Frances - Tudor Countess

Elizabethan #5

by Tony Riches

“A thrilling portrait of a remarkable woman who witnessed the key events
of Elizabethan England.”

Frances Walsingham is the only surviving child of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘spymaster’ Sir Francis Walsingham. Better educated than most men, her father arranges her marriage to warrior poet Sir Philip Sidney.

After Philip Sidney is killed in battle, Frances becomes Countess of Essex, and is banished from court after her husband Sir Robert Devereaux’s rebellion against the queen.

Can she marry for love, if it means turning her back on her faith and all she knows?

Based on extensive historical research, this is the story of Frances, Countess of Essex and Clanricarde.

Genres: Tudor Period, Fiction, Historical Fiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2024

About the author

Tony Riches is a full-time author from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, an area full of inspiration for his writing.

Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.

In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read , about Frances Walsingham who becomes Countess of Essex after the death of her husband Philip Sidney. She remarries to Sir Robert Devereaux who leads an ill-fated rebellion which causes her to be banished from court.
Its a good insight into life at the Tudor Court !

[Amy McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the previous four books in Tony's Elizabethan series I was very much looking forward to another instalment.
Frances is the the daughter and heiress of the renowned spy master Sir Francis Walsingham.
Frances receives an exceptional education for a female of her time and this leads to a very interesting life alongside her father, and following his death.

Tony has managed to bring Frances out of the shadows of her father and husbands and give her a voice of her own whilst still ensuring her skills learned from her father are retained throughout her life.

Frances led an extraordinary life and Tony's research is apparent in telling the reader her story. The events of Elizabethan England are told through the eyes of Frances and whilst she may have been banished from court she was certainly not oblivious to events.

Tony has an incredible way of not just telling someone's story but also making you feel as if you're there witnessing events and feeling the emotions, I will admit the sadness I felt when Frances lost her father.

I must congratulate Tony for another successful book, I truly enjoyed Frances and found her story to be intriguing and often emotional. I highly recommend Frances and the rest of the series. In fact I'd recommend Tony's Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy as they are also exceptional!

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth historical novel by Tony Riches that I have read, and my second from The Elizabethan series. The author is able to transport us to Tudor England easily by giving us access to the thoughts of the chief character. Frances Walsingham was an unusual woman of her time due to her education and quick mind. As the only surviving child she was close to her parents and helped her father, Sir Francis, with his coded letters to and from his agents and informants. When he arranged a marriage for her to Sir Philip Sidney she was pleased, although well aware that his true love was Penelope, Baroness Riches. After the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, Frances became a trusted friend of Lady Penelope, and they were both heartbroken when Sir Philip died from the injuries he sustained in battle.
Soon Frances realised that she had caught the interest of the Queen’s favourite, Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. Despite his womanising reputation and his injudicious behaviour at times, Frances agreed to marry him. In the next 10 years she gave birth to five children, always a risk at that time, and her husband, who was Lady Penelope’s brother gave them both anxiety by his dangerous actions. Finally in 1601 he organised a rebellion against Queen Elizabeth and the consequences were predictable. Frances and her children were left in a difficult position as the possessions of Robert Devereux were confiscated.
Two years later, Frances met Richard Burke, an Irish Earl who had known both her previous husbands. As a Roman Catholic he was not a good prospect in Protestant England and his home in Ireland was a dangerous place, but she felt that at last she may have found mutual love.
I recommend this book as a gateway into Elizabethan and early Stuart England which helps the reader to understand the dangers, pleasures and plots for members of the aristocracy in those days.

[Rosemary Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances’ personal triumphs and tragedies intertwine with the dramas and intrigues of the Elizabethan court in ‘Frances - Tudor Countess’, by Tony Riches.
Growing up in the febrile world of Elizabethan politics, Sir Francis Walsingham’s daughter understands the pressures that come with her father’s position. When he sets up a marriage with Sir Philip Sydney, she agrees. Although she knows Sir Philip’s heart belongs to someone else, she makes the best of things and they have a daughter. When her husband gets injured in battle, Frances travels to the Netherlands to nurse him, but he succumbs to his wounds.
She remarries Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. He is known to be Queen Elizabeth's favourite, but he is also rash and ambitious. Essex’s recklessness ultimately leads him to the scaffold. Frances must deal with the aftermath and try to secure a future for their children. At last, she will find contentment with her third spouse in Ireland. A well-researched and deeply moving story. Highly recommended.

[Linda Lewandowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about Frances the Tudor Countess. Her life story as told here does not disappoint. However, the first 50-60 % of the book was a repeat of Penelope, which read like a copy and paste. There is a need to keep a reader apprised of what happened during Frances's life, so I can only assume that was the only way to do it. I did enjoy the last part of the book as it was very well written and would recommend to others.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Tudor countess

I love how the author tells how people around the courts in Tudor times, clime the social ladder ,and sometimes fall drastically. He being it to life vividly for me.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Frances Walsingham daughter to Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham a spectacular read and well researched an exciting and brilliant book #KindleUnlimited