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J.P. Reedman
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POISONED CHALICE: Mabel de Belleme Normandy's Wicked Lady (Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies Book 8) Kindle Edition

by J.P. Reedman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 594 ratings
‘Small, very talkative, ready enough to do evil, shrewd and jocular, extremely cruel and daring.’ Orderic Vitalis on Mabel de Belleme. Mabel is the daughter of William de Belleme, known as Talvas, the Hard Shield, for his fierceness in battle…and at home. When William murders Mabel’s mother, he is expelled from his castle into exile—but Mabel follows him loyally, despite what he has done. As the Belleme fortunes gradually return, Mabel is married to an upstanding young lord, Roger de Montgomery, a close friend of the new Duke of Normandy—William, who will one day become the Conqueror of England. Their marriage appears to be successful, with many children, but Mabel remains her father’s daughter in temperament and spirit and soon her reputation becomes fearsome. Castles and lands are collected like pieces on a chessboard, and those who object to her harsh tactics are dealt with, not by the sword but by Mabel’s secret means. When Mabel plays her game, she seeks to win at any cost. But when she crosses Hugh Bunel, kinsman of a man she has killed, Normandy’s wicked lady may have met her match… Based on a true story of Norman times.
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  1. Book 8 of 12
    Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies
  2. Print length
    209 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
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  5. Publication date
    April 16, 2021
  6. File size
    1.4 MB
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  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 594 ratings

About the author

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J.P. Reedman

J.P. Reedman

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J.P. Reedman was born in Canada but has lived in the U.K. for nearly 30 years.

Interests include folklore & anthropology, prehistoric archaeology (neolithic/bronze age Europe; ritual,burial & material culture), as well as The Wars of the Roses and the rest of the medieval era.

Books Include:

WARS OF THE ROSES/RICHARD III

I Richard Plantagenet parts 1 and 2 (also available as an omnibus)

I RICHARD PLANTAGENET the Prequel, Part 1 (new for 2020)

A Man Who Would Be King (Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham)

Sacred King (historical fantasy)

BLOOD OF ROSES (Edward IV and Towton)

SECRET MARRIAGES (Edward IV, Eleanor Talbot and Elizabeth Woodville)

WHITE ROSES, GOLDEN SUNNES--Collection of short stories about Richard III and his family

FEAST OF THE INNOCENTS. Novella about Richard III's son Edward

THE MISTLETOE BRIDE OF MINSTER LOVELL. Novella about Francis Lovell based on local folklore.

THE MEDIEVAL BABES series about little-known medieval women:

MY FAIR LADY- Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III.

MISTRESS OF THE MAZE-Fair Rosamund, mistress of Henry II

THE CAPTIVE PRINCESS--Eleanor of Brittany, victim of King John

THE WHITE ROSE RENT- Katherine, illegitimate daughter of Richard III (long novella)

THE PRINCESS NUN-Mary, daughter of Edward I

MY FATHER, MY ENEMY-Juliane, illegitimate daughter of Henry I, who tried to assassinate her father.

THE HOOD GAME (series about a mystical, magical Robin Hood)

RISE OF THE GREENWOOD KING BOOK 1

SHADOW OF THE BRAZEN HEAD BOOK 2

STONEHENGE

THE STONEHENGE SAGA. Omnibus edition containing the two novels Stone Lord and Moon Lord. The Arthurian legends retold in an early Bronze Age setting.

DUE OUT THIS YEAR-- I, RICHARD PLANTAGENET THE SEQUEL PART 2--A VOUS ME LIE

LONGSWORD'S WIFE--Ela of Salisbury

THE HOOD GAME-part 3. BLOOD OF THE DIVINE KING

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4.1 out of 5 stars
594 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one describing it as the tale of an ambitiously wicked woman. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's great fun to read.

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5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and interesting, with one review specifically highlighting the tale of Mabel de Belleme's ambitious wickedness.

"A most interesting medieval tale of the little known Mabel de Belleme...." Read more

"...who, while she may not encourage warm and fuzzy feelings, is always interesting and keeps the reader’s attention throughout her various adventures...." Read more

"...Great fun to read, exciting history." Read more

"This book is so interesting and tells the tale of the ambitiously wicked and vengeful Mabel De Belleme of Normandy...." Read more

3 customers mention "Reading quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, with one mentioning it's great fun to read.

"...Great fun to read, exciting history." Read more

"...I loved the book and reading the tale of an intelligent and ambitious woman and all the historical events also told beautifully in this incredible..." Read more

"...She succeeded but her methods ultimately caught up with her. Very interesting reading about the 9 th century life." Read more

Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous.
5 out of 5 stars
Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous.
Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous. She seems to have no conscience at all--when it means she will not get what she wants. Of course she takes after her father as you will read. But I have a feeling surpassed him in her cruelty. This was not a girl or a woman you would want to cross!! Will someone she has wronged finally get the ultimate revenge? You'll have to read this book to find out!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jean38no
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jean38no
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A most interesting medieval tale of the little known Mabel de Belleme. I had never heard of her, but had heard of Roger Montgomery and Countess of Shrewsbury which title she gained when William gave it to her husband a good friend of his. It seems that this particular lady was greedy and pretty wicked. She didn’t hesitate to poison someone who she felt stood in her way of lands she felt should be hers. She bore ten children , nine survived . Land meant more titles and money. It appears she was very much her fathers child ,who legend has he killed his wife( her mother). Yet she chose to stay with him when he lost everything. His son came against him and took over his castle. His son was seeking revenge for his mothers death. The author makes Mabel come alive and all of medieval France with her.
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  • M A Hibbard
    4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging story about a wicked woman
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
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    Poisoned Chalice by J. P. Reedman
    Reviewed April 18, 2021

    Poisoned Chalice by J. P. Reedman is the story of Mabel de Bellême, a Norman noblewoman whose reputation is less than savory. Although few details are known about Mabel’s life, Ms Reedman has used what is available to craft a fascinating story about a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid of doing whatever was necessary to get it.

    Though the daughter of Norman nobility (her father holds lands at Bellême, Domfront and Alençon) Mabel grows up in a brutal environment. Her father, William Talvas, is a man known for his harshness, treachery, and cruelty, but he has a soft spot for his daughter who acts more like a badass tomboy. When she witnesses her father strangle her mother in the heat of an argument, Mabel accepts this with a sense of pragmatism; it was her mother’s fault anyway, she reasons, for refusing to abide her husband’s wishes.

    Later, when her older brother Arnulf rebels against their father and takes over the family home at Alençon, Mabel goes into exile with her father. Penniless, the two travel with a few retainers who along the way abandon father and daughter, and the two eventually make their way to Ralf de Beaumont who while not exactly a friend is at least on amicable terms with Talvas. There, William sets about arranging to marry Haberga de Beaumont, while Ralf’s wife sets about trying to make Mabel into a more pleasing woman so that an appropriate marriage can be made.

    During this time, Talvas and another nobleman, William Fitz Giroie are engaged in a bitter feud. In what outwardly appears to be an attempt at resolving their conflict, Talvas invites Fitz Giroie to his wedding – but Talvas has other, more diabolical plans. While the wedding festivities are going on, Talvas has Fitz Giroie abducted and imprisoned, and has Mabel accompany him to the dungeon where she assists her father in the blinding and mutilation of Fitz Giroie.

    Is it any wonder that Mabel, growing up in such an environment, would have a jaded outlook and see might-makes-right as her life philosophy?

    But Mabel isn’t some one-dimensional wicked woman, although she engages in plenty of questionable actions during her lifetime. In Poisoned Chalice Ms Reedman gives us a woman who, while she may not encourage warm and fuzzy feelings, is always interesting and keeps the reader’s attention throughout her various adventures. Living in Normandy during the pre-1066 Conquest years, Mabel and her husband Roger de Montgomery are front and center to the events revolving around the young duke of Normandy, William sometimes called “the Bastard” but who history will remember as William the Conqueror.

    Poisoned Chalice is a very engaging story, down to his shocking ending, when the old saying about reaping what you sow comes into play.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • civimom
    3.0 out of 5 stars Horrifying woman!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was so unnerved by her personality that I stopped reading in the middle! I almost NEVER drop a book, but she was Evil Incarnate! I looked it up, it was factual!
    However, I am enjoying the other books in the series by this author! Great fun to read, exciting history.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Samantha J
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is so interesting and tells the tale of the ambitiously wicked and vengeful Mabel De Belleme of Normandy. It starts with murder and treachery and unfolds a story of a ruthless father and daughter made of the same cloth and favored by her father to the point of inheritance! After struggling on the run their fortunes do turn but it proves not enough for Mab even though she is blessed with a good marriage and exalted to a high status! I loved the book and reading the tale of an intelligent and ambitious woman and all the historical events also told beautifully in this incredible book!
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  • Edgar Allen Pooh
    4.0 out of 5 stars Look.inside the heart of a female sociopath
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Fast read. First person narrative inside the life and mind of an awful, just about beyond redemption woman who lived back in the middle ages. The powerful men around her seemed to be cut if the same clothe to a large extent ago not sure why she seemed fair more corrupt if a soul. Perhaps it's the expectation that all a woman is less likely to willfully commit awful crimes although we know that's untrue. Perhaps just a product of the harsh times although we are likely just wired to naively believe that women as god awful as Mabel de Montgomery Dr Bellame are not alive and living as posh lifestyles today accruing wealth and power and cruelly squashing anyone that gets their ire stoked. Oftentimes ad I read if an interesting and admirable woman from a bygone era I think I would like to know them, sip tea with them and spend an afternoon in their company getting to know them. Uh uh ... Definitely not coming away wanting to know Mabel on a personal level. I rate this a four more because I didn't like Mabel at all and not because of the author s ability to tell the tale. Never have I so like forward to someone getting a taste of their own medicine.
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  • amazon shopper
    5.0 out of 5 stars a bit bloodthirsty
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Mable de Belleme was no shrinking violet! She was cast out of her castle and spent her entire life scheming to acquire riches. She succeeded but her methods ultimately caught up with her. Very interesting reading about the 9 th century life.
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  • MikiHope
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous. She seems to have no conscience at all--when it means she will not get what she wants. Of course she takes after her father as you will read. But I have a feeling surpassed him in her cruelty. This was not a girl or a woman you would want to cross!!

    Will someone she has wronged finally get the ultimate revenge? You'll have to read this book to find out!!!
    Customer image
    MikiHope
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous.

    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
    Mabel de Belleme is downright dangerous. She seems to have no conscience at all--when it means she will not get what she wants. Of course she takes after her father as you will read. But I have a feeling surpassed him in her cruelty. This was not a girl or a woman you would want to cross!!

    Will someone she has wronged finally get the ultimate revenge? You'll have to read this book to find out!!!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
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  • Barbara
    5.0 out of 5 stars My Family
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I was looking for books about the medieval period. Your books came up as a suggestion for more reading. I am related Roger De Montgomery as a direct descendant. It was fascinating to read about him and his wife, Mabel. This the first time I have read a novel about him. I recommend this book because it tells more about the family and your have given credit to the parts that are true.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Helen Musson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2023
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    Brilliant!
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  • parryevans
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interestjng
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2022
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    Not a nice person, but OK read
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  • JULTYE64
    3.0 out of 5 stars My family.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2022
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    I would love to know how this writer got the information to write this book. Mable was my 29th Great grandmother yes you read that right Rodger de Montgomerie was my great-grandfather yes I do have the confirmation too. seems she passed her evil stuff down the line haha.. so good you could have gotten that right ..? books aren't my forte but bought this after finding out my Ancestory goes back to the year 975.. thrilling History line lets hope no more ghosts pop up ..
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  • belinda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2022
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    Enjoyed but not everyone cup of tea.
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  • G. Harris
    4.0 out of 5 stars A cupful if storytelling!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2021
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    It’s a book, I read it!
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