Margaret, Queen of Sicily by Jacqueline Alio

Her previous titles include The Peoples of Sicily: A Multicultural Legacy and Women of Sicily: Saints, Queens and Rebels. If you could travel back in time to the twelfth century, Ms Alio would be the perfect guide, and in this book she guides you through an eventful life in a perilous age.Ĭloser to our times, Jackie Alio stands out as the only Sicilian woman writing books in English about the women of medieval Sicily. The author's keen knowledge of history and her mastery of Italian, Spanish, French and Sicilian aided her in following every step of Margaret's journey.

Her research took her from the tiny town in Navarre where Margaret was born to the locality in Sicily where the queen died, and a lot of places in-between. In addition to its main text, the volume presents maps, genealogical tables and numerous photographs, reflecting information gathered by the author in Italy, Spain and England (and even in the United States). This book is the result of original, scholarly research, yet its narrative is lively and interesting. The Basque princess who rose to confront unimagined adversity became the epitome of medieval womanhood in a world dominated by men, governing one of the wealthiest, most powerful - and most socially complex - states of Europe and the Mediterranean.

In Margaret's story sisterhood is just the beginning. This is the first biography of the great-granddaughter of El Cid and friend of Thomas Becket who could govern a nation and inspire millions. Her life and times make for the compelling story of a wife, sister, mother and leader. Margaret of Navarre, Queen of Sicily, was one of the most important women of the twelfth century, acting as regent during a pivotal phase in her kingdom's history.

Margaret, Queen of Sicily by Jacqueline Alio