127
Followers
155
Following
Bettie's Books
A Stuga On the Cusp of the Orust Riviera, tucked away next to a hobbit hole in the woods.
The Lily and The Lion
bookshelves: published-1959, spring-2014, historical-fiction, france, film-only, medieval5c-16c, medical-eew
Read on May 04, 2014
Description from Netflix: This is the series that inspired George R.R. Martin to write A Game of Thrones. Translated from the orginal French.
"This is historical fiction based on, and starting with, the final years of the 14th century Philip The Fair of France. He is famous to this day for crushing the rich and powerful Knights Templars in a well-coordinated attack on Friday 13 1307 (this is why we consider Friday 13th to be ill-omened and unlucky). By brutally murdering the Knights Templars, Phillip The Fair gained both their considerable power and enormous wealth. As the Grand Master of the Knights Templars, Jacques de Molay, was burnt to death, he cursed the king and his future generations:
"Accursed! Accursed! You shall be accursed to the thirteenth generation!"
Thus providing the title for this series of books: The Accursed Kings." - Imperator11
The novels take place during the reigns of the last five Direct Capetian kings and the first two Valois kings, from Philip the Fair to John II. The plot revolves around the attempts of Robert of Artois to reclaim the county of Artois from his aunt Mahaut.
Prologue, The Iron King:
AT the beginning of the fourteenth century, Philip IV, a king of legendary personal beauty, reigned over France as absolute master. He had defeated the warrior pride of the great barons, the rebellious Flemings, the English in Aquitaine, and even the Papacy which he had proceeded to install at Avignon. Parliaments obeyed his orders and councils were in his pay.He had three adult sons to ensure his line.
His daughter was married to King Edward II of England. He numbered six other kings among his vassals, and the web of his alliances extended as far as Russia.He left no source of wealth untapped. He had in turn taxed the riches of the Church, despoiled the Jews, and made extortionate demands from the community of Lombard bankers. To meet the needs of the Treasury he debased the coinage. From day to day the gold piece weighed less and was worth more. Taxes were crushing: the police multiplied. Economic crises led to ruin and famine which, in turn, caused uprisings which were bloodily put down. Rioting ended upon the forks of the gibbet.
Everyone must accept the royal authority and obey it or be broken by it. This, cruel and dispassionate prince was concerned with the ideal of the nation. Under his reign France was great and the French wretched. One power alone had dared stand up to him: the Sovereign Order of the Knights Templar. This huge organisation, at once military, religious and commercial, had acquired its fame and its wealth from the Crusades. Philip the Fair was concerned at the Templars' independence, while their immense wealth excited his greed. He brought against them the greatest prosecution in recorded history, since there were nearly fifteen thousand accused. It lasted seven years, and during its course every possible infamy was committed.
What is that Chinese curse again? Something like 'I hope you live in interesting times'. Well these times were remarkably interesting.Sad to be at the end of this wonderful series even if some of the women rode astride and the sets looked as if they came from an early TV sci-fi series that sold off the props at bargain basement prices.
Robert d'Artois
Edward III4* The Iron King
4* The Strangled Queen
4* The Poisoned Crown
5* The She-Wolf of France
5* The Lily and the Lion
7