‘At
the King’s Pleasure’ is the fourth book in Kate Emerson’s Secrets of
the Tudor Court series. I’ve read the previously three books and I’ve
enjoyed reading each one. Kate Emerson focuses on the different women
who are at the Tudor court so you are introduced into their personal
stories as well as their life in the Tudor court. I’m also so absorbed
in the book, which makes Kate Emerson a wonderful story teller for
historical fiction. Also included in back of the novel are the real
people’s mini biographies.
The
main character in Kate Emerson’s latest novel is Lady Anne Stafford. If
you are not quite sure who she was, Anne Stafford was the woman that
Henry VIII kind of had his eye on as a possible mistress but once her
brother learned about a possible affair, she was sent to the nunnery
right away. Other than that little tidbit, I didn’t know too much about
Lady Anne Stafford. Her story takes place during the early part of King
Henry VIII’s reign when he was married to Queen Katherine of Aragon to a
few years after the Field of Cloth of Gold.
Even
though this is Lady Anne Stafford’s story, Will Compton, George
Hastings and the Duke of Buckingham are frequently in the novel.
· Will
Compton was one of Henry VIII’s closest friends and was elevated as
Groom of the Stool as Henry VIII came on the throne. It was quite
possible that there was something going on between Will and Anne as the
novel suggests. Still, even if he wanted to marry her, he was below her
station (Anne was the daughter of a duke and he was a commoner not yet
knighted).
· George
Hastings was Anne’s second husband. It would seem that they had a
mutual attraction to one another as well. Jealousy and mistrust would
later plague his relationship with Anne Stafford but through time, they
would find love. It would seem that they had a good marriage overall.
· Edward,
Duke of Buckingham was Anne’s brother. He’s the hot headed brother who
thinks he’s a good candidate to rule if Henry VIII doesn’t have any male
issues. He is also the highest ranking duke in Henry VIII’s court and
dislikes Henry VIII’s friends (ex. Charles Brandon and Will Compton).
The Duke of Buckingham waits and schemes in the book and since I don’t
like him, I’m hoping for a bad ending for him.
It’s
basically a love triangle between Anne, George and Will. Will seems to
be hopelessly in love with Anne but the two do enjoy the flirting that
they exhibit at court. George, on the other hand, dislikes the whole
display especially when he knows Will Compton’s nature.
Things
heat up for Anne Stafford during the time of Queen Katherine’s second
pregnancy. King Henry VIII thinks it is wise to leave pleasures aside
with the queen. In doing so, he decides to have a mistress and he sets
his eyes on Anne Stafford. Will Compton comes to Lady Anne’s room and
she is appalled by the idea. Remember, Will Compton loved her and
equally appalled at the idea of her being a royal mistress. Even though
it looked like Lady Anne would be able to take care of how to handle the
situation, her brother and their sister Elizabeth Fitzwalter supposedly
‘catches’ her with another man. Okay, maybe it was partly her fault
since she was very flirtatious (but that’s the way things were at court)
and Will Compton happened to be in her room. Lady Anne would get a rude
awakening when her own husband does not come to her defense.
At dawn, she would be spirited away to a convent about 60 miles away.
During
the time that Anne Stafford would stay at Littlemore priory, life is
much more restricted, must follow the rules of the priory and the
prioress was a very strict woman. During Anne’s stay, she befriends one
of the nuns and learns a little secret of the prioress (Katherine
Wells), which she will use later on in the story. After a month or so at
Littlemore, George Hastings comes to bring back his wife to Ashby de la
Zouch castle under conditions. This would be the place where Lady Anne
will remain for the next five years before her being allowed to go back
to court. During this time, they grow back into their mutual attraction
to one another and Anne hopes that George will trust her again. Not like
he had any reason to doubt in the beginning.
Even
though Anne would eventually return to court, the love triangle
continues: Will Compton being everywhere and in the same situation as
Anne while George watches their actions like a hawk. Eventually, George
will have to forgive Anne but he is still very wary about Will Compton.
You would too with all the reasons he says about Will Compton. The life
at court continues to go on especially now that Thomas Worsley gains
more power and enemies. The Duke of Buckingham would listen to a prophet
from Hinton and believing that Henry VIII would have no heirs from his
body and that the Duke of Buckingham would be king. Well, we all know
how wrong that prophet was! Still, the situation that the Duke of
Buckingham would be in is categorized as high treason.
In
the later chapters, you are given the scenes of the Field of Cloth of
Gold between King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England. It
must have been a spectacular affair with the tournaments and the many
people on both sides and all the grandeur. Kate Emerson describes the
Field of Cloth of Gold that made me feel like I was actually there with
Anne Stafford. Still, Anne can hardly be excited during the festivities
because of Lady Compton (Will’s wife) stirring trouble between Anne,
George and Will.
Anne
would learn the value of family once she learned that her brother is in
serious trouble. She even tried to get Will Compton to help since he is
close to King Henry VIII but he can’t help her.
Anne
Stafford’s story is full of love, trust, betrayal and family value
while living at the Tudor court. She must have been a beautiful
wonderful woman, who was actually lucky to have a good marriage (despite
George not trusting her for sometime). Kate Emerson gave me a different
look at Anne Stafford because I’ve read other historical fiction novels
that depict Anne Stafford as an adulterous wife. I’ve enjoyed reading
‘At the King’s Pleasure’ and I hope that this is enough to get you to
read it too.
