The Queen's Rival: A novel of Lady Margaret Clifford

by Raymond Wemmlinger

A gripping new novel set during the reign of the Tudors! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.

With the Tudor succession in turmoil, could Lady Margaret have a claim to the throne…?

England, 1553

As she is seventh in line to the throne, sixteen-year-old Lady Margaret Clifford knows her marriage should be an important one. Which is why she is shocked to learn her father has agreed to entertain a proposal from a mere knight.

Sir Andrew Dudley is a court favourite and joins the ranks of the Duke of Northumberland’s family who are attempting to secure politically advantageous marriages. His nephew, Guildford Dudley is recently married to Margaret’s cousin, Lady Jane Grey, and with the boy-king Edward VI failing to secure a marriage of his own and produce an heir, it is clear the Dudleys are plotting a path to the throne.

All is flung into turmoil when the king dies and the attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne is foiled. Instead, Catholic Queen Mary takes the throne and Margaret is sent to court as one of her ladies-in-waiting.

With the Dudleys’ fall from grace, Margaret is relieved that Sir Andrew’s proposal is off the cards, though she is still keen to secure herself a match befitting her royal heritage.

But first she must win the favour of the new queen. And with Queen Mary fearing rivals to her throne, that is not an easy task…

Can Margaret steer clear of the political machinations at Court? Will she strengthen her ties to the English throne through marriage?

Or will she meet the same fate as her poor cousin, Lady Jane?

THE QUEEN’S RIVAL is a biographical historical novel of Lady Margaret Clifford, set during the Tudor period as a young woman of royal heritage struggles to gain power and influence at Queen Mary’s court.

'In this lively account … Wemmlinger succeeds in showing, over time, how Margaret matures and wises up to the dangers she faces as a royal heir... A quick, involving read' — Historical Novel Society

Genres: Historical Fiction, Tudor Period

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2024

About the author

Raymond Wemmlinger is the curator and librarian at The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library, New York City, which specializes in nineteenth-century British and American theater. He has lived his entire life in or around New York City, where most of Booth's Daughter is set.

Reviews

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bewildered

I love the subject matter the author writes about as they are mostly lesser known subjects. However, certain known facts about a person shouldn't be ignored even with historical fiction. Margaret Clifford was married a full year before Queen Mary I was married and this book writes as if she didn't get married until after Mary's first "pregnancy". The book ends abruptly and it is unknown if a follow-up is in the future. Given the after note at the end which briefly sums up the rest of Margaret's like, I wouldn't count on it.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have very much enjoyed this novel. Though rather short, it did show the volatility of court life, religion allegiances and the fear that seemed to be an indelible part of court life. I only wish to have known more about Lady Clifford after her marriage and see wether she ended up to live a fulfilling life. (the author gives a summary of her life at the end of the novel though!

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had a promising beginning, but it was mostly the author just telling the reader what was happening. Just when you thought it was getting good and the characters were interacting, it just ended in internal whining dialog. It was hard for me to finish, but I did. The ending was a huge let down. Boring beyond belief.

[Silvia Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was enjoying this book when it just .... ends? It feels like it ended on a cliffhanger. I thought maybe her story continued in the next book but it didn't. It's why I took off 2 stars. It felt incomplete.

[Amy Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Loved the book but the abrupt ending was disappointing . Would have liked it to be longer and go into Margaret’s marriage

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Tudor historical fiction, you are in for a treat because this is the beginning of a new series! This book deals with the political upheaval that followed Edward VI's death through the first year of Mary I's marriage. Although I've read many books about this period, I was unaware of Lady Margaret Clifford despite her close Tudor connection to the throne. This is a fascinating look at the female Tudor lineage, the political intrigues that snared many of them, and the risks to the male heirs they produced. This is not just another book about the Tudor dynasty but gives the reader some new insights using rarely mentioned historical figures. The next book will be released in February and I can't wait!

[Jane Sattler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed this book, even though most of the facts of the time are well known, the author made the characters come alive as they went through this important period of time in England. I thought the descriptions of the clothing and the castles were very interesting. And the author certainly painted a nice picture in my head of where these events were taking place and how the characters were dressed. Having the main character learn the lessons of “court” and become mature in her actions and clearly developing her conscience - showed how vital those traits were to survive during those dangerous times. I’m anxious to read the next book in the series.

[Megan Marguerite · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Okay Quick Read

This was mildly entertaining and a quick read but lacked any real depth which I understand you have to stay within the constructs of historical accuracy. However it felt like Margaret was continually learning about her own life by just constantly hearing snippets of conversation.

She really did minimal to nothing to move the story and just existed floating along from crisis to crisis which was never about her and she didn't really care what happened to the people who were in the crisis.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about a little known Tudor

I enjoyed the book but I wish it had gone further. It cut off abruptly which was a disappointment. I would have liked to see a conclusion to Queen Mary's pregnancy and to the Lady Margaret Clifford's marriage. I was like part one of two.

[Gloria Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Political

Sometimes I was distressed over the intrigue involved in the different lineages of the royal house. We have non violent change of power in our government????? In the 1500s that was not the case. If you were an heir to the throne, you would have to be in constant viligence to protect your life. Even your father?

[Nadine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another read but never finished book, horrible writing. The main character. Margaret, was such a spoiled brat I wanted to reach through the pages and slap her silly. Not even a quarter way through when I gave up in disgust.

[Modesta Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and want to point out that Margaret Clifford got married after Mary become queen(someone in reviews said otherwise) but this book stuck to the timeline of when things happened. I just wished that it was longer, or a part 2.

[Norah Warnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written

The story was well told and kept my attention till the end.
Now I need the rest of the story

[Lindy Scotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and enjoyable read. Well written.

[wally walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

AQvery light weight account of life at the court of queen Mary

[Eric Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline

[Karen Cogswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended too quickly

I liked the book and found it to be well written; however, Lady Clifford’s life was really just beginning. I wish the book had kept going.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story driver from history. Kept me interested and I sped right through. Good read for lovers of historical fiction.