Plantagenet Saga Books in Order

How to Read the Plantagenet Saga

For readers looking to dive into the epic history of medieval England, Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet Saga is the gold standard of historical fiction. Written by Eleanor Hibbert under her most famous pseudonym, this 14-book series spans over three centuries of history, from 1154 to 1485. Because the author wrote the books in consecutive chronological order matching the historical sequence of the monarchs, reading them in publication order is also the best chronological path. This makes navigating the saga straightforward and highly rewarding.

The 14-Book Reading Order

Here is the complete list of novels in the Plantagenet Saga, following both the chronological history of the monarchs and their original publication sequence:

1. The Plantagenet Prelude (1976): This opening novel introduces the founder of the dynasty, Henry II, and his fiery, ambitious marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, setting the stage for centuries of royal conflict.
2. The Revolt of the Eaglets (1977): Focuses on the bitter family divisions as Henry II's power-hungry sons rebel against him, pushed forward by their mother Eleanor.
3. The Heart of the Lion (1977): Dedicated to the legendary Richard the Lionheart, charting his heroic but costly exploits in the Third Crusade and his ultimate capture.
4. The Prince of Darkness (1978): Follows the disastrous and turbulent reign of King John, culminating in the signing of the Magna Carta and the loss of Normandy.
5. The Battle of the Queens (1978): Explores the intense rivalry between John's widow, Isabella of Angoulême, and the formidable French Queen, Blanche of Castile, during the minority of Henry III.
6. The Queen from Provence (1979): Centers on Eleanor of Provence and her marriage to Henry III, detailing the political unrest of the Second Barons' War led by Simon de Montfort.
7. Hammer of the Scots (1979): Spotlights the ruthless reign of Edward I (commonly known as Edward Longshanks) as he subjugates Wales and attempts to conquer Scotland.
8. The Follies of the King (1980): Examines the tragic, controversial reign of Edward II, his reliance on favorites like Piers Gaveston, and his deposition by his wife Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer.
9. The Vow on the Heron (1980): Follows the long reign of Edward III, the military triumphs of the Black Prince, and the initial spark of the Hundred Years' War.
10. Passage to Pontefract (1981): Chronicles the fall of Richard II, detailing his conflicts with the Lords Appellant and his ultimate deposition by Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV).
11. The Star of Lancaster (1981): Focuses on the rise of the House of Lancaster under Henry IV and the brilliant French campaigns of his son, Henry V.
12. Epitaph for Three Women (1981): A multi-perspective look at the minority of Henry VI through the lives of Katherine de Valois (Henry V's widow), Joan of Arc, and Eleanor of Gloucester.
13. The Red Rose of Anjou (1982): Captures the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses, highlighting Margaret of Anjou's fierce efforts to protect the crown of her weak husband, Henry VI.
14. The Sun in Splendour (1982): The grand finale of the saga, detailing the Yorkist reign of Edward IV, the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, and the final fall of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Publication vs. Chronological Order

Because Jean Plaidy structured this series to chart the sequential history of the Plantagenet crown, there is no divergence between publication order and chronological order. Readers do not need to rearrange the books to follow the timeline. A minor source of confusion is the seventh book, which was published as Hammer of the Scots in some editions and under the title Edward Longshanks in others. Some databases mistakenly list these as two separate volumes, but they are the exact same work. The entire saga consists of 14 unique novels.

Dynastic Connections: What to Read Next

Plaidy's historical sagas are famously interconnected. Once you finish the Plantagenet Saga, the story of the English crown continues immediately. You can transition directly into the Tudor Saga, which begins with To Hold the Crown (also published as Uneasy Lies the Head), focusing on Henry VII's efforts to secure his new dynasty. After the Tudors, Plaidy's Stuart Saga follows the next royal house. Additionally, Plaidy's Queens of England series offers overlapping biographies of many of the same queens featured in the Plantagenet books, providing alternative perspectives on these historical events.

Practical Reader Advice

While the Plantagenet Saga is a continuous historical journey, Plaidy wrote each novel to function as a standalone narrative. If you are particularly interested in a specific historical figure, such as Richard the Lionheart or Richard III, you can easily jump in and read their dedicated novel without feeling lost. However, reading the series from start to finish is highly recommended, as it allows you to appreciate the generational cause-and-effect that drove medieval English history. The series is known for its friendly, engaging prose and highly accurate historical foundations, making it an excellent starting point for anyone looking to learn about the Plantagenets.