Below the Salt
by Thomas Bertram Costain
Category: Great Britain

An interweaving of present and past in the story of the English struggles that led to the Magna Carta (1215 A.D.). An attempt of an aging Senator from the U.S. intertwined with ruined castles of Ireland combined with events post 1066 Norman conquered England, makes Below The Salt a well written, dashing, exciting story. One that builds eventually leading to the large, open field of Runnymede close by the Thames. Judy H. at Amazon wrote: "England's King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine had many children, the most famous of whom were Richard the Lionheart and John "Lackland". Another son, Geoffrey, died before his parents, but left 2 children: Arthur and Eleanor. And thereby hangs this tale. The historical record relates that after the death of Richard Lionheart, the evil John usurped the throne that should have gone to his older brother Geoffrey's son Arthur, and that to solidfy his claim, he murdered Arthur and swept Eleanor into a convent, where she was never to be seen or heard from again. In this wonderful, imaginative book, the author keeps to most of the historical record, but asserts that after the death of her brother, Arthur, Eleanor was spirited away to safety by William the Marshal. The story starts in the present day, and details the efforts of a descendent of Marshal to find the lineal descendent of Eleanor, who would be the de jure Queen of England. The story weaves back and forth between the present day and 13th century England, and is absolutely riveting. If you like English history, and especially if you like what-if situations, this is a great book."