Time and Chance

Time and Chance follows the reign of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine during a pivotal period from 1156 to 1171. The second installment in Sharon Kay Penman's Plantagenet trilogy chronicles the complex political and personal relationships that shaped medieval England. The narrative centers on Henry II's fateful decision to appoint Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, and the subsequent deterioration of their once-close friendship. The story tracks parallel conflicts: Henry's increasing tensions with Becket over church authority, and the gradual strain in his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Through Henry II's court politics and private struggles, the book depicts how personal loyalties clash with matters of state in medieval governance. The themes of power, faith, and loyalty emerge through the intersection of church and crown in 12th century England.

Readers rate Time and Chance as a thorough historical novel that brings Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine's relationship to life. The book averages 4.3/5 stars on Goodreads from 8,000+ ratings and 4.6/5 on Amazon from 300+ reviews. Readers praise: - Detailed research and historical accuracy - Complex portrayal of Thomas Becket's character - Integration of medieval politics and church conflicts - Clear explanations of complex feudal relationships Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in middle sections - Too many minor characters to track - Less emotional depth than other Penman novels - Some dialogue feels modern Multiple reviewers note the book works better when read after When Christ and His Saints Slept, the first in the series. Several mention struggling with the political/religious conflicts but appreciate how Penman makes them understandable. As one Goodreads reviewer wrote: "She takes what could be dry historical facts and transforms them into living, breathing people."

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🗡️ Henry II introduced trial by jury to England's legal system, revolutionizing medieval justice and establishing principles still used in modern courtrooms 👑 Eleanor of Aquitaine ruled over a territory larger than the King of France's domain and was the only woman to be Queen of both France and England ⚔️ The murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral (1170) led to his canonization just three years later, making it one of the fastest canonizations in medieval history 🏰 Sharon Kay Penman spent over five years researching each of her historical novels, and personally visited every major location mentioned in her books 📚 The title "Time and Chance" comes from Ecclesiastes 9:11: "Time and chance happeneth to them all," reflecting the book's themes of fate and fortune in medieval politics