Дина Лампитт «The King's Women»

France in the early fifteenth century: at its head a mad king and a queen whose appetites for sensual pleasure could never be sated. The great warlords of Burgundy and Armagnac rise up to seize the crown — the birthright of one fawn-like small boy, the Dauphin Charles, upon whom the future of all France depends.

Only Yolande, the courageous, elegant Duchess of Anjou, Queen of Sicily, understands the poor child's predicament and gathers him into her beautiful airy chateau to grow up unhampered by the terrible affairs at court. But Yolande herself is not free from turmoil. A fleeting visit from the young Earl of Richmond has brought a passion into her life that she cannot quell and a shameful secret that threatens her standing as the cool-headed ruler of her husband's domain.

Yet it is from this unlikely union of stately duchess and fiery young nobleman — one of the most magnificent love stories of history — that will spring the kingdom's hope: an innocent girl who will ride at the head of the dwindling French army and lead them to triumph over the English, reinstating Charles as the most dazzling king that France would ever know.

Deryn Lake's meticulous research and vivid writing combine in this captivating tale of intrigue, lust, power and mystery about the great King Charles VII of France and the women who inspired and loved him — women closely linked to the Knights Templar and The Priory of Sion and who played a key part in history, shaping the destiny of men...