, Henry was finally crowned king along with his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (reputed to be the most beautiful woman in Christendom as well as a great heiress. (She had been married to Louis of France but was set aside because she only had girls.) Eleanor was the only woman who was ever Queen of France and England.
This book was extremely well researched and written so that it read more as an adventure than as a history. The hundreds of pages took the reader through the horrors of war in the 12th century as well as identifying the political atmosphere regarding the nobility, the church, and women's rights.
my feelings:
I have always had an interest in the history of England and in particular the kings and queens of that realm ever since my father gave me [The Conquering Family] by Thomas Costain which chronicled the beginning of the Plantagenets. Until this book, however, I had never delved into the battle that took place to bring Henry II into power.
I loved the way that Ms. Penman told this story and that detail to which she went. The tales of the sieges of the towns of Lincoln and Winchester were vividly portrayed. And for myself, I never honestly took the thought of how devastating fire could be at that time. The storytelling and writing were tremendous.
The only drawback was that this book was over 700 pages and the print was very small so it really did seem like it went on forever even if it was extremely interesting.
The story begins with the sinking
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of the White Ship, believed the greatest ship of its time (think Titanic in medieval times) and with it the only legitimate son of Henry I. Not that Henry didn't have other sons (20 bastards - give or take a few) but that only his daughter Maude, widowed German Empress, was left as his heir. Deciding without her permission to first name her as his successor and second to marry her to a younger man, Geoffrey of Anjou, Maude's life was thrown into upheaval that never ended.Maude's second marriage was miserable but did eventually yield 3 sons - Henry, Geoffrey, and William. But after her father's death, when Maude was ready to take the crown of England it was claimed by her cousin Stephen, since the English barons preferred a man over a woman, and thus the Civil war that swept through that nation for nearly 20 years erupted.
Maude's supporters were led by her half-brothers and other lords, while Stephen frequently needed to purchase mercenaries as well as some of his own nation's noblemen. Often there were defections back and forth.
Maude's oldest son, Henry was finally crowned king along with his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (reputed to be the most beautiful woman in Christendom as well as a great heiress. (She had been married to Louis of France but was set aside because she only had girls.) Eleanor was the only woman who was ever Queen of France and England.
This book was extremely well researched and written so that it read more as an adventure than as a history. The hundreds of pages took the reader through the horrors of war in the 12th century as well as identifying the political atmosphere regarding the nobility, the church, and women's rights.
my feelings:
I have always had an interest in the history of England and in particular the kings and queens of that realm ever since my father gave me [The Conquering Family] by Thomas Costain which chronicled the beginning of the Plantagenets. Until this book, however, I had never delved into the battle that took place to bring Henry II into power.
I loved the way that Ms. Penman told this story and that detail to which she went. The tales of the sieges of the towns of Lincoln and Winchester were vividly portrayed. And for myself, I never honestly took the thought of how devastating fire could be at that time. The storytelling and writing were tremendous.
The only drawback was that this book was over 700 pages and the print was very small so it really did seem like it went on forever even if it was extremely interesting.
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LibraryThing member soliloquies
A fascinating, but frustrating, account of the civil unrest between Maude, hereditary heir to the throne of England, and her cousin, Stephen of Blois. Following the death of Henry I, Maude is expecting to be crowned Queen, but before she can return to England her cousin has been crowned King.
All
The latter part of the book sees greater involvement from Maude’s son, Henry II, and it is here that things begin to improve. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is another ‘big’ personality and perhaps it is their dominance that overshadows Maude and Stephen. The story skips along when their characters are predominant and that saves this book.
All
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the elements of a great book are there, detailed historic research and excellent writing but this remains my least favourite Penman book. The problem lies with the two central characters – Maude is remembered, by history, as being haughty and aloof, whilst Stephen was regarded as weak and ineffectual. Penman tries to round off their personalities, but, for me, they remain unlikeable. I found myself unable to sympathise with either of them, and kept wishing that Maude’s illegitimate elder brother, Robert, had been crowned King.The latter part of the book sees greater involvement from Maude’s son, Henry II, and it is here that things begin to improve. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is another ‘big’ personality and perhaps it is their dominance that overshadows Maude and Stephen. The story skips along when their characters are predominant and that saves this book.
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LibraryThing member lookingforpenguins
Fabulous story of the war for the English/Norman crown between Stephan and Maude. First of two in a series; followed by 'Time and Chance'.
LibraryThing member Joycepa
For 20 years during the middle of the 12th century, a civil war raged in England over the succession to the crown between the daughter and the nephew of Henry I—himself a most likely usurper of England’s throne. Although Henry I had designated Maude his heir, Stephen claimed the crown for
Maude and Stephen’s armies and those of their ambitious adherents ravaged the English countryside, causing such misery that the people called it ‘the time when Christ and his saints slept”, the title of the book. Eventually, the war came to an end, with Maude’s son Henry proclaimed as the heir; within a year of the truce, Stephen was dead and Henry ascended the throne as Henry II, one of England’s greatest kings.
These are the bare historical facts upon which Penman writes an excellent novel of the era. She writes from the points of view (in the 3rd person) of many different characters, many historical figures such as Stephen, Maude, Stephen’s wife Matilda, Henry, and Eleanor of Aquitane, but also from fictitious ones; the most prominent non-historical figure is Ranulf, one of Maude’s illegitimate brothers who supports Maude loyally throughout 19 years of fighting.
The format works extremely well, allowing Penman to bring in all sorts of details about the life of the people at the time and how devastating the war was for the ordinary English who had no personal stake in the crown itself. The book is rich in historical detail—the siege of Winchester and Oxford, the rise and fall of the tide of success for each side, the betrayals and counter betrayals of various powerful nobles as they sought to turn the war to their own gain.
Penman does a good job with characterization; these people are believable. Maude has always gotten a bad press, thanks to the hostility of the monks who wrote the history of the time. Penman does an excellent job of redressing the balance, favoring neither Maude nor Stephen but showing the strengths and fatal weaknesses of both. We do get tantalizing glimpses of Thomas Beckett and especially Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry’s wife, that clearly belong to another volume in Penman’s excellent historical series. However, the book stands totally on its own merits which are many.
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himself. Reluctant to accept a woman as ruler, most of the barons willingly accepted Stephen as king. However, enough remained loyal to Maude—and among those whose support was crucial was Robert of Gloucester, the illegitimate oldest child of the former king—that Maude was able to mount an assault on Stephen, plunging England into civil war.Maude and Stephen’s armies and those of their ambitious adherents ravaged the English countryside, causing such misery that the people called it ‘the time when Christ and his saints slept”, the title of the book. Eventually, the war came to an end, with Maude’s son Henry proclaimed as the heir; within a year of the truce, Stephen was dead and Henry ascended the throne as Henry II, one of England’s greatest kings.
These are the bare historical facts upon which Penman writes an excellent novel of the era. She writes from the points of view (in the 3rd person) of many different characters, many historical figures such as Stephen, Maude, Stephen’s wife Matilda, Henry, and Eleanor of Aquitane, but also from fictitious ones; the most prominent non-historical figure is Ranulf, one of Maude’s illegitimate brothers who supports Maude loyally throughout 19 years of fighting.
The format works extremely well, allowing Penman to bring in all sorts of details about the life of the people at the time and how devastating the war was for the ordinary English who had no personal stake in the crown itself. The book is rich in historical detail—the siege of Winchester and Oxford, the rise and fall of the tide of success for each side, the betrayals and counter betrayals of various powerful nobles as they sought to turn the war to their own gain.
Penman does a good job with characterization; these people are believable. Maude has always gotten a bad press, thanks to the hostility of the monks who wrote the history of the time. Penman does an excellent job of redressing the balance, favoring neither Maude nor Stephen but showing the strengths and fatal weaknesses of both. We do get tantalizing glimpses of Thomas Beckett and especially Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry’s wife, that clearly belong to another volume in Penman’s excellent historical series. However, the book stands totally on its own merits which are many.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I'm a great fan of Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour, about Richard III and Here Be Dragons set in medieval Wales. There two of my favorite books of historical friction, both unforgettable and moving me to tears. Here Be Dragons, despite being rooted soundly in history also is one of the
So I started this book with some trepidation-but I found this was more the Penman of old, not the one that disappointed. This didn't for me quite reach the heights of those two favorite books--but it was still a terrific read that made me feel for the characters and feel transported to another time. It wasn't an easy read at times--not because of style or skill--but because I know English history too well to know this would end well. And Penman has a gift for making you care--even as you're exasperated with her characters. A character describes the battling cousins flaws pretty aptly. King Stephen too easily influenced and not resolute enough; Empress Maud incapable of listening to anyone and way too stubborn. And poor England caught in the middle. The tragedy of it all being, at least as Penman presents it, is that Maud *did* learn from her mistakes--and if she had received the kind of support she deserved and would have gotten had she been male--from her father, her husband, Stephen himself, might have made a decent monarch. I wound up feeling for both. And her picture of the young Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine and the early, happy part of their marriage was involving, even fascinating.
And frankly happy to follow characters I didn't know about, either because they're historically obscure or fictional. Because history doesn't leave much room for happy endings with real lives sadly enough. This one is well worth the read.
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most moving love stories I'd ever read. The last Penman novel I read though, based on Richard the Lionhearted, was a disappointment. It dragged. Frankly, through much of it I was bored.So I started this book with some trepidation-but I found this was more the Penman of old, not the one that disappointed. This didn't for me quite reach the heights of those two favorite books--but it was still a terrific read that made me feel for the characters and feel transported to another time. It wasn't an easy read at times--not because of style or skill--but because I know English history too well to know this would end well. And Penman has a gift for making you care--even as you're exasperated with her characters. A character describes the battling cousins flaws pretty aptly. King Stephen too easily influenced and not resolute enough; Empress Maud incapable of listening to anyone and way too stubborn. And poor England caught in the middle. The tragedy of it all being, at least as Penman presents it, is that Maud *did* learn from her mistakes--and if she had received the kind of support she deserved and would have gotten had she been male--from her father, her husband, Stephen himself, might have made a decent monarch. I wound up feeling for both. And her picture of the young Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine and the early, happy part of their marriage was involving, even fascinating.
And frankly happy to follow characters I didn't know about, either because they're historically obscure or fictional. Because history doesn't leave much room for happy endings with real lives sadly enough. This one is well worth the read.
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LibraryThing member VictoriaJZ
I enjoy Penman's works and writing, although I am noticing that she feels the need to use some of her characters in set pieces explaining background or information that might provide context. In this and Time & Chance some of this has been redundant and she needs a better editor to catch these.
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Perhaps she intends each book to be stand alone, and needs to regurgitate information in case people don't read the other related works, but there has to be a better way - maybe a forward that lays the groundwork? I did enjoy the book however and enjoyed especially my changing views of Maude and Stephen through the years; they were alive to me in this book, which is a special talent Penman has. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tess_Elizabeth
Historical fiction at its best. I did myself a big disservice by starting this book and then putting it down after only 100 or so pages before picking it up again. It's a long, sprawling epic, but it is well worth the read. Penman masterfully tells the story of the beginning of the Plantagenet
It is a little difficult to follow at times because of the names (most of the female characters are named either Maud or Matilda), but there's usually enough context to figure it out. There are a few story lines, and sometimes it can seem a little meandering. If you can stick with it, you will be richly rewarded with a spell-binding tale of love, loss, betrayal, and the quest for a crown, made all the more incredible because it really happened.
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dynasty, beginning with the infamous wreck of the White Ship, to the ensuing years of anarchy between Stephen and the empress Maud.It is a little difficult to follow at times because of the names (most of the female characters are named either Maud or Matilda), but there's usually enough context to figure it out. There are a few story lines, and sometimes it can seem a little meandering. If you can stick with it, you will be richly rewarded with a spell-binding tale of love, loss, betrayal, and the quest for a crown, made all the more incredible because it really happened.
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LibraryThing member gbelik
This story set in 12th century England tells of the 18 year struggle that plunged England and France into chaos following the death of King Henry I. Henry had designated his daughter Maude/Matilda as his heir, but his nephew Stephen quickly usurped the throne and defended his reign against Maude
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and her son who will become Henry II. Maude had been coerced into a loveless marriage with Geoffrey of Anjou(her second--her first was to the Holy Roman Emperor.) It is a tale of battles and destruction over the both England and France, as well as loyalty and repeated betrayal. The important characters are well developed and presented with a sympathetic understanding of their various motives. It is the first of a trilogy and ends with Henry II as king and married to the remarkable Eleanor of Acquitaine; I look forward to the later volumes. Show Less
LibraryThing member Glorybe1
This book is about a period of history I am not particularly familiar with, 12th century England and the battle between Maude and Stephen for the throne. Maude was declared heir to the throne by her father Henry 1, but her cousin Stephen feels (along with a vast number of men) that the country
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would not accept a female ruling over them! So they plunge England into a bitter, bloody civil war. Full of tit for tat taking of castles, turncoats and traitors galore. Stephen is a kind generous,gentle man not at all suited to being a king, whereas Maude is brave tactical and far better suited to rule! It must have taken years of research as the historical detail is phenominal. A really good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member lrobe190
At the death of Henry I, his daughter, Maude, and his nephew, Stephen of Blois, fight for control of England. Penman is my favorite historical fiction author. Her books are always well-researched and her characterw come alive. Of the many books I've read of hers, I didn't like this one as well as
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others. I think it's mostoly because I didn't like the characters as well. Book 1 of the Eleanor of Aquitaine series. Show Less
LibraryThing member surreality
Plot: The historical events around Empress Matilda and Stephen of Blois form the background; most of the plotlines are historically accurate and dealt with in chronological order. The fictional plotlines are notably simpler and more straightforward. No surprises, but in a historical novel,
Characters: The historical characters are portrayed in quite interesting ways, and stereotyping is mostly avoided. The research paid off here - motivations and goals are clear, and the characters feel real.
Style: For large stretches, the narration is quite matter-of-fact. Description doesn't take a large role, neither do details on battles. It's still an adequate amount of both, and since it's consistent, it's not something that's really missed.
Plus: Excellent research, and a good portrait of the political situation at the time.
Minus: The fictional central character and the way he constantly distracts from the historical events. If I'd been interested in reading about cliché romances in Wales, I'd have bought another book.
Summary: It's an overall good book that trips itself with fictional plot excursions.
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surprises shouldn't happen when it comes to plot anyway.Characters: The historical characters are portrayed in quite interesting ways, and stereotyping is mostly avoided. The research paid off here - motivations and goals are clear, and the characters feel real.
Style: For large stretches, the narration is quite matter-of-fact. Description doesn't take a large role, neither do details on battles. It's still an adequate amount of both, and since it's consistent, it's not something that's really missed.
Plus: Excellent research, and a good portrait of the political situation at the time.
Minus: The fictional central character and the way he constantly distracts from the historical events. If I'd been interested in reading about cliché romances in Wales, I'd have bought another book.
Summary: It's an overall good book that trips itself with fictional plot excursions.
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LibraryThing member KatySilbs
Covering the period of time between January 1101 and October, 1154, Penman provides a very readable historical novel. The period of time is quite interesting. The grandchildren of William the Conquerer fight amongst themselves for the crown. The human flaws of each are presented. The novel also
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does a good job of conveying the seemingly unending back and forth. Show Less
LibraryThing member victorianrose869
October 18, 1999
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Kay Penman
One of the best historical novels I’ve read so far, taking me into an era of British royal history I knew absolutely nothing about.
Stephen and Maude, two of the grandchildren of William the Conqueror – or William the Bastard, as he
Eventually, Stephen and Maude agreed that Maude would not be Queen, but that Stephen would name her son, Henry II, as his successor, since his own son had choked to death one night at dinner. Henry II was the notorious first of the Plantaganet dynasty, and married Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France. Supposedly Penman is also writing that story, so I’m keeping my eyes peeled. This book was just incredible. A huge tome, but worth it.
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Kay Penman
One of the best historical novels I’ve read so far, taking me into an era of British royal history I knew absolutely nothing about.
Stephen and Maude, two of the grandchildren of William the Conqueror – or William the Bastard, as he
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was known then, since it wasn’t until Victoria’s time that “the Bastard” part quietly went away – are fighting over the throne of England. Henry I had been left with no legitimate heirs after his son was killed in the White Ship, so his niece and nephew (cousins, not siblings) are next in line. No one will ever know the whole truth, I suppose, but supposedly Henry had named Maude as his successor. Since few wanted a female monarch, a clergyman close to the king proclaimed that on his deathbed, Henry had changed his mind and declared Stephen his successor instead. Stephen seized the throne in a coup of sorts before Maude could get to it, and there ensued a fifteen-year civil war that is said to be one of the bloodiest in English history, and it’s those years that were referred to by the Worcester Chronicle at the time as the years “when Christ and his saints slept”. Eventually, Stephen and Maude agreed that Maude would not be Queen, but that Stephen would name her son, Henry II, as his successor, since his own son had choked to death one night at dinner. Henry II was the notorious first of the Plantaganet dynasty, and married Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France. Supposedly Penman is also writing that story, so I’m keeping my eyes peeled. This book was just incredible. A huge tome, but worth it.
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LibraryThing member ktleyed
What happens in the 12th century, when the heir to the throne of England dies in the sinking of the fabled White Ship in the English Channel, leaving the throne with no legitimate male heir?
Civil War ensues between Maude, the only legitimate heir to King Henry I and King Henry's nephew , Stephen
If you are a diehard Penman fan, this book is a must, but it does not have the poignancy, romance or storytelling of her Wales Trilogy (though there is a bit of Wales in this one) or The Sunne in Splendour which revolves around Richard III. It wasn't bad, but it didn't grab me. I found I put the book down a lot and did not get into it until I was more than half way through it. Still, I did enjoy reading about this period, and it's a good lead in to Henry II's reign, which I have always been interested in ever since seeing the movies Becket and The Lion in the Winter which starred Peter O'Toole playing Henry II twice, as the younger Henry and elder Henry.
Civil War ensues between Maude, the only legitimate heir to King Henry I and King Henry's nephew , Stephen
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who steals the crown away from Maude. This is the true story of what seems an endless amount of battles and sieges throughout England between the Maude and Stephen factions fighting for the rightful crown of England. This book wasn't bad, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Penman's previous books. It just seemed like one battle after another, with no side seeming to gain the advantage. Hence the title, for this Civil War endured for roughly 15 years when the countryside and towns of England were ravaged by war, with no end in sight. We get a glimpse of Maude and her life most of it unhappy with her husband Geoffrey of Anjou, and that of Stephen who was fated to be a terrible judge of character and too forgiving of his enemies, and other characters such as Ranulf, a fictionalized illegitimate half-brother to Maude, and Robert, another illegitimate half brother. Not until the very end of the book do we finally read about Maude's eldest son, the future Henry II, and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine and how they meet, which I found to be the most entertaining part of the book and their ensuing marriage. I was heartened to read in Penman's afterward that she pictures Katharine Hepburn (from the fantastic movie, The Lion in the Winter) as Eleanor.)If you are a diehard Penman fan, this book is a must, but it does not have the poignancy, romance or storytelling of her Wales Trilogy (though there is a bit of Wales in this one) or The Sunne in Splendour which revolves around Richard III. It wasn't bad, but it didn't grab me. I found I put the book down a lot and did not get into it until I was more than half way through it. Still, I did enjoy reading about this period, and it's a good lead in to Henry II's reign, which I have always been interested in ever since seeing the movies Becket and The Lion in the Winter which starred Peter O'Toole playing Henry II twice, as the younger Henry and elder Henry.
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LibraryThing member eplu
This is a wonderful book, rich in detail and full of the perplexing intrigue and political and sexual politics of the 12th century. I have recently discovered penman, and am eager to read the next in this series, Time and Chance.
LibraryThing member Simon1265
Beautifully written like all of Penman's Books
LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman features the beginnings of the Plantagenet dynasty. It features the bloody war that raged England between Stephen and his cousin Maude. Stephen steals the crown after King Henry the First's death from Maude, who's the rightful heir to the throne
I strongly recommend studying the family tree first which is gratefully provided in the beginning of the book. That way you can find it who is related to who (you'll find out they are all related somehow) and who is married to who. It may help you to take notes so you'll also know who is who as it does get confusing. Especially in the beginning just when the story starts to develop. There are a lot, and I mean A LOT of characters. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the family tree helped me get through with it and although I didn't take notes, I got the main idea on who's who once the story progresses. To me, it felt like reading a very exciting history book. It feels so historically accurate and everything is rich in detail from the way the characters talk to the way everything is described.
The battle sequences are interesting. They do seem real and they seem quick even though the book is filled with battles and wars and seiges. I like them a lot though as it does make you progress through the novel faster and it adds action to the plot. The politics of this book is also interesting. Although there were parts where I was shocked to see betrayals by certain characters yet it adds excitement and intrigue which in turn makes the book historically accurate as well. Besides the battles and the politics, you are also taken to some of the characters' more personal lives and their personal troubles. For example you have the story of Ranulf, who loves Annora who was his betrothed until she got married off to someone else. In turn he does what he can to win her back. It's these mini stories that also help the story go along and it's nice to see these, as it brings more "flesh" and depth to the characters instead of making them flat and cardboard like.
What I love the most is the portrayal of women in this book. I love Maude, as she was so strong and determined to continue the war to get her crown back and all of this for her son Henry (the second). You get a lot of strong female characters and how they actually provided the backbone and their never ending support to their husband/son's causes. I liked the portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine despite the myths surrounding her life, I think it was well done and I admired her ability to secure her future without any thought of how others might see her. Basically, you won't see many weepy needy women in this book. They're all a beacon of strength.
The only problem I have with this book? just way too many characters to go through and it got a little confusing in the beginning. However once you establish the main players, and how they're involved in the war then it gets easier. As I have mentioned before, perhaps it's wise to take notes, or to take into account the family tree in the beginning.
Overall a wonderful book for historical buffs out there, especially those curious or lovers of the Plantagenet Dynasty. This is my first book about them and I don't regret it one bit. I loved the rich history, it was like looking at one very detailed tapestry.
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of England. With that main event, you get a lot of war, a lot of betrayal, and a lot of family struggles to keep the crown, or to take it.I strongly recommend studying the family tree first which is gratefully provided in the beginning of the book. That way you can find it who is related to who (you'll find out they are all related somehow) and who is married to who. It may help you to take notes so you'll also know who is who as it does get confusing. Especially in the beginning just when the story starts to develop. There are a lot, and I mean A LOT of characters. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the family tree helped me get through with it and although I didn't take notes, I got the main idea on who's who once the story progresses. To me, it felt like reading a very exciting history book. It feels so historically accurate and everything is rich in detail from the way the characters talk to the way everything is described.
The battle sequences are interesting. They do seem real and they seem quick even though the book is filled with battles and wars and seiges. I like them a lot though as it does make you progress through the novel faster and it adds action to the plot. The politics of this book is also interesting. Although there were parts where I was shocked to see betrayals by certain characters yet it adds excitement and intrigue which in turn makes the book historically accurate as well. Besides the battles and the politics, you are also taken to some of the characters' more personal lives and their personal troubles. For example you have the story of Ranulf, who loves Annora who was his betrothed until she got married off to someone else. In turn he does what he can to win her back. It's these mini stories that also help the story go along and it's nice to see these, as it brings more "flesh" and depth to the characters instead of making them flat and cardboard like.
What I love the most is the portrayal of women in this book. I love Maude, as she was so strong and determined to continue the war to get her crown back and all of this for her son Henry (the second). You get a lot of strong female characters and how they actually provided the backbone and their never ending support to their husband/son's causes. I liked the portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine despite the myths surrounding her life, I think it was well done and I admired her ability to secure her future without any thought of how others might see her. Basically, you won't see many weepy needy women in this book. They're all a beacon of strength.
The only problem I have with this book? just way too many characters to go through and it got a little confusing in the beginning. However once you establish the main players, and how they're involved in the war then it gets easier. As I have mentioned before, perhaps it's wise to take notes, or to take into account the family tree in the beginning.
Overall a wonderful book for historical buffs out there, especially those curious or lovers of the Plantagenet Dynasty. This is my first book about them and I don't regret it one bit. I loved the rich history, it was like looking at one very detailed tapestry.
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LibraryThing member aapjebaapje
This is the first, chronologically, of Sharon Penman’s historical novels. She introduced a number of characters from the period starting January 1101 to October 1154. Just under 900 pages suffices to bring the story right the way through from the reasons why Stephen and Maude fought over the
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English throne to the campaign itself. There are a number of protagonists and all in all, this book gives you an excellent grounding in the period it covers. I know a great deal more than I did before and am moving onto Ms Penman’s next novel, Time and Chance. She is an excellent novelist and I shall be reading the whole series. Show Less
LibraryThing member cuffindell
Lovers of historical fiction must read Penman's splendid fifth novel, which chronicles one of the bitterest, bloodiest struggles in medieval English and assures her place as one of the finest writers of the genre.
LibraryThing member RockStarNinja
When Christ... is the prefect first book in the series of Henry Fitz Empress and Eleanor of Acquitane, I cannot wait to begin the next book Time and Chance. This is one of those books that you have to force yourself to put down. I absolutely loved this book, it was funny at times and emotional. I
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do think it is funny though that my favorite character is the one character in the book that was made up. Show Less
LibraryThing member wizardsheart
This book was a real disappointment. It tells the story of Maude and Stephen and their fight for the crown of England in the 12th century. It spans a lot of years. Which in my opinion is very tricky in a book. To have it span so long and still be able to not lose interest in a character or a
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situation. I am afraid this happened several times for me. There was a lot of repetition. And it seems like threads got lost and a lot of things were left out, that I would have included had I written it. It was however, very informative. SKP really does a good job of showing what it was like during this time period. She just didnt capture my heart with it. At times it was so informative that the thread of the novel got lost. I have read other stuff by SKP and she is a terrific writer. This just happens to have been a dud. :o( Show Less
LibraryThing member Misfit
A Sad and Tragic Period in England's History and truly a time when Christ and his Saints slept. A fascinating, complicated tale with a huge cast of characters, many with similar names. It was hard to keep track of at times, a list of who's who at the front of the book would have been helpful, as
The characters were well written, and I appreciated that neither Stephen (who did steal the crown) nor Maude were written as black and white/evil vs. saint -- all had flaws in their characters. Adding the fictional Ranulf gave a nice perspective to the tale. I also appreciated the way the author brought us the viewpoints of the common folk, who didn't care who ruled, as long as there was peace.
The first 2/3 of the book are mostly about the civil conflict between the two parties and can drag on a bit, but the last part when Henry started coming into power and married Eleanor of Aquitaine the sparks were fairly flying off the pages. I am now starting on Time and Chance and eagerly awaiting more on this dynamic pair.
As I said, a great book to read. It isn't quite Here be Dragons, et al but enjoyable all the same
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SKP did in the next book, Time and Chance. The characters were well written, and I appreciated that neither Stephen (who did steal the crown) nor Maude were written as black and white/evil vs. saint -- all had flaws in their characters. Adding the fictional Ranulf gave a nice perspective to the tale. I also appreciated the way the author brought us the viewpoints of the common folk, who didn't care who ruled, as long as there was peace.
The first 2/3 of the book are mostly about the civil conflict between the two parties and can drag on a bit, but the last part when Henry started coming into power and married Eleanor of Aquitaine the sparks were fairly flying off the pages. I am now starting on Time and Chance and eagerly awaiting more on this dynamic pair.
As I said, a great book to read. It isn't quite Here be Dragons, et al but enjoyable all the same
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LibraryThing member Pmaurer
Story of war between Steven and Maude. End with Henry 2nd being named King of England. Lots and lots of wars.
LibraryThing member wizardsheart
This book was a real disappointment. It tells the story of Maude and Stephen and their fight for the crown of England in the 12th century. It spans a lot of years. Which in my opinion is very tricky in a book. To have it span so long and still be able to not lose interest in a character or a
Show More
situation. I am afraid this happened several times for me. There was a lot of repetition. And it seems like threads got lost and a lot of things were left out, that I would have included had I written it. It was however, very informative. SKP really does a good job of showing what it was like during this time period. She just didnt capture my heart with it. At times it was so informative that the thread of the novel got lost. I have read other stuff by SKP and she is a terrific writer. This just happens to have been a dud. :o( Show Less
LibraryThing member mramos
When Christ and His Saints Slept is the story of Maude, the daughter and only legitimate heir of Henry I. Upon his death the barons who happen to not like the idea of a woman to rule them. Even though the Kings wishes is for Maude to be Queen they crown her cousin Stephen in her stead. And so
This is a wounderful read. The author seems to have a great grasp of the times and characters. They seem to come alive.The plot is interesting from start to finish. She has great detail in in military matters, politics and life of the times. There is even romance. Don't let the size of the book scare you...it is a fast read.
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starts the brutal and drawn out civil war, which caused great strife and turmoil to the people of the realm. A war to reclaim her crown. Being a woman in the medieval world and married, she acts like a liberated woman. Though her husband still seems to have his medieval rights. This is a wounderful read. The author seems to have a great grasp of the times and characters. They seem to come alive.The plot is interesting from start to finish. She has great detail in in military matters, politics and life of the times. There is even romance. Don't let the size of the book scare you...it is a fast read.
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Language
Original publication date
1994-10-27
Physical description
746 p.; 25 cm
ISBN
0805010157 / 9780805010152
DDC/MDS
| Fic Historical Penman |