Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but not accurate.
Review: It is certain that Henley did some research in her writing of "The Marriage Prize". While the story does relate some of the actual facts which occur during this time period, it seems she entirely ignored the primary sources which would relate the true charaters of Simon, Eleanor, Edward and his wife.
Those loyal to the crown would not have held any love for Simon de Montfort (a member of a powerful French family) yet to the common people of England, Simon was a hero and a martyr. His death at Evesham, and the consequent mortification of his body were the shameful acts of depraved nobles out to pour salt in the wounds of the Londoners (Simon's greatest supporters) and the people of England in general.
For those who are British citizens, you are probably aware that Simon de Montfort is known as the "father of the House of Commons". His ideas, while not palatable to the monarchy of the time, would eventually become the way England would be ruled.
Simon was a passionate, handsome, witty, pious and honest man who refused to yeild to the English Crown and refused to turn on the people of England. This was a man who married the sister of a King without permission, tried to serve his king, who was once his friend and honestly supported the rights of the English people until he was overcome by the tremendous struggle.
The only touching moment of the book is the end, the recognition that Lady Eleanor sacrificed much for the love of her husband. There is no doubt that theirs was a love match, and the pair had several grown sons and a young daughter at the time of Simon's death. Laying dead at the battle of Evesham was Simon's son Henry and his brother Guy was badly wounded. Simon's son and namesake Simon would be dead not long after, having been the very reason that his father lay dead in the first place.
Their son (a member of the cleregy, not involved with the civil war begun by his father) Amaury would languish in an English prison for much of his life. His only crime would be his de Montfort name. Perhaps the worst effected by the tragic death of Earl Simon was his young daughter Eleanor. She was only thirteen at the time of her father's death and was promised to Prince Llewlyn ap Gryffudd of Wales in marriage. She would be forced to wait until she was twenty-five years old to finally wed her long betrothed after being held prisoner by her cousin King Edward for two years. She would meet her end at the age of twenty-nine giving birth to the daughter of Llewlyn.
Henley could have easily fleshed out this story to include the family dynamic of the de Montforts, as Rosamund would have been familiar with all the members. It seemed easy to villianize Simon, because the glamour of Edward "Longshanks" Plantagenet is appealing to a romantic novel. Yet had she but read primary sources of the time and known the ruthless manner of Edward's retaliation (unleashed upon his own people) she might have given Simon de Montfort more of a human character.
Rating: 
Summary: Good history, bad romance
Review: Like many readers and fans of Virginia Henley, I was expecting her trademark bawdy, gritty,sensual romance set in a realistic setting. She did a good enough job with all this, with two major exceptions, one of which many reviewers have belabored: the horrific ending of Simon de Montfort from her previous romance The Dragon and the Jewel. The trouble is not so much that Simon is killed off (though this is a big no-no for a romance, even contradictory to its basic premise and purpose), but that he was such a splendidly conceived romantic hero, in my opinion Henley's best, that it was devastating to read of his demise and the dehumanizing way it takes place. To those who excuse that event on the grounds that it was historical, I say that one, romance is not history per se, and even if it were, was it necessary to kill of a living romantic legend in this plot? Why not pull back the plot a bit to avoid committing the ultimate sin of killing off a previous romance hero?That aside, the bawdiness got out of hand here, as it did in The Pirate and the Pagan and Enslaved. Too much sex and not enough feeling; too many passionate outbursts and not enough realistic dialogue. The histrionics were excessive and wearing after a while. I love the Renaissance for this very quality, its exuberance and pomp, but there has to be a depth to the action and characters, too. King Edward was intriguing but ultimately disappointing, while Roger and Rosamund pale next to Eleanor (whom I liked much less in this version) and Simon de Montfort. Setting them up as the ultimate "power couple" does an incredible disservice to what she achieved as a fiery coming together in The Dragon and the Jewel. If you are a stickler for romance above historical precision, I recommend you read that novel and skip this one, too.
Rating: 
Summary: A Prize of a Book
Review: Not having read the prior books in this series, I was not prejudice to the death of Simon de Montfort. Then again, Simon was a real person in English History and he did die in the rebellion. Readers should keep this in mind. Virginia would not be true to history if she re-wrote it. The Marriage Prize is about Rosamond Marshal who has been betrothed to Rodger de Leyburn as a child. She is a marriage prize due to her dowery. Feeling that Rodger only wants her for her holdings, and not for love, she holds herself back after they are married. But Rodger arouses a passion in her that no other can. When Civil War breaks out she finds herself torn. Does she side with her husband or does she remain loyal to her guardians Simon and Eleanor de Montfort? A great read with a lot of historical facts, places, and people, as well as a wonderful and sensual romance that blooms for two strong people.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Nice Love Story
Review: Rodger and Rosamund are great. As usual Rodger is a fierce warrior loyal, and honorable with a troubled past. Rosamund is a little insecure, strong willed and a little spoiled. She dosen't want to marry Rodger because she sees him as a arrogant, self-indulgent, and overbearing knight. But they come together and learn to love and trust, but not without a lot of bumps along the way.
Rating:
Summary: The Marriage Prize
Review: Rosamond Marshal had been betrothed to Sir Rodger de Leyburnsince she was twelve years old and he, fourteen. And since the age oftwelve, Rosamond had been plagued with hellish nightmares of someone charging down on her on a big black horse. Rosamond Marshal was very independent and knew exactly what she wanted. And what she didn't want. And what she didn't want was Sir Rodger de Leyburn. The King figured that now that she was seventeen and Sir Rodger had just returned from acquitting himself admirably on the battlefield, it was high time their betrothal was consummated. When Sir Rodger arrived at Kenilworth Castle to claim his bride, he instantly knew that he had his hands full. Not only would the woman not marry him, she wouldn't even talk to him! It would take a lot of patience to break through that ice wall she had put around herself. But break through it he would. She was his, and Sir Rodger had every intention of claiming his rights! This latest Virginia Henley saga of medieval England is a sexy history lesson of England's struggle over her throne. The battle between the royal Plantagenet family and the wealthy Simon de Montfort over control of England has been told in many different manners. But never has it been told with so much humor, insight and sexy plots as Ms. Henley's version. A definite five stars!
Rating:
Summary: THE MARRIAGE PRIZE vows with lust and thrills
Review: Rosamund Marshal is betrothed as a marriage prize to the valiant Sir Rodger de Leyburgh - and after an uneventful meeting in the past, Rosamund had matured into a nublie woman who earns the attention of Rodger and he is enchanted by her startling beauty. Their union is however taunted by a raging battle waged by Simon de Monfort whom Rosamund's loyalty is pledged to as her guardian and Prince Edward. As a royal steward to Edward, Rodger has to choose between his friend and mending his marriage vows for he knows Rosamund is a wildfire who will not tolerate his betrayal... THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, tailored with rich historical details and bawdy sensuality, is stamped with Ms. Henley's regaling style. This story is actually a continuation from its Plantagenet predecessors - the Falcon and the flower and the Dragon and the Jewel, where central characters like Simon de Monfort and Eleanor are wovened into the plot and an abrupt death of Simon in the throes of the battle waged when he joins forces with the barons. Rosamund and Rodger is one hot couple who will stop at nothing to make each other submit to love and it is their passion that makes the read lusty and engaging. Ms. Henley's writing is infectious and I find her style resplendent - but her string of recent work from A Woman of Passion, The Marriage Prize and her forthcoming THE BORDER HOSTAGE no longer holds that element of surprise like I experience when I read her previous efforts like Enslaved and Seduced. Perhaps her work now becomes too saturated with medieval times and court intrigue - that readers can expect what they are going to get. THE MARRIAGE PRIZE is on safe ground, but a change of style could actually do her talents good.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best historical romances i have ever read!
Review: The book was a peice of art. You can't help but fall in love with Rod and Rosamond. Their life is no fairy tale but full of twists and turns. Love and hate fill there every day and night. I garenty you will love every minute of this book. and when you find Rosamond with child you won't be able to put down the book until the child is born. this book is filled with advanture, mistory, hate, and love, but most of all a romantic love story you will never forget
Rating:
Summary: Where's the honor?
Review: The lead characters are supposed to be people a reader would care for. However these characters never come across as honorable people. They have no redeaming qualities. Rosamund uses seductively low cut dresses to entice and tease men to get her way. Edward sleeps around with an absolutely disgusting woman. Rodger boasts of his many sexual experiences and prowess in bed. His conniving to make Rosamund fall for him is sad (since Henley illustrates his inner workings to the reader). He never seems interested in Rosamund as a person and life partner; only as a sex partner and dowered bimbo. All lust no love.
I will not touch Eleanor and Simon as characters. I have not read the previous books, but as far as I can tell from this they are more clear cut and defined, straight-forward individuals than the others.
The main characters never develop nor do they better themselves. There are no real twists to their character, no great realizations, no real changes of heart. They are at most bland and wishy-washy. Although actually Rosamund does realize all the things I have said never happen above, it feels as if she doesn't, so blandly realized are the actions on the pages.
Rosamund is most aggravating as the main character. Her stupidity is annoying. Her lack of wit and total acceptance of Rodger in the end is nauseating. Think woman think, where are your brains?! Then again we're not talking the 21st century here so I guess we have to cut her some slack as a woman's options in life were few back then. Nevertheless, if you are looking for some brains, don't look here. Pure romance and trash, vaguely historical if even.
Rating:
Summary: A+ Great
Review: The marriage prize is a great book. One of the best I ever read. It is more intresting because she used real characters. ( Simon, Edward)
Rosemond Marshall was going to marry and man she she hasn't met in about eight years. During a feast at Earl Simon's castle she was once again reunited with her future husband. At once she didn't want any thing to do with him. But Rodger fell in love with her at once. Rosemond was afraid to commit to him. Everyone she loved died. It was rumored that Rodger was having an affair.
He started at once to get her to marry him. Eventually they got married. During which time there was a civil war going on. Between the crown and Earl Simon. She was with Earl Simon and Rodger was pledged to Prince Edward. She had to choose between her guardians( Earl Simon & Elenora)or her husband and father of her child. Finally after Rodger got her to trust him enough. She choose sides with her husband. Later on she became pregant with Rodger's first son. But she didn't want to tell him, because she was afraid of admitting that she cared for husband. She was scared to give birth because she knew that many mother could lose their child during birth. Eventually she gave birth to a son. Then civil war eurpted and Earl Simon was killed. Prince Edwards army won. Edward awarded Rodger title of Earl. She Rosemond became a Countess.
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY FINISHED!
Review: This book was tedious. Maybe I kept on reading because the love scenes were so sexy - I don't know. The story seemed cobbled together, strung out on a version of English history. I became so tired of Rosamond with her "love him - love him not" attitude. One minute she was slavering over Rod, the next she was beating him with her fists. This heroine's personality, attitude and behavior were so inconsistent and shallow I could hardly wait to finish the book.
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