The Lions' Torment

The third book in the compelling Birth of the Plantagenets series follows the battle for dominance between the Church and the Crown.

England’s Archbishop of Canterbury is dying and with him the power of the Church. Seizing his chance, King Henry II is determined to enforce the rule of law that he has painstakingly established and bring the violent, corrupt and criminal clergy before his courts.

The ever-scheming Thomas Becket uses his mastery of deceit, sycophancy and wit to undermine the King and the Plantagenet dynasty. Should Becket be elected as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, against the wishes of Queen Eleanor and Empress Matilda, he will be one step closer to becoming England’s strongman.

A story of passion, jealousy, rebellion and downfall, The Lions’ Torment follows Henry, Eleanor and Becket in an era of power and vengeance that leads to one of the most scandalous and tragic murders in history.

About the Author

Blanche d’Alpuget is an acclaimed novelist, biographer and essayist. She has won numerous literary awards, including the inaugural Australasian Prize for Commonwealth Literature in 1987. Her books include Mediator: A Biography of Sir Richard Kirby (1977); Monkeys in the Dark (1980), which won the PEN Jubilee Award; Turtle Beach (1981), which won The Age Novel of the Year Award and the South Australian Premier’s Award; Robert J. Hawke: A Biography (1982), which won the New South Wales Premier’s Award; Winter in Jerusalem (1986); and White Eye (1993).

She has twice won the Braille Book of the Year award, and Turtle Beach was made into a feature film in 1992 featuring Greta Scacchi and Jack Thompson. All her novels have been translated into other languages.