The novel centers on , also known as "Philip the Fair" for his striking physical appearance. A cold and ruthless monarch, Philip is credited with centralizing French power but at a devastating human cost.

The Iron King by Maurice Druon is the explosive first installment of ( Les Rois Maudits ), a seven-volume epic that explores the high-stakes political intrigue and family scandals of 14th-century France. Originally published in 1955, the series has gained renewed worldwide fame as the primary inspiration for George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire . Historical Background: The Reign of Philip IV

While the king deals with the Templars, a domestic crisis threatens the dynasty's legitimacy. Philip’s daughter, , Queen of England (known historically as the "She-Wolf of France"), discovers that her brothers' wives are committing adultery. The Iron King by Maurice Druon - She Reads Novels