PALE ROSE OF ENGLAND a novel of THE TUTORS by Sandra Worth - HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL REVIEW

Published 2011, Penguin Group, ISBN 978-0-425-23877-6, 430 pages

"It is the man, and not the king, I love".  These are the only recorded words of Lady Catherine Gordon and, upon which statement, Sandra Worth composed her latest historical fiction novel, Pale Rose of England.

Aside from her marriages, King Henry VII's consuming passion for her and the locations of her manor home and burial place at St. Nicholas Church, history tells us virtually nothing of a woman who passionately loved and wholeheartedly believed her first husband was Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, one of the "lost" princes in the Tower of London.

Richard, Duke of York, was known most famously by the name of Perkin Warbeck or The Pretender to the 15th century world.  He met Catherine Gordon in Scotland and they married for love (and political reasons) soon after.

Sandra Worth created a woman who naively believed Richard could remove the usurper, Henry VII, and rightfully assume the throne of England and rule with grace and compassion.  As we all know, this did not happen.

Rather, her husband was taken prisoner and her infant son pulled out of her arms and never returned to her.  Thus, Henry VII removed threats to his throne.

Sandra Worth's Pale Rose of England, Catherine Gordon, is portrayed as a woman with incredible loyalty, courage and convictions.  She rebuffed Henry VII's attempt to woo her and, upon her husband's death, his marriage proposal.  She suffered great torment on behalf of her husband and her only kidnapped child.  She wore black for the rest of her life after her husband and child were lost to her.

Catherine was an intelligent woman who carefully assessed situations to determine the best cause of actions.  She was the reason I was drawn to read this historical novel (well, that plus the fact Sandra Worth is the author).  I had never heard about Catherine before and I was intrigued to read about a historical figure novelists largely ignore.  Of course, much of Worth's characterization is conjecture owing to the lack of information on Catherine Gordon.

Pale Rose of England presents plausible arguments that Perkin Warbeck was actually Richard Plantagenet.  In her Author's Note, Sandra Worth sets out facts and research resources on which she relied for the plot of Pale Rose of England.

We'll likely never know whether Perkin Warbeck was actually Richard Plantagenet, but Sandra Worth left me considering the possibility. I'll leave it to you as to whether Sandra Worth convinces you.

Members of the Richard III Society are most likely are pleased by this novel.  Richard III has been vilified by history as the perpetrator of the deaths of the lost Princes.  If you are interested in reading more about Richard III, the lost Princes and the War of the Roses http://www.richardiii.net/ is an excellent resource.

Rating:  **** (Excellent)

THE LADY OF THE RIVERS by Philippa Gregory HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL REVIEW

Published 2011, Touchstone (a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.), ISBN 978-1-4165-6370-9, 978-1-4165-6392-1 (ebook), 435 pages

There is a reason I eagerly anticipate Philippa Gregory's next historical fiction novel and The Lady of the Rivers was well worth the wait.  The Lady of the Rivers is actually a prequel in Gregory's The Cousins' War series, in which The White Queen and The Red Queen have already been published.

The Lady of the Rivers is a combination of legend and history of the life of Jacquetta of Luxembourg.  The legend concerns Jacquetta's ancestry.  She is reputedly a descendant of Melusina, a river goddess, a legend Jacquetta embraces.  It must be remembered the 15th century brimmed with superstitious beliefs and it is not far fetched Jacquetta accepted the legend as true.

On the other side of the coin, accusations of witchcraft abounded.  Convictions were followed by burning at the stake.  Jacquetta possesses the "second sight" or, as we would say, had visions.  Her great-aunt practiced questionable (for the times) fortune-telling.  She bequeaths her skills and implements to Jacquetta upon her death.

The novel opens in 1430 when Joan of Arc has been captured and is a prisoner of Jacquetta's great-uncle.  Joan of Arc's subsequent horrific death remains with Jacquetta throughout her life as a reminder of what happens to those accused of witchcraft.

The Duke of Bedford, John of Lancaster (the 3rd son of King Henry IV of England), who more than merely dabbles in alchemy, seeks Jacquetta's hand in marriage.  While the marriage is of political advantage to the House of Lancaster, his desire is not the marriage bed but, rather, Jacquetta's visions.

She remains a virgin and, while, treated kindly by the English regent of France, forms a major part of the Duke's experiments and unending desire for Jacquetta to tell him the future.  She is set for hours and, sometimes, days on end scrying for the Duke's pleasure.  While Jacquetta does experience some visions, these are limited and vague.

It is a lonely existence for Jacquetta, except for the presence of Richard Woodville, the Duke's squire, who becomes her only friend.  Jacquetta's marriage to the Duke is not long-lived as he passes away a mere two years later.

Shortly after his death, Jacquetta acknowledges to herself her love for Richard Woodville, who has loved her from afar during the Duke's lifetime.  They become lovers and, upon her becoming pregnant with their first child (they would eventually have 14), marry secretly.

They then travel to the English court of King Henry VI to seek forgiveness for their marriage.  As the highest ranking Duchess during her marriage to Bedford, Jacquetta is not permitted to marry without the King's consent.  Clemency comes at a great cost, a fine that exceeds her inheritance and Woodville's capability as a squire to pay.

Thus, they seek to pay their debts and turn their fortunes around.  Jacquetta does this through her friendship with Margaret of Beaufort, King Henry VI's wife, while Woodville becomes an invaluable military commander to the King.

But all is not well with the King and Queen.  Eight years pass before a child is born.  The King has ill health and falls into a baffling coma for many months.  He never regains his health, physically or mentally, and it falls to Queen Margaret to attempt to rule through her husband.  Queen Margaret, is not a popular figure with the people.

To complicate matters, the King's cousin, Richard, Duke of York, has intentions of grasping the crown of England for his own head.  The famous Cousins' War begins.  Both Jacquetta and Richard are intensely loyal to the Queen and King and the House of Lancaster, but are aware the royal couple are susceptible to ill-advised counsellors.

The Lady of the Rivers is written from a first-person point of view, Jacquetta's, and follows the marriage, a rare love match, and careers of Jacquetta and Richard.  The historical novel ends in 1464 when their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, makes her own secret marriage with Richard, King of England, of the House of York, victor of the Cousins' War.  It is a beautiful story of a deep and enduring love and unfailing allegiance to their Queen and King despite serious misgivings.

Historical fiction reviewers are taught they should always find something negative to say about a novel or else the review comes across as a jacket cover.  Honestly, I found no fault with this book and enjoyed it immensely.

Rating:  5 stars ****** (exceptional)