A King's Ransom

By (author) Penman, Sharon; By (author) Penman Sharon
Short description/annotation:
The sequel to Lionheart, completing the story of Richard I
Description:

From the New York Times bestselling author Sharon Penman comes A King''s Ransom, the stunning sequel to Lionheart

Travelling home from the bloody battlefields of the Holy Land, the Crusader King Richard the Lionheart is shipwrecked in the Mediterranean after an encounter with pirates. He should be protected by a papal decree, but he is betrayed and captured by the Duke of Austria – a man who has good reason to loathe him – and is immediately claimed by the Holy Roman Emperor, who also bears him a bitter grudge.

Richard is to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, which few men ever left. Meanwhile, his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is moving heaven and earth to raise a staggering ransom, travelling across Europe herself to buy the release of her favourite son.

But her determination may not be enough. At the eleventh hour, the Duke announces that he has had a better offer from the French king, Philippe, and Richard''s own treacherous brother, John. They will pay an even larger sum to continue Richard''s captivity – or to turn him over to their tender mercies.

Told with masterful insight and rich historical detail, A King''s Ransom is a striking portrayal of the darker, troubled years of Richard – a man whose courage, compassion and intelligence became the stuff of legend.

Review quote:
Masterful . . . [Sharon Kay] Penman has absorbed herself so fully into the heart and mind of her protagonist that an undeniably flawed but refreshingly human Richard [the Lionheart] virtually walks off the pages
Review quote:
A well-researched and impressively detailed narrative displaying a strong commitment to historical accuracy and richly drawn, sympathetic characters
Review quote:
Massively entertaining
Review quote:
Once you start reading you won’t want to stop
Biographical note:
Sharon Penman is the author of several historical novels and medieval mysteries set during the Middle Ages. Her novels include Lionheart, about Richard I and the Crusades, A King’s Ransom, completing the story of Richard I, and The Sunne in Splendour about the end of England''s War of the Roses. She lives in Mays Landing, New Jersey.
Promotional headline:
The sequel to Lionheart, completing the story of Richard I
Primary cover copy:
Travelling home from the bloody battlefields of the Holy Land, the Crusader king, Richard the Lionheart, is shipwrecked in the Mediterranean after an encounter with pirates. He should be protected by a papal decree, but he is betrayed and captured, ending up in the clutches of the Holy Roman Emperor, who bears him a bitter grudge. Richard is to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, which few men have ever left. Meanwhile, his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is moving heaven and earth to raise a staggering ransom, travelling across Europe to buy the release of her favourite son. But her determination may not be enough. At the eleventh hour, the Emperor announces that he has had a better offer from the French king, Philippe, and Richard''s own treacherous brother, John. They will pay an even larger sum to continue Richard''s captivity - or to turn him over to their tender mercies. Told with masterful insight and rich historical detail, A King''s Ransom is a striking portrayal of the darker, troubled years of Richard - a man whose courage, compassion and intelligence became the stuff of legend. Praise for Lionheart ''Penman has triumphed'' Margaret George ''A sumptuous, powerful read . . . If you enjoy well-researched historical fiction, y