"The author skilfully employs current research from such fields as history, literary analysis and art history to improve understanding of the subject. Perhaps the most salient fearture of the study is its juxtaposition of specific examples of queens' lives and careers with theories, both modern and medieval, of medieval queenship. The result is a convincing argument that, regardless of where or when, queens' roles centered on family, religion, and culture, but political circumstrances altered cases. Moreover, the bibliography, suggestions for further reading and rsearch, and footnotes are extensive. Recommended." - Choice "Pleasurable and stimulating to read. The book is very well-researched; the author has mastered the most recent bibliography of what constitutes queenship studies, and constructs a vivid and believable portrayal of its evolution. It has the potential to be adopted in different types of courses - including medieval European history survey classes and history seminars focusing on political power, gender, etc." - Nuria Silleras-Fernandez, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA