Judith of France

by Margaret Leighton, Henry C. Pitz (Illustrator)

The story of Princess Judith, granddaughter of Charlemagne, who is honor bound to marry an aging British king (father of Alfred the Great) when her first love is the handsome warrior, Bras-de-Fer.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Romance, France, Fiction

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Born in Ohio, Margaret Leighton Carver was educated in France and Switzerland, and was graduated from Radcliffe College. After her husband's death in 1935, she moved to Santa Monica and began writing for young adults, both fiction and nonfiction.

Reviews

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding historical novel about the great-granddaughter of Charlemagne, forced by her father at a young age into a dynastic marriage with an elderly Anglo-Saxon king. Instead of moaning or refusing to do her duty, Judith vows to conduct herself with dignity and at all costs avoid causing feuds among her new husband's family.

If you ever get a chance to secure a copy of this book, splurge!

[Karen Witzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the school library royal novels that I devoured as a girl.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith, great-granddauther of Charlemagne, must make a dynastic marriage to Aethelwulf, King of England, old enough to be her grandfather. Once in England, she tries to be a peacemaker, but when she is widowed, Aethelbald, her oldest stepson, tries to force her into marriage. When she proves reluctant, he accuses her of witchcraft. Rescued by her youngest stepson, Alfred, & Count Baudoin of Flanders, whom she eventually marries, she 1st must make a pilgrimage to Rome to make political peace. A colorful, many-sided depiction of a turbulent period, & a personal favorite.

[سعید موسوی · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its amazing .a woman actress can write such a thing 🐻👏

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I began this book cautiously. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be really good!!
Judith is the great-granddaughter of Charlemagne, content with hunting and hawking. When her Father marries her off to the ancient English King, she finds her entire world shaken. She will have to deal with a husband old enough to be her grandfather, a hostile court, and the knowledge that she has fallen in love with someone else...
A very nice, historical fiction/romance, it made me want to learn about this Judith. I liked her character.
In fact, looking at it from a purely fiction point of view, this book surprised me several times. I'm used to the "modern fantasy heroine". The girl gets betrothed to some old dude, she runs away. Or disguises herself as a boy. Or does something equally "courageous." But not Judith...she submits to her Father's will. She remains gentle, yet strong. It is hard to explain. There would be a scene where I'd expect her to manage some brilliant escape...when instead she walks into the situation. She reminded me of Mary, Queen of the Scots. In fact, they have a lot in common except that Mary's first husband was a mere boy and Judith's was an old guy. Their second husbands were bums and their third husbands were the strong, military type.
Hmm.
Anyway, I liked Baudoin Ironarm...in a way. At first I really couldn't see why he would fall in love with her, 'cause he came across as the type would expect his girls to be pretty and silent, not lively like Judith, but then you got to know him a bit better and I really liked him...for while. By the end I'd kind of gotten sick of him and Judith xD
The writing is good; the plot is interesting. Very good historical fiction, if you can get your hands on it, definitely worth a read.

Though I have to say...even for historical acuracy...what names! The old English king is Aethelwulf and his sons Aethelbald (oi, what a name), Aethelbert, Aethelred, and Alfred (who is a little darling)

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much for its story and its history.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read as a preteen and adored. As I think of these books I'm recording them here so I won't lose them! even though it will probably fill my recommendations with YA novels...haha