The Lady Queen, Nancy Goldstone
The Lady Queen, Nancy Goldstone
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The Lady Queen
The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily

Author: Nancy Goldstone

Narrator: Christine Lakin

Unabridged: 15 hr 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/25/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

The riveting history of a beautiful queen, a shocking murder, a papal trial -- and a reign as triumphant as any in the Middle Ages.

On March 15, 1348, twenty-two-year-old Joanna I, Queen of Naples, stood trial for the murder of her husband before the Pope and his court in Avignon. Determined to defend herself, Joanna won her acquittal against overwhelming odds. Victorious, she returned to Naples and ruled over one of Europe's most prestigious courts for the next three decades -- until she herself was killed.

Courageous and determined, Joanna was the only female monarch in her time to rule in her own name. She was widely admired: dedicated to the welfare of her subjects, she reduced crime, built hospitals and churches, and encouraged the licensing of female physicians. A procession of the most important artists and writers of the time frequented her glittering court. But she never quite escaped the stain of her husband's death, and the turmoil of the times surrounded her -- war, plague, and treachery would ultimately be her undoing.

With skill, passion, and impeccable research and detail, Nancy Goldstone brings to life one of history's most remarkable women. The Lady Queen is a captivating portrait of medieval royalty in all its incandescent complexity.

About Nancy Goldstone

Nancy Goldstone is coauthor, with her husband, Lawrence, of five books, including Out of the Flames, The Friar and the Cipher, and Warmly Inscribed. She lives in Westport, Connecticut.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jean on November 13, 2018

This topic is new to me. I have not read about Italian monarchs before. Joanna I (1326-1382) ruled Southern Italy for over thirty years despite invaders, plague, four husbands, jealous-in-laws and the death of her children. She even stood trial before the Pope having been accused of murdering her hu......more

Goodreads review by Nick on April 26, 2015

Nancy Goldstone has written a series of books on prominent women of the late Medieval period. In this one she takes on the Joanna, who succeeded to the throne of Naples (she only rarely held power in Sicily and never saw Jerusalem). This is a different Europe than the one we know: successive Popes s......more

Goodreads review by Tia on July 25, 2012

This book is about as interesting as non-fictional histories can get! It flows easily for a history, and the author has taken the time to connect things for the reader. I also really enjoyed that Ms. Goldstone included the economics of the time and related events to where the money was flowing. She......more

Goodreads review by Luke on August 11, 2013

Jesu! The 14th Century was SHOCKING. And down Napoli way they turned the shocks up to eleven. No one gave a pretty blonde teen queen an even break. From the moment she perched on her golden throne all the other buggers had the knives out. What a family. That she reined so long considering is a mirac......more

Goodreads review by Joelle on December 30, 2022

Always a sucker for a well researched biography on strong women! (Although, apparently you were only allowed to name men Louis, Charles, and Robert - and occasionally Philip - which made things confusing.)......more