Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York

Plantagenet Embers #1

by Samantha Wilcoxson

She was the mother of Henry VIII and wife of Henry VII, but who was Elizabeth of York? Raised as the precious oldest child of Edward IV, Elizabeth had every reason to expect a bright future until Edward died, and her life fell apart.

When Elizabeth's uncle became Richard III, she was forced to choose sides. Should she trust her father's brother and most loyal supporter or honor the betrothal that her mother has made for her to her family's enemy, Henry Tudor?

The choice was made for her on the field at Bosworth, and Elizabeth the Plantagenet princess became the first Tudor queen.

Did Elizabeth find happiness with Henry? Did she ever discover the truth about her missing brothers, who became better known as the Princes in the Tower?

Lose yourself in Elizabeth's world in Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen.

Selected as an Editor's Choice by the Historical Novel Society and long-listed for the 2016 HNS Indie Award.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Tudor Period, British Literature, Plantagenet, Medieval

441 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2015

About the author

Writer, history enthusiast, and sufferer of wanderlust, Samantha strives to reveal the deep emotions and motivations of historical figures, enabling readers to connect with them in a unique way. She can frequently be found lakeside with a book in one hand and glass of wine in the other.

New Release: James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution, published by Pen & Sword History

WIP: Wars of the Roses trilogy, published by Sapere Books

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Wars of the Roses historical fiction goes, this novel is fairly good as regards accuracy. I wasn't able to spot any historical blunder of note, which is an excellent sign and speaks well of the author's research. Samantha Wilcoxson is, to my knowledge, an avid reader of Plantagenet fiction and non-fiction, and that shows in this book.

Another point to commend is the handling of characters. There's neither overt canonisation nor overt demonisation of Yorkists and Lancastrians to be found here, partly, I suspect, because the protagonist, Elizabeth of York, straddles both sides of the conflict owing to her birth as daughter of the leader of one camp and her later marriage to the leader of the other camp, so through her eyes we perceive individuals and their motives rather than each side's more abstract goals. This personal vs group perspective might be deliberate to avoid black-and-white narratives that are common in books dealing with this period, for it makes the reader care for a character primarily.

As a contra, I would note that Part I, which deals with Bess of York's time as royal princess whilst Edward IV was on the throne and that ends with Tudor soldiers coming to fetch her after her uncle Richard's death at Bosworth, is rather slow and mostly descriptive, reading more like it's aiming to meet each historical milestone scrupulously at any cost, because none is missing, even though a few facts could've been omitted with no harm for the story. The story in this portion of the book isn't really as much a story as a sequence of known facts any history buff would know. Fortunately, in Part II, when Bess is now a Tudor queen, there's more of a story and less of a fact-checking type of narrative. It's the best part, and the one I liked best. You see more of Bess' character here, she's more fleshed-out and her choices explained, although I would say that she's not exactly very relatable, at least not in my opinion, because she's rather self-centred, inclined to shallowness, and shows an alarming lack of self-reflection, which, on the other hand, is maybe why she settles into her new status as queen surprisingly quickly for someone that underwent such a string of losses and falls in love with Henry Tudor as easily as she had with her dead uncle.

There's also another side to the balance in the portrayal of both sides of the civil war, because I got a very clear impression that in wanting to avoid demonising one side over the other, the author went for trying to portray both Richard III and Henry Tudor sympathetically. A feat that is doable in theory, but when you have thorny details to deal with like the death of Bess' brothers Edward V and Richard of York, how do you manage it without falling into either the Shakespearean trap or the Tudor trap? Do you blame Richard III or Henry Tudor? Can you blame only one and still keep him likable in your book?

Now, that's a dilemma I'd not like to face were I a historical novelist. Wilcoxson's solution might not be to every reader's liking, because the way out was to find a third party to play the villain, and she found it in the person of Margaret, Countess of Richmond.

History-wise, we could argue whether that's probable or not till the sky falls on our heads, but it's the narrative consistency I'm interested in here, and I'm not entirely sure the solution was presented as it should have, because it's included by the end with little build-up. I get that the purpose was to pull a twist and surprise readers, but perhaps a little more "padding" before the last scene would've done wonders for a smoother closing scene and epilogue, as it felt rather like it was cut short instead.

Anyway, this book is definitely recommendable for those who'd be interested in WoR fiction, for comparison with other depictions of the conflict or for entertainment on its own, as well as in the first Tudor queen consort. Goodness knows Elizabeth of York doesn't feature much in HF, and that's a shame.

[The Geeky Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York was the daughter of Edward IV, niece of Richard III, wife of Henry VII, and mother of Henry VIII, Margaret, Queen of Scotland, and Mary, Queen of France. But what was she like as a person? In Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York, Samantha Wilcoxson brings the matriarch of the Tudor Dynasty to life for readers of historical fiction.

I continue to be fascinated with the Tudors and Tudor era of history, so it isn't surprising that this novel immediately appealed to me even before I read its description. Not having read a book that focused on Elizabeth of York made this an even bigger must-read for me.

The story is told in two sections: Part I--Plantagenet Princess and Part II--Tudor Queen. The one constant throughout both sections of the book was intrigue, particularly involving what happened to the Princes in the Tower (Elizabeth's brothers Edward and Richard) who vanished and were presumed murdered—a mystery that continues to endure centuries later. (I enjoyed the author's imagining of what happened to the Princes, by the way. The timing of the 'revelation' was perfect!) Another constant was the conflict Elizabeth often feels regarding Henry's actions to retain the throne. It was so easy to put myself in Elizabeth's shoes and imagine how torn she must feel over her loyalties to her family and her husband, and being forced to choose between them time and again.

Wilcoxson's writing is fantastic, and I adored the descriptions of events happening within the Tudor Court, and the various locations or general surroundings Elizabeth found herself in. Dialogue between characters was easy to follow and consistent, and Elizabeth's inner thoughts made perfect sense in relation to the conversation at hand. These aren't things I'd ordinarily make a point of mentioning in a review, but as these things were greatly lacking in something I recently reviewed, it stood out to me while reading this book.

This is the first book in the Plantagenet Embers series. I'm currently reading book two, Faithful Traitor: The Story of Margaret Pole , which I'll be reviewing sometime later this month. Based on what I've read so far? It's a sure bet I've found a new historical fiction author to follow. Hooray!

I'm definitely recommending this book to historical fiction fans.

I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of BooksGoSocial via Netgalley.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently it is possible to write a story about Elizabeth of York with out scandalizing every aspect of her life and breathing life into sensational rumors. Who knew?

The end. The end was beautiful. I don't know why I waited so long to read this book.

[Bubu · Rating 2 out of 5]

“As do I,” whispered Cecily as she embraced her sister, a queen with no power.

A Queen with no power. This may be historically true. But what a shame that her characterisation could have just as well been copy/pasted from Wikipedia.

The Wars of the Roses. Or rather, the end of them and the beginning of the Tudor Era. So much pop-culture is based on this part of history.

To be honest, Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York is one of the weaker historical fiction books I've read. Sadly, the author seemed very reluctant to give her own interpretation of the events. When history is re-written into fiction or newly interpreted in non-fiction, it always represents the author's own views. It's in the nature of writing about history, in my opinion.

It's not that this book is completely free of the author's views, but I must admit I was astonished by how one-dimensionally all these characters were portrayed. I mean, if you look at the list of said characters, it's like a who's who of 'I'll kill you before you can even think of going for the crown':

- Edward IV.
- Elizabeth Woodville
- Cecily Neville
- Richard III
- Margaret Beaufort
- Henry VII
- George, 1st Duke of Clarence

just to name a few. Not to forget the unknown fate of the Princes' in the Tower - which is a recurring theme. There's so much potential and, in addition, the author, as she is using historical fiction and only needs to stay within the known facts, had all the options in the world to give us her version of this very bloody and unstable period of history. Instead, she opted for the safe strategy: a recounting of events. But not only that: considering who Elizabeth of York was, her background, what she witnessed, who she married, what she symbolized and represented, this could have been a very interesting re-imagining of history. Alas, it bored me nearly to tears. A lot of times I came across passages similar to this one:

[Henry VII] turned her toward him and put his hand on her chin and tilted it upwards. “You must concern yourself only with the health of our son,” he said, placing his other hand on her belly. “Everything else, you may trust to me.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips and was gone before she could think of anything to say in response.

And off he goes and leaves our queen behind. The only really interesting characters were - surprise, surprise - Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort (she's called Margaret Stanley here, taking the name of her fourth husband). That being said, if you look closely at Margaret's characterisation, the end will not come as a surprise. However, it made me roll my eyes. Why not simply go for it from the beginning and weave a story that would have shown true moral conflict.

Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York is not utterly horrible, but if you've read Hilary Mantel, Alison Weir or David Starkey (whatever one may think of his political views), you'll know what I'm talking about.

I think that Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York is, nonetheless, a good introduction into the Wars of the Roses. Even if it covers mainly the beginning of the Tudor Era, it still gives a good roundup of events that can be considered as one of the most important steps away from medieval feudalism.

Well, let's not forget the plague. But that was much earlier anyway.

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat this book was..

Once again my eyes have been opened to another powerful historical woman who I had little knowledge of before. If you’re like me you will know of Richard III and Henry Tudor but until now I knew nothing about Elizabeth of York.

This is such an emotive tale when you consider everything that happens. The most difficult part being the underlying mystery of the princes in the tower.. what really happened to them? As the book progresses you can really see the affect this must have had on Elizabeth.

Elizabeth must have really battled with her emotions considering individuals so close to her might have had a hand in their deaths..

The young princes aren’t the only ones to die in the tale. The author takes the chance to show what things were like to be alive at that time. Sicknesses that swept the land that would kill indiscriminately..rich and poor it did not care..anyone could die. I really can’t imagine what it must have been like but even I had a lump in my throat at times..

Death follows our Queen around in what I thought was a very well written book. The chapters flowed so easy from one to the next with the perfect mix of detail and story that I like

I really like how the author handled the ageing process for the King and Queen, describing the changes that occurred over time. It made the story feel more real as I could imagine the events unfolding around them and how it changed their mind and bodies.

Elizabeth’s life is a hard one. We don’t know all the facts but Samantha Wilcoxson puts flesh on the bones of this tale making it an engrossing read

I’m a big fan of powerful, determined, emotive women in historical fiction novels and this is up there with the best I’ve read. This is the type of book that actually makes me want to learn more about history

While this tale is dark in its events it’s rather an inspiring tale, this woman had so much to deal with but she battled through until her death

Lovely!

[Carolina Casas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a good historical fiction to read that is also fair to Elizabeth of York, and doesn't shy away from depicting the best and the worst of the wars of the roses and early Tudor era?
This is your stop. You won't regret it. Many authors think that the only way to make their characters -especially female characters- appealing is by having them act modern or ahead of their times.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of wishing to view these characters with a twenty first century lens or worse, do like Vergil, Shakespeare and so many others, and rewrite history to suit their sensibilities. But the truth is much more interesting and remains the best disinfectant. Reading about the real Elizabeth of York, you come to appreciate the struggles that not only women went through, but other important players in this game, as well as come to understand this era better.
By no means is this the real deal. It remains historical fiction, but it is the closest novel that has come to portray Elizabeth accurately.
Well-researched and well written, this is one that every history buff will enjoy.

Read more of my review here: https://tudorsandotherhistories.wordp...

[Diane D White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Knock On Wood

Stories of English monarchical politics in the first couple of centuries after the Norman Conquest always fascinate me. I've read a number of books about those people and times, especially the long and bloody decades of what came to be called the War of the Roses. This book drew me because its protagonist is more often a background figure overshadowed by King Henry V and his ruthlessly ambitious mother.

I enjoyed revisiting a sequence of events already familiar to me from other works. However, this author isn't a gifted storyteller. She dutifully recounts a credible version of this powerful tale and patiently explains essential points of the tangled familial webs that defined this most murderous epoch of English history. My primary knock is that Wilcoxon's characters remain wooden throughout and suffer enormously by comparison to depictions delivered in The White Queen and The Red Queen novels (by another historical fiction author).

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well fictionalization

This was a very boring retelling of events in the war of the roses. It certainly is not done with any imagination or verse. It is mostly a recounting of birth dates and events. Not recommended.

[Jo Naylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly structured, poorly written and generally unenjoyable. Elizabeth of York has an incredibly interesting story yet this novel failed to encompass any of the intrigue surrounding her life. If you want decent historical fiction, look somewhere else.

[Kirsten Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really awesome!! So my better than the White Princess!! Can't wait for Faithful Traitor... I love this time period

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ms. Wilcoson's interruption of Elizabeth of York's life and a glimpse of Henry VII. I think this work may be close to what kind of person she was. Happy reading!

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York is one of the shadow queens of the medieval world. We know more about her mother than we do about this queen. While Elizabeth Woodville was a power in her own right, Elizabeth of York was better known as the wife of Henry VII, the mother of Henry VIII, and the sister of the missing Princes in the Tower. As we move through her life from birth to death, we see a life overshadowed by grief, murder and mystery. Samantha Wilcoxson has written this novel, with the intent of fleshing out the queen that everyone loves, but so little is known.


Elizabeth of York is a enigma in and of herself. She was one of the more patient queens that England had, and one who bore with grace the social ineptness of her mother-in-law, who at every turn slighted her. She bore her husband several children, all the while managing to hold her head high, despite the political turmoil and constant upheaval within her walls. While she was at first slighted for marriage, through Lady Stanley's insistence, and the crown withheld from her until she bore her first child, she remembered the grace and mannerisms of which she was raised. She bore with unrelenting patience the grasping and suspicion that was radiating through the palace walls, while her husband tried to cement his hold on England. When she died after childbirth, England wept. They wept for the daughter of their beloved King Edward, and they wept for the queen who while she had no real power of her own, managed to spread cheer and goodwill wherever she went.


As I was reading through this book, I was struck by several thoughts. The first of which was, how in the world could this woman bear to be shoved aside so rudely, and how in the world did she bear the constant heartache that was handed to her?
I was drawn into the book, and found it almost impossible to put down. You know you have a great read when the author of the book can create so many conflicting emotions within you. I went from happy, to sad, to anger, back to happy and then back through the round of emotions all over again. I found the way her husband treated her to be less than what she deserved most of the time, and wished that he had banished his mother long before he married Elizabeth. I feel that had she been given a true chance of being queen, she would have made one of the most extraordinary queens England would have ever had. She had such a wonderful loving heart and wanted the best for anyone, servant or highborn alike.

While I was reading about the disappearances of princes from the tower and Elizabeth's determination to discover what had happened to them, I was struck by the fact that she had waited so long for answers, so long to allow time to pass before looking for them, as if almost to allow for those who were waiting for her to make a wrong move to ease on their suspicion of her. Her mother could never quit her scheming, even it was to be detrimental for her daughters. Talk about a dysfunctional family! But with the mysteries and deaths surrounding them, it was no wonder they were so determined to have answers at any cost! I wanted Henry to push his mother to the side and make her leave, but she was a powerhouse of her own, and determined to hold one of the highest places at court. How much different life would have been for everyone if Richard III had actually executed her for the treason she had been convicted of! Elizabeth could have shined as the queen she was meant to be.

This was a great read, and one that I would recommend out to anyone!! Now to buy an actual copy so that I can get it signed by the author!

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel I have read by Samantha Wilcoxson, the first having been Over The Deep (link here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ). While both are historical novels, the two books explore periods four centuries apart, demonstrating the author's ranging interest in history.

Having read two books by this author, I can comment on her gift for writing convincing child characters. I was impressed with her presentation of the young boy in Over The Deep, and I am just as impressed this time around with the characterization of a medieval princess. Elizabeth is an intelligent child from the beginning, though she is understandably at sea trying to make head or tail of the conflict that erupts around her, turning her adult relations from cousins and brothers into enemies and rivals.

There are plenty of interesting people and relationships to explore within Elizabeth's circle and Wilcoxson knows these characters well: her scheming mother, Elizabeth Woodville; Edward IV and his brother, Richard III; the famous "princes in the tower" and her other siblings and cousins; Margaret Stanley and her son, Henry Tudor; Elizabeth's own children, including a red-haired little chap that will grow up to be Henry VIII. Elizabeth is practically the perfect character to act as a touchstone of the times; in fact, she is almost literally a stepping stone for the transition from Plantagenet to Tudor times.

Near the beginning of the book, I found some of the language a bit florid, but as I continued reading I found the writing more familiar and comfortable to read. There is some "tell" here instead of "show" but I would argue that since the story follows the POV of Elizabeth almost exclusively, it is appropriate that the reader receives information as Elizabeth receives it, sharing her reactions and impressions as they occur.

Wilcoxson effectively avoids a lot of anachronisms that find their way into a lot of historical fiction. Elizabeth and the other characters come across very much as conventional and believable people of their time.

Overall, I found this not only a well-researched historical novel, but a brave one as well as it wades deep into controversial events and fearlessly presents conclusions that fit the known facts but inspire endless passionate arguments among academic and amateur historians. I'm sure the author will hear plenty of debating points challenging her conclusions but I think she produced as valid an explanation for the mysteries of the period as possible in fiction.

I will look forward to additional historical works by Samantha Wilcoxson!

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York is one of those pivotal historical characters who tends to be overlooked because she wasn’t in charge of anything—other than perpetuating her lineage. This novel gives this Tudor queen flesh and blood, and helps us sort out how difficult it must have been for her to ride the slippery slope between might and right. Poor Elizabeth must always respond to forces she cannot control. First she must accept her bastardy and her loss of rank; then she struggles with the mysterious disappearance of her brothers, torn between love for her uncle Richard and the damning accusations against him. Then she must marry the man who put Richard to death—considered by many to be the enemy of her family.

Henry Tudor is not the most attractive man, nor the most charming in her life, but Elizabeth learns to love him. She recognizes that her role as Plantagenet princess is vital in uniting the feuding dynasties, though subsequent rebellions indicate that many would prefer a fake Plantagenet king to a genuine half-Plantagenet descendant. Fiercely protective of her sons’ rights, she finds that she must accept Henry’s unsavory actions to preserve his kingship. But where does she draw the line? All the way until the end of her life, Elizabeth swings between rejection and acceptance of the husband she is bound to. But throughout, she is dogged by the unsolved mystery of her brothers’ murders. We can’t help but sympathize with her. The novel moves along very smoothly, though of necessity there is not much action. Elizabeth spends more time in childbirth than anywhere else! Nonetheless, all the characters are well developed and we get a good sense of Henry VII’s difficult reign.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first - and the better one - of two linked books. The pace is a little slow and the writing style simplistic but clear. For the first half I became frustrated at the author's evasiveness about all the mysteries of the era that she provided no answers to. She appeared to be going along with all the gossip surrounding Richard - such as Bess being in love with him, him intending to marry her etc - but the second half became more active and engaging and we ended in finding that the author largely shares my own conclusion about what happened to The Princes in the Tower, and, though I posit the timing within the immediate months after Henry VII's death, her timing is just as convincing. So this gained a fourth star from me for the engagement in the story factor. A rarely dealt with subject and worth a read to HF fans. Some minor, sloppy historical howlers such as referring to Sir Somebody Wotsit as Sir Wotsit instead of Sir Somebody - but the English system can confuse. Unfortunately, to a history reader, such things do jar.

The problems of dealing with all the mysteries (there are at least 18 related to this history that I counted up at one time) actually explains why Elizabeth is not a common subject, making this a very brave attempt and quite a good one. Trying to show both Richard and Henry as human was also brave! This book made me realise more clearly than ever before just how fraught with difficulty it would be to write about all the mysteries that remain unsolved and not be able to truly give a solution.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Story of a Christian Queen

Little personal facts are known about Queen Elisabeth of York, wife of Henry VII. This fictional story has embellished the facts that are known. Her marriage to Henry and her life is portrayed as a queen who was a true Christian. I loved this book! I hope the author write more books of this caliber.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much, it really help in my social studies unit after I read this book. It was the so good

[Aka_lil_alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still one of my favorite books about Elizabeth of York the Queen that was forgotten but was truly a devoted mother, wife and Queen.

[Orsolya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scandal and drama are the main descriptors left behind by the Plantagenet and Tudor legacies. Yet, somehow Queen Elizabeth (of York)- wife of Henry VII and mother of Henry VIII – managed to steer clear of personal conflict and simply allowed the plotting to run its course around her. Sadly, this means history tends to overlook Elizabeth as ‘boring’ or a side character. Samantha Wilcoxson disagrees with this notion and attempts to give Elizabeth of York a voice in the first novel of her Plantagenet Embers series with, “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen: The Story of Elizabeth of York”.

Penning a historical fiction novel centered on Elizabeth of York is a highly ambitious project on behalf of Wilcoxson as the somewhat-scant information surrounding Elizabeth’s individual person can result in a more fictional than historic take. Although this gives Wilcoxson the liberty to ‘create’ a true character; the risk is severely romanticized fluff.

Initially, “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” falls victim to this scenario to a certain degree. Wilcoxson introduces Elizabeth of York as a four-year-old child whom is much too mature for her age even in the times period in question fledging the novel on an unbelievable note. There is an essence of “trying too hard” mixes with a stiffness that is best described as Wilcoxson looking for her own confidence and style.

Also hindering the novel are the quick jumps in chronology which creates a choppy narrative and weakens the flow of “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen”. Those familiar with the history won’t find this to be overly detrimental but it can cause some confusion for the average reader.

The major downfall of Wilcoxson’s earlier writing is that the clear thesis is to make “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Bride” a character study novel rather than a sweeping historical drama. This fails as Elizabeth never truly cover alive or lets us into her psyche. This is certainly a direct result of an absence of historical documentation concerning Elizabeth’s private thoughts but it consequentially renders the plot flat.

Fortunately, these freshman jitters are calmed as “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” progresses and Wilcoxson finds a beautiful strength creating a page-turner. Even though the plot continues to not be overly dramatic with no clear climax; there is an addictive sense that can’t be pinpointed that is highlighted by Wilcoxson’s lovely literary language. “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” is oftentimes lush in imagery especially in its small details and quips.

For those readers against the historical fiction fluff; “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” doesn’t disappoint by sticking heavily to fact rather than speculation and not weaving a romance tale. “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” is the middle, Goldilocks soft spot of historical fiction narratives: not annoyingly contrived nor being too much like a history book. “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” is perfect for those readers whom prefer to lie in the middle of the spectrum.

That being said, Wilcoxson does retell some of the history surrounding Elizabeth of York ranging from Elizabeth’s feelings toward/views of her uncle Richard III, her husband Henry VII, and the disappearances of her brothers to details such as the possibility Arthur never consummated his marriage to Katherine of Aragon. These perspectives in “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” provide readers with alternate potential outcomes and rather than be misleading and arbitrary’ are intriguing and provoke thought and ‘what if’ analysis. Wilcoxson is amply skilled at adding color in a subtle manner to “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen”.

The concluding chapters of “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” feel somewhat rushed and thin; not giving Elizabeth a proper voice or representation. However, the finality is refreshing in that it is ‘different’ than its cotemporaries on the historical fiction shelves making it a memorable ending.
Wicoxson doesn’t -unfortunately for readers not versed on the subject) - provide any notes on the historical liberties taken but she does offer a few sources for additional reading.

Wilcoxson’s “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” is a respectable novel focusing on history and bringing Elizabeth of York to the limelight. Even with a shaky initial start; there is ‘something’ about Wilcoxson’s beautiful writing that is compelling and creates a page-turner. “Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen” is recommended for all English history lovers, particularly those interested in the Wars of the Roses.

[George1st · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction is an ever popular genre and in the last 20 years it can be argued, certainly in the UK that it has reached its zenith with such writers as Hilary Mantel, C J Sansom and Alison Weir. Combining known facts, the author's interpretation of the facts together with the imagining of what might have happened and have been said, done well it will give the reader both an entertaining read and an increase level of knowledge that they may now use to seek out further information of the subject and characters portrayed. A welcome addition to this genre is the American writer Samantha J Wilcoxson who has produced a series of books in the The Plantagenet Embers series.

In the Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen the author looks at the life of Elizabeth of York whose marriage to Henry Tudor was instrumental in uniting the country and ending the War of the Roses that had torn the nation apart. This is to say the least a complicated story with the continual fighting for supremacy between the Houses of York and Lancaster together with internal fighting within the respective Houses and the continual shifting of the loyalties of noblemen between them. However the author will navigate the reader through this tortuous tale of ever changing alliances and Machiavellian intrigue.

It must be said that the central premise of the book regarding the identity of the person chiefly responsible for the murder and disappearance of the "Princess in the Tower" goes against the general presumption that they were killed by King Richard but there is enough doubt and ambiguity to add credence to other claims. Although of course it is the author who propagates their theory into their fictional account of true events it is ultimately up to the reader to check other sources and come to their own conclusion.

The style of writing is certainly most readable and this book is an entertaining read from beginning to end and it is clear that a considerable amount of research would have been undertaken. Without doubt after reading this book one is most tempted to seek out other historical fiction titles that have been penned by this author.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about the whole Tudor vs. York thing that sets people off like fireworks. While the Tudors have been quite socially fashionable for some time, the Yorks (or Plantagenets for purposes of this article), have their own share of fascination for lovers of history. The events surrounding the time these two dynasties collide, where one ends and one begins, is at the heart of the controversy – the period historians refer to as the Wars of the Roses. It has been broadly and exhaustively studied, researched, written about, argued over. It has even caused rifts between friends and colleagues!

Much of this attention has been focused primarily, and understandably so, on Edward IV, his youngest brother Richard III, Henry Tudor, and the host of cousins, supporters, and other wealthy noblemen of the day. These figures are big, dynamic, and natural targets for scrutiny. As such they also make accessible subjects for books since their lives and motives appear to be obvious and clear-cut despite the complexities that such claims seem to ignore. However, there is one person who tends to be neglected in this fight for attention: Elizabeth of York, daughter, niece, and wife to kings. Samantha Wilcoxson has made Elizabeth the subject of her book Planagenet Princess, Tudor Queen, a fictionalized look at this remarkable woman’s life and the role she played in the tumultuous events of the late 15th to early 16th Centuries. I think the book succeeds for several reasons.

First, the novel is a very personal account. The story immerses the reader in Elizabeth’s point of view. Events are filtered through Elizabeth’s eyes, through her perspective as filtered by her own experiences and personal knowledge. Elizabeth only knows what Elizabeth knows; she is dependent upon others for information and news of the world as it unfolds around her. Therefore she acts and interacts with her world based sometimes on faulty information and sometimes on truth. She is vulnerable to the whims of those with power over her, her family, and friends. Wilcoxson does a skillful job keeping Elizabeth (and therefore the reader) firmly rooted within the world of Elizabeth’s limited first-hand knowledge.

A second success for the novel is the process of character development. This aspect was a surprise and a true delight for me. Elizabeth starts out as a young, naïve girl, but she grows over the course of the book. She develops layers and complexities as her character is forged in the fire of living life with other complex and layered individuals. As she matures, she learns that no one situation and no single person is ever simple. And no person is perfect. Each person has parts of their personality that is at times honest and others devious, at times constructive and others destructive. These are most clearly seen in her interactions with her mother, Elizabeth Woodville, her uncle Richard, and finally and most compellingly with her husband, Henry Tudor.

And finally, in what is probably the book’s biggest success, is the masterful way Wilcoxson explains how Elizabeth can be the daughter of a king, experience chaotic familial trauma, then go on to make a successful marriage with the man who essentially annihilated her family. I admit to beginning the book skeptical of how this would be pulled off. I had no prior love for Henry Tudor, and I was wary of “what side” would be chosen. But the book made me at varying times angry with, then compassionate towards, and finally indifferent to the man I formerly only despised. A writer who can lead a reader through such a variety of emotions over one character has accomplished a Herculean task. How Wilcoxson manages this is not subject to my review so as to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that the journey is highly plausible and very authentic.

Lovers of all things Tudor and those of all things Plantagenet (York) will find common ground in this book, and hopefully will even gain an appreciation for new perspectives as I did.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

03/24/17: Expanded on items that I liked. Kept the rating the same.

There are few books on Elizabeth of York, and all of them I've read, well...let's just say they left a bad taste in my mouth for one reason or another. Samantha Wilcoxson's take on this overlooked Plantagenet Princess is by far the best that I've read; in fact, it's the only one I actually enjoyed reading. That isn't to say that it doesn't have flaws of its own, however (otherwise I certainly would have given it five stars)

The Good:

-The portrayal of Henry and Elizabeth's marriage. Though it was an arranged match, they grew to love one another and had a (mostly) happy and fulfilled married life. History seems to support this; Henry VII never took a mistress while married to Elizabeth. I believe there are accounts of how they consoled each other after their son Arthur died. I was thrilled to finally see a happy take on their marriage. It's certainly not a sickly sweet perfect marriage, though. There is a time where Elizabeth grows distant from Henry, an action I find completely justifiable considering the circumstances.

-Elizabeth's character development. I wasn't too sympathetic to her at first; she seemed like a spoiled princess who was busy throwing tantrums because something wasn't going her way. Luckily she doesn't stay that way, and through the years she more resembles the kind-hearted, generous queen that history portrays her as. There are times when I got frustrated with her for being too passive with Henry, but that also appears to be true to real life.

-Gray Characters. There are no saints or demons here. Richard III is not the hunchback of Shakespeare, but the story does not shy from the fact that he had Anthony Woodville and Sir Richard Grey (Elizabeth's uncle and half-brother) executed. Henry loves Elizabeth and appears to be an attentive father to their children, yet he can be ruthless when making decisions as king. Elizabeth Woodville is constantly scheming, yet on her deathbed regrets some of her decisions. Even Margaret Beaufort (more on her later) is not totally without merit: it's correctly mentioned that Margaret aided Elizabeth's sister Cecily after the younger woman married without the King's permission.

-Without giving too much away about it: the ending was beautiful.


The Not-So-Good:

-One glaring error that I immediately found when reading: The Duke of Buckingham is seen at court in March of 1484. Since he was executed in November 1483, that's impossible unless he was a zombie. No other large errors that I spotted.

-The tired "Elizabeth was in love with Uncle Dickon" cliche. Where in the world did this idea come from, and why does every author writing about the War of the Roses insist on using it? I understand that this is an age where cousins married all the time, but even in those days a niece/uncle marriage was too much of a squick factor. I have a hard time believing Elizabeth felt that way about her uncle, and I was extremely disappointed that this novel went that route. Luckily it wasn't the main focus of the story, though it did pop up more than was necessary.

-The treatment of Margaret Beaufort. Why must authors insist on maligning this remarkable woman? She seems to be a convenient scapegoat when someone does not want to blame Richard III (namely regarding the Princes in the Tower). Who in their right mind would have allowed her (the mother of an exile who aimed at being king, mind you) access to the Princes? That felt so out of place. Either the author is a Ricardian (which, if she is, she is remarkably non-biased toward Henry VII, so kudos for that), or she was pandering to Ricardians who would be up in arms if dear Richard was revealed to have ordered them killed. I long to see Margaret portrayed positively for once!


Those "Not so Good" items knocked my rating down to 4 stars, but it was still a worthwhile read, especially if you're eager for a book on Elizabeth of York that doesn't scandalize every aspect of her life. From what I can tell, the next novel on Margaret Pole is even better, so I look forward to reading that in the future.

[Rebekah Giese Witherspoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I’ve never given any thought to the history of England from 1470 to 1503. And prior to reading this book, my knowledge of the Tudor monarchy was limited to documentaries that I’ve watched about the infamous Henry VIII and his many wives. This historical novel gives a fascinating glimpse of the life of Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor queen and mother of Henry VIII.

Elizabeth was portrayed as a kind, lovely person and I enjoyed spending time with her. In the world that she lived in, when a man’s word was law in his home and the king’s word was law in England, she achieved an amazing balance – yielding when possible without becoming a passive pawn in the cruel political games that surrounded her. She extended all of the compassion and kindness that it was in her power to give and then she left the rest to God.

Some portions of the novel truly transported me to another time, another place, another world. Other portions seemed as though they had been copied and pasted from a history book and, although I admire the historical accuracy of the novel, those passages seemed rather dry and lacking in good storytelling.

Both the third person narration and the dialogue were written in modern language and, although anachronistic, I think this was an excellent choice. After all, who would want to read a book filled with dialogue such as the following (I lifted this passage from a book by Thomas Malory that was published in 1485): “Wherefore make ye such dole?” said the lady. “I wot not,” said Pellinore, “but my heart mourneth sore of the death of her, for she was a passing fair lady and a young.”

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a digital advance review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Noor-hal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book! Definitely superior to "The White Princess". This book is endearing, yet unbiased. It shows us that in History, sometimes the characters move in grey shadows rather than being totally good or bad. I enjoyed how the author covered from Elizabeth's childhood to her death in such an inspiring manner. Daughter, sister, niece, wife and mother of Kings of England, most of the time overlooked by historical fiction. Definitely a must-read.

[Andrea Waech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this book. The characters were so well written, I felt like I was right there with Elizabeth as she goes from Princess to Queen. I also enjoyed the care the author took with the love story between king and queen, you could feel love and respect without it turning into a romance book. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I firmly believe that one of the indications of a good book is when you are sad to see it coming to an end, when it makes you anxious for the authors next book. Mrs. Wilcoxson made history fascinating and her characters became alive and leapt off the page. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good read and I certainly look forward to her next book.

[Nancy McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult story

I had trouble with this story and I'm not sure why really. The main character, Elizabeth of York, seemed on one hand to be self-centered and vain and in love with her married uncle. Then she is characterized as kind, generous and quite religious. Whiplash, literary style. Then throw in several characters all with the same names and its easy to get confused.

[Lori Czinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mother of Henry VIII





Despite the fact that it was a Romance novel as opposed to a historical story, I found myself very entertained by the imagery that the author evoked with her words. Very enjoyable to read.

[Margaret Gaylord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Rich in detail, this story is well written and entertaining. The focus on Queen Elizabeth gives a full view of well known historical events, but through an important woman's eyes.

[william m ernst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read.

A great, fast read. I enjoyed every moment I had the pleasure to spend reading it. It is truly amazing how little is known about the mother of Henry the eighth.