When Henry VI becomes king, it is soon clear that he would be better suited to a quiet life than to ruling the country. Richard, Duke of York, is convinced that he would make a better king and has more right to the crown, and he will stop at nothing to claim it. But Margaret of Anjou, Henry's new French wife, is a formidable woman who is just as determined to keep Henry on the throne. Most powerful of all is the Earl of Warwick, the kingmaker, and with his support of Richard of York the War of the Roses begins. When Henry VI lapses into madness and eventually meets his mysterious end in the Wakefield Tower, Margaret directs all of her ambition towards her young son, Passionate and impulsive she begins scheming for him, and in doing so dashes headlong into disaster ... Reviews

The fourth book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series The untimely death of Richard the Lionheart left his nephew Arthur and his younger brother John in contest for the throne of England. Reluctantly the barons chose John, and so began years of rule by a ruthless and greedy tyrant. Yet despite his reputation, John, still manages to seduce the young and beautiful Isabella of Angouleme. But in taking her as his bride he makes an enemy for life. And in the tempestuous years that follow many men come to believe that the House of Anjou was tainted by the Devil's blood, the loathsome monarch was himself Evil Incarnate, the very Prince of Darkness...

Richard the Second is losing his hold on the crown and Henry of Bolingbroke, previously exiled by the king, returns to England to claim it. Richard is deposed and dies mysteriously, murdered some say on the orders of Bolingbroke, now King Henry the Fourth. But Henry finds the crown harder to hold onto than it was to win. He is beset by enemies, hampered by disease, and concerned about the rebellious behaviour of his son. Dominating the court and with his eye on the crown is Harry of Monmouth, whose reckless conduct in low-class taverns with his crony Sir John Oldcastle causes scandal. When the king dies, Harry became King Henry the Fifth, and the change is dramatic for both him and Oldcastle. The licentious youth becomes a great king, and Oldcastle, the rake, turns into a religious reformer. Oldcastle dies a martyr and Harry becomes the conquering hero of Agincourt. The Star of Lancaster is in the ascendant. Harry has brought France to her knees and married her princess. It seems that the long war was at an end. But a greater enemy than the French awaits Harry...

The second book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series News of Thomas a Becket's martyrdom has spread throughout Christendom and the blame is laid at the feet of Henry Plantagenet, King of England. Two years later, with Becket canonised, Henry's position is precarious: punished at the Pope's insistence for his part in Becket's death, he now also has an enemy in his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, after her discovery of his longstanding infidelity with Rosamund Clifford. Eleanor is determined to seek vengeance, so, with King Philip of France, she encourages her sons to conspire, both against their father and each other. Much embattled, the old eagle Henry struggles to fend off both rebellion and the plots of his aggressively circling offspring...

The fifth book in Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet saga tells the fascinating story of the hatred between two queens The first half of the thirteenth century is dominated by two women, as proud and ambitious as they were beautiful, yet different in all other qualities. Isabella, flamboyant and passionate, a medieval Helen of Troy - wife to King John and mother to Henry III... Blanche of Castile, serene and virtuous Queen of France, wife of Louis VIII and mother of Louis IX... The two women hated each other on sight. Isabella would stop at nothing, not even murder, in her passion to destroy the French Queen...

In the days when the word 'Italian' was synonymous with 'poisoner', there was no woman the French despised more than their own Queen Regent, Catherine de' Medici... When Catherine de' Medici was forced to marry Henry of Orleans, her's was not the only heart broken. Jeanne of Navarre once dreamed of marrying this same prince, but like Catherine, she must comply with King Francis's political needs. And so both Catherine and Jeanne's lives are set on unwanted paths, destined to cross in affairs of state, love and faith, driving them to become deadly political rivals. Years later Jeanne is happily married to the dashing but politically inept Antoine de Bourbon, whilst the widowed Catherine continues to be loved by few and feared by many - including her children. But Catherine is now the powerful mother of kings, who will do anything to see her beloved second son, Henry, rule France. As civil war ravages the country and Jeanne fights for the Huguenot cause, Catherine advances along her unholy road, making enemies at every turn...

The first book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor. But such a position for an unmarried woman puts the whole kingdom at risk. So on his deathbed William made a will that would ensure his daughter's protection: he promised her hand in marriage to the future King of France. Eleanor grows into a romantic and beautiful queen, but she has inherited the will of a king, and is determined to rule Aquitaine using her husband's power as King of France. Her resolve knows no limit and, in the years to follow she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens.

Hackney, that Rose-Red Empire is Iain Sinclair's foray into one of London's most fascinating boroughs Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire is Iain Sinclair's personal record of his north-east London home in which he has lived for forty years. It is a documentary fiction, seeking to capture the spirit of place, before Hackney succumbs to mendacious green papers, eco boasts, sponsored public art and the Olympic Park gnawing at its edges. It is a message in a bottle, chucked into the flood of the future.

Introducing the Trio Red Infinity Rose Flowers in boxes - the perfect gift for any occasion. This stunning set of three red infinity roses is elegantly presented in a beautiful box, making it the ultimate gift for your loved ones. Each rose is carefully preserved using state-of-the-art technology, ensuring that they maintain their natural beauty and freshness for up to a year. This means that your gift will continue to bring joy and happiness long after its been received. The Trio Red Infinity Rose Flowers in boxes are not just beautiful, theyre also incredibly practical. They require no watering or maintenance, making them the perfect gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle. And because theyre preserved, they can be enjoyed all year round, regardless of the season. But the benefits dont stop there. The red roses symbolize love, passion, and romance, making them the perfect gift for Valentines Day, anniversaries, or any other special occasion. And with three roses included in each set, you can show your love and appreciation in a big way. The elegant presentation box adds an extra touch of luxury, making this gift truly unforgettable. So why wait? Treat your loved ones (or yourself) to the beauty and elegance of the Trio Red Infinity Rose Flowers in boxes and let them know just how much you care.

The sixth book in Jean Plaidy's marvellous Plantaganet series Marguerite, eldest daughter of the Count of Provence, had married a king of France - and now her sister Eleanor is determined to make just as grand a match. Good fortune and wily cunning bring her Henry of England. A good and generous husband but a weak king, he rules a nation that still remembers his cruel and foolish father, King John. As Henry showers gifts on his new bride his extravagance forces him to levy ever greater taxation on the land, and the spectre of revolt soon looms against him. For Simon de Montfort, the adventurer who will give England its first true parliament, the house of destiny is at hand.

Reckoned by those about him to be the most handsome man in the country, Edward the fourth has risen to the throne with the help of Warwick, the kingmaker. But even Warwick's trusted advice cannot convince the King to ignore his passion for the beautiful widow, Elizabeth Woodville - and when she refuses to become his mistress the two are married. Beloved of the people, Edward proves himself to be a strong king, but his love of luxurious living soon begins to impact on his royal duties. Despite his mistresses, Elizabeth is loyal to the illustrious king, providing him with many children, among them Edward the fifth and Richard Duke of York. But Edward lived recklessly and on his death an incident from his past comes to light that will change the course of history ...

This is a wonderful collection of stories from the famous collectors of fairytales, "The Brothers Grimm". Stories include: "The Frog Prince", "Rapunzel", "Hansel and Gretel", "Little Red Riding Hood", "The Bremen Town Musicians", "Tom Thumb", "The Elves and the Shoemaker", "Sleeping Beauty", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves", "Rumpelstiltskin", "The Goose Girl", "The Bear and the Wren", "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" and "Snow White and Rose Red". It also includes a short biography of the brothers themselves.

In view of the mix of notes Lancome La Vie Est Belle En Rose is named Floral Fruity scent to the nose. The scent arrangement is a formation of Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion. The spread of flavors and fragrance notes for La Vie Est Belle En Rose spread out in a whiff of fruity and citrus opening top notes including bergamot, raspberry, red berries and pink pepper. The flower heart focus notes mix in with lily of the valley, peony, rose constantly centifolia while the profound woody and botanical base notes have an effect of musk, iris, patchouli and sandalwood. Fragrance Family floral fruity Concentration Eau De Toilette Fragrance Notes Top Note Fruity Heart Note Floral Base Note woody

Muriel Spark's classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie features a schoolmistress you'll never forget, in this beautifully repackaged Penguin Essentials edition. 'Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life...' Passionate, free-thinking and unconventional, Miss Brodie is a teacher who exerts a powerful influence over her group of 'special girls' at Marcia Blaine School. They are the Brodie set, the creme de la creme, each famous for something - Monica for mathematics, Eunice for swimming, Rose for sex - who are initiated into a world of adult games and extracurricular activities they will never forget. But the price they pay is their undivided loyalty... The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a brilliantly comic novel featuring one of the most unforgettable characters in all literature.

Who is killing monks in a great medieval abbey famed for its library - and why? Brother William of Baskerville is sent to find out, taking with him the assistant who later tells the tale of his investigations. Eco's celebrated story combines elements of detective fiction, metaphysical thriller, post-modernist puzzle and historical novel in one of the few twentieth-century books which can be described as genuinely unique. The Name of the Rose was made into a film in 1986, starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater and directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique For Women Eau De Toilette 100ML Set is a luxurious and iconic fragrance that captures the essence of femininity. This set includes a 100ml bottle of Eau De Toilette, perfect for indulging in the sensual and alluring scents of this timeless fragrance. The fragrance opens with top notes of rose, pear, and star anise, creating a delicate and enchanting aroma. The heart notes of orange blossom, ylang-ylang, and jasmine add a touch of floral elegance and depth. The base notes of vanilla, amber, and musk provide a warm and sensual finish, evoking a sense of femininity and confidence.