European Royalty discussion

Please discuss Part I: To Be Duchess and Part II: To Be Queen here.

I'm really enjoying this - I love the writing style and characterization.

I have to admit, I did find it a little unbelievable that Eleanor, aged only 10, would be the one to suggest a marriage between herself and the heir of France. As ambitious and intelligent as Eleanor was (and as fast as child grew up in earlier periods of history), I just find it hard to believe any ten year old would be thinking like an adult to that degree.

But otherwise, this has been really good. The assessment of Louis is spot on - you can really see how lost he is at times and how conflicted and torn he is between Eleanor and the Church. I also really feel for Eleanor and her mixed feelings about wanting to love him for the man he could be if he'd allow himself to while being frustrated by the man he is.

I've wondered about children acting/thinking SO much like adults in other books I've read about European royalty as well. I could maybe see a ten year old thinking like that (considering the time period and the status of the person), but sometimes it's a 3 or 4 year old thinking like an adult (I think Plaidy did this quite a bit), and I find that really hard to believe.