The Queen’s Granddaughter
In the year 1200, 12-year-old Blanca, daughter of the king and queen of Castile, tries to convince her grandmother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, not to take her beloved sister away to marry the French Prince Louis. But her plan backfires when Eleanor decides that Blanca herself would be a better match and hustles her off across the Pyrenees to meet—and eventually marry—Louis. The voyage is perilous; along with Suna, Blanca’s maid and best friend, and Eleanor’s knight William Marshal, Eleanor and Blanca become separated from their retinue and nearly die in a blizzard before taking shelter with pilgrims. But worse is to come as they are kidnapped, escaping through Blanca’s daring and the intervention of a troop of Knights Templar.
Settings are vividly drawn, starting with the multicultural royal court of Castile, where Muslims and Christians work together. An episode when Blanca runs away and takes refuge with Suna’s family adds little to the story and appears to be included to show daily life of a Muslim family.
More grounded in history than most of Zahler’s award-winning books, this tale of Blanca—better known today as Blanche of Castile—is told with humor and feeling. The author shows how royal offspring were pawns in dynastic struggles, and refrains from having Blanca spout anachronistic protests of “it’s not fair that I don’t get to choose who I marry.” Blanca’s growth from indulged princess to independent young woman with the potential to be a good ruler is believable.
This novel, intended for readers ages 8-12, includes an informative author’s note that provides interesting context for the story and makes clear where the narrative differs from the historical record.
