List Books In Pursuance Of When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1)
Original Title: | When Christ and His Saints Slept |
ISBN: | 0345396685 (ISBN13: 9780345396686) |
Edition Language: | English URL http://www.sharonkaypenman.com |
Series: | Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1, Plantagenets #1 |
Characters: | Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II of England, Stephen of England, Empress Matilda, Brien FitzCount, Adeliza of Louvain, Geoffrey of Anjou, Robert Fitzroy, 1st Earl of Gloucester, Louis VII of France |
Setting: | England France |
Sharon Kay Penman
Paperback | Pages: 784 pages Rating: 4.27 | 13395 Users | 793 Reviews

Specify Regarding Books When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1)
Title | : | When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1) |
Author | : | Sharon Kay Penman |
Book Format | : | Paperback |
Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 784 pages |
Published | : | February 6th 1996 by Ballantine Books (first published January 1st 1994) |
Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. Medieval. European Literature. British Literature |
Explanation Supposing Books When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1)
A.D. 1135. As church bells tolled for the death of England's King Henry I, his barons faced the unwelcome prospect of being ruled by a woman: Henry's beautiful daughter Maude, Countess of Anjou. But before Maude could claim her throne, her cousin Stephen seized it. In their long and bitter struggle, all of England bled and burned.Sharon Kay Penman's magnificent fifth novel summons to life a spectacular medieval tragedy whose unfolding breaks the heart even as it prepares the way for splendors to come—the glorious age of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Plantagenets that would soon illumine the world.
Rating Regarding Books When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1)
Ratings: 4.27 From 13395 Users | 793 ReviewsEvaluate Regarding Books When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine #1)
Now I read Sharon Kay Penman's When Christ and his Saints Slept many many years ago (I purchased a hardback copy with much anticipation when it was first released, mostly because of my adoration of Ellis Peters' brilliant Brother Cadfael series which takes place in the same historical period) and I must admit that I have neither the energy nor even the inclination to consider a detailed and intense rereading (at least at present) in order to pen a longer and more involved review, as my readingChrist and his saints slept because they read this book.There's too much exposition and too little action. The characters spend most of their time playing the "as you know, Bob" game. Very little happens "on stage"; most important events are revealed in letters that are read out to the amazement and shock of all present. Characters are too farsighted at times, having an unrealistic ability to foresee all the repercussions of an event.
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A Sad and Tragic Period in England's History and truly a time when Christ and his Saints slept. A fascinating, complicated tale with a huge cast of characters, many with similar names. It was hard to keep track of at times, a list of who's who at the front of the book would have been helpful, as SKP did in the next book, Time and Chance. The characters were well written, and I appreciated that neither Stephen (who did steal the crown) nor Maude were written as black and white/evil vs. saint --
Penman's broad epic scope focuses on the dynastic struggle for the crown of England. This takes place in the early 12th century when Henry I, who had over 20 illegitimate children, loses his one legitimate heir in the White Ship Ordeal (i.e. basically, a chunk of the fleet sank in the British storms). Upon Henry I's death it was settled that Henry's daughter, Maude, would rule. For his barons this was quite unpopular as women were not supposed to rule, which opened the doors for a cousin,
It called to me, so I decided to reread it.Wow, what a completely shitty time to live in England or France! It amazes me that one could carry on a war for 20 years and just dismiss the misery one is causing people. The common people didn't care who wore the crown. They just wanted to live their lives and feed their families. But every year or so you mow down their town on the way to the next castle, fort or stronghold. Your army marches on it's belly, so you take everything edible on the way
It was with great anticipation that I returned to Sharon Penmans When Christ and His Saints Slept, the first book by Sharon Penman that I ever read at the tender age of 10, and which for good reasons immediately became one of my favourite books of all time and in all the years since has never been displaced from its solid and thoroughly deserved status as the cream of the crop not just of historical fiction but across genres. This is the only book for which I have ever stayed awake without sleep
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