When Christ and His Saints Slept: A Novel Paperback – February 6, 1996

As a historical fiction author myself, I’ve found the works of Sharon Kay Penman to be historical feasts—masterpieces that I find unmatched when it comes to British history. This is the third work of hers that I’ve read, and though it did take longer to “get into”, the characters, world-building, and research that Penman offers readers is simply unparalleled.This book was chock-full of historical conflict that Penman studied herself, through early manuscripts and accounts, getting her hands on real history instead of having to Hollywood her way through, making stuff up! And the pivotal struggle in her tale was between Maude—daughter of Henry I and Stephen, her cousin, who literally stole the crown bequeathed to her by her father.Surrounding these two fascinating personalities, were a host of other colorful courtiers and soldiers toiling with and against one another through the entire story, which in truth, lasted over a decade, and was one of England’s bloodiest and most tragic eras for the common people.Readers will meet Ranulf, a bastard son to the old King, and Maude’s other treasured brother—a second bastard, Robert, who proves himself to be a virtuous, mature, and dashing leader, championing his sister’s cause. His wife, the trustworthy and discerning Amabel, and Brien Fitz Count, a man with whom Maude carries out a secret courtly romance.In King Stephen’s camp is his gracious and stalwart Queen Matilda, a likeable character if there ever was one, and who has more clout than many a man. Their detestable eldest son Eustace, who is a trouble-maker and poses a constant threat to the Court, causes Matilda much grief. Then there’s Stephen’s brother, the Bishop of Winchester, who is a self-ingratiating Churchman who mostly looks after “Number One”. Lastly is a rough, worldly mercenary, William de Ypres, whose working relationship with Queen Matilda transforms him into a man of honor.The premise running through this entire epic is that of a wronged woman, fighting for her cause, thinking she’ll lose—until her oldest son comes to maturity, to win the crown for himself and his mother. That son is Henry II, who winds up captivated by Eleanor of Aquitaine, by her beauty and the wealth of her lands. Together, they risk everything to defy two Kings and begin a dynasty that lasted for centuries: the Plantagenets.A totally immersive and thought-provoking read. I give it five courtly stars!

In an attempt to keep a woman from ruling England, thereby plunging England into chaos, death, and destruction, Stephen breaks his oath to his uncle the King and deprives his cousin Maude from her birthright by claiming the crown for himself. This novel tells in beautiful detail the Empress Maude's attempt to gain back her stolen crown. Ironically, what Stephen was hoping to avoid is exactly what he brought...one of most chaotic, deadly, and destructive periods in English history.My heart went out to Maude and all she was forced to endure. First, her father names her as his heir without securing the kingdom for her or teaching her how to be a ruler, then her cousin breaks his oath and steals the crown for himself, and to top it all off she is rejected by a nation because of her gender. Yet through it all she held her head high and never gave up. If not for herself, she fought eventually for her son's future and secured a place for herself in history....emphasis on "his"tory! What a woman!SKP treats both Maude and Stephen with objectivity, portraying them both as real humans, warts and all. IMO, she is a little too fair to Stephen though. Yes, history paints him as a kind, caring albeit bumbling man. That he may have been! I just can't help feeling though that there was something more sinister deep down inside him. For a man to break his oath in a time when a man's word was everything, betray his cousin, and found a Kingship on a fraudulent deathbed recantation, to me, takes someone much darker, more sinister than Stephen is portrayed in this book. It truly is a study in contradictions how he could act so conscientiously at times and yet, the fact remains that decades of suffering were brought because of what he did.SKP did a great job of keeping everything clear and straightforward. Because of the complicated subject matter, and number of players here, this could've ended up one big jumbled mess. I found it very easy to read, however, and keep track of who was who despite the intricate plot details.Ranulf, the fictionalized character, was a nice inclusion as he added some lightness to what was otherwise some pretty heavy stuff. His relationship with his first love, Annora, was smokin' hot! Dare I say they out smoked even Henry and the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine? IMO, they did just that!Overall I really liked this novel. I think it lacked the sheer magic of Here Be Dragon's and I would've like to have seen a bit more of Maude in a novel that was essentially about her. Still, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in this time period and who likes good historical fiction.

If you want to know history hidden within a story worth telling. Read this. Absolutely stunning. Now on to book two. Can’t wait.