Katherine: The classic historical romance

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My only quibble which is not going to make me lower my rating is having the book finish so soon after John and Katherine's marriage. Very historical romance and a bit disappointing A detailed and rich novel, with the author showing a flair for the English language and a deep understanding of medieval English history. Colourful wording, and a balance between passionate scenes and descriptive tracing of the events of the life of the incredibly interesting and beautiful Katherine Swynford.

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For the next few years, Katherine lived mainly at Kettlethorpe or in Lincoln, where she leased a fine house near the cathedral. The duke was reconciled to Constance and thereafter concentrated his energies on claiming her kingdom. He remained in touch with Katherine, though, and she helped him financially with his military expedition to Spain, a venture that would ultimately end in failure – the crown he had so long sought eluding him at the last moment.In addition, Katherine is one of the few fictional texts that include writings by the Blessed Julian of Norwich, a character in the novel, who is considered one of England's greatest mystics and whose Revelations of Divine Love was the first book written in English by a woman. Katherine is also considered one of the greatest examples of a historical-fiction love story ever written. In a poll conducted in the 1990s by Ladies' Home Journal, the novel ranked among the top-ten all-time best love stories. A wonderful historical saga of the tenth century. Rumon, descendaant of Charlemagne and King Arthur journeys from his native Provence to England, which is being torn apart by rifts between Christian and pagan, and violent invasions and raids by Vikings and Danes. Aside from the pacing issues, I will say that this was a really well constructed story. There is a huge amount of detail that went into it, from the characters, to the time period, to the political situation and uprisings and, for the most part, all of that worked really well. I never felt confused by what was happening, or who was who, which is always a risk when you have multiple characters named the same or similar things, or nobles whose titles and lands change, thus changing their names. Seton did well keeping everything straight and as clear as possible. However, there were some errors that I found in the book, which might be due to the edition or printing - little things like Roger Leech vs Roger Leach. At one point, late in his life, the Duke reminisces on how his love for Katherine was different than anyone else he'd ever been with, and that was because she brought nothing to him - no power, no money, no titles, no lands, nothing. She was just herself. The same can be said of her relationship with Hugh - she brought him nothing at all either... but with him, she didn't even bring herself. She was an obedient body and nothing more, and I think that he deserved better than that, despite everything. He just didn't know how to be better. That makes me sad for him.

Katherine by Anya Seton - AbeBooks Katherine by Anya Seton - AbeBooks

Through her granddaughter Joan Beaufort, who married James I, King of Scots, Katherine was the ancestor of every Scottish monarch from 1437 onwards, and thus of the royal House of Stuart following the union of the crowns in 1603. Another granddaughter, Cecily Neville, married Richard Plantagenet, duke of York, by whom she was the mother of the English kings Edward IV and Richard III, making Katherine the ancestor of every English monarch since 1461. Bitterness at my blood lineage aside, this book has a couple of things going for it. It brings to life – as all decent historical fiction does – the world and inner thoughts of those who have left us nothing but marble effigies and flattened lifeless portraits. There is no chance I’ll forget the children of Edward III now. If only Mr. Beeman had made us read this book instead of memorizing genealogical diagrams of the English royals! I would have studied the Peasant’s Revolt with rabid interest, I’m sure. Katherine’s eldest son Sir Thomas Swynford was gaoler to the deposed Richard II and implicated in his probable murder. Her daughter Joan Beaufort married the powerful Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland, and by 1450, thanks to the marriage alliances of their many children, Katherine’s descendants were related to almost every noble family in England. Another captivating -- albeit very very dark --historical novel by the talented Anya Seton. This is not what I was expecting at all: there is no romance, just intrigue and violence, and a lot of traveling to extremely unexpected places. Despite all of that, I was up until 2 am after "just a chapter before I go to sleep" and couldn't wait to get home from work the two next days to finish it! Here is a link to my review: Katherine is a beautiful young commoner. John of Gaunt is the King’s son. Their love is thwarted at nearly every turn: by marriages, by duty, by social norms and the dictates of their own consciences. In spite of this, their love remained strong and steady throughout their lives, whether they were together or apart.She died in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, [3] and was survived by two daughters, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. [4] She is interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich. Through 399: Sometimes the stupidity of Katherine annoys me. I am happy that the serfs are being egged on by John Ball. Katherine is getting spoiled by her good living. Is her memory so short? Here is a short conversation between Katherine and her maid, Hawsie: