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Susan Higginbotham | THANK YOU HISTORIANS
March 15, 2010
One thing that can be said for certain about Edward IV-the king whose secret
marriage to Elizabeth Woodville sets the events of my novel The Stolen Crown
into motion-he knew how to put on a show.
Take, for instance, the welcoming of Louis de Gruthuse to England in 1472, an
event recorded by Bluemantle Pursuivant. We know that Gruthuse was led to the
chambers of Edward IV’s queen, where the ladies were dancing and playing games;
that Edward presented his visitor with costly gifts, including a great gold cup
containing a unicorn’s horn, feasted with him, and hunted with him; and that
when the long days of pleasure were over, Gruthuse was escorted to a splendid
bed of "as good downe as coulde be thought."
Edward got another chance to demonstrate the magnificence of his court in 1478,
when his four-year-old son, Richard, Duke of York, married little Anne Mowbray,
who at age five was even longer in the tooth than little Richard. We have a
detailed description of the wedding festivities and especially of the
celebratory jousts, at the conclusion of which the king’s eldest daughter,
Elizabeth of York, presented the winners with golden initials studded with a
diamond, a ruby, and an emerald.
Historical novelists as well as historians owe a debt of gratitude to the people
who thought to record these events-too many medieval ceremonies, such as the
funeral of Richard III’s queen, were either never described in detail or
described in documents now lost to us. Not only do such contemporary
descriptions give a flavor of the times (and provide a welcome reminder that
fifteenth-century life was more than just battles and executions), they often
can give us a much-needed indication of what lesser known historical figures
were doing at a given date.
For instance, references to my hero and heroine, Harry and Kate, are sparse
between their marriage in 1465 or 1466 and Harry’s ill-fated rebellion in 1483,
but we get a rare glimpse of both of them at the ceremonies described above.
Thanks to Bluemantle Pursuivant, we know that Harry danced with little Elizabeth
of York during Louis de Gruthuse’s visit and that Harry and Kate dined together
at the banquet that followed. Because of the person who recorded the 1478
marriage ceremonies, we know that Harry and the Duke of Gloucester (the future
Richard III) led the newlywed Anne Mowbray into her wedding feast and that at
the same feast, Kate sat beside the bride’s mother. As a novelist, I put both
episodes to work: Kate uses the festivities of the Gruthuse visit to entice her
nervous husband into consummating their marriage, and the wedding banquet in
1478 allows Kate the chance to hear a piece of gossip that will have fateful
consequences when Harry remembers it years later.
So, lovers of history, let’s give those who recorded these festivities a
grateful thanks. And who knows? Maybe five hundred years from now, someone will
be poring over our wedding videos, trying to recapture an age gone by. THE STOLEN CROWN BY SUSAN HIGGINBOTHAM--IN
STORES MARCH 2010
On May Day, 1464, six-year-old Katherine Woodville, daughter of a duchess who
has married a knight of modest means, awakes to find her gorgeous older sister,
Elizabeth, in the midst of a secret marriage to King Edward IV. It changes
everything-for Kate and for England.
Then King Edward dies unexpectedly. Richard III, Duke of Gloucester, is named
protector of Edward and Elizabeth's two young princes, but Richard's own
ambitions for the crown interfere with his duties...
Lancastrians against Yorkists: greed, power, murder, and war. As the story
unfolds through the unique perspective of Kate Woodville, it soon becomes
apparent that not everyone is wholly evil-or wholly good. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Higginbotham is
the author of two historical fiction novels. The Traitor’s Wife, her
first
novel, is the winner of ForeWord Magazine’s 2005 Silver Award for historical
fiction and is a Gold Medalist, Historical/Military Fiction, 2008 Independent
Publisher Book Awards. She writes her own historical fiction blog and is a
contributor to the blog Yesterday Revisited. Higginbotham has worked as an
editor and an attorney, and lives in North Carolina with her family. For more
information, please visit Susan's website. Leave a comment today for a chance to win a copy of The Stolen
Crown.
Comments
34 comments posted.
Re: Susan Higginbotham | THANK YOU HISTORIANS
I have started reading more historical
fiction lately. I've read historical
romance for years and have always
preferred those that were accurate in
their historical and daily life details.
Historical fiction promises that and
more. I've heard of this book on
several other sites and look forward to
reading it.
(Patricia Barraclough 2:22am March 15, 2010)
I have not read any historical fiction lately but will have to now that I have read about your new release. I love the setting and want to know about all who were there. Thanks..
(Brenda Hill 9:15am March 15, 2010)
I love history and I agree with you--where would we be without those who wrote all the beautiful details down before us. Your book sounds fascinating. Thanks for visiting.
(G S Moch 9:33am March 15, 2010)
I enjoy hostorical novels and this one sounds very good. Thanks for guestblogging.
(Cherie Japp 11:26am March 15, 2010)
I love historical fiction (and rely on authors to be historically accurate).
(Shannon Scott 12:10pm March 15, 2010)
I don't read many historical novels. If it is an author that I like then I'll buy it.
(Leni Kaye 12:50pm March 15, 2010)
I love history, especially, English history.
(Marlene Breakfield 1:08pm March 15, 2010)
I have always been a history buff. This book sounds interesting enough.
(Kai Wong 1:46pm March 15, 2010)
I love historicals myself! They are my favorite read but most are romances!
(Gail Hurt 1:59pm March 15, 2010)
I have gotten away from reading historical fiction in the last few years. But your book has caught my eye and I have added it to my tbr list
(Kimberley Coover 4:05pm March 15, 2010)
The time period that your book setting takes place in is a favorite of mine! Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
(Cindi Hoppes 5:33pm March 15, 2010)
I love historical novels. Particularly ones based on actual historical figures.
(Tanja Haack 6:35pm March 15, 2010)
The historical genre is my favorite. I especially enjoy stories from this time period. I've put your book on my TBB list. I can't wait to read it.
(Phyllis Crabtree 7:10pm March 15, 2010)
I usually read historical romance and haven't tried historical fiction.
(Diane Sadler 7:47pm March 15, 2010)
This era is such a romantic setting and your topic sounds delightful. I eagerly look forward to reading"The Stolen Crown"
(Cathy Delgado 7:51pm March 15, 2010)
I've been hearing good things about this book! It really looks good.. Thanks for the chance
(Martha Lawson 8:46pm March 15, 2010)
I have been tracing our family trees for many years and when I find personal information that someone 'way back when' wrote down, it makes my ac=ncesters seem more like real people rather than just names and dates!
(Karin Tillotson 9:31pm March 15, 2010)
History can be fascinating as your blog shows. Times past were so different from today and tommorrow will doubtlessly be as equally different from today.
(Gladys Paradowski 9:51pm March 15, 2010)
I have always loved historical fiction romances. They take me to places and situations I have only dreamed of. I know the writers do their research, which makes it more interesting.
(Cathy Phillips 10:20pm March 15, 2010)
I love reading historical fiction
and if there is so romance thrown
in so much the better.
(Lisa Richards 10:30pm March 15, 2010)
Historical Fiction, & indeed fact, my all time favorite to read. Great insight thank you.
(Mary Preston 10:34pm March 15, 2010)
I still think that Shakespeare gave Richard III a bum rap. There's enough historical evidence there (if one digs deep and hard enough) to prove that he was as much a victim as the two princes he was regent for.
Having said that, this does sound like an excellent book. On to the TBB list with it!!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 12:30pm March 16, 2010)
This sounds like a great historical novel. I love to read them and research some of the history behind the novel. I am adding this to my TBP list!
(Lisa Glidewell 12:56pm March 16, 2010)
Ah, I've often wondered about Elizabeth Woodville, especially since I saw her name again just recently. In essence, I'm more a history and historical fiction than h.r. buff and I know this book will suit me.
(Sigrun Schulz 1:27am March 16, 2010)
There is a song "May all who come behind us find us worthy". I guess a part of history is the recording of life so that in a way, they are trying to show that they have fulfilled their part in life to be worthy as that song said. I have always loved history, the good, bad, boring, or exciting. I enjoy books such as your novel, giving us a peek down the halls of the past.
(Jean Merriott 1:48am March 16, 2010)
I love these and knowing that the author spent so much time researching keeps me reading.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:17am March 16, 2010)
I am grateful for all the historical records that have been passed down through time. I am a genealogist and love to find records about an ancestor that brings him/her to life.
(Robin McKay 9:02am March 16, 2010)
I will read almost anything, but I always go back to romance, especially historical romance. Thank you for another good read.
(Tonya Atchley 12:01pm March 16, 2010)
I love reading books with elements
of history. I like to feel like I'm
learning something. Sometimes we
get lucky if at the end of the book
the author tells what's real and
what's fiction, like Steven Berry.
If it's got romance also, all the
better!
(MaryAnne Banks 7:56pm March 16, 2010)
Historical fiction is one of my favorites. It keeps my imagination going. I remember an author with the last name of Holt who wrote in this genre and I kept the books because they were so good.
(Alyson Widen 8:19pm March 16, 2010)
I love historical fiction!
dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 11:09pm March 16, 2010)
Believe it or not,I have actually managed to get my students enthused about historical fiction. As a class we have investigated four historical novels ths year. My students enjoy separating fact from fiction and verifying the facts.
(Cheryl Stillwell 11:41pm March 16, 2010)
Historical Fiction is one of my favs!!! I love to learn about history while reading my romance novels...It's Fun!!!
(Mitzi Hinkey 11:41pm March 16, 2010)
Have heard many good things about
this book. I expect accurate historic
details in the historical fiction I read.
Susan, it is obvious you take your
research seriously.
That will make the book that much
better.
(Patricia Barraclough 8:19pm March 22, 2010)
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