Queen of Shadows: A Novel of Isabella, Wife of Edward II, by Edith Felber (2006)
This historical novel is as much the story of Isabella, Queen consort of England and wife of Edward II, King of England as it is her lady-in-waiting, Gwenith de Percy. Gwenith was a young Welsh woman who landed herself a position on the English Court bent on revenge for the actions of Isabella’s father-in-law, Edward I. Edward I had conquered the Wales and stripped the nobility of its lands. He the process, he named his son the first English Prince of Wales.
Isabella, the French princess and daughter of Philip IV, King of France, arrived in England at age 12 to marry then Edward, Prince of Wales. She soon learned that her husband had a string of male lovers. Despite this, they have 4 children together.
When Edward became King Edward II, he proved to be a weak king. This allowed the the young and ambitious Hugh Despenser to dig his claws into Edward. Hugh became Edward’s lover, but with the idea of becoming ruler of the country. Isabella recognized that Hugh’s interest in Edward was not on altruistic grounds. She despised him.
Meanwhile, Gwenith became friendly with the Welsh baron Owain de Rhys. He first initiated a friendship with her in hopes that she would be able to convince Isabella to spare fellow Welshman Roger Mortimer his life. Mortimer had been in prison awaiting his execution at the hands of Edward, or more likely Hugh Despenser. Gwenith convinced the Queen to visit Mortimer in prison.
Mortimer and the Queen became lovers and she was able plan his escape from the Tower of London. Soon Isabella and Mortimer were plotting to overthrow Edward.
While reading this novel, I did a lot of fact-checking and most of the events depicted in the novel corresponded to actual historical events.
I enjoyed this book. It is a fast read, and interesting because it tells the story of King Edward from Isabella’s point of view.
Read: May 14, 2020
4 Stars
