Mistress of Mourning - Book Review

 After reading 'The Irish Princess', I started to read Karen Harper's latest book 'Mistress of Mourning'. Something drew me to this book, mainly because it was based in early Tudor times and it was full of suspense. This was based when Prince Arthur married Catherine of Aragon and later the mystery surrounding his death. I didn't think there was any mystery to his death but later I learned what if he was poisoned so that his healthier, younger brother could be king.

Actually, there are two mysteries in 'Mistress of Mourning'. The other mystery is the well known mystery of what happened to the Princes in the Tower. Karen Harper explores one of the possibilities of what happened to the two princes.

The book is narrated by both Queen Elizabeth of York and a woman candlemaker Varina Westcott. Varina took over the Westcott candlemaker shop after her husband died and makes these beautiful angel candles. However, these angel candles are somewhat forbidden by the candlemaker guild. In order for her to sell these candles and have her brother be a part of the guild, she would have to marry her suitor Christopher Gage. I didn't really like her suitor by the way he makes Varina feel like she needs him to make it in this man's world.

Varina meets Queen Elizabeth of York because of those angel candles. The queen's people, one of them being Nick Sutton tells that Varina is needed in the palace for a special project for the queen. It turns out, the queen wanted wax figures of her recently deceased children and her brothers. A weird request but it's from a mourning mother's heart that can not let go of the dead.

The story picks up when Prince Arthur suddenly dies. As a close confidant of the queen, Varina and Nick set out to Ludlow Castle to make sure that the funeral arrangements are made but also to see if there are any clues of what really happened to the prince. Before this, Varina already had a close encounter with some mysterious figure who wanted to do harm. Some where in the shadows lurks a figure who wants to do harm to the Tudors and anyone with close access to the royals. You kind of have a clue of who it could be just from Nick's descriptions of his mortal enemy.

A lot of twist and turns keep you glued to this book as Varina and Nick try to unravel the mystery of what really happened to Prince Arthur. Within this mystery, Queen Elizabeth of York asks her husband Henry Tudor VII if he can inquire of what happened to her brothers. Queen Elizabeth of York can not let go of the guilt that she felt when she told her mother to let Prince Richard join their brother King Edward Vin the tower.

If you ever wonder why kind of marriage Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York had, it turns out that they truly loved one another and I'm surprised how Queen Elizabeth of York goes against any Yorkist in the realm. Even though Henry Tudor did have a bad temper, he would actually do anything for his faithful, loving wife.

I thoroughly liked this suspense filled novel. It explores the conspiracy of Prince Arthur's death and what may have happened to the Princes in the Tower, which I think there are not that much historical fiction books out there (well, maybe for the Princes of the Tower). You also have two interesting characters who try to make a living in the Tudor era. They would lay out their lives for the queen and her family as the mystery becomes more dangerous as you turn each page.

The Irish Princess - Book Review

 At first, I wasn't too interested in reading 'The Irish Princess' but once I found out that it was tied to the Tudors then I decided to read it for the Tudor book challenge.

Karen Harper tells the story of Elizabeth 'Gera' Fitzgerald, the uncrowned Irish princess whose tragic past connects her life to the Tudors. Her family (the Geraldines) were actually the uncrowned royal family of Ireland because of their wealth and power. It also turned out that Gera was also half English due to her mother Elizabeth Grey. I didn't realize who she was at first but Gera's mother is actually a granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville.

Gera's family pays respect to King Henry VIII so her father, the 9th Earl of Kildare usually travels to England to give reports of what was going on in Ireland. As the story unfolds, her father would become imprisoned in the Tower on charges that he overstepped his bounds. Gera's half brother, Silken Thomas (you would have to read the book to see how he got his name), would become the 10th Earl of Kildare and decides to enrage the King of England. Well, you know that's a bad thing. Gera's mother on the other hand travels to England with two of her children to try to plead with her royal cousin to release her beloved husband.

As you can imagine, things do not go well for the Geraldines. Eventually, Gera's English uncle Leonard Grey comes to make peace with Gera's five uncles but in reality, he came to Ireland to arrest them and Silken Thomas for treason. Gera would go with them to be with her mother. Thankfully, her brother Gerald has escaped and in hiding.

On her trip to England, this would be the first time she met Edward Clinton, the future Lord High Admiral of Elizabeth I. Not exactly love at first sight.

Gera is finally reunited with her mother and other siblings but it's really bittersweet. The Fitzgerald men are tried for treason and go to a traitor's death at Tyburn. This gives Gera the more reason to hate the Tudor king. She vows to get her revenge on the Tudor king and bring her family back to power in Ireland, which fuels her throughout the book.

Gera's story continues when she's in the household of Mary Tudor. Even though she hated the Tudor king, she could not bring herself to hate his daughter. Actually, she could not bring herself to hate either daughter but instead try to make them both pro-Irish. From the very start, Gera has a special bond with Elizabeth Tudor. There are times that she encounters Edward Clinton and each time, she has to keep her feelings in check but also warns her to not act too rash. After all, her two people on her hit list are of course King Henry VIII and John Dudley.

Gera marries her first husband, Anthony Browne, who actually was very close to the king. This would give Gera the chance to kill the ailing king and bring justice to her family. On King Henry VIII's deathbed, she was close to killing him but instead scared Henry VIII that he was not going to heaven. Henry VIII was already delusional, thinking that Gera was poor dead Queen Jane so why not make him more worried about his soul.

The rest of Gera's story goes by rather quickly during the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I. Both Gera and Edward become widows, though not at the same time. Still, during King Edward VI reign, Gera was able to have her brother Gerald, 11th Earl of Kildare come to England. Gera was still very close to her stepdaughter Mabel Browne and Mabel would eventually become Gerald's wife towards the end of the book.

As you can imagine, Gera and Edward finally become married after longing for each other from afar. Things don't get well for the kingdom when Gera finds out that John Dudley sends his son Robert to capture Mary and that Edward VI dies. In order to save Mary I from Dudley's hands, she goes to warn the new queen. The rest of what happened when Mary does claim her throne goes by yet Gera still admires Lady Elizabeth.

An interesting story of Gera that Karen Harper includes was when Gera took a ship to capture Martin Frobisher, who was a thorn at Elizabeth I's side. Of course some of that cargo was going to help Gerald and Ireland.

I admit that when I was reading this book, I wasn't fully captured. Even though the Tudor story was told in someone's eyes, maybe it's just the way the story was going. Oh there were parts that I wanted to know what happened next but it didn't make me want to not stop reading. Still, Elizabeth 'Gera' Fitzgerald was a new person that I didn't know about that was actually an influential person in Queen Elizabeth I's court and whose life was impacted by King Henry VIII.

The King's Damsel - Book Review

This is the fifth book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series by Kate Emerson. This time, Kate recreates a character since the 'real' king's damsel is unknown. Kate introduces Thomasine Lodge, who is the heiress of Hartlake Manor. Now the problem in Thomasine's story is that she is still underage to take over her own estate. You would think that her stepmother would be her guardian but in the Tudor world, her wardship can actually be purchased through the king. In other words, more money into the king's coffers.

Through the money hungry Sir Lionel Daggett, Thomasine (or Tasmin) enters the court of the Princess of Wales as maid of honor. Through her years in the princess Mary's court, she grows in love with the princess and would do lay down her life for her (which is actually a part of their oath). Through the eyes of Tasmin, you enter the world of Princess Mary's court.

Even though Tasmin is happy in Princess Mary's service, there are times that Sir Lionel Daggett comes to check on her and remind her to advance him in the Tudor court. Once Tasmin reaches her 14th birthday, she is suppose to have ownership of her properties. However, Sir Lionel Daggett has her sign a document in Latin. You might already guess what that document contains.

Tasmin enters the service of Lady Anne Boleyn thanks Sir Lionel Daggett by being a chambermaid. Not exactly a maid of honor but it makes it easier for Tasmin to be close to the concubine. Tasmin is still Princess Mary's friend as she pretends to be Lady Anne Boleyn's friend. Lady Anne Boleyn's rise to power and eventually queen is familiar to those that love anything Tudor. The ideal of courtly love is emphasize in this book.

As a spy for the Princess Mary, Tasmin becomes friends with Rafe Pinckney (a silkwoman's son). They come up with different codes using the different color of silks. Even though Tasmin seems to care for Rafe, she could not jeopardize her position at court and try to help the Princess Mary to be back in her father's favor.

Becoming the king's damsel doesn't happen for Tasmin till the last several chapters of the book. Considering that there is not much known who the 'real' unknown damsel was, Kate Emerson did a good job of recreating the unknown damsel. As the king's mistress, Tasmin becomes close to the king even though the danger of facing Queen Anne's Boleyn's wrath grows every day.

Eventually her tenure as mistress comes to an end and Queen Anne is finally rid of Tasmin when Sir Lionel Daggett comes to fetch her. If you're wondering if she ever ends up with Rafe, then read Kate Emerson's latest book. Kate Emerson gives the readers an understanding of how wardships are handled at the Tudor court, the idea of courtly love and the dangers of the Tudor court.

Princes of the Tower Not To Be Confirmed

Reading this article, I wished that they would reconsider. I would want to know if the remains actually belong to Richard III's nephews, Prince Edward and Prince Richard. If it was confirmed, then the two princes should get a proper burial.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/remains-of-the-princes-in-the-tower-wont-be-dna-tested-8483441.html

Richard III Found!

It is finally confirmed that the bones found under a parking lot is actually King Richard III. Now that they've reconstructed his face, you can see what the king actually looked like. It kind of makes you wonder what his older brother, King Edward IV looked like as well.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/05/reconstruction-reveals-face-england-long-lost-king-richard-iii/

Now it seems like Leicester and York are fighting for King Richard III's remains. It's like War of the Roses.

http://news.yahoo.com/bones-contention-cities-fight-over-richard-iii-152316508.html

Queen Defiant - Book Review

 I recently read Anne O'Brien's 'The Virgin Widow' so I decided to read her second book. I still went back in time before the Tudors to read about Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a beautiful, strong minded person. I've read about Eleanor before but not sure much about her early life (before she married Henry Plantaenet, Count of Anjou.

Anne O'Brien takes the reader to a young Eleanor, who is waiting for Louis Capet to claim his bride. Louis Capet and Eleanor of Aquitaine are totally different people. Eleanor is more head strong and Louis takes the advice of Abbott Sugar before making any decision. Eleanor thinks that she could change Louis when they get married but in reality, Louis is more of a God fearing man and would rather be at church then ruling a country.

How Eleanor endured her marriage with Louis, I would not understand. A young woman wants to be loved and touched but Louis doesn't give her that. It's embarrassing that even Abbott Sugar or even the Pope must order Louis to bed his wife in order to get an heir. 

Would you forgive Eleanor for taking two lovers, even one being her uncle? Anne O'Brien lets Eleanor give her reasons in the book. Eleanor would try to get out of her marriage by announcing an annulment on the grounds of consanguinity. If two people are too close in relation, then the marriage should be voided. However, Louis (and Abbott Sugar) would not let Eleanor go because of her lands. It's what France needs. 

Eleanor also experiences heartache and humiliation during the Crusade. Louis would blame her for the loss of half of his army when in reality, it was Louis' poor leadership skills. Louis felt that it was easier to blame her then look to his own fault. After all, getting to the Holy Land was his main focus.  

Eleanor would meet her future second husband, when he is still a child. At first, nothing perk her interest until they meet each other again after several years. He would grow up to be a strong military man with his eyes set on being King of England (since he is the rightful heir).

Eventually, Eleanor would be granted her annulment. Henry and Eleanor make a pact, which includes them being married. Now if you thought that Louis and Eleanor are close relations, Henry and Eleanor are much closer relatives. Still, that does not bother Henry. After being with Louis, Henry was a different extreme. Henry did have a temper but he could be gentle with Eleanor. In truth, I would be very scared of Henry Plantagenet. It seems that they truly loved one another, even if Henry didn't show it the way Eleanor would have liked. Still, even though Eleanor did love Henry, I really don't like him.

Overall, it's a good story of Eleanor's early life, mostly during her marriage with Louis before being married to Henry.

Tudor Challenge 2013

Okay, last year I didn't quite make my goal. I was pretty close to being Queen. I think I got to Knight instead. So this year, I'm going for a Squire (4-6). Why? Well, our year is already going to be a very busy year.

If you're interested in joining the Tudor Challenge, here's the link.
http://www.thetudorbookblog.com/p/tudor-reading-challenge-2013.html

Look out for my first review for this new challenge - Wolf Hall