Queens of Sicily 1061-1266: The queens consort, regent and regnant of the Norman-Swabian era of the Kingdom of Sicily (Sicilian Medieval Studies) Paperback – 14 Nov. 2018

This is one of those books that should have been written fifty years ago but wasn't. It is full of information that has never been published in English or even in Italian. The details are astounding. Some of the endnotes are so complete that they run to more than a page in small type, making them far superior to the footnotes used in many academic monographs. No wonder the book is 740 pages long with as many notes. Although a sincere attempt has been made to render the text readable and interesting, this is an academic and educational resource.Yes, Queens of Sicily is, strictly speaking, a scholarly work to be consulted by researchers, but it is much more than a reference for libraries (which should be encouraged to purchase it). I would suggest that it offers much about a Sicilian cultural identity and the concept of a multicultural society. Anybody having southern Italian roots should read this book.The author is a true Sicilianist. Alio’s translation, from the original Sicilian, of the poem of Cielo d’Alcamo is the best I’ve seen.Her work is sometimes compared to the queens’ biographies written by Nancy Goldstone in the US and Alison Weir here in Britain. Great as those biographers are, the obvious difference is that Alio covers ground virtually untouched until now. Almost singlehandedly, she is bringing the history of these queens to the world.Forget about “Italy,” which didn’t exist as a country until the 19th century. These biographies transcend almost anything you are ever likely to read about “Italian” history. This is a glimpse into the medieval history of all three continents that touch the Mediterranean.The introduction is 50 pages of historiography and women’s history. There’s a fine map showing the queens’ places of birth and a chart indicating the years they lived, beginning with their coronations.This book is exactly the kind of thing that would make a good text for a university course on medieval queenship beyond Britain, though two of these queens were Plantagenets descended from Eleanor of Aquitaine, who visited Sicily twice.The scholarly apparatus (notes, appendices, bibliography) is extensive, yet the narrative is eloquent and clear. It’s hard to imagine anybody doing a better job covering these two centuries of complex history in one book.They just don’t publish many books like this anymore.It should be emphasised that Alio's work is based on original sources. That means medieval charters, letters and chronicles, mostly before 1300, with additional research on-site in Italy, Spain, England and elsewhere. The research that led to this book was undertaken over the course of several years in several countries. The author states in her introduction that much of the "secondary literature" about these queens was seriously flawed and therefore could not be relied upon or even cited. She also states that she chose not to use this book to rebut the errors found in other historians' books.That's a sound strategy because some biographers spend far too much time responding to the basic errors or eccentric theories published by their predecessors when they should be addressing the biography itself. Alio quotes Barbara Tuchman, who was famous for using original sources.The length of the chapters varies greatly. Margaret, about whom much is known, is given over a hundred pages. Alio establishes what will likely become a cornerstone of this field when she asserts that Margaret was Sicily's greatest medieval queen. She may be the first historian to take this position. Alio's biography of her, published in 2017, established a new subject category in public and university libraries. That's how original this author's work is.Traditional biography seems to have been relegated to popular titles, the lucrative "trade" market (think of the bestselling books by Weir and Goldstone), rather than academe, where we encounter specialised monographs that sell a few hundred copies. Written in a very clear prose, this book will appeal to readers who simply enjoy learning about queens, but it is a work of original scholarship. The author and publisher are to be commended for choosing endnotes over footnotes, and for expanding the conversation to embrace court culture as well as people, places and dates.This is a book to be read, studied, enjoyed, contemplated and treasured.

I slowly weaved my way through the pages of "Queens of Sicily 1061-1266"and absorbed some of the finest history writing I have ever read. Most amazing to me beyond the queen-by-queen chapters was the Introduction, in which Alio lays out her research methods. It is long and, like the queens' stories, detailed, and it should be read and embraced by any budding historian or curious reader who wants to see how accurate, thorough, detailed research is done. She went everywhere her queens had been, absorbed the landscape, the remaining structures or ruins, her eyes resting on some of the art their eyes must have rested on. What a journey! Her writing has the strength to draw in the professional historian, the amateur historian, the lover of all things Sicilian, the armchair traveler; few academic historians can write in ways to satisfy these disparate audiences. A third of the book is devoted to notes, appendices that expand on the text should the reader want to know more, and a lengthy "sources and bibliography" section that would prove invaluable to a future researcher. Alio squeezed out sources hitherto unknown to, or ignored by, earlier, less focused historians, finding documents that put flesh on the bones of some of the lesser-known queens. Historians over generations have long explored the lives of Sicilian kings. Now Alio gives us insight into the queens of these sometimes heroic, sometimes nondescript, sometimes weak men and how they impacted the history of this beloved island in the heart of the Mediterranean world. And we also read about their private lives, the lives of their children, some of whom became kings and queens themselves. A great undertaking is this monumental history. It is most worthy of our time as curious readers.

When I received the book I had a feeling I was in for a comprehensive , detailed and vivid history of Sicilian queens from an important period spanning 200 years. Jacqueline Alio brings the reader front and center with such detail, it makes you feel as the stories are unfolding in 3D, stimulating all senses. The genealogy charts helps one to understand royal lineages as well as adding a peripheral look into the families. Each chapter begs the reader not to put down the book and continue with stories of new generation of queens. The adversity these women faced were incredible and somehow managed to raise a family , and rule a kingdom. My knowledge of medieval Sicily has just risen by many bars after reading this book! We are quite lucky to have this wonderful work of literature written in English by a Sicilian. I am proud to have this in my collection of medieval Sicilian studies.

Excellent multiple biography of the Norman Queens of Sicily. This is the second book I buy from the author, and she doesn't dissapoint. She combines excellent scholarship with a great easy read. She also provides with a good deal of photographs/illustrations that serve the purpose of illustrating the epoch pretty well.

Great book, wonderful history. You won’t find this history elsewhere.