The Medieval Queens Book Tag

I’m listening to You’re Wrong About’s episode on the Romanovs.

This sad choice reminded me that Jessica tagged me in the Medieval Queens Book Tag.

(I have a lot of feelings about the Romanovs.)

This tag was created by Jess @ Jessticulates, btw. (Truly wonderful graphics at that blog.)

Empress Matilda (1102-1167)
After her father, Henry I, died naming her his heir, Matilda’s cousin, Stephen, subsequently took the throne for himself. Matilda never stopped fighting for what was rightfully hers. Though she would never be named Queen of England in her own right, she was able to convince Stephen to name her son, the future Henry II, his successor over his own children.

Choose a book with a protagonist who stands their ground

(CW: death)

I adored Well Met for its belligerent sexual tension.

Simon has been running the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire since his brother died.

Emily is new in town and has an English degree, organizational expertise, and opinions.

They don’t get along.

Emily tries to improve the fair, much to Simon’s chagrin.

Simon also cosplays as a sexy pirate, much to Emily’s dismay.

It’s GREAT.

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)
Before she married Henry II and became Queen of England in 1152, Eleanor was Queen of France as the wife of Louis VII. She sought an annulment from her marriage to Louis and he eventually agreed because 15 years of marriage had produced no sons, only for Eleanor to go on to have eight children with Henry- five of whom were sons. Ouch!

Choose a book or series in which the heroine has more than one romantic relationship

(CW: death, grief)

Who I Was With Her explores Corrine’s relationship with her now-dead ex and her connection with her ex’s ex.

Though there are primary and secondary romances in this book, the grief is the main focus.

(Oh, I don’t see this mentioned very often: Who I Was With Her has GREAT ace rep!)

Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290)
A keen patron of literature and a successful businesswoman in her own right, Eleanor was Edward I’s first wife. He was so heartbroken when she died that he erected the Eleanor Crosses, 12 stones crosses marking the places where her body rested over night on its journey from Lincolnshire, where she died, to her burial place in London. Three of the crosses still survive today.

Choose a bittersweet book

Honey Girl is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year.

It is EMOTIONAL.

That listless post-grad feeling combined with shame and institutional oppression makes for a moving read.

Also, the protagonist gets married in Vegas at the beginning of the book and has to navigate a brand-new relationship with her WIFE.

The STAKES.

Isabella of France (1295-1358)
Often known as the ‘She-Wolf of France,’ Isabella was Edward II’s wife. Unfortunately for Edward, he wasn’t particularly good at being king, and Isabella soon grew tired of his (possibly homosexual) relationship with his favorite, Hugh Despenser. After she began an affair with English nobleman Roger Mortimer while on a diplomatic mission to France, the pair returned to England with an army, and she deposed Edward and acted as regent until their son, the future Edward III, came to age.

Choose a book where the romance overtook the plot

This might be unfair, as Small Town Hearts is, I guess, a romance.

HOWEVER.

I thought the other story elements had more potential than the romance and was disappointed when they didn’t pan out.

I cared way more about the shitty friends and the cagey ex than I did about LEVI THE ARTIST and his JEANS.

Ugh.

Philippa of Hainault (1310/15-1369)
Queen of England as the wife of Edward III, Philippa was beloved by the English people for her compassion and kindness. The Queen’s College, Oxford, founded in 1341, is named in her honor so…

Choose a book set at a university

ACE OF SPADES IS COMING TO TERRIFY US ALL.

IT’S DARK ACADEMIA! BLACKMAIL! INTRIGUE!

I can’t wait.

Joan of Navarre (1368-1437)
Joan was Henry IV’s second wife. Six years after his death, Joan was accused of attempted to poison her stepson, Henry V, through witchcraft and was imprisoned for four years until he ordered her released, just six weeks before he suddenly died.

Choose a book about witches

LET’S TALK ABOUT ZINES INSTEAD OF BOOKS.

I love Little Corvus’ art, as I’ve said many times. I’ve purchased books purely because they did the cover art.

He has zines available on his gumroad and one of them is fanart of Stormtrooper Finn as a WITCH!

I have a physical copy of a witch named finn. It lives on my bookshelf.

Highly recommend.

Happy medieval queens, baybee!

Have fun learning!

I’m going to go be sad about the Romanovs.