The Dark Queens: A Gripping Tale of Power, Ambition and Murderous Rivalry in Early Medieval France
By Shelley Puhak
Apollo, £25, hardback, 336 pages
Does the phrase ‘the Merovingian dynasty’ leave you cold? Never fear: as this gripping, accessible history makes clear, sixth-century France was as riven by rivalry, ambition and vengeance as any medieval TV epic. Centre stage are two queens – Brunhild and her sister-in-law, Fredegund – who defied the constraints usually placed on women to reign, and compete, for decades. Complete with maps, illustrations and a cast of characters, this is a vibrant exploration of these complex individuals, their world, and their legacy.
The Greek Myths That Shape the Way We Think
By Richard Buxton
Thames and Hudson, £20, hardback, 304 pages
Slaying the monstrous Medusa, gifting…
