Durante el intervalo entre 1318 y 1325, el país ha sido sabiamente gobernado, aunque azotado por diversas calamidades: la cruzada de los campesinos, la rebelión de los leprosos, agitaciones, matanzas... Felipe V muere sin haber llegado a los treinta años de edad y, como su hermano Luis X, no deja descendencia masculina. El tercer hijo del Rey de Hierro, el débil Carlos IV, sucede a Felipe V. Durante su reinado, Francia será gobernada por representantes de la alta nobleza, Carlos de Valois y Roberto de Artois. El nuevo y dramático giro de la historia se originará en Inglaterra.

This series was an inspiration for George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and shadows of that more famous series are apparent in this book. The grisly details of death and executions are provided, along with plenty of schemes, intrigues, secrets, and complex personal relationships. The deposition of Edward II of England by his wife Isabella of France and her lover Roger Mortimer provide the subject for this novel, but much of the book actually takes place in France, where a series of succession crises and scandals provide plenty of drama. Overall, this book makes for a compelling read and one that those interested in the Middle Ages in Europe would likely enjoy. ( )

Book 5/7 in the Accursed Kings series. This series takes place in medieval France (sometimes England) and is most interesting and informative as I'm not very familiar with the early history. This particular book told the story of Edward II of England his marriage to Isabella II, the sister of Charles V of France. Come to find out Edward was gay and Isabella found several lovers; although Edward and Isabella claim they did sire 4 children together. Most of the action in this book took place in France as Isabella returned there for prolonged periods as she hated the English court. The only downside to this book is there are just pages and pages of the Pope of Avignon arguing with Charles V over religious matters. (snooze) However, the read is still a solid 4/5 and I'm on to read the next one. ( )

This is the fifth book in the author's Accursed Kings series of novels set in early 14th century France. However, unlike its predecessors, this is much more centred around England than France. The titular character is, of course, Isabella, daughter of French King Philip IV, sister of Louis X, Philip V and Charles IV, and wife of English King Edward II. The story of her estrangement from Edward and love affair with Roger Mortimer, their return to England and overthrowing Edward to replace him with their son, the boy King Edward III, and then the cruel murder of the deposed king, is one of the most well known and colourful stories of Medieval England, and the subject of many fictional treatments, unlike most of the rest of the series. Back in France, Charles IV, the last surviving son of the direct Valois line, is saddened when his only child is a daughter who, moreover, quickly dies. This will set the scene for the next crisis in French history when another line of the Valois must succeed, also pathing the way for Edward III's claim to the French throne through his mother and thus the Hundred Years' War. So history rolls on in this great historical fiction series. ( )

La Louve de France

Six années se sont écoulées depuis la mort des rois Louis X le Hutin et Jean Ier Le Posthume. La France connaît une série de calamités : croisade des pastoureaux, révolte des lépreux, troubles et massacres des juifs…

Philippe V est mort lui aussi. Son propre fils est mort. Encore une fois, sans descendance mâle, c’est le frère de feu le roi, Charles IV le Bel qui succède. Robert d’Artois et Charles de Valois sont au sommet du pouvoir.

L’Histoire, dans ses ressorts secrets, va venir d’Angleterre. La reine de Grande Bretagne va aider Lord Mortimer à s’évader de la Tour de Londres. Celle-ci le rejoint peu après avec son fils Edouard à l’occasion d’une guerre menée en Guyenne. Revenus en Grande Bretagne, ces derniers mènent ensemble la chasse au roi Edouard II et son amant. Peu à peu, Lord Mortimer va étendre son emprise sur sa maîtresse, la reine, puis l’Angleterre.

Dans ce cinquième tome, Druon installe les derniers éléments préparant la guerre entre les deux royaumes séparés par la Manche. Un excellent roman de cette saga. ( )