A powerful husband and wife control vast treasures and three sons who want them. But only one can win: her favorite or his? The year is 1183, the husband--King Henry II Plantagenet of England, the mother--Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, imprisoned by her husband while he dallies with many others. It is Christmas and the sons come home to plead their case for the throne. They jockey for position, deviously shifting alliances having learned these skills from the best, their mom and dad. When all is said and done we know them better, like them less, and cannot guess who will finally end up on top. Goldman's writing is witty, clever, biting and truthfully based on history.