Fascinating study of England's most ruthless king
The Prince of Darkness
Author: Jean Plaidy
Arrow Books
 "Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with
such rich complexity" the Guardian had stated on Plaidy's fine skill of
being able to bring past history before her readers. Indeed it is this
quality of the author which makes her historic novels outstanding and
irresistible.
These are not mere characters that Plaidy brings before us but they
are flesh and blood and one almost gets the feeling that she had been
living their life for them, joining them in every adventure and every
gripping moment to bring forth a character which almost breathe before
her readers.
'The Prince of Darkness' is no exception for it also embodies her
magical touch. It is the story of King John, one of the cruelest rulers
to ever tread English soil. It is one of nature's greatest ironies that
Richard the Lionheart should face an untimely death and leave his nephew
Arthur and his younger brother John in contest for the throne of
England. After much ponder, the barons decide to put their hopes on John
and so begins a dark era of kingship ruled under a ruthless and greedy
tyrant - the Prince of Darkness himself.
John was born in 1167, the youngest child of King Henry II and
Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was nicknamed "John Lackland" because he was
left with no land after his father's death. As a child and even in his
youth John tended to be overshadowed by his elder brother, Richard.
Ireland was governed by John during a part of his father's reign but
John's reputation as a leader was a disaster and he was back home within
six months. Though shunned by the people and his family, he was aching
to seize the crown and this he proved by trying to usurper the throne
during the absence of Richard. He later regained what he lost with the
death of Richard in 1199.
John reigned through a period of rebellion, his own rash actions and
character stirring up distaste among his subjects. He developed a
reputation for violent rages, a quality he had inherited from his
father, and many feared his wrath.
Perhaps one of the most significant actions by John is the seduction
of the young and beautiful Isabella of Angouleme whom he took for his
bride but by doing so he made an enemy for life.
Another such incident which had an impact upon him and chose to haunt
him to his death bed was the murder of Arthur, his nephew, whom some
believed to be the rightful successor to the throne. John was no
military leader or rather he was a coward who enjoyed inflicting fear
upon others.
This is brought to light in many situations in the biographical story
that Plaidy had noted down for her readers. Quarrelling with those who
displeases him including falling out with the Pope and imposing heavy
taxes upon his subjects due to losing his land to Philip of France, it
seemed as if the loathsome monarch is himself an evil incarnate.
"The Prince of Darkness" follows the incidents of losing all of
England's possessions in France, increasing taxes and fear which drove
the barons of the country make their king force into signing the Magna
Carta at Runnymede in 1215.
Though these incidents are marked down in history the story is
exciting and engaging. Plaidy paints her story and characters as she
sees it. Through much research, the information is pieced together to
reveal a fascinating in-depth to the story buried in history.
"The Plantagenet Prelude", "The Revolt of the Eaglets" and "The Heart
of the Lion" are the other three novels which make up the Plantagenets
series presented by the author. "The Prince of Darkness" marks the end
of the series of historic novels written by Plaidy revolving around King
Henry I and his eight children.
Ruwini Jayawardana |
