Two Houses, Two Kingdoms

“Catherine Hanley’s engaging account of England and France during the 12th and 13th centuries covers a turbulent period bookended by the accession of Henry I (after the suspicious death of his brother William Rufus) and the marriage of Edward II to Isabella of France (she would later be implicated in his murder). Much of what comes in between reads like the plot of a soap opera peopled by larger-than-life characters.”—Katherine Harvey, Sunday Times

“Written with verve and based on impeccable scholarship, Two Houses, Two Kingdoms is peppered with human stories about the struggle to maintain a dynasty.”—Helen Carr, Times Literary Supplement

“[In Hanley’s book,] the importance of women and children is put back on the scales. . . . Philip II’s first queen, Isabella, gets some overdue attention for her skillful manipulation of popular opinion and religious display. . . . Likewise, Hanley does an admirable job of pulling Constance of Brittany from the shadows.”—Steven Isaac, Speculum

“Catherine Hanley knows the twelfth and thirteenth centuries like the back of her hand. In Two Houses, Two Kingdoms she brings vividly to life an extraordinary cast of characters, the men and women through whom the kingdoms of England and France took shape, telling their story with wit, wisdom, and formidable scholarship.”—Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth

“People make history, but never alone. Hanley brings to life the royal families of England and France in this exciting period, through their interactions as close bedfellows (literally), brothers (and sisters) in arms, petulant rivals, and bitter enemies.”—Anne Curry, author of Henry V: From Playboy Prince to Warrior King

“Hanley has created a rich tapestry that tells the story of two kingdoms whose rulers bucked against the fundamental truth that their histories and futures were woven together. . . . This book creates a picture of kingdoms like siblings, connected but destined to be at war. A must-read for anyone interested in the entwined stories of medieval kingdoms and dynasties.”—Matt Lewis, author of Richard III: Loyalty Binds Me