Louis X is dead, but who will succeed him? His daughter, thought to
possibly be illegitimate, by his dead wife or his unborn child living in
his second wife's womb, or will there be a regency?
Meanwhile, in Lyons, Louis' brother, Phillipe is busy trying to get the
cardinals to choose a new pope. When he learns of his brother's death
he immediately appoints himself Regent and begins to consolidate his
position. Back in Paris, his uncle, Charles is doing the same thing.
Through devious stealth Phillipe takes Paris and the regency, much to
the chagrin of his uncle and younger brother.
Because his own wife is pregnant, Philippe wants to ensure that a son of
his could inherit the crown, should Clemence have a daughter. With
that in mind he persuades the assembly to go along with his idea of only
allowing males to succeed to the throne of France.
Alas, Count Robert of Artois wasn't going to go along with the assembly.
He immediately set about taking control of his region of France.
Phillipe's younger brother is secretly helping him.
Meanwhile the conclave in Lyons has chosen a new pope. John XXII will
work well with Phillipe. Surrounded by a large force, Robert surrenders
to Phillipe. Hoping to be treated well, he is surprised when he is
jailed.
Clemence gives birth to a son, Jean I, but unfortunately he only lives
five days. Phillipe is immediately proclaimed king. How many people
are going to be crushed in the making of the new king, and what does the
future hold for him? Will he survive or will he suffer the fate of the
curse placed on his father and his descendants?
Once again Maurice Druon has written a powerful historical novel of the
royal family of France. Intrigue, conspiracy abound throughout. I
look forward to reading the next novel in this series.
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