The true adventure of young King Edward III. In The Boy King's Tale, two entwined love stories, young and old, lead to betrayal, murder and the near overthrow of a kingdom in this extraordinary tale of the early days of England's Edward III. Crowned at thirteen when his father was deposed and murdered by his mother and her lover, the young king must come of age in the dark and twisted labyrinth of medieval politics, with the future in the balance on one fateful night when rescue or death was held on the turn of a confession to a faceless monk. Told by English court poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, as one of his tales, on the day death bells toll from the steeples of Westminster.
Young Edward is kept separated from his father by his mother Queen Isabella, daughter of the King of France, who now hates her husband because he has abandoned her bed for a series of male "favorites". Roger Mortimer, a charismatic Lord of England who has declared himself to be the Earl of March, guarding the border with Wales, is being held in the Tower of London and scheduled to lose his head. Isabella, secretly in love with him, helps him escape to France where they raise an army, cross the channel and defeat her husband, having him murdered in his prison cell, and putting her teenage son on the throne so they can jointly rule by a council they control.
When the boy king leads an army to war, he meets teenage Philippa of Hainaut, who will be the love of his life against the forces fighting against him, and he must outwit his enemies to make it so, but his temper and will leads him deeper into the traps set for him when his uncle's execution is engineered. In jealousy and blame, he believes his mother's lies that Philippa has been unfaithful, leading to one fateful night, on the eve of his turning 18, when Parliament is on the verge of granting him full rights. Mortimer plans to murder him, the same as his father, and his young wife as well to put their infant son on the throne and rule as a dictator. Edward discovers the plot, but can he save his bride Philippa and himself locked without friends in Nottingham Castle, facing a knife's edge moment that will change England forever? A celebration of young love and a boy seeking a father, who takes one as a friend who would betray his trust, and must realize the truth before his fate is sealed.
*Contains some mild sexual situations, Medieval execution descriptions, and warfare violence.
Show moreThe true adventure of young King Edward III. In The Boy King's Tale, two entwined love stories, young and old, lead to betrayal, murder and the near overthrow of a kingdom in this extraordinary tale of the early days of England's Edward III. Crowned at thirteen when his father was deposed and murdered by his mother and her lover, the young king must come of age in the dark and twisted labyrinth of medieval politics, with the future in the balance on one fateful night when rescue or death was held on the turn of a confession to a faceless monk. Told by English court poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, as one of his tales, on the day death bells toll from the steeples of Westminster.
Young Edward is kept separated from his father by his mother Queen Isabella, daughter of the King of France, who now hates her husband because he has abandoned her bed for a series of male "favorites". Roger Mortimer, a charismatic Lord of England who has declared himself to be the Earl of March, guarding the border with Wales, is being held in the Tower of London and scheduled to lose his head. Isabella, secretly in love with him, helps him escape to France where they raise an army, cross the channel and defeat her husband, having him murdered in his prison cell, and putting her teenage son on the throne so they can jointly rule by a council they control.
When the boy king leads an army to war, he meets teenage Philippa of Hainaut, who will be the love of his life against the forces fighting against him, and he must outwit his enemies to make it so, but his temper and will leads him deeper into the traps set for him when his uncle's execution is engineered. In jealousy and blame, he believes his mother's lies that Philippa has been unfaithful, leading to one fateful night, on the eve of his turning 18, when Parliament is on the verge of granting him full rights. Mortimer plans to murder him, the same as his father, and his young wife as well to put their infant son on the throne and rule as a dictator. Edward discovers the plot, but can he save his bride Philippa and himself locked without friends in Nottingham Castle, facing a knife's edge moment that will change England forever? A celebration of young love and a boy seeking a father, who takes one as a friend who would betray his trust, and must realize the truth before his fate is sealed.
*Contains some mild sexual situations, Medieval execution descriptions, and warfare violence.
Show moreMichael January is a writer for film and television as well as a travel writer and photographer. His "Favorite Castles" book series is in its fifth edition with "Favorite Castles of Germany" and "Favorite Castles of Switzerland" as well as England, Wales and the Castles of Ireland. He regularly writes of historical connections and has followed in the literal footsteps the Romantic writers. "The Secret Memoirs of Mary Shelley: Frankenstein Diaries - The Romantics" was his first historical novel. Next followed the WWII adventure and love story of pilots in the Battle of Britain, "Aces". He also appears in the screenwriting documentary and companion book from Harper Collins "Tales From The Script: 50 Hollywood Screenwriters".
"The Boy King's Tale: as Told by Geoffrey Chaucer intermingles the
historical fiction details that readers look for with striking and
tantalizing character portraits that give it an edge. The plot is
steeped with fast-paced betrayal and intrigue. The storyline
portrays intense conflict within an authentic setting, and the
novel stays grounded while balancing evocative details with
accurate period vernacular. January's characters efficiently
capture their basis in history. Queen Isabella will turn heads with
her appeal bordering on instability, while Edward tries to fulfill
his role of a fair ruler despite his personal demons." Publisher's
Weekly Booklife Prize
"The Boy King's Tale by Michael January tells of the younger years
of Edward III of England, through Royal Court Poet Geoffrey
Chaucer. The book breathes life into the events that took place in
the first part of the fourteenth century. It speaks about the
childhood of Edward under the influence of his mother, Isabella of
France, the separation from his father, Edward Caernarfon, and the
elevation to power of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. The historical
figures come alive on the pages of this thrilling account. Despite
all the betrayals he faces, Edward manages to keep his heart open
for those he loves. The author describes Isabella's character
brilliantly. He shows how her vanity and ambitions cast a shadow on
the course of her life. In contrast to her, Philippa of Hainaut is
lovable, strong-willed, kind, and smart. The complex character of
Roger Mortimer is beyond impressive. The adventurous part of the
book with masterfully pictured battle scenes deserves the highest
praise as well. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction
interested in the history of Medieval Europe and the events that
led to the Hundred Years' War. Lovers of character-driven stories,
family dramas, and adventurous novels would enjoy it, while those
who appreciate a touch of romance and strong female characters
would find them in this book as well." Online Book Club
"The Boy King's Tale: as Told by Geoffrey Chaucer" by Michael
January receives five stars and our "Highly Recommended" Award of
Excellence. The author does a remarkable job of showing the
entwining story of two vastly different loves - one of pure
ambition and selfishness of the aging couple, and the pure, fresh,
and vibrant love of the younger couple... all enmeshed in the story
of Edward II's fall and the resulting political turmoil. The
characters come alive on the pages, emoting real human emotions:
abandonment, pain, fear, and ultimately, love, courage, and
strength. This is an unputdownable must-read for anyone interested
in this medieval world...a commendably crafted remarkable
historical novel." Historical Fiction Company
"An entertaining, well-written account of a time so far away from
us." Kirkus Reviews
"With vivid descriptions, authentic language, and characters to
root for, this is a great story! I can think of students,
especially those into fantasy adventure, who wouldn't be able to
put this down." Baker's Book Services
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