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The Rose of Middleham
When a young blacksmith’s daughter arrives at Middleham Castle in the north of England little did she know that it was here that she would meet and fall in love with one of the most powerful and enigmatic men of the Fifteenth Century. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later to become King Richard III, takes possession of the castle upon his marriage to a wealthy heiress but this does nothing to diminish the love Christiana has for him. She bears the duke an illegitimate son and against all odds continues to live and work as a servant within the castle walls. Christiana’s devotion spans twenty four years and follows Richard’s fortunes from the north of England to the battlefields of the Wars of the Roses and his ultimate death. Christiana’s story does not end with the death of the king and she finds it within herself to carry on despite being a woman alone and destitute until she eventually finds the love and happiness that had always existed but never acknowledged. Based upon historical fact and recent new evidence that has come to light since the discovery of the mortal remains of Richard III this is a story that weaves a rich tapestry of life in Medieval England and portrays the much-maligned figure of King Richard in a more favourable light.
678 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 22, 2015
In all honesty I (mildly) liked this novel; it was a light and enjoyable read about Richard III and his peasant mistress who (sigh) never stopped loving him. Oh my where have I heard that before? The theory of Richard III having a devoted mistress who never truly forgets him is certainly not a prevalent theme in this or other novels on the matter....
Take this for what it is a sweet, poignant but sometimes clichéd and predictable story about a unjustly disgraced medieval king and his ever faithful and demure mistress/companion who stays by his side till the end.
If this sounds eerily familiar it's because the Rose of Middleham follows then same formula as A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith, By Loyalty Bound by Elizabeth Ashworth and We Speak No Treason by Rosemary Hawley Jarman. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; loads of historical novels follow a similar albeit romanticised perspective of the extra-martial relationships of medieval kings. Heck it's the status quo in historical romance.
However, I'm going put on my honesty hat right now and say that after three novels of Richard pining adoringly for his lost (true) love of peasant stock and never really coming to terms with the loss, such idealised romance between a crowned king and a humble peasant gets real old real fast. Call me a cynic with jade tinted glasses but the pessimist in me cant really buy the idea of a king with terrible responsibilities and ambiguous dilemmas moping around half the time over a teenage love affair that occurred years ago. I mean priorities of kingship, foreign policy and religious affairs have to have SOME level of commitment from the king, amirite?
Please don't take this the wrong way. Although it may sound like I'm criticising the Rose of Middleham somewhat sternly, I will stress that I enjoyed the book overall and found it a charming if idealised read. It may be that I'm at Richard III overload and should need to take a break from the much maligned (rightly/wrongly?) last King of the Plantagenet dynasty. Its probably not the books fault though in fairness. I'm not the biggest fan of romance by any stretch of the imagination and this has probably coloured my views of it somewhat.
Onto the review!
The main story line of TRoM is very simple. It chronicles the life of Christiana Smith, the daughter of a blacksmith (duh), from her early childhood in York during the upheavals of the 1460s, her settlement in Middleham with father Alfred and adopted brother William, her meeting and growing friendship with the future Richard III, the birth of her son john by Richard, her service to Anne Neville Richards wife, the rise of the Woodvilles in King Edward IV's court and finally Richards controversial tenure as King and his end at Bosworth. So yeah its fairly standard stuff all the way through; no wild historical events are implemented into the plot and no historical figures are either portrayed as wholly bad or wholly good (although Elizabeth Woodville got a raw deal in this IMHO).
I cannot stress how this is not an action-based novel. Apart from the rare battle scene, the focus is firmly on the life and hardships of Christiana as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Richard with her low social station. This does not make for a fast-paced or wildly engrossing experience. Instead it is measured, leisurely and fairly sedate. A nice afternoon read but hardly stirring stuff. It can though get somewhat slow at times especially towards the end. Its very calm but then again this wont appeal to everyone.
Character wise, I thought that while Christiana was a sweet and sincere protagonist with intelligence and a lively nature, she did at times veer dangerously close to Mary-Sue territory with the occasional foray over the line. But on the whole I greatly preferred her character over that of Kate Bywood, a character who really should have been called Mary-Sue. She was kind, helpful but seriously clueless over nearly every major issue and relationship in her life which just exasperating. Her eventual acceptance of William (her adopted brother) in the end felt very forced and unbelievable to me frankly. But still I though she was a moderately good character in her own right, one loyal and devoted to Richard, their son John and William, her future husband. However, I have to admit that her undying and idealistic love of Richard and the endless despair it caused her grew very annoying and aggravating as time went on. Seriously, why couldn't Christiana ever be realistic about Richard? She's so naive in that aspect.
Richard was very well-done IMHO. Here was a quiet, sombre, devout yet proud and determined young man who fought in several pitched battles, went into wiling exile with his older brother Edward, became Constable of England at 19 and fought back at the Scots when they invaded England. However we see a much more personal and kindly look at Richard through the eyes of the rather besotted Christiana and the much more grudging William. Both recognise him as a genuinely decent and pious man struggling against violent politics and crumbling base of loyal supporters. His relationship with Anne Neville (who is portrayed with humanity and sympathy again something lacking in A Rose for the Crown) is especially warm.
William likewise remains a favoured character of mine although I do find it somewhat odd that he actually developed feelings for Christiana even though they were raised as brother and sister from age seven. William can be considered as somewhat as a foil to Christiana. Although in love with her, he is prepared and willing to move on with his life; only the machinations of medieval life (and the authors ultimate agenda) prevent this. His devotion to Richard is admirable and throughout the novel he serves as the voice of reason and logic. His care of John of Gloucester definitely earns brownie points in my opinion.
Now Ralph Hodkin...
HE'S HISTORYS GREATEST MONSTER!
Look I'm aware that all good novels need an antagonist who goes out of his way to make the protagonists life a living hell (maybe) but I felt that the portrayal of Ralph Hodkins was really an evil caricature at best. Sure he was a violent sadist/rapist and I wanted to jab his eyes out with a rusty fork but sadly he was poorly developed as a character and we never really understand why he hated Christiana so much. A truly evil character is a complicated and intriguing creature who although you may hate his soul to the depth of hell still excites your hatred and passion (Joffrey Baratheon, anyone?). Ralph Hodkins fails as an antagonist because there's no underlying motives or subtleties about him; he's the classic cardboard cut-out rapist/villain who's there solely as a foil to the protagonists good nature. He is evil and despicable but we never know why.
I did have other issues with the novel that annoyed me greatly.
One: Cicely Neville admits that Edward IV was fathered by an archer and therefore a bastard. Hmmm so you're saying that Richard duke of York was A-OK in raising a bastard child of his wife's to succeed him instead a son of his own? No me gusta!
Two: Richard Grey, the son of Queen Elizabeth Woodville by her first, Grey, husband is referred to as Earl Anthony Greys (Elizabeth's brother) half-brother when he was I fact his nephew!
Three: What the heck happened to the Princes? No really its never resolved!
I would recommend The Rose of Middleham as it was a fun, enjoyable albeit flawed and somewhat sappy story.
Happy reading!
December 14, 2021
Another Mary Sue loved by Richard III.
First I must confess that I bought this book because I saw on Amazon that it was extremely well valued, a decision that I honestly regret.
*SPOILERS*
The book tells the story of Cristiana who is blacksmith's daughter she has an adoptive brother called William and the family goes to live to Middleham Castle, there Cristiana will learn about the herbalist who will become Cristiana's best friend almost a mother to her, the book will explore how could have been the life in a huge and very rich Castle like Middleham, the festivities, the daily problems, the hard work that is made there, the organization, this part is well researched and it's very descriptive, indeed most of the story is about this, what can be enjoyable in the beginning but there is a moment when this become boring.
Cristiana will met Richard III while both are children so in this book she will be his playmate and childhood sweetheart, their encounters are always magical coincidences and will remain that way throughout the book,there is NOTHING plausible here much less logical, Richard you know is the King's younger brother but he spends his time disguising himself as a poor boy, to be with Cristiana in commoner festivals and leave the Castle as if nothing, while Cristiana is always at the right time right place to be with him by "casualty", of course that there is a moment when the countess forbiddes this and they "hide" the friendship what they do terribly bad, they are always having inappropriate conversations for their status in front of everyone, touching each other and she calling him Richard just like that, but suddenly nobody cares (one day they did care other not ). In one of those magical encounters they share a passionate moment and she got pregnant, but few days after that great moment Richard leaves the castle while problems hit the Kingdom, and he never show a single clue of real worriness for Cristiana no a single letter nothing ,here I will add that the book does a good job showing the historical events at least some of them but at the same time those events reaches to Cristiana's ears in a unrealistic way, the book is not telling in first person but it would seem that yes, is just in some parts that goes to show us part of what happened in battles like barnet or Tewkesbury through William, the funny thing is that exactly the book show us how Richard genuinely pursues Anne Neville, later they married and go back to Middleham, Cristiana rejected the best possible match (what a surprise ! Said no one never) and she goes around the castle with her son Jhon, Richard know about his son not long ago and of course is a "great" man very attached to Cristiana but basically ignores Jhon and Cristiana for years leaving the kid running around like nothing else but a servant's son, just suddenly he is like " oh I have a bastard let's educate him next to my heir" Lol. Of course there is tension in the plot when Richard showing temper sends Cristiana to other place but nothing to worry as everyone can imagine, for a STUPID reason she will not leave (Anne did it possible, why? Because the girl knows about plants! ha ha ha) things keep moving Jhon of course is the perfect son while "Eddy" is the sickly boy (where I heard that before ? Oh yes in 4 or 5 books) Cristiana not just got the opportunity to stay but now improve her position and has the opportunity to stay closer to Richard (there is none so lucky in this universe), that won't help to Richard's reputation because everyone is saying that Anne rejected him in her bed so he goes to Cristiana's that's why she is still in Middleham, he heard that gossip and he is like:"Damn they are very right , but hey I'm not sleeping with Cristiana I would love to but I'm faithful and excellent husband (sure you are, ignoring your wife often ), now let me go to tell Cristiana this gossip "(why? To the hell with the logic is good for the plot) and he is like: did you know that Anne rejected me in the bed? and she is like "oh no what a bad news " and he is gone ,again HA HA HA ...Are you telling me that the lord of the north, the noble most powerful of england is listening and carrying gossip in his own castle?ooook what a believable argument ...(Richard III kept perfect personal reputation but it's more important make Cristiana participate in the plot and made her kept the hope of her stupid impossible love ), once Richard took the crown things become about bad boys bad girls and witchcraft to the boring and fool style, Elizabeth does just bad things, Richard is so sweet and innocent that let himself manipulate for Buckingham very easy, Cristiana is around with her perfection waiting Anne's death to jump in Richard's bed, he dies and Cristiana ends with William (WEIRD!) having her happy ever after.
If you can enjoy this as a childish fairytale without logic and innacurate this is your book, for me the plot was stupid and apart from that there are many absurd things that spoil the story for me:
* Cristiana can't stop weeping for the lost of Richard during years (and he was still alive) but immediately after her father's death she is laughing around with a boy that she didn't even like but enjoy being with him, seriously? By the way was a sweet father that she loved.
*Cristiana and William grown up as brother and sister but since she is very young he has sexualized feelings towards her and she also feel things , perhaps it could have worked in the plot but is not well done and ended being disgusting.
*Cristiana never learned her place and everyone is ok about it, when was about dicipline and behaviour that castle seemed a XXI century house sometimes.
*Anne Neville loved like crazy Edward of Lancaster without explanation but she loved him and she married Richard the man who was accused of murdered him and who she has not seen in years , why ? No idea, she didn't like Richard, and she doesn't even care her position, but she married him and suddenly she loves him just like that, witouth process or real reason.
*I don't know if Richard was a lier, bipolar or the author didn't know which way choose, first the book tell us he really cared and loved Cristiana and for him Anne was just a child, but once he leaves Cristiana and Middleham, he never showed any care for her, he was an important and rich man but he never sent her money, a letter or sent for her, I mean he had the chances but not even a single visit when he was able to do it, he could have easily took her install her in a nice house and live a happy romance with her, but he didn't do a single thing, so please tell me where was his love?, when he returns to Middleham she is not a priority and that's very clear no even a "hello" or, hey let's talk we have a child (and they were living under the same roof¡) in this part I didn't understand how this stupid girl could have kept dreaming about him, literally he treated her as a whore that he used once, at that point she was the mother of his child ¡ and "he loved her" (acording to the book) but he let her as a servant and a lower one, who was constantly insulted for having slept with him, and Richard was acting like if she didn't exist, in the other hand he was truly concerned about Anne (this is what the book shows) even feeling jealousy because she cries her death husband and is ignoring him, without leaving Anne a second he married her not just for lands he also has feelings for her ( or that's what we should believe ) but they never seem more than a political marriage most of the time, anyway the true is that he didn't care his son Jhon or Cristiana until they met alone by a magic casualty and he is drunk , so he tell his love for Cristina with something like " oh I'm under your spell" but when he reaches home he runs to kiss and embrace Anne like crazy, but during his marriage he never sttoped sending hot glaces to Cristiana just glaces because he truly cared nothing what was she doing or where she was, at end after Anne's death literally soon after, he gave Cristiana an speach type " Anne was my dear wife but was nothing , truly she was nothing but my duty, because the lands and my position forced me to her (well the book made an effort showing me the opposite , so could someone tell what the freaking true is?!), my love has been always you, oh god I loved you since the first time I saw you (Let me tell you dear Richard that your way of loving is very strange....) come on let's have sex now " the same speach that you can read in " a rose for the crown" " by loyalty bound" or "Desmond's daughter" (there is not something that forbidess the authors uses the exactly same things ?) truly if this was supposed to be a love triangle didn't work, if it was not then I have no idea what was the author trying to do, the love story between Richard and Cristiana was never plausible and I didn't believe he loved her or Anne or that someone loved someone and in general the relationships were empty and silly.
Other thing it's funny but the earl of Warwick is super important in the first part of the book but we don't even get to know him in any sense, the same with George, Isabella Neville , Elizabeth of York or Elizabeth Woodwille, they are important for the plot and used much but you have no idea of how are they. The characters that we "get to know" are all unidimensional and not believable, Anne Neville is a child controlled by mommy or a lady, she never changed, when she is dying she still behaving as the 8 years old girl that was when the book started, Richard is almost the prince from Cinderella at least in words and in Cristiana's mind but sometimes can be little bit crazy just for the huge love that he feels for Cristiana (don't think bad), the problem with him is that the book insisted on how good perfect he was but this was never showed, Countess Anne petulant and fool, Martha lovely person, William rude man in love, everyone is too good or too bad but everyone absolutely everyone is BORING.
The book starts super slow and just when is improving Cristiana becomes the typical Mary Sue, she is incredible beautiful, educated ( how ? No idea but she is), good person, and everyone falls on love with her, Richard III of course, the other men in the castle, even her "brother" , her father is lovely (incredible patient for the time) even he found that his princess was pregnant at 14 years old and he still was so understanding and kind.Anne is very fond to her to the level of madness ( why? No idea, they rarely talk each other) and yes everything happens to her, and she is always weeping for Richard not even her father's death hurt her that much, she is so pathetic and perfect that can't be likable. And I think the worst thing is that Cristiana cries and suffers the whole book in a desperate way, all for Richard's love, which is not only ridiculous but also imposible to understand, you never really see where Cristiana's love comes from or how it is that someone has so little self-esteem, I wanted to scream at her, Girl get a life!
Honestly speaking I bought this book, after reading "Roan Rose" by Juliet Waldron which gave me the hope that was possible to make a good book about Richard III from the perspective of Richard's mistress because Juliet Waldron did it possible ,but "the rose of Middleham" didn't work, this book falls into the same mistakes as the other books about this argument (a rose for the crown, by loyalty bound, Desmond's daughter) wanting to fit the known historical facts of Richard III with an absurd love story, that challenges these facts and changes his known life , what is like wanting to put a round key in a square hole, the result is disastrous and it also turn Richard III into a cloying fool who lives an absurd fantasy instead of doing the things he really did like administering justice, being a respected soldier, the king in turbulent times, at the end this was a great disappointment.
Maybe I'm just not the right audience for this type of novel because I really believe that if you choose historical figures, you must respect the facts or at least make a story good enough that it is worth it.
First I must confess that I bought this book because I saw on Amazon that it was extremely well valued, a decision that I honestly regret.
*SPOILERS*
The book tells the story of Cristiana who is blacksmith's daughter she has an adoptive brother called William and the family goes to live to Middleham Castle, there Cristiana will learn about the herbalist who will become Cristiana's best friend almost a mother to her, the book will explore how could have been the life in a huge and very rich Castle like Middleham, the festivities, the daily problems, the hard work that is made there, the organization, this part is well researched and it's very descriptive, indeed most of the story is about this, what can be enjoyable in the beginning but there is a moment when this become boring.
Cristiana will met Richard III while both are children so in this book she will be his playmate and childhood sweetheart, their encounters are always magical coincidences and will remain that way throughout the book,there is NOTHING plausible here much less logical, Richard you know is the King's younger brother but he spends his time disguising himself as a poor boy, to be with Cristiana in commoner festivals and leave the Castle as if nothing, while Cristiana is always at the right time right place to be with him by "casualty", of course that there is a moment when the countess forbiddes this and they "hide" the friendship what they do terribly bad, they are always having inappropriate conversations for their status in front of everyone, touching each other and she calling him Richard just like that, but suddenly nobody cares (one day they did care other not ). In one of those magical encounters they share a passionate moment and she got pregnant, but few days after that great moment Richard leaves the castle while problems hit the Kingdom, and he never show a single clue of real worriness for Cristiana no a single letter nothing ,here I will add that the book does a good job showing the historical events at least some of them but at the same time those events reaches to Cristiana's ears in a unrealistic way, the book is not telling in first person but it would seem that yes, is just in some parts that goes to show us part of what happened in battles like barnet or Tewkesbury through William, the funny thing is that exactly the book show us how Richard genuinely pursues Anne Neville, later they married and go back to Middleham, Cristiana rejected the best possible match (what a surprise ! Said no one never) and she goes around the castle with her son Jhon, Richard know about his son not long ago and of course is a "great" man very attached to Cristiana but basically ignores Jhon and Cristiana for years leaving the kid running around like nothing else but a servant's son, just suddenly he is like " oh I have a bastard let's educate him next to my heir" Lol. Of course there is tension in the plot when Richard showing temper sends Cristiana to other place but nothing to worry as everyone can imagine, for a STUPID reason she will not leave (Anne did it possible, why? Because the girl knows about plants! ha ha ha) things keep moving Jhon of course is the perfect son while "Eddy" is the sickly boy (where I heard that before ? Oh yes in 4 or 5 books) Cristiana not just got the opportunity to stay but now improve her position and has the opportunity to stay closer to Richard (there is none so lucky in this universe), that won't help to Richard's reputation because everyone is saying that Anne rejected him in her bed so he goes to Cristiana's that's why she is still in Middleham, he heard that gossip and he is like:"Damn they are very right , but hey I'm not sleeping with Cristiana I would love to but I'm faithful and excellent husband (sure you are, ignoring your wife often ), now let me go to tell Cristiana this gossip "(why? To the hell with the logic is good for the plot) and he is like: did you know that Anne rejected me in the bed? and she is like "oh no what a bad news " and he is gone ,again HA HA HA ...Are you telling me that the lord of the north, the noble most powerful of england is listening and carrying gossip in his own castle?ooook what a believable argument ...(Richard III kept perfect personal reputation but it's more important make Cristiana participate in the plot and made her kept the hope of her stupid impossible love ), once Richard took the crown things become about bad boys bad girls and witchcraft to the boring and fool style, Elizabeth does just bad things, Richard is so sweet and innocent that let himself manipulate for Buckingham very easy, Cristiana is around with her perfection waiting Anne's death to jump in Richard's bed, he dies and Cristiana ends with William (WEIRD!) having her happy ever after.
If you can enjoy this as a childish fairytale without logic and innacurate this is your book, for me the plot was stupid and apart from that there are many absurd things that spoil the story for me:
* Cristiana can't stop weeping for the lost of Richard during years (and he was still alive) but immediately after her father's death she is laughing around with a boy that she didn't even like but enjoy being with him, seriously? By the way was a sweet father that she loved.
*Cristiana and William grown up as brother and sister but since she is very young he has sexualized feelings towards her and she also feel things , perhaps it could have worked in the plot but is not well done and ended being disgusting.
*Cristiana never learned her place and everyone is ok about it, when was about dicipline and behaviour that castle seemed a XXI century house sometimes.
*Anne Neville loved like crazy Edward of Lancaster without explanation but she loved him and she married Richard the man who was accused of murdered him and who she has not seen in years , why ? No idea, she didn't like Richard, and she doesn't even care her position, but she married him and suddenly she loves him just like that, witouth process or real reason.
*I don't know if Richard was a lier, bipolar or the author didn't know which way choose, first the book tell us he really cared and loved Cristiana and for him Anne was just a child, but once he leaves Cristiana and Middleham, he never showed any care for her, he was an important and rich man but he never sent her money, a letter or sent for her, I mean he had the chances but not even a single visit when he was able to do it, he could have easily took her install her in a nice house and live a happy romance with her, but he didn't do a single thing, so please tell me where was his love?, when he returns to Middleham she is not a priority and that's very clear no even a "hello" or, hey let's talk we have a child (and they were living under the same roof¡) in this part I didn't understand how this stupid girl could have kept dreaming about him, literally he treated her as a whore that he used once, at that point she was the mother of his child ¡ and "he loved her" (acording to the book) but he let her as a servant and a lower one, who was constantly insulted for having slept with him, and Richard was acting like if she didn't exist, in the other hand he was truly concerned about Anne (this is what the book shows) even feeling jealousy because she cries her death husband and is ignoring him, without leaving Anne a second he married her not just for lands he also has feelings for her ( or that's what we should believe ) but they never seem more than a political marriage most of the time, anyway the true is that he didn't care his son Jhon or Cristiana until they met alone by a magic casualty and he is drunk , so he tell his love for Cristina with something like " oh I'm under your spell" but when he reaches home he runs to kiss and embrace Anne like crazy, but during his marriage he never sttoped sending hot glaces to Cristiana just glaces because he truly cared nothing what was she doing or where she was, at end after Anne's death literally soon after, he gave Cristiana an speach type " Anne was my dear wife but was nothing , truly she was nothing but my duty, because the lands and my position forced me to her (well the book made an effort showing me the opposite , so could someone tell what the freaking true is?!), my love has been always you, oh god I loved you since the first time I saw you (Let me tell you dear Richard that your way of loving is very strange....) come on let's have sex now " the same speach that you can read in " a rose for the crown" " by loyalty bound" or "Desmond's daughter" (there is not something that forbidess the authors uses the exactly same things ?) truly if this was supposed to be a love triangle didn't work, if it was not then I have no idea what was the author trying to do, the love story between Richard and Cristiana was never plausible and I didn't believe he loved her or Anne or that someone loved someone and in general the relationships were empty and silly.
Other thing it's funny but the earl of Warwick is super important in the first part of the book but we don't even get to know him in any sense, the same with George, Isabella Neville , Elizabeth of York or Elizabeth Woodwille, they are important for the plot and used much but you have no idea of how are they. The characters that we "get to know" are all unidimensional and not believable, Anne Neville is a child controlled by mommy or a lady, she never changed, when she is dying she still behaving as the 8 years old girl that was when the book started, Richard is almost the prince from Cinderella at least in words and in Cristiana's mind but sometimes can be little bit crazy just for the huge love that he feels for Cristiana (don't think bad), the problem with him is that the book insisted on how good perfect he was but this was never showed, Countess Anne petulant and fool, Martha lovely person, William rude man in love, everyone is too good or too bad but everyone absolutely everyone is BORING.
The book starts super slow and just when is improving Cristiana becomes the typical Mary Sue, she is incredible beautiful, educated ( how ? No idea but she is), good person, and everyone falls on love with her, Richard III of course, the other men in the castle, even her "brother" , her father is lovely (incredible patient for the time) even he found that his princess was pregnant at 14 years old and he still was so understanding and kind.Anne is very fond to her to the level of madness ( why? No idea, they rarely talk each other) and yes everything happens to her, and she is always weeping for Richard not even her father's death hurt her that much, she is so pathetic and perfect that can't be likable. And I think the worst thing is that Cristiana cries and suffers the whole book in a desperate way, all for Richard's love, which is not only ridiculous but also imposible to understand, you never really see where Cristiana's love comes from or how it is that someone has so little self-esteem, I wanted to scream at her, Girl get a life!
Honestly speaking I bought this book, after reading "Roan Rose" by Juliet Waldron which gave me the hope that was possible to make a good book about Richard III from the perspective of Richard's mistress because Juliet Waldron did it possible ,but "the rose of Middleham" didn't work, this book falls into the same mistakes as the other books about this argument (a rose for the crown, by loyalty bound, Desmond's daughter) wanting to fit the known historical facts of Richard III with an absurd love story, that challenges these facts and changes his known life , what is like wanting to put a round key in a square hole, the result is disastrous and it also turn Richard III into a cloying fool who lives an absurd fantasy instead of doing the things he really did like administering justice, being a respected soldier, the king in turbulent times, at the end this was a great disappointment.
Maybe I'm just not the right audience for this type of novel because I really believe that if you choose historical figures, you must respect the facts or at least make a story good enough that it is worth it.
October 30, 2015
I was a little taken aback to see so many five star reviews of this book on Amazon. Overall I found it quite readable up to a point, but it was increasingly predictable in the various machinations in Christiana's personal daily life. Any reader would realise she was never going to marry anyone else because as she constantly made clear, her love for Richard made it impossible for her to do so. There were various problems for me with the book. Firstly it was way too long and often tedious. Frankly I grew a tad tired of Christiana's endless anguish and her constant weeping and agonising over her hopeless love for Richard that lasted throughout the book. For an allegedly strong character she took nobody else's advice and was always manoeuvring ways to meet Richard or be in the same place as Richard over the years. I wanted to tell her to get a life! Her misery never ceased! Obviously the historical facts cannot be changed so it is a sad tale at best and Richard's end was simply awful to read through. The fate of the princes in the tower just sort of faded away. I was taken aback when Richard's mother actually told him that his brother Edward was a bastard as his father was an archer she had an affair with. Correct me if I am wrong but surely that rumour was never historically proven. The herbal cures were interesting to read about but the endless misery just went on and on and on. The ending came abruptly to a close as Christiana, who could not ever love anyone but Richard who was her forever love..... found her 'brother' William at last, (for he was missing after the battle and presumed dead) she up and vowed her undying love for him. Say again! Where did that come from???? Presumably they then lived "happily ever after"
July 27, 2025
Another book with a fictional mistress of Richard III.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Christiana is the beautiful daughter of a blacksmith who finds himself working at Middleham under the Earl of Warwick. So she meets the young Richard, Duke of Gloucester and becomes, as it appears, her only friend and later lover for a single brief encounter when the two are 16 years old. Soon after Richard has to leave Middleham and Christiana, pregnant with his son John, doesn't see him in years. When he comes back he is married to Anne Neville, and seems to care for her. But when Anne dies magically the two rekindle their romance and Richard proclaims he loved only her for all his life. In the end she marries her adopted brother William, which was frankly disgusting.
The main problem with this book is that there's nothing logical in it. Now, I understand the Cinderella kind of story may appeal to someone, but this book is supposed to be historical, not a fairy tale. Christiana and Richard's relationship is ludicrous. They always meet for magical reasons, she a blacksmith's daughter and he a royal Duke, always together in public, touching hands, having inappropriate conversations, leaving the Castle together under disguise. For all her life Christiana never learned her place or how to behave with nobles. 20 years later is still touching Queen Anne's hand or calling the King by his given name in front of others... and litterally NO ONE ever reprimanded her! Despite her social status she is educated and perfectly capable and at ease coversing with nobles and kings. At some point Anne promotes her as lady in waiting to her mother the "dowager" countess of Warwick (though SHE is the Countess of Warwick) for no given reasons, and despite knowing she is the mother of Richard's illegitimate son. Of course. A blacksmith's daughter. Lady in waiting to a Countess. Litterally.
But, moving on to what is supposed to be the main ingredient of the novel, namely the romance. The lack of social barriers left you perplexed? Nothing compared to the "great love" between Richard and Christiana. He litterally ignores her and his son for years, never show a single hint of affection, not a letter, a word, she is raped by a villain and he doesn't seek justice (contrary to what the novel wants us to believe rape was a serious offence, worth of the death penalty), he doesn't even seem to care. In the meantime he really seems to love and care for Anne. But then, in the end Christiana is the love of his life based on a youthful romp 20 years before??
As you might have guessed Christiana is a Mary Sue, so that no one, man or woman, can't fail to love her, befriend her and admire her. Really, she finds loyal and trusted friends like in 5 minutes.
Anyway Richard dies at Bosworth and here starts the final, long and boring section in which Christiana wanders for Leicester for a week in search of her son John and her "brother" William. Of course in the meantime she also finds a job and a new true friend, willing to risk anything for her.
In this book as well we find the ever present elements of books with Richard III's mistresses (hooray for creativity!): John of Gloucester is the perfect son resembling Richard, while "Eddy" is the sickly one resembling only Anne. Christiana has no self love, only lives for Richard and refuses the best match ever. The protagonist is an herbalist/expert of herbs and healing.
I won't go in depth into the historical accuracy, save a couple of things. Cecily Neville confesses that Edward IV is the son of an archer and Richard uses the notion to claim the throne. And at some point Anne Neville muses about her sister Isabel who was ever convinced it was witchcraft that brought the downfall and death of her husband George of Clarence. I leave it at that, draw your own conclusions.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Christiana is the beautiful daughter of a blacksmith who finds himself working at Middleham under the Earl of Warwick. So she meets the young Richard, Duke of Gloucester and becomes, as it appears, her only friend and later lover for a single brief encounter when the two are 16 years old. Soon after Richard has to leave Middleham and Christiana, pregnant with his son John, doesn't see him in years. When he comes back he is married to Anne Neville, and seems to care for her. But when Anne dies magically the two rekindle their romance and Richard proclaims he loved only her for all his life. In the end she marries her adopted brother William, which was frankly disgusting.
The main problem with this book is that there's nothing logical in it. Now, I understand the Cinderella kind of story may appeal to someone, but this book is supposed to be historical, not a fairy tale. Christiana and Richard's relationship is ludicrous. They always meet for magical reasons, she a blacksmith's daughter and he a royal Duke, always together in public, touching hands, having inappropriate conversations, leaving the Castle together under disguise. For all her life Christiana never learned her place or how to behave with nobles. 20 years later is still touching Queen Anne's hand or calling the King by his given name in front of others... and litterally NO ONE ever reprimanded her! Despite her social status she is educated and perfectly capable and at ease coversing with nobles and kings. At some point Anne promotes her as lady in waiting to her mother the "dowager" countess of Warwick (though SHE is the Countess of Warwick) for no given reasons, and despite knowing she is the mother of Richard's illegitimate son. Of course. A blacksmith's daughter. Lady in waiting to a Countess. Litterally.
But, moving on to what is supposed to be the main ingredient of the novel, namely the romance. The lack of social barriers left you perplexed? Nothing compared to the "great love" between Richard and Christiana. He litterally ignores her and his son for years, never show a single hint of affection, not a letter, a word, she is raped by a villain and he doesn't seek justice (contrary to what the novel wants us to believe rape was a serious offence, worth of the death penalty), he doesn't even seem to care. In the meantime he really seems to love and care for Anne. But then, in the end Christiana is the love of his life based on a youthful romp 20 years before??
As you might have guessed Christiana is a Mary Sue, so that no one, man or woman, can't fail to love her, befriend her and admire her. Really, she finds loyal and trusted friends like in 5 minutes.
Anyway Richard dies at Bosworth and here starts the final, long and boring section in which Christiana wanders for Leicester for a week in search of her son John and her "brother" William. Of course in the meantime she also finds a job and a new true friend, willing to risk anything for her.
In this book as well we find the ever present elements of books with Richard III's mistresses (hooray for creativity!): John of Gloucester is the perfect son resembling Richard, while "Eddy" is the sickly one resembling only Anne. Christiana has no self love, only lives for Richard and refuses the best match ever. The protagonist is an herbalist/expert of herbs and healing.
I won't go in depth into the historical accuracy, save a couple of things. Cecily Neville confesses that Edward IV is the son of an archer and Richard uses the notion to claim the throne. And at some point Anne Neville muses about her sister Isabel who was ever convinced it was witchcraft that brought the downfall and death of her husband George of Clarence. I leave it at that, draw your own conclusions.
April 27, 2017
How does this book average 4 stars? Boring and tedious! I fought to get through it. How is it that Christiana stays in love with someone her whole life who has very little interaction with her? She's always crying and pining for someone she barely talks to or sees. Pathetic and unbelievable character. Same could be said for her "brother"...gross.
March 13, 2021
A beautiful story of a servants girls love for Richard III
August 20, 2016
Excellent historical/ffiction based story of Richard lll
This is a wonderful story of King Richard lll, and many of the personages who may or maynot, since some of it is admittedly fiction, about the much melighned life of King Richard lll. The author did much research in writing this novel and is a member of the Richardlll society in Great Britain. It is also a truly romantic love story of a young girl who gave him her maidenhead when thy were both still young children, knowing all the while that he was of royal blood and she was not and thus they could never marry. She concieved at that one joining and bore him a healthy baby boy, thereafter referred too as the kings bastard son. It is a story of her undying love for him and their son. It is also intertwined with her life as a srvant to stay near to the man she loved, but entirely chaste, their son, her father and an adopted brother. It concludes when Richard is killed by the young Henry Tudor, and she struggles to find her son and brother. It is one of those books you literally cannot put down. Don't start t unless you have at least 12 hours to devote to your reading leisure. It is really that good and may change your mind about Richard lll forevernore. Enjoy!
This is a wonderful story of King Richard lll, and many of the personages who may or maynot, since some of it is admittedly fiction, about the much melighned life of King Richard lll. The author did much research in writing this novel and is a member of the Richardlll society in Great Britain. It is also a truly romantic love story of a young girl who gave him her maidenhead when thy were both still young children, knowing all the while that he was of royal blood and she was not and thus they could never marry. She concieved at that one joining and bore him a healthy baby boy, thereafter referred too as the kings bastard son. It is a story of her undying love for him and their son. It is also intertwined with her life as a srvant to stay near to the man she loved, but entirely chaste, their son, her father and an adopted brother. It concludes when Richard is killed by the young Henry Tudor, and she struggles to find her son and brother. It is one of those books you literally cannot put down. Don't start t unless you have at least 12 hours to devote to your reading leisure. It is really that good and may change your mind about Richard lll forevernore. Enjoy!
May 29, 2016
I enjoyed this book a lot, but I do have a few problems with it. First, she very unfairly treats Elizabeth Woodville. Second, Richard and Anne Neville are one of my favorite historical couples. The whole premise of this novel kind of undermines that fact. I'm glad the author still has Richard have affection for Anne, though. Then, she has the pre-contract be true, as well as the fact that Edward IV was illegitimate. I believe neither of those. I also don't like the scene where Martha tries to make Christiana take herbs to get rid of her baby.
I probably made you think I hates this book, but I didn't!!!
I probably made you think I hates this book, but I didn't!!!
Read
October 22, 2016My first read of Richard III
Fast moving, well written,scholarly, good detail all makes for a fine read. Any who love English history must include this easy read in their reading list
Fast moving, well written,scholarly, good detail all makes for a fine read. Any who love English history must include this easy read in their reading list
March 9, 2016
Hard going , I kept on reading other books and then going back to it and tried again, but could not keep on with it to be honest.
Hope others enjoy it though.
Hope others enjoy it though.
Read
February 22, 2019Couldn’t finish it. The characters felt very one dimensional, and it just wasn’t working for me.
March 26, 2025
I have to begin with the ending. When in the green earth is a pseudo-incestuous relationship a good thing to use as the conclusion for your book?
Even though there's no DNA showing relationship, the two unlikely brother and sister figures suddenly fall so deeply in love they marry and have their own children? NO. Just, NO.
Moving backwards, the details of a simple(but beautiful, they're always beautiful) but vastly inferior from a social standing POV, daughter of the village blacksmith, meet and fall in love with the frail, handsome, Prince of the realm, Richard, Duke of Gloustcer (SP??). It can't happen. It wouldn't have happened. This is the true likeness of one is from Venus, the other owns Mars. Unlikely, impossible and not even faintly believable for a work of fiction/fantasy.
And then. Her entire life, she pines and mourns the loss of the love of her life? But of course, after one moment of sex beneath a rose bush, she gets pregnant, and that child, the bastard of the prince, later on is removed from his mother's home and raised in the castle??? PLOTTING. Where is the plotting?
It felt as though this book just got pulled together on a wing and a prayer, trying to meet a number of pages, (excessive at 600+) and throwing all these historical names about like dustmotes, hoping to find one or several that would stick.
Implausible.
It took the rings of momentous history and shattered them in an effort to be entertaining.
It failed.
I thought it was all pretty wishy-washy until the last plot mechanism tried to bring it all together and effect a happy ending: and wound up with a foul taste in my mouth for the assumption that such an in-bred joke of a relationship would ever, ever have been a reality.
Way too much stretch for me. The history of Richard 3 just doesn't support this nonsense.
Even though there's no DNA showing relationship, the two unlikely brother and sister figures suddenly fall so deeply in love they marry and have their own children? NO. Just, NO.
Moving backwards, the details of a simple(but beautiful, they're always beautiful) but vastly inferior from a social standing POV, daughter of the village blacksmith, meet and fall in love with the frail, handsome, Prince of the realm, Richard, Duke of Gloustcer (SP??). It can't happen. It wouldn't have happened. This is the true likeness of one is from Venus, the other owns Mars. Unlikely, impossible and not even faintly believable for a work of fiction/fantasy.
And then. Her entire life, she pines and mourns the loss of the love of her life? But of course, after one moment of sex beneath a rose bush, she gets pregnant, and that child, the bastard of the prince, later on is removed from his mother's home and raised in the castle??? PLOTTING. Where is the plotting?
It felt as though this book just got pulled together on a wing and a prayer, trying to meet a number of pages, (excessive at 600+) and throwing all these historical names about like dustmotes, hoping to find one or several that would stick.
Implausible.
It took the rings of momentous history and shattered them in an effort to be entertaining.
It failed.
I thought it was all pretty wishy-washy until the last plot mechanism tried to bring it all together and effect a happy ending: and wound up with a foul taste in my mouth for the assumption that such an in-bred joke of a relationship would ever, ever have been a reality.
Way too much stretch for me. The history of Richard 3 just doesn't support this nonsense.
September 11, 2021
Was sometimes confusing.......
I was always curious about the war of the roses, but didn't know slot about it. I have read other books and pieced together information but this one was good, want confusing about the British royalty in this 15th century novel is they all name their male children Edward, Henry, Richard, George and the females Anne, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary or Jane. So while reading this long book I was getting confused on who was marrying which cousin? Or was it sister-in-law? Way too many rules in the monarchy... Good historical read though.
I was always curious about the war of the roses, but didn't know slot about it. I have read other books and pieced together information but this one was good, want confusing about the British royalty in this 15th century novel is they all name their male children Edward, Henry, Richard, George and the females Anne, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary or Jane. So while reading this long book I was getting confused on who was marrying which cousin? Or was it sister-in-law? Way too many rules in the monarchy... Good historical read though.
September 1, 2017
I loved this book!
King Richard III in this book is how I always imagined him to be. Extremely loyal, brave and pious. Not perfect, no one is, but a good man. Those who were close to him reciprocated his loyalty and goodness.
King Richard III in this book is how I always imagined him to be. Extremely loyal, brave and pious. Not perfect, no one is, but a good man. Those who were close to him reciprocated his loyalty and goodness.
July 25, 2023
An immersive historical read
The wealth of historical details in this book made me feel immersed in the Middle Ages and the research is excellent. It clearly took the author some time to collect and compile this amount of knowledge. The details of Christiania’s life are well furnished in a believable way and she felt like a very real person. The same goes for other characters in the book who come from all walks of medieval society. It was sad, but very realistic, to read of the gulf of status dividing Christiana and Richard. My favourite part was early in the novel when Christiana was a herbalist apprentice, and the scenes in Richard III’s court.
The wealth of historical details in this book made me feel immersed in the Middle Ages and the research is excellent. It clearly took the author some time to collect and compile this amount of knowledge. The details of Christiania’s life are well furnished in a believable way and she felt like a very real person. The same goes for other characters in the book who come from all walks of medieval society. It was sad, but very realistic, to read of the gulf of status dividing Christiana and Richard. My favourite part was early in the novel when Christiana was a herbalist apprentice, and the scenes in Richard III’s court.
June 16, 2016
It was a nice light read with not too much new except for some characters.
May 23, 2016
Not too bad
I enjoyed the book well enough but it wasn't amazing or anything. It was just a romance novel written around known historical figures.
I enjoyed the book well enough but it wasn't amazing or anything. It was just a romance novel written around known historical figures.
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