For most of us, one of the delights of the holiday season is the yearly celebration of traditions, both personal family ones, and ones like holly, Christmas trees, carols, and decking the house with greenery that have been passed down for generations. Which makes the holiday season the perfect time to delve into that time of tradition and pageantry, the medieval past, where brave and determined women defied the norms of their times to exercise power and influence.
Beginning with the earliest, we have THE IRISH PRINCESS by Elizabeth Chadwick. War is the norm of the day, both in England, where Henry II has prevailed in the civil war between his mother Empress Mathilde and her cousin, Stephen of Blois, and in Ireland, where Diarmit, King of Leinster, is forced into English exile after losing his battle against the Irish High King. Seeking support to recover his lost lands, Diarmit appeals to Henry, who is still sorting out how to control and reward those who fought for and against him. With Henry’s permission, he recruits Richard de Clare—later known as Strongbow—the former Earl of Pembroke who was stripped of his title for supporting Stephen. In return for his fighting prowess, Diarmit promises Richard lands, wealth—and the hand of his daughter, Aoife. But though women may have few rights, the princess is more than a pawn. With her intelligence and beauty, she not only charms the English king into becoming a friend and protector, she zealously guards the interests of her family, even leading troops into battle. The politically arranged marriage is a great success, both allowing the return of her lands and raising her to a place of influence at court that sees her daughter Isabelle given in marriage by Henry to William Marshall; their descendants will later sit on the thrones of Scotland and England.
Skipping ahead a generation, we have two views of a woman sometimes called the “she-wolf,” Ailenor of Provence. First is THE SILKEN ROSE by Carol McGrath. Ailenor is only thirteen when she is married to the much-older Henry III of England. But despite her young age, she is resourceful and courageous, determined to win her husband’s esteem, solidify her position by bearing an heir, introduce culture, learning, and elegance to the English court--and hold her own against the barons who dislike her. The conflict with them intensifies when Henry and Ailenor support a war to protect Gascony, the last English territory on the continent, that Ailenor sees as an inheritance for her son. The king’s powerful seneschal, Simon de Montfort, opposes involvement, and Ailenor’s placing of her Savoyard uncles into positions of power further alienates the barons. Full of rich detail about medieval life at court, McGrath’s novel gives us a portrait of a woman determined to make the most of her talents to carve out in a warrior’s world the life she wants for herself and her family.
A similarly sympathetic view of Ailenor is presented by J.P. Redman in MY FAIR LADY: A STORY OF ELEANOR OF PROVENCE, HENRY III’S LOST QUEEN. In Redman’s version too, we see the beautiful young princess landing in England to marry the king she’s never met, a husband she soon captivates. Henry’s lavishing of wealth and lands on his bride and her family creates bitterness and resentment among Henry’s courtiers that will later lead to the barons’ revolt. Along the way, we witness the court intrigue with Simon de Montfort, Eleanor’s patronage of culture and the arts, her devotion to her children and determination to secure their heritage, and her eventual retirement as a widow to Amesbury Priory. Where after her death, in the “lost” referred to in the title, the location of her tomb went unrecorded, making her one of the few English monarchs whose grave remains undiscovered.
Leaping ahead another century, our last medieval lady has also received checkered marks from history. In A TAPESTRY OF TREASON, Anne O’Brien presents the fascinating tale of Constance of York, Lady Despenser, who uses every means at her disposal, including treason, to promote the advancement of her family during the struggles of the Wars of the Roses. Granddaughter of King Edward III, Constance is married to Thomas Despenser, who with her ambitious and ruthless brothers Edward and Richard are constantly vying for power. Constance enjoys her position as a favorite at the court of her cousin Richard II. But when he goes off to quell a rebellion in Ireland, his cousin Henry seizes the opportunity to claim the throne. Although her father, the first Duke of York, brokers the deal that brings Henry, son of the first Duke of Lancaster, to the throne as Henry IV, and her older brother tries to curry favor with the new king, none of the family is content with their loss of position and power and the idea that God’s anointed king was illegally removed. Secretly determined to restore Richard, the family hatches a plot that will end with her husband convicted and executed for treason. Constance must constantly battle to appease Henry, who imprisons and frees her several times, stay true to her family’s aims, and prevail despite betrayal and heartache. A richly-textured portrait of a woman who harnesses her wits, wiles, and skill to turn survival into high art.
Ready to relax by an atmospheric fire, drink some wassail and delve into the lives of these fascinating women of the past? Here’s hoping they will add a legendary touch of enjoyment to your holiday leisure time!
Real, intense, passionate historical romance
Award-winning romance author Julia Justiss, who has written more than thirty historical novels and novellas set in the English Regency and the American West, just completed her first contemporary series set in the fictional Hill Country town of Whiskey River, Texas.
A voracious reader who began jotting down plot ideas for Nancy Drew novels in her third grade spiral, Julia has published poetry and worked as a business journalist.
She and her husband live in East Texas, where she continues to craft the stories she loves. Check her website for details about her books, chat with her on social media, and follow her on Bookbub and Amazon to receive notices about her latest releases.
ABOUT JULIA'S LATEST RELEASE:
Heirs in Waiting #3
Clean Romance
He’s the wealthiest nobleman
She’s a risk to his reputation!
Gregory Lattimer is well aware Charis Dunnfield is not the Society bride this Baron’s son needs to restore his family’s tarnished reputation. She is scandalizing the ton—living mostly in Constantinople and running her father’s antiquities business. Gregory must settle for her friendship instead—and her help vetting other potential brides for him—until she voyages east again. But will any debutante match up to Charis?
Romance Historical [Harlequin Historical, On Sale: October 26, 2021, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781335407450 / eISBN: 9780369711311]
A Baron’s Son Meets an Adventurous Women Who Defies London Society. Will She Break His Heart?
No comments posted.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy