The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily by Nancy Goldstone
Why do authors write fictional romantic fantasy when the real life is so much better? Joanna I was a middle age queen of Naples. There were various machinations going on with her reign. The Hungarians all wanted a part and set her up with a husband. He was to be a "king in name only" without power to rule. Alas, his family was seeking to gain too much power. Then he mysteriously died. She was blamed even though others were found guilty. She had various other husbands and was pregnant multiple times, but never had a child that lived towards adulthood. Others tried to battle to take the kingdom. She was saved by the papal armies, but ultimately had her downfall by siding with the wrong Pope (against one that was formerly one of her subjects.) She was ultimately imprisoned and likely murdered. The author does a great job of dramatic narrative, making a history that is much more appealing than fictional novels.
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