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Blood Royal
- A True Tale of Crime and Detection in Medieval Paris
- Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
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Publisher's summary
A riveting true story of murder and detection in 15th-century Paris, by one of the most brilliant medievalists of his generation.
On a chilly November night in 1407, Louis of Orleans was murdered by a band of masked men. The crime stunned and paralyzed France since Louis had often ruled in place of his brother King Charles, who had gone mad. As panic seized Paris, an investigation began. In charge was the Provost of Paris, Guillaume de Tignonville, the city's chief law enforcement officer - and one of history's first detectives. As de Tignonville began to investigate, he realized that his hunt for the truth was much more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
A rich portrait of a distant world, Blood Royal is a gripping story of conspiracy, crime and an increasingly desperate hunt for the truth. And in Guillaume de Tignonville, we have an unforgettable detective for the ages, a classic gumshoe for a cobblestoned era.
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Historical Goodie
- By Syd Young on 08-03-13
By: Maurice Druon
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The Wars of the Roses
- The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.
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No Need for a Score Card
- By Troy on 01-16-15
By: Dan Jones
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The Dark Queens
- The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World
- By: Shelley Puhak
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Brunhild was a foreign princess, raised to be married off for the sake of alliance-building. Her sister-in-law Fredegund started out as a lowly palace slave. And yet - in sixth-century Merovingian France, where women were excluded from noble succession and royal politics was a blood sport - these two iron-willed strategists reigned over vast realms, changing the face of Europe.
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Fascinating & Long Overdue
- By Mary E Birdsong on 10-22-22
By: Shelley Puhak
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Henry V
- The Warrior King of 1415
- By: Ian Mortimer
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 25 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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This insightful look at the life of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt casts new light on a period in history often held up as legend. A great English hero, Henry V was lionized by Shakespeare and revered by his countrymen for his religious commitment, his sense of justice, and his military victories. Here, noted historian and biographer Ian Mortimer takes a look at the man behind the legend and offers a clear, historically accurate, and realistic representation of a ruler who was all too human.
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Accessible, grounded, enjoyable
- By Justa Guy on 04-10-18
By: Ian Mortimer
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To the Scaffold
- The Life of Marie Antoinette
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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To this day Marie Antoinette remains one of history’s most misunderstood heroines. How she triumphed over the petty jealousies and backstairs rivalries of the court, how she sustained a good-hearted but malleable king, and how she was transformed from French queen to Austrian “whore,” is the story told with skill and fascinating detail.
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Davina Porter is a treasure!
- By Missee on 04-08-19
By: Carolly Erickson
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Peter the Great
- His Life and World
- By: Robert K. Massie
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 43 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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This superbly told story brings to life one of the most remarkable rulers––and men––in all of history and conveys the drama of his life and world. The Russia of Peter's birth was very different from the Russia his energy, genius, and ruthlessness shaped. Crowned co-Tsar as a child of ten, after witnessing bloody uprisings in the streets of Moscow, he would grow up propelled by an unquenchable curiosity, everywhere looking, asking, tinkering, and learning, fired by Western ideas.
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Narrater ruins everything
- By BrendaLouQuilts on 12-30-11
By: Robert K. Massie
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Bloody Mary
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Corrie James
- Length: 23 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the tragic, stormy life of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Her story is a chronicle of courage and faith, betrayal and treachery - set amidst the splendor, pageantry, squalor, and intrigue of 16th-century Europe. The history of Mary Tudor is an improbable blend of triumph, humiliation, heartbreak, and devotion - and Ms. Erickson recounts it all against the turbulent background of European politics, war, and religious strife of the mid-1500s.
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A good history
- By A. Barrios on 05-21-15
By: Carolly Erickson
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Joan of Arc
- By: Hilaire Belloc
- Narrated by: Saethon Williams
- Length: 1 hr and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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One of the most artful narratives ever written concerning the life of "The Maid". Hilaire Belloc writes with a familiarity only possessed by those with an intimate knowledge of the facts. A Catholic, of both French and English descent; Belloc clearly had an emotional affinity for this episode in the long struggle between the two nations.
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TERRIBLE NARRATION!!!
- By Theomama on 08-07-15
By: Hilaire Belloc
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The House of Medici
- Its Rise and Fall
- By: Christopher Hibbert
- Narrated by: Michael Page
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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This enthralling book charts the family's huge influence on the political, economic, and cultural history of Florence. Beginning in the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty under the near-legendary Cosimo de Medici, it moves through their golden era as patrons of some of the most remarkable artists and architects of the Renaissance, to the era of the Medici Popes and Grand Dukes, Florence's slide into decay and bankruptcy, and the end, in 1737, of the Medici line.
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Laundry list of names
- By Elizabeth W on 01-02-17
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The Templars
- The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1307, as they struggled to secure their last strongholds in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Templars fell afoul of the vindictive and impulsive king of France. On Friday, October 13, hundreds of brothers were arrested en masse, imprisoned, tortured, and disbanded amid accusations of lurid sexual misconduct and heresy. They were tried by the Vatican in secret proceedings. But were they heretics or victims of a ruthlessly repressive state?
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Unexpected
- By Protogere on 10-30-17
By: Dan Jones
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The Nectar of Angels
- The Arrowsmith Saga, Book 1
- By: Dane St. John
- Narrated by: R. D. Watson
- Length: 18 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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In the chaos of 14th-century England and France, wine is the nectar of angels - a valuable commodity buttressing kingdoms and vaulting vast fortunes. A mysterious old archer named David Arrowsmith recounts his tale to an eager French chronicler, Jean Créton, when the latter learns that his mission to Scotland seems a failure. The burden of Arrowsmith's story rests with Créton, who suddenly finds himself writing about a seemingly cursed infant that barely escapes the grip of the Black Death in rural Wales when his family dies.
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Really? Where are the honest reviews?
- By julie on 03-26-14
By: Dane St. John
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Iron, Fire and Ice
- The Real History That Inspired Game of Thrones
- By: Ed West
- Narrated by: Rory Barnett
- Length: 20 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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A young pretender raises an army to take the throne. Learning of his father’s death, the adolescent, dashing and charismatic and descended from the old kings of the North, vows to avenge him. He is supported in this war by his mother, who has spirited away her two younger sons to safety. Against them is the queen, passionate, proud, and strong-willed and with more of the masculine virtues of the time than most men. She too is battling for the inheritance of her young son, not yet fully grown but already a sadist who takes delight in watching executions.
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Fun history for all -not just Game of Thrones fans
- By Annabells on 06-14-19
By: Ed West
What listeners say about Blood Royal
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- HappyatHeart
- 11-01-22
Great Medieval True Crime Narrative
This was written so well, especially given the sometimes dry “dates-and-places” subject matter, which is sometimes all we have from this time period. I found this story fascinating and had no idea that this one event became so pivotal in French history. To be more specific, I had heard of the battles fought between Burgundians and Orleans, but never knew that it all stemmed from the actions taken by these two cousins. And thank you, thank you Hachette Audio for finding someone to read this book who actually knows how to pronounce French words and names. (Other books I’ve listened to recently were painful in this regard.) René Auberjonois does a great job of reading this book.
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- Naomi
- 12-19-21
Historical True Crime
14th Century true crime. I especially enjoyed the witness interviews which gave perspective on how similar the average person was then as now. Their accounts weren’t all that different from 21st century eye witness interviews.
I really enjoy history and true crime so this strange combo worked well for me but I think you need to like both genres to really appreciate this book.
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- martin e.
- 10-20-21
Worth a listen
A good bit of medieval history, contributing to the prolongation of the Hundred Years War.
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- Liana Vardi
- 08-29-15
Reader can't pronounce French
The producer of the audiobook should have paid attention. French names and places so garbled it is an embarrassment. Otherwise for those who don't care about this, the reading is lively.
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- B. Clements
- 10-28-20
Finally some "Medieval true crime!"
if you're looking for Medieval Paris, History, Crime and a detective "who-done-it?"- look no further.
highly recommended.
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- Michelle
- 07-22-14
Fascinating
What made the experience of listening to Blood Royal the most enjoyable?
Rene Auberjonois is a fantastic narrator for this book because he is able to pronounce the French names without stumbling.
What other book might you compare Blood Royal to and why?
Blood Royal reads almost like some of Ann Rule's true crime novels. It does a great job of laying the foundation for the crime and discussing the climate and culture of the times.
Any additional comments?
I thought the book was very interesting. In some ways it was more like a thriller than a nonfiction work.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Therese
- 03-19-19
Narrative Non-fiction at its Best
A beautiful listen - Jager tell what could be dry facts from compelling point of view and Rene Auberjonios heartfelt reading.
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- Stella
- 06-26-22
This would be a fascinating movie or series
So well written I thought it was fiction. I hope someone has film rights!
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- Beatriz
- 08-07-23
Medieval Crime Investigation
I really liked this book, it's very accurate in the descriptions and very worthwhile effort to bring back the voices of the witnesses of the murder. Was super interested in the procedural aspects of the investigation and the whole criminal justice system at the time but, I will admit, it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
The author draws interesting causality between the murder itself and the wider political implications in the history of France and Europe, making the whole investigation efforts even more relevant.
Narration was ok but the French pronunciation a little jarring. I am not a particularly fluent French speaker but even I can read Chantier du Roi correctly!
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- Мартин
- 04-23-16
Could not stop listening
This book was excellently researched and excellently written. It is a subject, medieval justice, that I don't read much about. I found it fascinating and the narration is some of the best I have ever listened to.
I highly recommend this book
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5 people found this helpful