This poignant novel opening in 1340 follows the life of
Joan of Kent, daughter of Margaret, Dowager Countess of
Kent, who was pardoned after her husband was executed.
Stripped of lands and wealth, the Countess managed to have
her girls raised at Windsor, seldom seeing them but working
towards restoring the family fortunes. So Joan turns out to
be THE SHADOW QUEEN.
King Edward III is Joan's first cousin and he arranges a
marriage for her with a young man; the girl has no say in
the matter but at least the lad, William of Salisbury, is
her own age. Joan has a scandalous revelation however; she
has already exchanged vows with a knight who has been away
at battle in Europe for six months. I admired the strong-
minded girl who refuses to blame her lover Thomas for the
wedding and is chastised soundly by everyone. But in the
lengthy absence of her lover, and feeling the full weight
of authority, Joan has no option but to wed William. Legal
or not. Thomas later returns, injured, and contests the
wedding; but when William's father dies in a fall while
jousting, the sixteen year old couple become the Earl and
Countess of Salisbury.
So the scene is set for a life of emotional turmoil. Joan
is now totally dependent on her husband and must obey him,
and he doesn't pay attention to her advice. Wars in France,
and entertaining in London, follow. But the situation has
to be put to legal challenge at last, and religious counsel
as well as a Papal Bull is required. A further twist to the
tale occurs when Joan's married brother dies, and has no
heirs; she thus becomes Countess of Kent. Later in life,
due to the many twists of the English and French noble
family trees and the tendency of medieval people to die in
what we now consider middle age, Joan is Princess of Wales,
mother to an heir to the throne, Richard, if this child's
older brother John will not stand in his way, that is.
Complicated? Yes. Be prepared for reversals of fortune,
fevers, battles, sly manipulation at Court, envy, plots,
and more.
Anne O'Brien, from England, adds at the back, a list of
historic sites relating to Joan. She explains what drew her
to write about Joan, THE SHADOW QUEEN, a figure of much
speculation, among the several historical works she has
penned. Her book is thoroughly researched and the medieval
lifestyle is well described. Lovers of historical romance
will find characters springing to life on the pages.
A tale of treachery, power-hungry families and legal
subterfuges, in which Joan, a woman of considerable charm
and beauty, played a central role at the heart of the
Plantagenet Court.
Her reputation is one of beauty, scandal and rumour.
Her royal blood makes her a desirable bride.
Her ambition and passion make her a threat.
She is mother to the child-king Richard II.
She is the power behind the throne.
She is Joan of Kent – the Shadow Queen
A tale of treachery, power-hungry families and legal
subterfuges, in which Joan, a woman of considerable charm
and beauty, played a central role at the heart of the
Plantagenet Court.
‘What would enhance the pattern of my life further? One word
slid into my
mind. A seductive word. A dangerous word, perhaps, for a
woman. Power.’
A dramatic story of love and loyalty and of the cost of
personal ambition.
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