In 1135, during the civil conflict between the usurper King Stephen and Empress Matilda (the daughter of Henry I), two cousins, Raymond and William (unavoidably, one of the many Williams in the story), are born and raised at Carew, in southwest Wales. Their growth through infancy to maturity becomes an important part of the theme of They Served the Devils Brood. It is a critical time in England and Wales as the barons are torn between loyalty to either faction, as well as having to deal with an increase in Welsh opposition to their presence. Calls are also being made for their knights and vassals to join the crusade against the infidels, who have taken control of the Holy Land. Henry Plantagenet, the son of Matilda, enters the fray as a youth but has to be content to wait till Stephen, bereft of a viable heir, agrees to name Henry as his successor. The Welsh Church is also facing increased demands from the centralized hierarchy of Rome. As Henry II takes over the reins of government, his influence on all involved becomes apparent. He is kept busyand with him, all his servantstravelling his domains in France and England. An exiled minor Irish king appeals to Henry to help him recover his rightful place and territory. He is given permission to gather such help as he can from the Norman-Welsh barons. Richard de Clare (Strongbow)rather down on his luck at the timeresponds. It takes some time, but with Raymonds help, plus that of Raymonds relations, the FitzGeralds, they invade the southeast corner of Ireland. Raymond proves to be a capable warrior and brilliant commander but has to struggle with his own troubles as he seeks the hand of the higher-born sister of Richard, Basilia de Clare.

A.D. 1172. Henry II’s three eldest sons conspire against him and align themselves with his greatest enemy, King Louis of France, but it’s Eleanor of Aquitaine’s involvement in the plot to overthrow her husband that proves to be the harshest betrayal. As a royal family collapses and a marriage ends in all but name, the clash between these two strong-willed and passionate souls will have far-reaching and devastating consequences throughout Christendom. Devil’s Brood, a breathtaking and sweeping epic of a family at its breaking point, shows how two monumental figures once bound by all-consuming love became the bitterest of adversaries.

A breathtaking and sweeping epic of a family at its breaking point, Devil’s Brood shows how Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine—two monumental figures once bound by all-consuming love—became the bitterest of adversaries... A.D. 1172. Henry II’s three eldest sons conspire against him and align themselves with his greatest enemy, King Louis of France, but it’s Eleanor of Aquitaine’s involvement in the plot to overthrow her husband that proves to be the harshest betrayal. As a royal family collapses and a marriage ends in all but name, the clash between these two strong-willed and passionate souls will have far-reaching and devastating consequences throughout Christendom.

THE LONG-AWAITED AND HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FINAL VOLUME IN PENMAN'S TRILOGY OF HENRY II ABD EKEABR IF AQUITAINE - A TUMULTUOUS STORY OF A KING, HIS QUEEN AND THEIR WAR-THORN FAMILY Devil's Blood has at its heart the implosion of a family, a story of devastating betrayal as King Henry II's three eldest sons and his wife Eleanor enter into a rebellion against him, aligning themselves with his most bitter enemy, King Louis of France. It is also the story of a great king whose brilliance forged an empire but whose personal blind spots led him to he most serious misjudgement of his life. Sharon Penman has created a novel of immense power and range, bringing Henry and Eleanor's world to life in a brilliant and uniquely vivid way. As two strong-willed, passionate people clash, a family divides, and a marriage ends in all but name, an unforgettable trilogy reached its conclusion. Devil's Brood is a novel without villains - only flawed human beings caught up in a cycle of mistrust and misunderstanding that has more devastating and far-reaching consequence than they could ever have imagined.

An “excellent adventure about Marian and Robin Hood that combines aspects of the romantic, fantasy and historical novel . . . Exciting and satisfying” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Robert of Locksley, the handsome son of a respected earl, has long battled the tyranny of Prince John—a man as weak as he is cruel. Now that power has shifted even more firmly into John’s hands, Robert has no choice but to fight as an outlaw . . . as Robin Hood. Lady Marian of Ravenskeep has fled into the depths of Sherwood Forest. There, amid wild woods, she will be transformed from lady to warrior—as Robin Hood’s partner in stealing John’s gold. But all who breathe know the penalty for such theft is hanging. As the sheriff’s army pursues them, Robin Hood and Marian face danger at every turn, and discover a shared passion that will join their hearts forever. “Fans of historical fiction and period fantasy should enjoy this rousing story.” —Library Journal