The King's Grey Mare

by Rosemary Hawley Jarman

The King's grey mare was Elizabeth Woodville, Queen and wife of Edward IV. Beautiful beyond belief, with unique silver-grey hair, she had once known joy of a marriage based on love—only to see it snatched away on the battlefield. Hardened and changed by grief, Elizabeth became the tool of her evil ambitious mother—the witch, Jaquetta of Bedford—who was determined that her daughter should sit on the throne of England. By trickery, deception, and witchcraft, Jaquetta's wish was fulfilled. But even a witch could not have known the tragedy which lay in store for the King's grey mare.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, 15th Century, Medieval, British Literature, Own

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Rosemary Hawley Jarman is an English novelist and writer of short stories. She was born in Worcester April 27, 1935. She was educated first at Saint Mary's Convent and then at The Alice Ottley School, leaving at eighteen to study singing in London for the next three years, having developed a fine soprano voice.

Family circumstances prevented her from continuing in this direction and she worked for a time in local government. She was married to David Jarman in 1958 and divorced amicably in 1970. She lived most of her time in Worcestershire at Callow End, between Worcester and Upton on Severn. She began to write for pleasure, and followed a very real and valid obsession with the character of King Richard III (1452-1485 - reigned 1483-85).

With no thought of publication she completed a 228,000 word novel showing the King in his true colours, away from Tudor and Shakespearian propaganda. The book was taken up almost accidentally by an agent, and within six weeks a contract for publication and four other novels was signed with William Collins Publishers, (now Harper Collins).

The author has had short stories published in many magazines in the UK and France and has been a member of the Society of Authors since 1970. She has been dubbed "A Daughter of Mark Twain" by the Samuel Clemens Society in the U.S.A. for her services to literature.

She lived with the prize-winning author R. T. Plumb for eighteen years in a West Wales cottage. They married in September 2002, but the marriage was cut short after Roy died of cancer in October 2003. Jarman (now Mrs. Plumb) is herself recovering from lung cancer, and is writing in the Fantasy genre.

Reviews

[Orsolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV, was surrounded with intrigue. Whether it is due to her ‘hasty marriage’ to Edward, her supposed witchcraft (doubtful!), or being the mother to the Princes in the Tower; her legend lives on. Rosemary Hawley Jarman brings this captivating Queen to life in, “The King’s Grey Mare”.

“The King’s Grey Mare” follows Elizabeth Woodville’s life from a young girl to her rise and somewhat-considered fall on fortune’s wheel. Although the initial pages immediately cast a ‘witchcraft’ focus on the Woodvilles (no pun intended); the novel isn’t as fluffy and unbelievable as many other historical fiction novels. In fact, it is relatively tolerable and doesn’t inhibit Jarman from weaving a strong, historical essence in “The King’s Grey Mare”.

Elaborating on this, Jarman’s text is quite historically accurate (with liberties that only versed readers will notice) and only contains a few staunch positions on topics which are considered speculation amongst historians (this may also be a result of the book being published in the 70s). The novel is rich, dense, and truly brings the events and era to life. So much so, that the plot and imagery begins to play out like a film with colorful settings and emotions. Granted, sometimes Jarman’s writing is too descriptive and one wants to tell her to get on with the story, already.

Elizabeth’s character arc is strong and she truly comes alive more so than the few other novels which surround her. She displays charm and multiple layers which either unravels or grows as the story progresses and thus, strengthens the novel. All of the characters in “The King’s Grey Mare” are compelling and not the usual black-and-white. Furthermore, Jarman doesn’t feel the need to over-explain the figures or their roles making “The King’s Grey Mare” perfect for those familiar to the topic and, although possibly overwhelming; also a great lesson for those new but seeking historical merit.

“The King’s Grey Mare” can become tiresome as it is divided into sections versus chapters and therefore the story doesn’t breathe with enough breaks. Several times, the novel advances in years or months from one paragraph to the next which is distracting and causes confusion. Also annoying is Jarman’s extensive use of exclamation points within mid-sentences (I’ve heard this was a common British stylistic) and the addition of several poems, songs, and lyrics amongst the text which could be omitted without depleting the plot value. Aside from that, Jarman’s language is well-written, beautiful, and very accurate with the times.

As “The King’s Grey Mare” progresses, the story is told from various character view points. Instead of causing misunderstanding, this heightens drama and reveals ‘insider’ information eliminating the hated, “As you know, Bob…” style of writing common to HF. The pace and excitement levels are elevated, while drama increases. Unfortunately, the magical elements within the story also increases and will deter true-to-history fans.

Approximately midway through, “The King’s Grey Mare” takes a climatic turn which although exciting is also a bit chaotic and “all over the place”. Thankfully, this evens out and Jarman finely captures the various emotional states of Elizabeth making her relatable and ‘human’. Also compelling is the addition of Grace Plantagenet to the story (although her actual plot is much too fluffy). A negative: Jarman has the habit of skimming important events versus engaging in them, which rushes the story.

Surprisingly, Jarman doesn’t hide her allegiance to Richard III or her resentment towards Elizabeth and eventually, Henry VII. This is odd merely because “The King’s Grey Mare” is a Woodville novel and yet doesn’t portray Elizabeth in the best light. Jarman even pinpoints the death of the princes on Henry.

As “The King’s Grey Mare” rounds out, the plot begins to wean and Jarman stretches the story (especially with the Grace sub-plot). The pace slows and encourages an ending which doesn’t seem to come. Even with the weak conclusion however, Jarman creatively maintains her stance on historical events without forcing them and seamlessly interlopes them into the plot. This gentle pushes raises historical debate versus angering the reader on historical liberty-taking. “The King’s Grey Mare” does not (sadly) include an author’s note to reveal the historical mirth taken which would be helpful for general readers.

Despite complaints and a weak ending; “The King’s Grey Mare” is absolutely terrific in comparison to much of today’s HF. It is dense, rather accurate (more accurate than not), and well-written, bringing the Wars of the Roses and Elizabeth alive. “The King’s Grey Mare” is 100% recommended for a less Romanticized view of the Plantagenets.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jarman recounts the life of Elizabeth Woodville, daughter of Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers and Jacquetta of Luxembourg. As a young girl she serves at the court of Henry VI as maid of honor to Marguerite d'Anjou until she meets and marries John Grey (a true love match according to the author) and bears two sons. When Grey is killed while fighting for the Lancastrians, Elizabeth's mother Jacquetta sets her sights on Edward IV and herein Jarman weaves the story of the Woodville's alleged sorcery and descent from Melusine as they drive Edward mad with lust that can only be slated with a wedding ring.

The novel then moves on to known history, Elizabeth's marriage to Edward, her times in sanctuary, the infamous Jane Shore, Edward's death and the ascent of Richard III to the throne as through Titulus Regius Edward and Elizabeth's children are named illegitimate. After Richard is defeated at Bosworth the story then focuses more on Edward's illegitimate daughter, Grace Plantagenet, and her love/hate relationship with Elizabeth.

This all sounded promising, even though the witchcraft and descent from Melusine are allegedly nothing but rumor and speculation. Unfortunately the author's over the top flowery prose and the "visions" and "dreams" not only didn't hold my attention, she completely lost me at times that I found it quite difficult to get back into the story. A minor quibble and not being a historian I can't say if its right or wrong, but the author had both Marguerite d'Anjou and Elizabeth (when Queen) addressed as "My Liege" instead of "Your Grace", or she switched between the two and that also kept throwing me out of the story. In the end, it's certainly not the worst book I've read on the period but then it's far from being the best either. Get it from the library if you must and then buy it if you love it. Three stars.

[Freda Warrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable – she handles a complicated historical period (the Wars of the Roses) with great elegance. She achieves this by telling much of it in flashback; we see Elizabeth Woodville, or other characters, in a situation but thinking about a battle that’s just taken place or a person who’s been killed, thus changing the course of history. This however is done so well that I didn’t even notice that a lot of the story was “told” rather than “shown”. (Actually “show don’t tell” is a writer’s rule that often needs to be ignored – you can’t dramatise everything, and shouldn’t).

RHJ is a bit naughty for changing viewpoints mid-scene, though – I think this is careless style, and confusing. But lots of otherwise good writers seem to do it, so what do I know?

The descriptions are as sharp and vivid as anything by Tanith Lee. I particularly enjoyed a scene where Elizabeth W has what seems to be an attack of synaesthesia. She’s just received news that her husband Edward IV has lost a battle: “There were a lot of names, and all had colours. The King: bright blue and gold, with a cage round it – for Warwick had the King fast, a prisoner… Hastings, and Richard Gloucester – both dull brown, having fled, escaped. Anthony, her brother: a rainbow name shot with fear and hope… George of Clarence: over the courier’s head, and through the window, she could see ravens, pecking at the battlements. Black. The colour of Clarence, who had allied himself to the foul fiend. To Warwick, blacker than black.”

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit my high rating may be due to early imprinting and nostalgia, but this was one the novels that made me fall in love with both English history and historical fiction. I was maybe fourteen when I still read this book but I can still remember it vividly decades later. Jarman is known as someone sympathetic to Richard III, who thinks him much maligned--you can see that in his depiction in Jarman's We Speak No Treason centered on Richard III. Ordinarily, ardent Ricardians are harsh on Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of the minor gentry who caught the eye of a king and became Queen and mother of the Two Princes in the Tower and an ancestor of Elizabeth I (and II). This portrait does have its hard edges, but I did feel sympathy for her Elizabeth--more I felt the pull of her charisma, and I think Jarman does well by her subject. I also enjoyed Jarman's We Speak No Treason and Crown in Candlelight about the wife of Henry V who'd become an ancestress of the Tudors. The King's Grey Mare though remains my favorite novel by her. (And when a friend I lent my copy to returned it with the copy ripped off, let me tell you that was the beginning of the end of our friendship.)

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jarman's book about Elizabeth Woodville came long before The White Queen, but they cover almost exactly the same ground. Jarman is a more lyrical and old fashioned writer; Gregory flushes out some of Jarman's ideas in a more meatier and interesting way (the witchery of the Woodvilles, for example, is more deftly written by Gregory than Jarman). This isn't a bad book by any means; if you like the Wars of the Roses, then you'll (mostly) enjoy Jarman's book. My only beef was the zig and zag of the characters, particularly that of Elizabeth Woodville herself. It's like Jarman couldn't decide if Elizabeth was a romantic heroine or a monstrous bitch, and tried to make her into both. She could have succeeded at that with some transition, but that lack of transition makes Elizabeth into a bizarre and schizo character and not completely believable. If you want to only read one novel about Elizabeth Woodville, stick to Gregory. But if you like your Wars of the Roses almost ornate and poetic, give Jarman a try.

[Bryn Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those deeply researched and passionately felt historical novels that help fill in all the blanks left by a public school education and a Herman and the Hermits record. Everything feels real, even the things that historians can't possibly know and must therefore imagine. In that sense, Jarman is the perfect mix of historian and fiction writer. I go away from this book, feeling sure that these exact conversations were had.

My only lingering complaint is Jarman's (or her editor's) habit of taking great chronological leaps, with only a blank space between paragraphs to separate one year from another. I found myself annoyed on several occasions when I would be a paragraph into the next section only to be jarred by the realization that months or even years have passed in that little white space.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book based on the wars oif the Roses and the life of Elizabeth Woodville and her marriage to Edward IV. Fascinating and terrible it shows the cost of unbridled ambition. It deals with intrigue, murder, betrayal and love. It vividly brings to life Elizabeth and her times and the politics of the Court. This book is highly recommended. A fascinating read about a bloodthirsty and tumultuous period if British history,

[Joy H.]

Added 10/27/11.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A focus on the lives of the women of the story, and an emphasis on witchcraft, or the influence of spirits, gives sort of an unreal, dreamlike quality to this book. Nevertheless, even knowing more or less how things turned out, it was hard to put down.

This is primarily the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the wife of King Edward IV. She was disliked in some quarters for securing positions of power for the members of her family – a circumstance which was the more deeply resented because she came from a large family. It was, of course, the very people who wanted these powerful positions for themselves who resented it the most, but these were people who had other sources of power and were not afraid to use them.

The book is filled with scheming and plotting – everything from Elizabeth’s mother’s use of witchcraft (of the old time-honored sticking pins in wax dolls variety) to the more mundane switching sides in the various political intrigues, which everybody did several times. Amid all the fighting and political maneuvering, it would have been difficult to tell whether the water spirit Melusine, venerated by the Woodville women or the Welsh dragon, Cadwallader, venerated by the partisans of Henry VII, could have made any real difference in the actual outcome of the struggle even if they were real and as powerful as their followers believed them to be.

[Pat MacEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wars of the Roses were a complicated affair, with the major players all descended from Edward III, including Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III, Henry VII, and the Earl of Warwick (called the Kingmaker). The women involved are often overlooked, as if they had no agency in all of this, but Margaret of Anjou (Henry VI's queen and his fiercest defender) and Elizabeth Woodville (aka Dame Grey) had as much do with the dynastic strife between the men as anyone else. They were both, in fact, born to the House of Luxembourg and therefore supposedly descendants of the fairy queen Melusine. How did Elizabeth Woodville, born and bred a Lancastrian, wind up married to Edward IV, head of the Yorkist faction? Was there sorcery involved? Was she a witch? Was it her fault that Edward IV already had a secret wife when he wed her? This account of Elizabeth's life and travails and utter refusal to surrender takes the Ricardian side of the argument about who murdered the Princes in the Tower (the Grey Mare's sons by Edward IV) and paints no halos on anyone involved. Well done.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 15%

Gonna have to give up on reading Wars of the Roses fiction entirely because absolutely none of these books are any good. Hawley Jarman's excellent writing is hampered by inclusion of factually untrue (but oh so entertainingly salacious) BS like Margaret d'Anjou's infidelity and the Prince of Wales's supposed questionable paternity. I liked Elizabeth Woodville's characterization but found the way many side characters were written to be trite and irritating. I can't even say this is a case of unreliable narrator since the narration was some free-floating third person baloney (which is why I also cannot get into anything written by Penman).

Kind of disappointing because I love many of the women involved in the conflict, or what little we know about them, anyway.

Anyway if you like reading very loose takes on history I highly recommend it... Elizabeth is entertaining as a bratty drama queen and Hawley Jarman's prose is lovely.

[Maya Ch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite vilifying to all Woodvilles, Henry VII, Margaret Beafourt. Only RIII comes out without a fault.

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful brutal and unforgettable loved it

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written account of the life of Elizabeth Woodville, telling of both her marriages and the story until her death, unlike most historical fiction about her!

[Kim Hebbelinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. It was the first of many historical novels I read about England.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, this book becomes a strong message on why killing your enemies will not, in the long run, work. Elizabeth Woodville uses every feminine wile in the book to try and get her way, over and over getting obsessed with someone and wanting their head on a plate, then a few pages later getting obsessed with someone new, each time thinking killing this person will solve everything.

While I think Elizabeth was a very active member of Plantagenet politics, I don’t think she was quite as influential as the author gives her credit for – Edward was perfectly capable of deciding to execute people on his own. And the Melusine angle was overplayed, but the idea was good.

Meanwhile, Margaret Beaufort hangs out in the background, popping up every other chapter to say something about how her young son Henry Tudor is doing. She smirks knowingly a lot, like she somehow go her hands on a copy of Richard III and knows how it’s all going to end – a stage littered with bodies and the House of Tudor triumphant.

Any story that deals with this era has to touch on the Princes in the Tower mystery.

*Spoiler*

In this book, the theory is Henry VII ordered the deaths after he came to the throne (plausible), but, and here’s a twist, here it was Elizabeth Woodville, their own mother, who started the rumor, while they were still very much alive, that they were dead to try and shake Richard III off his throne. Elizabeth thinks she can have her cake and eat it too. Later, when she outright demands Henry VII to let her see her sons, he can very coldly tell her: Richard killed them - you said so yourself. And she’s left without a leg to stand on.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this is unnecessarily poetic most of the time, but it's not a bad read. Also could have done with chapters - the book has four parts based on who was on the throne at the time but no chapters. The POV also switches between different characters, it's not all Elizabeth's. I found the last part the best and easiest to get through (once Henry Tudor takes the crown), which is mostly the story of Grace Plantagenet, the illegitimate daughter of Edward IV and her romance with John of Gloucester. She was my favourite character. What can I say, I relate to bastard children... What fascinated me was how devoted Grace was to Elizabeth Woodville, despite Elizabeth hating the sight of her. I liked the description of London streets in the last part as well, and the butcher Gould's shop.

The King's Grey Mare is the story of Elizabeth Woodville but she doesn't always come out of it in the best light. If she was a witch, or if her mother was a witch, surely she would have arranged things to end up better for her. Seducing a king and getting him to marry her probably wasn't that hard anyway, it's the rest of it that's the problem. Especially with someone as philandering as Edward IV.

Or maybe she just wasn't a very good one.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review - I always viewed Elizabeth Woodville as being a strong-willed woman, who always did what she wanted, but in this novel we see her firmly under the hand of her witch mother, which I don't believe. It immediately put me off. I was bored within the first few pages, but plodded on for a couple of chapters. Nevertheless, I couldn't finish the book as the description seemed at times to be overwhelming, and there wasn't enough action.

Genre? - Historical Fiction / Drama

Characters? - Elizabeth Woodville / Edward IV / John Grey / Thomas Grey / Jacquetta of Luxembourg / Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers / Cecily Neville / Richard III / Anne Neville / George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence / Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick

Setting? - Grafton & London (England)

Series? - N/A

Recommend? - No

Rating - 7/20

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a Rosemary Hawley Jarman novel and based on this it won't be the last. I just thought this was wonderful and very well researched. It's the first time I've seen the idea that Henry VII had the princes killed, which I found interesting given that Richard III is seen as a bit of a bad guy in this book. Although to Elizabeth Woodville everyone was a bad guy. I really liked the love story between the young Elizabeth and John Grey and I even liked the character of Grace Plantagenet. Sure there were some slow places in this and sometimes the whole Melusine storyline gets a little too "witchy" for me, but it is part of the Jacquetta/Elizabeth Woodville story so it is not out of place here at all.

[Jenny H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed, to be honest. As the book went on, I found myself skimming more and more. I felt it was clunky and full of irritating archaisms (eg boys and girls become 'knaves' and 'maids') and I wondered why at this late stage of the Middle Ages women are being addressed in French as 'Madame' all the time.

The problem already noted elsewhere of great time jumps between paragraphs was also a hindrance and I didn't feel any characters really stood out as real people, except perhaps for Gloucester / Richard III.

And this stuff about 'worshipping' Melusine just didn't make sense in a medieval setting - the modern notion that witchcraft is linked to paganism simply didn't exist at the time.

This is a good story, but not very well told - I wish Norah Lofts could have done it.

[Joanna Gawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Plantagenet and Tudor history, and always look forward to reading any novel which has these at its foundation.

This was not an easy book to read, in terms of both vocabulary and style; occasionally I was unclear on what was happening to whom, as the prose was so intricate.

I feel a slight sadness for books whose progress I mark ten or twenty pages at a time, knowing that I am unlikely to read it again!

Still, I am glad I took the time - and effort - to read it this once. However I would choose Sharon K. Penman or Phillippa Gregory for a more 'enjoyable' read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in my days of obsession over Plantagenet & Tudor history, this book was heads & shoulders above most of what I read. The story is told from the viewpoint of Elizabeth Woodville, the much vilified wife of Edward IV. The story of her first marriage (for love, as portrayed in this book) is very sympathetic although the account of her later life is more in line with conventional portrayals.

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I'll be in the minority here, but this didn't work for me at all. A long, twisting story with hard to read language, tedious repetitions, unlikable characters, witchery, mythos and declarations of love all over the place. This is the only book I've read of this authors and it will be the last.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the wife of Edward IV of England. She is portrayed as a conniving woman, interested only in furthering her extensive family. The author obviously sympathizes with Richard III, who succeeded his brother.

[J-me · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like history this one is a classic

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful historical novel vividly recreates the heartbreak of the War of the Roses in medieval England.

[Jane]

Update. I can't be bothered to finish this.

A hand-me-down from my mom. Nice summer reading.

[Jan Aldergate · Rating 4 out of 5]

before Phillippa Gregory there was Rosemary Hawley jarman. takes minor characters to tell the stories of English history and does it really well.

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading after a long time...

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved this.