The Revolt of the Eaglets

Plantagenet Saga #2

by Jean Plaidy

News of Thomas a Becket's martyrdom has spread throughout Christendom and the blame is laid at the feet of Henry Plantagenet, King of England. Two years later, with Becket canonised, Henry's position is precarious: punished at the Pope's insistence for his part in Becket's death, he now also has an enemy in his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, after her discovery of his longstanding infidelity with Rosamund Clifford. Eleanor is determined to seek vengeance, so, with King Philip of France, she encourages her sons to conspire, both against their father and each other. Much embattled, the old eagle Henry struggles to fend off both rebellion and the plots of his aggressively circling offspring...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, Plantagenet, 12th Century, Medieval

430 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Jean Plaidy. I love this series so much and I'll be starting the next book soon.

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the book proceeding this one I was quite annoyed at the constant repeatings. King Henry only thought of Princess Alice and wanting his sons to love him. Eleanor only thought of hating her husband. Young Henry only thought of being king. Richard only thought of hating his father, loving his mother and keeping Aquitaine. Yap, yap, yap, how boring. The only thing really keeping me reading is the subject, the Plantagenets, whom I know nothing about and therefore everything is new and exciting to me. So I'll probably read the next one too.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC but basically intrigue and war everywhere

2017 Reading Challenge: author uses a pseudonym

[NayNay · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Henry II of England and Queen Eleanor of Acquitaine are my favorite King and Queen to read about. And this book was a very enjoyable read. King Henry II was an energetic and sometimes ruthless ruler, driven by a desire to restore the lands and privileges of his royal grandfather. The King, had mistresses, this put him at odds with his headstrong, opinionated, wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Once she discovered his unfaithfulness and realized that it had taken place right under her very nose, and that he brought a bastard son to her nursery, she had nothing good to say about him. As part of her revenge, she created the tension between the King and their sons. She aggravated Henry so much, and set out to fight with her sons against him, that he finally held her in captivity.

The book is action packed, full of battles between father and sons. I found the book a bit sad....you feel that Henry, as he is advancing in age, is just looking for the love. He really does not have that, certainly there is no love from his queen or his sons. No one seems to be able to understand or wants to understand him. And he dies a very broken man.

I recommend this book for fans of history....it is a good lesson about King Henry II and his power hungry sons, his vengeful wife Eleanor and his great rule. They were all just selfish and power hungry, this twelfth century family was a family at war with itself.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Plantagenet family was a mess!


Henry was so greedy and possessive with his lands determining all of his sons to turn against him. He was a womanizer, an infidel husband, an ignorant father and moreover a pedophile. In contrast with him, his wife, Eleanor, was a lively and independent woman who fights against her husband's disrespectful way but she was a horrible mother from favoring Richard above all of her children. Furthermore her revengeful self push all her sons against their own father. Henry junior the oldest was a narcissist, Richard, the second son, loved his mother so much that her hate for her husband was transferred to her son, the daughters are so little fleshed and ignored by the both parents and John was a boy deprived of his mother's love and spoiled by his father that is no wonder he becomes a monster.

I loved more this second volume of the Plantagenet Saga because there are so many twist and betrayals.

[Ana Cristina Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eleanor Burford es una autora increíblemente prolífica, ha publicado más de 200 novelas de género historico y romántico, con diversos seudónimos como Victoria Holt y Philippa Carr, entre otros.

Como Jean Plaidy, ha novelado gran parte de la historia de Inglaterra en diversas sagas, como la de los Plantagenet, de la que esta novela es la segunda entrega.

Me interesaba mucho el tema, pero la novela no ha cubierto mis expectativas. La impresión es que está escrita a vuelapluma, con un lenguaje poco elaborado y unos personajes planos. Lo que menos me gustó es que es muy repetitiva, el mismo concepto se introduce una y otra vez, con pocas variantes. Si bien es una lectura fácil, al final tienes la impresión de haber perdido un poco el tiempo.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have probably liked this book a lot more if I hadn't read Courts of Love first.

[Allie Cresswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this instalment better than the first. There is no doubt that Plaidy knows her history and brings it to life in a digestible way.
I feel sure that I will remember Henry II from this depiction of him, the greedy king, frustrated father, liar, cheat … but ultimately a good monarch who put his kingdoms first.

[Nelda Pearson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read the entire Plaidy Plantagenet series. If you know nothing about this royal dynasty and wish an overview of everything that led up to the War of the Roses, this is fairly historically accurate. However, the writing is wooden and conversation tends to fall into what I call the "Yo varlet what now" category. Things like: Prince Richard: "We must go." Prince John: "Yes, we must go." Prince Richard. "Summon the guards." Prince John: "Guards" Then in the next scene they are somewhere miles away. Huh, why were the conversation for summoning the guard when you don't tell us anything about the trip. Similaarly, there can be great detail about some fairly irrelevant item such as a pice of clothing. Why? Did the author suddenly go "oh ya, I'm writing a novel so there needs to be detail and not just a list of events that are historically verifiable." If you have read some of what I consider the very best historical fiction for the Plantegenet period, like Sharon Kay Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, and Susan Higgenbottom, these will read like outlines for a real novel. I usually do not write such negative reviews but turned to Plaidy to fill in some gaps among the more written about monarchs. What a disappoinment. These are short quick reads if that is what you are after.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a surprisingly solid and interesting read. Plaidy does a good job of capturing the essence of the ever fascinating Eleanor of Aquitaine- who like Anne Boleyn seems comes down to us through the centuries with a relatable dash of modernity.

There's a lot going on here including Henry II's tragically mismanaged relationship with his sons, his clash with Thomas Becket, the soured marriage of Henry and Eleanor and the struggles of keeping a vast territory under control so inevitably there is a compactness to the story telling but it made me want to read more around the subject so it must have done a good job of snagging my interest.

[Star Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry II was a fantastic king who held so many lands who was one of the most powerful monarchs of all time. Unfortunately he was a terrible husband hence a worse father. I am biased for my love of Eleanor of Aquitaine so why high stars? I enjoyed every moment of his downfall. If he had been more faithful to his wife and treated his woman with respect, she would've gave him the world. He treated her like crap which caused the strife in his family. He was an even worse father to his sons and he blamed his wife for it. He was truly to blame for what he did to his sons but failed to see his blame. Henry II's death was what I was waiting for in the whole novel and could not be happier with that of everything that caused him strife. If I reread this in the future, I would skip past his dumb mistress who feels guilty for allowing herself to fall in his clutches and him falling in love with a 7 year old then seducing her when she is 12 years old and fathering her a child and go straight to his downfall. It is so satisfying to see him meet his demise.

[Ashlee Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Plantagenet, “the Eagle” of this novel is a shrewd, conniving King. The paranoia about the future of his throne is always present with his growing sons in the background. By his command, his wife Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine is thrust into imprisonment for encouraging their sons to claim their rightful inheritance and stirring up intrigue among them and their father. The writer has done much research on their lives & writes as if she is a fly on the wall watching it all. This is the second book in this particular series by the author and I will be purchasing the next in this series. I would highly recommend and suggest this book to those who love royal history and historical fiction novels. Start with the Plantagenet prelude which is the first book in the series. You will fall in love with strong, beautiful Eleanor of Aquitaine, as did the troubadours in Anjou! On to the Next book! The King is Dead, Long live the King, Richard I of England, The Lionheart!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book - couldn't put it down. This book - second in the series focuses on Henry II's relationship with his now grown sons, his two mistresses Rosamund and Alice (although this one really bothered me and you will find out why when you read it) and, of course, the powerful, beautiful and cunning Eleanor of Aquitaine. You will find yourself constantly shaking your head and to be honest I couldn't feel sorry for Henry in this book but I will let you draw your own conclusions. What I enjoy about Jean Plaidy's writing is she doesn't drag out battles, get graphic with sex and focuses more on the dynamics of the characters which is what I love. On to Book 3!

[Milan Nekolný · Rating 3 out of 5]

Další kniha o dynastii Plantagenetů, která přivádí čtenáře do období vlády Jindřicha II.
Ukazuje životní tragedii silného a obávaného Jindřicha II., který je však zcela ovládán svým sexuálním apetitem a tím si komplikuje život a vztahy v rodině. Jeho přístup k církevním problémům, vrcholící návodem k zavraždění Thomase Becketa, jej pak na dlouhou dobu dostane do nemilosti papeže, což mu komplikuje i vztahy s tehdy silně věřícím francouzským králem Ludvíkem.
Jeho životní tragédie vrcholí odvrácením jeho synů Richarda a Jana k francouzskému králi Filipovi.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the previous books I really enjoyed this engaging historical novel about the turbulent relationship King Henry II had with his sons, wife and how he used his his skills to retain his crown and overcome misfortunes like the reputational damage of the murder of Thomas A Becket. (note I listen to this on audio so not certain of spelling). looking forward to the next instalment about Richard the Lion Heart.

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry the Second stares at a painting of young eagles tairing apart flesh and can relate. His children are trying to tare his kingdom apart for themselves. His family has revolted against him and the Catholic church has disowned him. He is an old man. Angry and bitter but still obsessed with his own rule of England .
Praise for Plaidy as I love her style of writing.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read every Jean Plaidy years and years ago and now I’m going back for a second time. Still as engaging and fresh as the first time, but I think modern writing is a little more sophisticated these days. This was a little repetitive in places.

[Osman Junior · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avalio os livros dessa série pelo número de páginas em que Eleanor de Aquitânia se faz presente, logo o 1º é melhor. Numa média de 1 ano por capítulo, dá-se conta dos fatos; mas as atividades internas das personagens são reiteradas, talvez pela insuficiência de provas, ad eternum.

[Sharshi87 · Rating 3 out of 5]

while i did enjoy the story i found that it seemed to unnecessarily repeat its self at times which seemed to slow the story down

[Stephanie O'Neill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to finish this book because it was really boring and the author constantly repeats herself.

[Conchita Matson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ale Sandoval Tress]

https://bibliobulimica.wordpress.com/...

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it because my children bought it for me; would have given up otherwise. Shame.

[Chiara]

DNF'd at 14%

[Mary-Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

It got a little repetitive about Henry II's feelings towards his sons, but I still enjoyed it and will be reading more of her books

[English · Rating 3 out of 5]

may be in the minority for having given this, my fourth Plaidy novel less than four stars, but I just don’t feel a higher rating was deserved. For one thing, the writing style seemed very repetitive, and, as other reviewers have said, Plaidy seemed to have been very much in the habit of telling rather than showing what was happening. I don’t really hold that against her, as that may have been a style common to the ‘70s when this book was first published.

It was good in places, showing the breakdown of the relationships between Henry and his sons, and illustrating how his apparent desire to keep power for himself seems to have contributed to it. The strong personalities of both King Henry and Eleanor also came though, with the friction between them quite well written. However, perhaps due to the constraints of space it did seem as though things were a little rushed, and events covered very quickly and not in great detail. To me, the novel seemed to read a little like ‘A Brief History of’ book in some places. Perhaps I’m just not so used to the older style.

My only other gripe was that I was not sure of the accuracy of the incidents presented. Now I know no novel is going to be entirely accurate, and authors need to use artistic licence, but it seems that the alleged homosexual relationship between Richard and King Phillip II of France is little more than a myth, albeit one that seems to have been common at the time (in light of a similar insinuation in ‘The Lion in Winter’). I believe modern writers and historians are starting to question to whole idea that King Richard was ‘gay’.
I don’t know of any contemporary evidence the he was, and he did have at least one illegitimate son. Personally I think that just because the two men had a close relationship it does automatically follow they were romantically attracted to each other- and even for two men to share a bed did not necessarily carry sexual connotations at this time.

What with this and the mention of King Henry seducing Richard’s betrothed at the age of 11, which was just sick, (which also may not have happened) I believe this may have been a case of artistic licence carried too far.

So in overall summary, Revolt of the Eaglets is worth reading, but may be prove frustrating for people who are more familiar than me with the details of the life and reign of Henry II, and those more used to recent writing styles.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Revolt of the Eaglets is a direct sequel to Jean Plaidy's The Plantagenet Prelude. This 1977 entry was part of her never-ending quest to fictionalize each and every aspect of British history. This novel picks up just after the end of the last one. Thomas a Becket has just been murdered and the marriage of King Henry and Queen Eleanor has fallen apart.

Whereas the previous book was very much Eleanor's story, the Revolt of the Eaglet's is told mostly from Henry's perspective, although various chapters are told from the eyes of other characters from Eleanor, to young Henry, to King Louis of France. Even Berengaria gets a chapter, though this seems to be more of setting up things to come than anything to do with this book.

The prose is straightforward, perhaps a little too straightforward. Many chapters run along the lines of this happened, then this happened, and this is how Henry felt about it. Then this happened. There is quite a bit of repetition. Repetition can be an effective literary technique, but in this instance I found it a bit tiresome. How many times can Henry wish for loving sons? How many times can someone call King Louis a monk? The same points are hit over and over again with the regularity of a hammer.


None of the characters are all that likable, which is somewhat unusual for this author, I find. Her usual tactic is to pick something that the historical personage did NOT get, and make that the one thing they long for above all else, thus creating sympathy. For example, the historical Queen Adelaide did not have any living children. In Plaidy's Victoria in the Wings, what the character of Queen Adelaide wishes for more than anything else is to be a mother. She is doomed by history to be forever unfulfilled.


In this instance, King Henry longs for loving sons above all else, and gets rebels instead. This, however, does not make him sympathetic. Henry continues to be, in Plaidy's depiction, a despicable human being. He is selfish, self-centered, seduces a child, and is really, really whiny. Eleanor is also annoying, but since she spends most of the novel in captivity, her negative traits don't register as much. King Louis continues to be the most likable character. He tries so hard to be a good man and a good king, yet it is never really successful. The cumulative effect is kind of unpleasant.

Nevertheless, this is good read for those seeking a straightforward, matter-of-fact fictional version of early Plantagenet history.

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Jean Plaidy's 2nd in The Plantagenet series detailing the lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. This book deals with the sons of Henry and Eleanor and takes place after Thomas Beckett is murdered and canonized. Henry and Eleanor are separated due to his affair (not just a quick roll in the hay) with Rosamund Clifford whom he developed real feelings for. Henry also had the habit of promising his sons much but giving up nothing. As Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, and John age, they want what their father promised them and are determined to make him live up to his promises. As a female, Eleanor should have sided with her husband but she didn't. She backed her sons as they made a pact with Philip of France to dethrone their father. This does not end well for any of them. But in order to let the reader discover what happened and how...I am going to leave this review right here in hopes that those who don't know much about this time period...might be interested enough to pick up the two books in this series by this author.

Jean Plaidy is an excellent and she understands her characters, even when it's history that has dictated the story and not the author's imagination. Anyone with even a smidgeon of interest in British history could not go wrong with this author and her books.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I was disappointed in this 2nd book of the Plantagenet series. There were alot of words used to describe very little. I found many parts of the book redundant as Plaidy reminds us over and over again about past events and each characters' feelings, reminding the reader as quickly as 5 pages later of something we've read. Also the end result was basically beaten into the reader very early in the book, there was no suspense. It all fell short of Plaidy's other masterpieces.

King Henry II is ruler of England, Normandy and Anjou throughout this volume. He now has children who are vying for his crown, egged on by the wife who hates him. He's also moved on to a new low in philandering, having his wife the Queen locked up while he lives openly with his mistress. While the King struggles to train his heir apparant and still keep his children behaving as subjects rather than upstarts, he also involves himself in his most damaging and dangerous affair yet.