She-Wolves

In medieval England, man was the ruler of woman, and the king was the ruler of all. How, then; could royal power lie in famale hands?
In She-Wolves, celebrated historian Helen Castor tells the dramatic and fascinating stories of four exceptional women who, while never reigning as monarchs, held great power: Matilda, Eleonor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou. These were the women who paved the way for Jane Grey, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I - the Tudor queens who finally confronted what it meant to be a female monarch.

"Combining top-notch scholarship with fizzing storytelling... A fascinating account of a group of women who refused to o what they were told" (Kathryn Hughes, Mail on Sunday)

"Gripping... A superb history... combining blood-drenched drama, politics and swordplay with scholarly analysis, sympathy for the plight of women and elegant writing" (Simon Sebag Montefiore, Daily Telegraph)

"Castor's version of each life is truly gripping, as well as vital to our understanding of the events that led to the rather more propitious reign of Gloriana" (The Times Books of the Year)