Books Set in Europe: England

The White Queen, by Philippa Gregory (2009)

The White Queen is a historical novel about Elizabeth Woodville, a widowed commoner who married the Yorkish King Edward IV.  The novel recounts the period in England near the end of the War of the Roses, the fight for the crown between the Lancasters and the Yorks.  The symbol for the Lancasters was the red rose; and that of the Yorks a white rose, hence the moniker of the struggle between the two families.

Elizabeth’s first husband, John Grey, was killed in battle fighting for the Lancasters. She was left with two young sons, so she set her sights on the young Edward, the victorious York king.  The married in secret (a fact), and it appears to have been a true love match.  They would ultimately go on to have 10 children together, including two Princes of the Tower.

After their marriage is made public, Elizabeth is made Edward’s Queen consort. She immediately begins to place her family members (formerly supporters of the Lancasters) into positions of power, much to the dismay of Edward’s extended family and supporters.

The novel is told through the eyes of Elizabeth.  The fight between the two families is not over during Edward’s reign. Battles continue.  Elizabeth is constantly worried about the fate of her growing family as her husband, the King, is off fighting to keep his crown.

After Edward’s death, the crown should pass to the eldest son ~ the 12 year-old Edward V.  He is placed under the protection of his Uncle Richard in the Tower.  As history tells us, the circumstances of the young prince remains shrouded in mystery.  Was he killed on orders of his uncle, who later became Richard III?

In the author’s notes following the novel, the author provides a brief summary of what is known about the life and times of Elizabeth Woodville and her sons, the Princes of the Tower.

I enjoyed the first part of this novel, but got dragged down somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t help that there were so many essential characters named Elizabeth, Edward and George involved with the royal court during this period of history.

Read: January 7, 2019

3 Stars