A player, not a pawn, a powerful woman when most women were powerless. In the male-dominated world of twelfth century France, Countess Adele of Blois, daughter, sister and mother of kings lives in an era filled with dangerous conflicts. When her much older husband leaves on the First Crusade and later dies in the Holy Land, Ad... ele, as regent, assumes the responsibility of dealing with the complicated political and religious issues of her time. She owes political loyalty to the King of France and family loyalty to the Norman rulers of England. To preserve the land and power of her husband and sons, she must balance these competing interests. In a time when kings and popes argue over supremacy, Adele seeks compromise, but ultimately must take sides. Does she choose wisely? In addition to Adele's life, this fictional biography illuminates the lives of other twelfth century French women.read more
