Philip IV is dead! Long live Louis X! In their prison Marguerite, wife
of Louis and Blanche, his sister-in-law believe that they will now be
released. Marguerite believes that she is now Queen of France. She is
surprised when Robert of Artois arrives and offers her the chance of
freedom if she accepts an annulment. Unfortunately Artois is unable to
get her to agree.
Now that Louis is king, he needs a new queen. The council has proposed
Clemence of Hungary. However, before he can marry her, he must be rid
of Marguerite. In order for that to occur, a new pope was required, so
one of his councillors was sent to hurry the conclave along.
Set aside by the new king's council, Monseigneur de Marigny begins to
plot against the new king and council. He sends a letter to Edward II
of England. He also schemes to delay the conclave from choosing a new
pope. Charles of Valois, uncle to the king, was now in charge of an
empty state treasury. How will he find the money necessary to operate
the state?
The royal court is rife with schemes and counter schemes as this novel
by Maurice Druon moves on to its ultimate conclusion. Well written and
well researched; a very good read for the fan of historical novels.
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