A Court of Betrayal

by Anne O'Brien

ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR...

The Welsh Marches, 1301

Strong-willed heiress Joan de Geneville is married to Richard Mortimer, Earl of March, at just fifteen years old.

Soon Joan finds herself swept up in a world of treacherous court politics and dangerous secrets as her husband deposes Edward II and rules England alongside Queen Isabella.

Yet when Richard is accused of treason, she is robbed of her freedom and must survive catastrophic events in her fight for justice - with her life, and her children's, hanging in the balance...

Will she pay for her husband's mistakes, or will she manage to escape from a terrible fate?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Medieval, 14th Century, British Literature, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.

I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.

When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.

Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.

For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.

Reviews

[Luisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in my teens and twenties, I devoured the novels of Sharon Penman, fascinated by the power play and remarkable characters she brought to life from the medieval world. A Court of Betrayal was the first Anne O’Brien book I’ve read, and I can give it no higher compliment than to say it’s very much in the same tradition as Penman’s superb historical fiction. The quality of writing is excellent, the dialogue sparkles, and I was quickly swept up into the story. It’s a tale of hubris and loyalty, of bitterness and love. The characters were brought to life in all the power of their very human emotions, strengths and weaknesses. I particularly enjoyed the scenes between Johane and Mortimer, which portrayed their complex relationship brilliantly.
For me, the only thing that might perhaps have made this even better would have been for us to view events from more than one perspective: I would have loved to have had the chance to be in Mortimer’s head, or Isabella’s. Yet the author’s decision to focus on the ostensibly powerless wife, stuck at home, forced to use what influence she has to preserve her family and good name in the face of her husband’s actions, has a resonance which brings Lady Mortimer’s humanity, resilience and resolve to life.
This book is an example of terrific storytelling - I’ll definitely be seeking out more of this author’s work, and recommending A Court of Betrayal to other fans of top quality historical fiction.

[M.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Court of Betrayal sees Anne O'Brien returning to the early 14th century, finding for her readers a wonderful character, Johane de Geneville. We all know the story of Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, but what about the wife left behind in the Welsh Marches?

There is much of Johane and Roger's life to cover before the tumultuous events that see Roger fleeing England for his life - 12 children for a start - and this period of Johane's life is given full coverage by our fabulous author. Johane is fully formed. What I've always appreciated about Anne's characters is that they are women of the time, with all the restrictions that bring with it. Yet, her female characters remain strong-willed and independent, doing what they can within societal norms. Sometimes we might not like Johane (the treatment of her sisters for one), but we are still very much invested in her, and her story. And this is her story. The children are, of course, mentioned, but we hear Johane's thoughts and fears. Johane drives the narrative, even when she is held in captivity with little outside knowledge of events at the king's court..

Through Johane's eyes, we see her husband cast low at the pretensions of the Despenser's, only to rise too high, too quickly, and we also hear of the many conspiracy theories surrounding his actions - particularly concerning what happened to Edward II. The symmetry between Roger's actions and those of Edward II's favourites is beautifully evoked, and the reader is left feeling that if a woman had been instrumental in all this chaos, she would have had much more sense than to upset everyone in the same way that Roger was previously disgruntled—a lovely touch.

I flew through this book in 2 days. Reading a new Anne O'Brien novel is an absolute treat. Just like Constance of York in a Tapestry of Treason, Johane will long live with the reader.

A Court of Betrayal is a wonderful, evocative novel that will delight readers.

[Lexie (never ending TBR) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“With maturity comes the understanding that a woman must absorb the difficulties and trials of life. They will always be there. Happiness is not a gift that comes to us without pain.”

The strength and bravery of Lady Johane Mortimer is unmatched. I have endless respect for her.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, the perils of being married to a malignant narcissist.

This is not a happy book. That might sound like a silly thing to say upfront, but it really can't be overstated: there is virtually no way to put a positive spin on this story, and the author's attempt at a silver lining somehow makes the story even sadder, given all that came before it. If you're familiar at all with the history, the first half of the book is like watching a car crash happen in slow motion. There's an impending sense of doom hanging over the story, and once it finally arrives, it grabs hold and refuses to let go. It was depressing enough that I decided to ditch the written book after a while and switch over to audio so I could finish it quicker (although this had its own drawbacks).

I'm a big fan of the spurned wives of the Middle Ages. Jane Parker, Amy Dudley—and if there's one thing A Court of Betrayal does, it's make you wonder if maybe Robert Dudley really wasn't such a bad husband after all. Certainly not as bad as Roger Mortimer, who has gone down in history as the exiled lord that became the lover of Queen Isabella, launched an invasion to remove her husband, King Edward II, from power, and ruled England for years as king in all but name before Isabella's son, Edward III, toppled them both from power. It was a salacious love affair for the ages, and together the grasping lord and treacherous She-Wolf—more often reimagined nowadays as a girlboss, although neither interpretation really fits the reality of who Isabella was—ruled as greedily and unjustly as the deposed king, executing innocent men and nearly bankrupting the country in the span of only three years.

The part of the tale that's normally left out is the fourth point of the royal love-square: Johane (usually Joan), Mortimer's devoted wife of more than twenty years and the mother of his twelve (yes, twelve) children. Despite having been in an arranged marriage made to consolidate their families' great wealth, Roger wanted Johane by his side at all times, insisting that she accompany him on his many military campaigns (something that the author really should have emphasized more). When Mortimer's failed rebellion forced him to flee across the channel to France, Johane and their children were held hostage for five years, secluded from most of the outside world and deprived of sustenance—all while he was away at the French court, living lavishly and carrying on an affair with a much younger, married queen. Did Roger truly love his wife all those years, as she had believed, or did he just crave a woman's constant adoration and devotion? One thing is clear: everything, from his many castles to his children's betrothals, is about him, and only him.

The framing of Mortimer's two relationships is very clever, since it reveals a great deal about his character. As a teenager, he married a wealthy heiress, formed a tight bond with her, and showered their children with prestige as he rose within the ranks of society. Then Isabella comes along, younger and even more influential, and the pattern repeats: the pair become inseparable, she is utterly besotted with him, and he continues to cultivate power while planning to use their future children to accumulate even more. He leeched one woman dry, then moved on to the next. It's easy to see how, if Mortimer had merely been removed from power rather than executed, Isabella would have found herself in the same position as Johane. Stripped of the influence she had held as the mother of an underage king, her resources limited to whatever her son has allotted her, and now growing past her child-bearing age, Mortimer would have all but surely found another young heiress to entrap in her place.

Given the growing focus on feminist literature these past few decades, I'm stunned that it took until 2024 for someone to write a book about the infamous affair from Johane's perspective (if there are others, I haven't found them yet). It is perhaps not difficult to understand why, seeing how her very existence throws a wrench into the female empowerment narrative historical fiction writers have tried so hard to cultivate around Isabella. This is a real shame, since there are so many different ways the truth may have played out. O'Brien's Johane is both melancholic and feisty, deeply embittered by her husband's betrayal. Roger is almost sociopathic in his approach towards his wife and family after returning to England, simply asserting that he's with Isabella now and refusing to elaborate further (oh, and he's not sorry either).

In fact, Mortimer is so cold and so callous that it is a little jarring when compared to his previous characterization. There have been many men over the years who have abruptly abandoned their wives and children, but Roger continues to act the part of a committed husband, joining Johane for weddings, funerals, and formal occasions, and giving her access to the many titles and properties he acquires in his rise to power. He never asks for a divorce or an annulment, he doesn't threaten to ship Johane off to a convent, and Johane never fears that she, like Isabella's husband, will be taken out of the picture to make way for the power couple. We shall never know for certain how the Mortimers' relationship changed because of the affair, but Roger is so supremely impenetrable in his arrogance, grasping for more and more without a trace of humility, that it seems more likely that he did the thing that most adulterous men who want to stay married do when confronted by their wives: lie. Say there was never an affair, accuse your wife of disloyalty by listening to jealous rumors, then carry on, confident that you'll never get caught. Did the real Mortimer think he could still have a normal marriage and a mistress, like so many noblemen did, only with the mistress being the Queen of England? Would the real Johane have been infuriated and fought back, as she does here, or turned a blind eye, as a dutiful wife was expected to? The possibilities are endless.

In terms of storytelling, there are some persistent issues. Some scenes drag on way too long, with circuitous dialogue that doesn't need repeating. There's a lot of telling over showing, like all the times Roger declares how ambitious he is. Despite all her ranting, Johane never asks Roger about his feelings towards her, choosing instead to ask over and over again if he loves Isabella, and getting a different answer each time. Almost none of the children are given much characterization, despite there being twelve of them. And characters don't always behave like you would expect a real person to. If Isabella really was pregnant with Roger's child, she'd be desperate to hide it, since an extramarital pregnancy would destroy her reputation, humiliate her family, and likely land her in a convent. There's also some traces of presentism affecting the writing. When Johane confides her heartbreak to her female friends—they wouldn't respond by saying it's only natural for a red-blooded man like Roger Mortimer to fall for someone as young and beautiful as the queen, as they do here, they would call Isabella a filthy whore. That may not fit with modern-day feminist sensibilities, but that doesn't change the reality of human behavior.

The biggest problem, however, is the audiobook narration. With most books, there's little difference between reading the story on page and listening to the audio, but the narrator for this one was particularly grating. It killed almost all the emotion emanating from the story and had the misfortune of making Johane sound like a miserable shrew (the rest of the characters weren't much better). When you read the passages on page, particularly the last few chapters, however, it's impossible not to be moved by Johane's grief and heartache. Anne O'Brien does a remarkable job of capturing the depth of Johane's pain about all else. I'll be keeping an eye out for more of her work, and I hope A Court of Betrayal inspires more historical fiction writers to revisit this long-overlooked woman.

[HalKid2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recently released multi-generational saga of arranged marriage, love, royalty and betrayal in Britain from prolific historical fiction author Anne O'Brien - who happens to live in the Welsh marshes where much of this story takes place.

It's 1301 and the iron-willed head of the de Geneville family is arranging his 15 year-old granddaughter Joan De Geneville's (1286-1356) marriage to Roger Mortimer (1287-1330). Joan's family controls land in both Ireland and near the Welsh border and this marriage will add prestige to the family. But will Joan and Roger be happy?

A COURT OF BETRAYAL then relates the story of their long marriage, their many children (and those marriages), and the family's deep involvement in the politics of the times. First under the controversial King Edward II (1284-1327) with the overt favoritism he showed his two favorites; first, Piers Galveston and later Hugh Despenser, the younger. And after, during the reign of King Edward III (1212-1377).

If you know a bit about this chapter of English history, you probably remember that the wife of Edward II, Isabella of France (1295-1358) was not too happy with her husband's male favorites. Nor were most of the noble families of the realm. Which means fortunes were rising and falling all the time. Including Roger and Joan's.

For an anglophile like me, this is a fascinating period of English history, when kings and their closest advisors still had enormous power to reward and punish, despite the fairly recent signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The concept of justice was in its infancy. It was easy to accuse someone of treason and, with no guarantee of a fair trial, execution was a frequent outcome.

Anne O'Brien does a good job of making the main characters three-dimensional. While I've read other novels about this same period, this is the first one that is so focused on the women involved and their not-always-successful attempts to wield power when most women had very little. This includes Joan (primarily), her two sisters, her mother-in-law Margaret de Fiennes, Queen Isabella and the Queen's daughter-in-law Philippa of Hainault.

What I think the novel does best is its portrayal of Joan and Roger's marriage. It felt true to what it's like to navigate a long-term relationship where two people are changing over time and outside influences are always present. Yet, no matter what happens, there remains a strong connection between the couple. I highly recommend A COURT OF BETRAYAL.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A COURT OF BETRAYAL is an engaging novel about the oft-forgotten wife of a powerful man who left her behind for power.

The story of Queen Isabella ("She-Wolf of France") and Roger Mortimer is one of sweeping change and rebellion and treason (and one I know well). I enjoyed seeing it from the perspective of a woman usually ignored in the accounts or there as a minor footnote as the mother of children strategically married off. But Johane is a person in her own right and also someone who suffered a lot for her husband's actions, punished unfairly for simply being married to him.

However, because she was not a man and not a scandalous woman at its heart, the focus is never on her. This book changes that, putting her at the heart of the tale and making Isabella and Mortiment important but often absent figures.

The big battles and turning points are not shown on page (or passed over in a line or two), but instead Johane has to learn about them from others and try to find a way to protect herself and her children from the consequences. This helps create the sense of a woman ignored but still having to survive the troubled waters.

The book covers well more than 40 years of history, beginning with their early marriage, happy years that sets up the betrayal well so that it lands harder. It also establishes the groundworks for the honesty between the pair. They are so blunt and forthright with each other, which I enjoyed. It allows them to have these emotionally charged discussions where they do not hold back their feelings.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the story but my god the writing did a good job of ruining my enjoyment of it. For a story that follows a linear narrative I don’t understand why the tense keeps changing between past, present, future and why every second sentence is a question.

[Kate Mull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable. I enjoyed this book and the insights it provided.

[Jill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very excellent historical fiction. I knew the story of Roger Mortimer, the man who would be King. But, this was his betrayed wife's tale to tell. The telling brought history to life as well as Johane Mortimer nee de Geneville.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

I stumbled upon A Court of Betrayal by chance and was instantly hooked by the premise: the life of Joan de Geneville (spelled Johane in the book), wife of Sir Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March of Greatest Traitor fame. After being burned by The Traitor's Wife, my expectations were low for a novel of Edward II's reign, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. This is the novel that The Traitor's Wife wanted to be: a compelling domestic drama about a medieval magnate and his wife, interwoven with political intrigue.

Ironically enough, the political intrigue is actually the weakest part of this story in my opinion. Τhe author has a bad habit of telling, not showing, when it comes to important events in Edward II's reign. Also, this is a nitpicky complaint but having read The Greatest Traitor, I notice that she skips a lot of really important events in Roger's career. She mentions Joan accompanying Roger to Ireland to put down unruly tenants, but she does not even name-check Edward Bruce or the de Lacys — in fact, now that I think about it, the war with Scotland gets a weirdly minuscule amount of airtime in this novel even though in real life it was the issue of the day. It's puzzling because Roger's hard-won victories in Ireland were central to his fearsome reputation and the respect he commandeered at court, and his military prowess would have also given Joan major reason to actively champion and support him. Maybe the author wanted battles and war to play second fiddle to domestic drama, but I dunno, I personally think among a highly martial elite, a man's military accomplishments would be closely tied to his standing within his family.

Ultimately the book's strength lies in its portrayal of family relationships. If the author struggles to make the politics tick, she absolutely soars in portraying Joan's tight-knit relationship with her family and household. The novel's tenderest and most moving moments are when she's mentoring a child or grandchild, reflecting on the legacy her children carry, or mourning a beloved child's death, or worrying about whether her children will survive their hardships. Her mother-in-law Marguerite de Fiennes and uncle-in-law Roger Mortimer of Chirk are also treats; though neither are perfect, they support her through her struggles. The depiction of Joan's relationship with her sisters was especially poignant.

To be honest, the characterization is a bit hit or miss. Roger comes across as… I suppose the serious, respectable academic term for it is "douchey". I think that the author was trying to go for him being a tough guy with a soft heart, but without being able to cite the genuine military accomplishments under his belt, she's left to demonstrate his toughness by making him be an asshole to Joan. Meanwhile, Joan is quite passive (especially in the first half of the novel) and at times literally says that she doesn't have anything to do or has no choice but to wait for Roger. Once Roger's affair begins, they both dig in their heels and neither fundamentally changes their mind about the other, which is a real bummer — I would have imagined that maybe some love might return, but the author pits them aggressively against each other until the very end. Nevertheless, clunky exposition aside, the dialogue flows nicely and all the characters (including Roger and Joan) have moments in which they shine not just as historical personages but as real people. There are many beautiful lines and descriptions of medieval life as well that brought life to the setting.

My gripes notwithstanding, the novel was a fast and easy read — I breezed through it in just two days. I probably wouldn't recommend this over The Greatest Traitor, but I definitely think that if you are looking for a light and compelling enough novel of Edward II's reign that is not rabidly homophobic (ahem, Druon), this is the book for you.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb book from Anne O’Brien.

I’m a big fan of historical fiction & have read several of her books now. This one didn’t disappoint.

The beauty of O’Brien’s style is that you have a human connection throughout the ages. Yes these people lived almost 800 years ago but we still experience the same emotions of love, loss, betrayal, anger and so much more. This human connection is what makes her characters so relatable and so well rounded. The fact that this is written in the first person means you really can put yourself in Johane de Geneville’s shoes.

As always, the plot is spot on and always comes back to that human connection. You learn not just the facts around the Mortimers but potentially how they felt too. It’s the perfect mix between fact and fiction. The dialogue and prose is also great as usual. I found it really hard to put down. If you like historical fiction, read this book.

Thanks to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the eldest daughter, Johane de Greneville takes her father's full inheritance into her marriage where as her sisters are sent to a convent. Fortunately Johane grows to care deeply for her husband, Roger Mortimer, and they have many happy years growing their family and lands. However, when Roger falls foul of the King's new favourite, Hugh de Despenser, their life falls apart. Roger is improsoned in the Tower of London and Johane is kept in close confinement in the north. Roger escapes but five years later when they meet again, Roger is rising in power due to his new and adulterous relationship with Queen Isabella.
O'Brien's novels are incredibly consistent. She builds a romance around a minor female character but one which encompasses an important period of medieval history. Set against the life and death of Edward II, Johane is the forgotten wife of Roger Mortimer. By telling the story from her perspective, O'Brien looks are the emotions but what should not be forgotten is the excellent of the research and historical accuracy.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Court of Betrayal we follow the story of Johane de Geneville. As the eldest daughter of the De Geneville family and with no male heir, she is betrothed to Roger Mortimer while her younger sisters are sent to a convert. Johane and Roger have a happy marriage for a time and have 12 children together. However, Roger is an ambitious man and that has consequences for both himself and Johane.

I really enjoyed learning about this time period and the life and trials of the strong willed Johane and her family. Her journey is both exciting and heartbreaking.

Anne O'Brien is my one of my favourite Historical Fiction writers and I have been reading her novels for some years now. I love how she takes a minor/lesser known female figure, gives them a voice, while weaving a story around significant historical events told from their POV. It's a skilled author who can give a reader such a strong connection to a character from the past and also shows impeccable research to craft a captivating story.

Thank you to Orion publishing for providing me with an ARC to review

[Thekirkiepirate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first novel I have read dealing with the 14th century, so I picked up quite a bit about the period.

As with much historical fiction, it was very easy to be on the side of the protagonist - Johane de Geneville, so it would be interesting to see how others perceived her. My knowledge of the period is limited to an overview of the Wars of Independence, so I was surprised that these were passed over quickly. Although she did not seem to have an easy time of it (particularly the 5 years spent in Skipton Castle) I suspect that it was a much easier life compared to most of the population. I would also have appreciated an after-note concerning what aspects of the story were based on fact.

I enjoyed the book very much and it claimed my attention the whole way through.

[Kaylee M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s just ok. Not a lot of character development and so much telling instead of showing.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne O’Brien at her best! This was a spectacular trip into medieval life and as always, so effortless to read and absorb the characters stories.

Roger Mortimer is a character I’ve read about many times but his devoted, deceived wife whom he brought much pain and suffering to has always been a background character. Here, Anne O’Brien brings her to the fore and tells her story with such skill.
A loyal and devoted wife, Johane was punished alongside her husband Roger when he escaped from the Tower of London and went into exile in France. She was held captive in miserable conditions with some of her daughters and youngest son for five years, guilty only of association to her escaped spouse.

Her husband spent his time making new alliances whilst away from her and formed a relationship with Isabella, Queen to Edward II, humiliated by his relationships with his favourites - Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser.

They returned to England together to overturn the King’s power, place him in captivity and rule on behalf of Isabella and Edward’s son, Edward III, until he became of age.
Roger Mortimer’s ambition and hold of power made him ruthless and greedy, acting as if it were himself who was the king, upsetting many nobles and to the great detriment of his wife, now discarded and left to face the pain of betrayal so publicly.

Mortimer’s star only ascended so far before his greed got the better of him and his downfall led to his death and punishment for Johane for 25 years as all titles and property were stripped from the family, leaving her heirs with nothing to inherit and the family name one of disgrace.
She paid a very heavy price for being married to Roger Mortimer and served a lifetime of punishment as a result, despite being completely innocent and indeed being the deceived and hurt party in all of his wrongdoing.

A brave and courageous woman comes out of this story, who right up until her later years petitioned the king to have her titles and lands restored for her grandchildren, something she succeeded to achieve. Despite all her pain, she remained loyal to the husband who brought such deprivations upon her, right up until his death, pleading for clemency for the father of her children, despite knowing it was a lost cause.

A story well-worth being told in order for such a strong woman from these times to be admired and respected for the life she led, which was dictated by powerful men throughout; from her grandfather who married her off, to vengeful acts by her kings and the ultimate betrayal and heartbreak from her husband.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am thrilled to be giving a five star review to Anne O’Brien once more.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a period with which I am very familiar and writing the story from the point of view of Roger Mortimer's wife takes the whole story just that much further off the main page. If the book is to be about a woman of the period most readers would expect it to be about Queen Isabella who connived at the deposition of her husband, King Edward, and ruled England with Mortimer's assistance until his death.
Johane is married to Mortimer at the age of 15 and there is no suggestion that the marriage was anything but a dynastic and power building exercise. The fact that there was a regular birth at least proves that they were physically comfortable with each other but a full dozen children when the Earl was away so often would suggest more than just tolerance. It is remarkable to note that all of the children lived past the infant stage and only one died in his teens of illness = a healthy set of genes I'd say.
Lady March must have been a very strong woman to have kept her children as much together as she managed during their captivity and to have held the Mortimer estate the way she did in spite of her idiotic husband thinking he could go up against the entire nobility of England is almost beyond belief. I have to agree with her son Geoffrey's description of his father as the "King of Folly" even if it was a politic thing to say at the time and I don't know the context.
One extremely useful custom of the Mortimers was to alternate the names of the heads of the family so you know there is a generation between the Rogers and the Edmunds. And we're reminded of the fact that the great families still held land in France which provided a safe place to flee should the need arise.

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can always rely on Anne O'Brien to write entertaining and informative historical novels. This was no exception. Several years ago I had read another historical novel centering on the same events, : Isabeau by Gemini Sasson but the focus there was on Isabella/Isabeau the French wife of Edward II and her plight as she discovers the hold her husband's favourite counsellors Gaveston and Despenser have on his person and mind. Here the focus is on Roger Mortimer's wife Johane and it is through her eyes that we discover this tumultuous period in English history. Novels written in the first person can sometimes feel limiting as only one point of view is shown; however in this case, no doubt thanks to Ms O'Brien writing skills, it did not detract from the telling of the story. Despite his blatant adultery, I found it hard to be very annoyed with Roger Mortimer . This is of course is because beyond her pain and feeling of rejection, Johane's love for Roger never really dies, as indeed is shown in the last pages of the book.
I was really moved by the depiction of their last encounter in the Tower, days before he met his death.
All in all, the book provided me with many hours of entertainment. I would recommend it to anyone interested in 14th century English history, although I am not able to judge how accurate the portrayal of these events is; the lifestyle of the time felt authentic.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Castle of Trim in Ireland, 1299. Anne O’Brien’s A Court of Betrayal centers on an infamous period in English history: the overthrow of Edward II by his wife, Isabella, and Roger Mortimer, a man with reckless ambition. I knew about this ‘She-Wolf’ and Mortimer, but what I did not know was Mortimer was married to heiress Baroness de Geneville, had 12 children with her, and his wife and many of his children suffered greatly for Roger Mortimer’s deeds which Edward II viewed as traitorous. Upon Mortimer’s imprisonment in the Tower of London, his wife, Johane de Geneville, and the children with her were placed under house arrest but not at their home, Wigmore Castle. They were placed in much stricter confines which were to become even worse. One child was imprisoned at The Tower with his father. When Mortimer escaped and left England for safety in France, his wife and family suffered more. This story opened my eyes to ‘a forgotten woman’ who paid dearly for her husband’s ambitions. When Mortimer returned to England with King Edward’s queen and deposed Edward II, he ruled with Queen Isabella in the name of the heir, Edward III. Though married Mortimer lived openly with Queen Isabella while acquiring more power. His wife, Lady Johane suffered but not always in silence. The author shows the incredible strength of Lady Mortimer beautifully. What a story! 5 stars.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long winded one dimensional story focusing on Roger Mortimer and Johane, told only from the wife’s perspective. Yes that’s a good thing to see, but it’s no better than giving only the man’s view. It is an In depth portrayal of love, life and fortunes made and lost in a dynamic period of English history.

You marry for a gold ring, he takes your possessions.
You have little to no rights, let alone power.
Infant mortality is rife, as is a short adulthood in the main.
Ambition and conflict are constant.
Accusations of treason are rarely judged with any sense of impartiality.

At this length it could have relayed much more about “old” king Edward, his favourites and why they were, of Roger’s time in the tower, his escape and subsequent endearment to queen Isabella, the queens ambitions, her sisters life in a nunnery, surrounding events in Ireland, Scotland, France.

Overly padded with imaginary conversations and romanticism for my liking.

3.5 stars marked down.

Quote:
“Why does love have to be such an agonising emotion?”

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another informative, exciting and fascinating trip into the fourteenth century with an author who knows what she's talking about and how to frame her compelling story.

Told from the point of view of the heiress Johane de Geneville, this is the story of the rise and fall of Roger Mortimer, first Earl of March. Political intrigues during the reigns of Edward II and III including the humiliation of both the King's wife Isabella in favour of the King's favourites – first Piers Gaveston and later Hugh Despenser – and then Mortimer's own wife through his adultery.

Having won all of Johanes lands through marriage, Mortimer sets out to raise the name, reputation and influence of his family leaving her to raise twelve children and watch or hear of events from Ludlow. Not all news is good news.

An informative glimpse into history told with passion and compassion. I look forward to reading more of Anne O/Briens's books

[Jennifer N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Anne O'Brien's historical fiction novels because they are so well researched. This one is about Joan de Geneville married to Richard Mortimer, Earl of March. They are married as teenagers and Joan's sisters are put into a convent so that their husbands will not have a claim to her estate since there are no male heirs. Joan and Richard get along well and have many children although he is gone so often.
The King at the time is married to a French Princess Isabella but is far more interested in his favourite Piers. When the nobility get sick of him acting like royalty and dispose of him he gets a new favorite Hugh Despencer. This directly affects the Marches as they have a long going rivalry and Richard is imprisoned as are Joan and her children.
I didn't know anything about Joan before and I must say that she is a remarkable woman. Anne writes so that you feel like you know the character and I wanted to slap Richard so many times.

[Lost in a book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Anne O’Brien presents her readers with an inside look into the life of a woman who played a pivotal role in historical events. In the case of A Court of Betrayal, O’Brien introduces us to Johane de Geneville, wife of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March.

This story had me gripped from the opening chapter. Johane’s life is a narrative of courage, love, and treachery that deserves to be remembered beyond the confines of history. The way Johane was depicted in the novel was done masterfully, and it left me feeling a strong connection with her. I won’t be able to forget her story anytime soon. This novel’s historical accuracy is also unmatched, and the captivating storyline kept me engrossed until the early hours.

If you like reading books about the woman’s perspective during historical events then you really need to check out Anne’s books. I cannot recommend them enough.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started out a little rocky, and one had to settle into the rather jarringly scripted first person dialogue, but by the time I got through the first quarter of the book, I was enchanted. Lady Mortimer is one of the most well-written women of her age and demographics that I've had the pleasure of getting to know. She's no heroine (few medieval women had the chance to be makers of their own destinies), but her thoughts, speech and actions speak to how she moulded the best situation for herself as best she could with what fate dealt her. I really felt for her - she felt real to the bone. There are little details that are spun into her story, all of which resurfaces in the later parts of her life. It's a lovingly told bittersweet tale of love, betrayal, survival and resilience. I could not recommend it more.

[Rosemary Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from one of my favourite historical fiction authors. In the turbulent years of the early fourteenth century, Johane, an heiress, is married at fifteen to an ambitious man, while her two younger sisters are consigned to a convent for the rest of their lives. By carefully building a picture of Johane de Greneville and Roger Mortimer’s long and happy marriage, his ultimate betrayal to leave her for an adulterous relationship with Queen Isabella is thrown into sharp relief. Anne O’Brien weaves a convincing story around the well known events of those turbulent years, while keeping the focus on Johanne and her heartbreaking but determined struggle to keep her family together. I found her relationship with her sisters particularly moving.

[Cathy Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

While written about people whose names are familiar, sometimes with these books I wonder if the background stories are true, or to what extent they truly are fiction.

I admit that except for knowing the names of Hugh Despencer and Roger Mortimer, I was basically unfamiliar with their stories. While reading I found myself having to research their history to validate the stories being told.

It is wonderful that this book is not only a great work of fiction, but is also historically factual. It is so satisfying to get a history lesson along with the story.

[Debbie Ridley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into Johane de Geneville, the wife of the notorious Roger Mortimer. What I love about Anne's books is she writes about the forgotten women of history. We may know their names but nothing about them. Anne brings them to life wonderfully and you really feel that you're there, in that period with them. The machinations of court, the dangers women face because of their ambitious, scheming men, the trials and hardship faced by the women are so fascinating. I adore her books. She is the true mistress of historical fiction.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Court of Betrayal had a slow start for me as it laid out the background for Roger Mortimer and Johane de Geneville's marriage and family life. The plot didn't really start moving until Roger was arrested for rebellion against King Edward II and his favorite, Hugh Despenser. From that point I enjoyed reading about the power-plays surrounding the English throne, and seeing the fallout of all that dangerous ambition.

The subject matter was great, but Anne O'Brien is not Sharon Kay Penman. The depth of research is just not there, and it shows. 3.5 stars.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history.

However, I had never heard of the turbulent life of Lady Johane Mortimer but reading this book, I want more.

Whilst the story already had its beginning, middle and end before any of us were alive, O'Brien still made it an enthralling tale.

I devoured pages like a woman possessed. I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat the majority of the book, even after searching about Lady Johane and Lord Roger and their story.

O'Brien has been able to open another door into history, for me, that I can now research and look into with the utmost interest.