15. During the medieval period, men often put away wives who did not please them. What are the political implications of putting a reigning queen into a nunnery? What factors kept Eleanor out of the nunnery, and the crown of England in her hands?What are the differences between Eleanor of Aquitaine and the scores of other women whose husbands sought to make them take the veil?
16. Once Henry and Alais return to court, they are greeted by Henry’s youngest son, Prince John. Though not yet ten years old, John is well versed in politics and holds his own among adults. Was this portrayal of the young prince surprising when you read the novel? How different is Prince John from children of a ruling leader today?
17. WhenAlais becomes pregnant with Henry’s child, she sees her unborn child as one more link between them, one more thing to support their alliance. Do you think Henry saw her pregnancy in the same light? Why or why not?
18. At the climax of the novel,Alais turns her back on her alliance with Henry and asks for Eleanor’s protection once more. What factors motivated her to switch allegiances? Do you think she made the right choice? Why do you think Eleanor took her back?
19. Henry sends Alais to the nunnery at the Abbey of St.Agnes at the end of the novel. Do you think he did this to punish her for her betrayal, or was the abbey simply a convenient place to put her once she had outlasted her usefulness? In your opinion, did Henry ever love Alais? If so, do you think he paid a price, emotionally or politically, for letting her go?
20. At the end of the novel, Richard comes to see Alais in the nunnery near Bath. In spite of all that had gone on, Richard still loved and forgave Alais, as she loved and forgave him. What factors made the relationship betweenAlais and Richard different from any other relationship in the novel? If Richard had not later become king, do you think he would have married Alais as he promised at the end of The Queen’s Pawn?
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