Lisa Hilton

England's medieval queens were elemental in shaping the history of the nation. In an age where all politics were family politics, dynastic marriages placed English queens at the very centre of power - the king's bed. From Matilda of Flanders, the Conqueror's queen, to Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor consort, England's queens fashioned the nature of monarchy and influenced the direction of the state. Occupying a unique position in the mercurial, often violent world of medieval state-craft, English queens had to negotiate a role that combined tremendous influence with terrifying vulnerability.Lisa Hilton's meticulously researched new book explores the lives of the twenty women who were crowned queen between 1066 and 1503, reconsidering the fictions surrounding well-known figures like Eleanor of Aquitaine and illuminating the lives of forgotten figures such as Adeliza of Louvain. War, adultery, witchcraft, child abuse, murder - and occassionally even love - formed English queenship, but so too did patronage, learning and fashion. Lisa Hilton considers the evolution of the queenly office alongside intimate portraits of the individual women, dispelling the myth that medieval brides were no more than diplomatic pawns.From Eleanor of Castile's eccentric passion for fruit to Anne of Bohemia's contribution to the Protestant reformation, QUEENS CONSORT is a provocative and dramatic narrative which redefines English history in terms of an exceptional group of women whose personal ambitions, triumphs and failures helped to give birth to the modern state.

England's Medieval Queens

Queens Consort

In her superb new biography, Hilton chronicles the life of this extraordinary woman, known as "the real Queen of France," who reigned as official mistress to Louis XIV during the most glorious period of "the splendid century."

The Life of Louis XIV's Mistress, the Real Queen Of France

Athenais

An historian offers a new portrait of an subject of perennial fascination, Elizabeth I, casting the queen as she saw herself: not as an exceptional woman, but as an exceptional ruler.

Renaissance Prince

Elizabeth

The bestselling author and historian Lisa Hilton picks up the mythical 'City of Ladies' where the medieval writer Christine de Pisan left off, continuing a conversation about gender and greatness that began more than six hundred years ago. In 1450 Christine de Pisan took up the pen to defend her maligned sex. Her book, The City of Ladies, was built around preserving women's reputations from the slights and misunderstandings of history. In it the author is visited by three spirits - Justice, Rectitude and Reason - who guide her in sifting through countless lives, in search of worthy citizens. Nearly 600 years later, the historian and novelist Lisa Hilton picks up the book and promptly falls asleep, only to be visited by three great women from history: Cleopatra, Lucrezia Borgia and Catherine the Great. And they aren't happy. Having found themselves barred from the original 'City of Ladies', they want to know why. And isn't it time, they ask, for a new author to take up the pen? What follows is a reassessment of the past, in which deeds and reputations, rumours and reality are held up to the light, and history is wrested back from the distortions of misogyny.

Sex and the City of Ladies: Rewriting History with Cleopatra, Lucrezia Borgia and Catherine the Great

'We are a prince from a line of princes.' Lisa Hilton's majestic biography of Elizabeth I, 'The Virgin Queen', provides vibrant new insights on a monarch who continues to compel and enthral readers. It is a book that challenges readers to reassess Elizabeth's reign, and the colourful drama, scandal and intrigue to which it is always linked. Lisa Hilton uses new research in France, Italy, Russia and Turkey to present a fresh interpretation of Elizabeth as a queen who saw herself primarily as a Renaissance prince, delivering a very different perspective on Elizabeth's emotional and sexual life, and upon her attempts to mould England into a European state. Elizabeth was not an exceptional woman but an exceptional ruler, and Hilton redraws English history with this animated portrait of an astounding life. Her biography maps Elizabeth's dramatic journey from timid, newly crowned queen to one of the most powerful and vivid monarchs ever to rule England.

A Biography

Elizabeth - Renaissance Prince

IL CASO EDITORIALE DELL'ANNO IN CIMA ALLE CLASSIFICHE IN TUTTO IL MONDO USCITO IN 38 PAESI «Il bestseller di qualità è tornato. Maestra si candida con forza al titolo di libro più discusso dell'anno.» Vanity Fair «Sesso spinto e gallerie d'arte londinesi. Autrice una saggista letteraria. Ed è già best-seller.» La Repubblica «La nuova regina del romanzo erotico. Un fenomeno mondiale.» Le Figaro È sexy, è intelligente, è spietata ed è molto, molto pericolosa... Londra, giorno. Judith Rashleigh è una giovane e inappuntabile assistente presso una prestigiosa casa d’aste. Londra, sera. Judith arrotonda il suo magro stipendio lavorando in un club esclusivo per soli uomini, lasciandosi educatamente adorare per la propria bellezza e fingendo di sorseggiare champagne. Londra, notte. Judith può essere finalmente se stessa. E il sesso è il suo momento di abbandono. Libero, intenso, spregiudicato. Judith è intelligente, colta, determinata e ambiziosa. Sa bene come mettersi in gioco e fino a che punto. Sa come vestirsi, come parlare, come recitare al cospetto dei potenti. Ha imparato a rispettare i ruoli, a fare la brava ragazza. Ma quando, dopo essere stata ingiustamente licenziata in tronco, Judith vede tutti i suoi sogni andare in frantumi, improvvisamente capisce come vanno le cose nella realtà. Non le rimane che rivolgersi a una sua vecchia amica. Un’amica che l’ha aiutata a camminare sempre a testa alta nonostante le avversità. Un’amica che l’ha sempre sostenuta nei momenti difficili. Un’amica che una brava ragazza come lei non dovrebbe avere: la rabbia. Ed è proprio spinta dalla rabbia che Judith lotta per ottenere vendetta, usando ogni mezzo a disposizione: l’astuzia, il sesso e, quando necessario, anche l’omicidio. Perché sono stati loro a iniziare... Ma sarà lei a mettere la parola fine. «Un thriller di prim'ordine... leggetelo prima che lo legga tutto il mondo!.» Glamour «Una protagonista sexy, intelligente e meravigliosamente spietata.» The New York Times maestra-libro.com

Maestra - Edizione Italiana

The horror of love

The year is 1199, and King Richard the Lionheart is dead, leaving his brother John to inherit both his French and English lands. Young Isabelle of Angoulème is betrothed to the son of her father's enemy, Hugh de Lusignan, and taken to his castle to be educated, where she is initiated into the 'Old Religion'. Isabelle is then told that she is to be married not to Hugh de Lusignan but to King John of England, in a complex and treacherous plot to gain the English succession.

The Stolen Queen

The bestselling author and historian Lisa Hilton picks up the mythical ‘City of Ladies’ where the medieval writer Christine de Pisan left off, continuing a conversation about gender and greatness that began more than six hundred years ago.

In 15th century Florence, orphaned Mura learn that her magical heritage makes her a precious prize in this vividly researched historical drama of love, betrayal, and witchcraft Five-year-old Mura is a strange and bewitching child. Daughter of a Nordic mother and Spanish father, she has been tutored in both Arabic and the ancient mythology of the north. But when her widower father is taken by the Inquisition, Mura is sold to a Genoese slaver. In the port of Savona, Mura's androgynous looks and unusual abilities fetch a high price. She is bought as a house slave for the powerful Medici, arriving in Florence as the city prepares for war against the French. When the family are forced to flee, Mura finds herself gifted to the notorious Lioness of Romagna, Countess Caterina Sforza. Beautiful, ruthless, and intelligent, the Countess is fascinated by Mura's arcane knowledge. As the Lioness educates her further in the arts of alchemy, potions, and poisons, Mura becomes a potent weapon in the Machiavellian intrigues of the Renaissance court.

Wolves in Winter

France, 1939. In a farmhouse on a windswept plain, Oriane lives in poverty. When the Germans invade, she finds work in a Nazibarracks while her fiance joins the Resistance. 61 years later Claudia confides in Oriane, & finds Oriane has her own secrets.

The House with Blue Shutters

The dramatic love story of two extraordinary individuals--Nancy Mitford and free French commander Gaston Palewski--living in extraordinary times. “Oh, the horror of love!” Nancy Mitford once exclaimed to her sister Diana Mosley. Elegant and intelligent, Nancy was a reknowned wit and a popular author. Yet this bright, waspish woman gave her heart to a well-known philanderer who went on to marry another woman. Was Nancy that unremarkable thing—a deluded lover—or was she a remarkable woman engaged in a sophisticated love affair? Gaston Palewski was a Free French commander and one of the most influential politicians in post-war Europe. She supported him throughout his tumultuous career and he inspired some of her best work, including The Pursuit of Love. Lisa Hilton’s provocative and emotionally challenging book reveals how, with discipline, gentleness, and a great deal of elegance, Nancy Mitford and Gaston Palewski achieved an affair of the heart.

Nancy Mitford and Gaston Palewski in Paris and London

The Horror of Love

A definitive portrait of one of the most compelling monarchs England has ever had: Elizabeth I. 'We are a prince from a line of princes.' Lisa Hilton's majestic biography of Elizabeth I, 'The Virgin Queen', uses new research to present a fresh interpretation of Elizabeth as a queen who saw herself primarily as a Renaissance prince, delivering a very different perspective on her emotional and sexual life, and upon her attempts to mould England into a European state. Elizabeth was not an exceptional woman but an exceptional ruler, and this book challenges readers to reassess her reign, and the colourful drama, scandal and intrigue to which it is always linked.

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Daphne Du Maurier

Mary Anne

Judith Ragleih's echte identiteit is verborgen onder een flink aantal lagen. Maar nu ze ingesloten is tussen de Russische maffia aan de ene kant en een corrupte Italiaanse agent aan de andere, heeft ze een kunststukje nodig om het er leven van af te brengen. Ze moet ervoor zorgen dat een vals meesterwerk bij het veilinghuis waar ze ooit assistente was verkocht wordt voor 150 miljoen pond. Dit is bijna onmogelijk zonder haar nieuwe identiteit prijs te geven, maar dat doen brengt een nog groter risico met zich mee...

Ultima

Judith Rashleigh is met succes gepromoveerd van veilinghuisassistent tot internationale kunsthandelaar. Ze mag daarbij een bloederig spoor hebben achtergelaten, haar nieuwe leven als chique galeriehouder in Venetië is alles waar ze van droomde. Maar terwijl ze zich een weg onderhandelt door de Italiaanse kunstscene lijkt haar verleden haar in te halen. Na een onschuldige opmerking op een feestje beseft Judith dat iemand haar op het spoor is...

Domina

The compelling love story of two extraordinary individuals - Nancy Mitford and Free French commander Gaston Palewski - living in extraordinary times. 'Oh, the horror of love!' Nancy Mitford once exclaimed. Elegant and intelligent, Nancy was a reknowned wit and a popular author. Yet this bright, waspish woman, capable of unerring emotional analysis in her work gave her heart to a well-known philanderer who went on to marry another woman. Was Nancy that unremarkable thing - a deluded lover - or was she a remarkable woman engaged in a sophisticated love affair? Gaston Palewski, was the Free French commander and one of the most influential politicians in post-war Europe. His and Nancy's mutual life was spent amongst the most exciting, powerful and controversial figures in the centre of reawakening Europe. She supported him throughout his tumultuous career and he inspired some of her best work, including The Pursuit of Love. Lisa Hilton's provocative book reveals how, with discipline, gentleness and a great deal of elegance, Nancy Mitford and Gaston Palewski achieved a very adult ideal.

Lisa Hilton

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