The Beaufort Woman

Beaufort Chronicles #2

by Judith Arnopp

Margaret Beaufort's story continues in
The Beaufort Woman
As the struggle between York and Lancaster continues, Margaret Beaufort fights for admittance to the court of the victorious Edward IV of York and his unpopular queen, Elizabeth Woodville.
The old king and his heir are dead, leaving only Margaret’s son, the exiled Henry Tudor, with a tenuous claim to the throne. The royal nursery is full, with two small princes securing York’s continuing rule.
But Edward and Elizabeth’s magnificent court hides a dark secret, a deception that threatens the security of the English throne … and all who lust after it.
In 1483, with the untimely death of the King, Margaret finds herself at the heart of chain of events that threaten the supremacy of York, and will change England forever.

The Beaufort Woman: One woman’s selfless struggle for the rights of her son.

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

392 pages, ebook

Published December 8, 2016

About the author

.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.

Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,

You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....


For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com

author.to/juditharnoppbooks

Reviews

[Suzy Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read book one, but that's no matter as this reads as a stand alone book which is perfect. This is my first taste of this historical period, the War of the Roses, and I have to say that the author has converted me! The novel is beautifully written & eloquent, with such vibrant descriptions evoking this fascinating era and the equally fascinating characters. The story of Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII, is brilliantly narrated, and the author brings the period and the people alive, essentially bringing the history to the fore and this is what is so great about historical fiction - retelling the history in such a favourable way so as to bring it to life for readers to sample, enjoy and remember. It is a confident, authentic and convincing portrayal of Margaret Beaufort and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Pat K · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in series. Audiobook.
This book covers the period from Margaret’s second marriage until all her plans come to fruition.

The setting for this historical novel is the war of the roses; it is the first series I’ve read from Margaret Beaufort’s POV.
I’m fascinated by this period in history, as an aside, I’ve read that the basic story of Game of Thrones was loosely based on the war of the roses. One event, in particular, in this novel, will jump out at you as having influenced GoT.

If you are interested in this period, some other books that started my obsession with the period are:
The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes
The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory ( and TV series by same name)
The Kingmaker Series by Toby Clements
If anyone knows others that will compliment this list please tell me.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman separated from her only son as a war divides the nation that she dearly loves. The struggle between York and Lancaster, the Wars of the Roses, grows in intensity and the only hope for the Lancastrians is the son of Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor. To keep him safe, Margaret must allow him to go into hiding as she adapts to the court of Edward IV and his wife Elizabeth Woodville. Margaret’s journey through love, death, and court intrigue continues in Judith Arnopp’s second book in her Beaufort Chronicle, “The Beaufort Woman”.

As someone who is a fan of Margaret Beaufort and her life story, I have been finding myself enjoying The Beaufort Chronicle series by Judith Arnopp. Since I read the first book, “The Beaufort Bride”, I knew that I wanted to continue Margaret’s adventure.

We join Margaret as she is enjoying her third marriage to Sir Henry Stafford. This was probably her happiest and longest marriage, yet it is not elaborated on much. I think the way that Arnopp describes this relationship is thoughtful, considerate, and full of love. Obviously, like most relationships, there were hardships between Henry and Margaret, but Henry knew that what Margaret was doing was for her son. Life looks like it is going Margaret’s way, but then her husband Henry dies and she must make a difficult choice.

Margaret decides to choose her fourth and final husband, Thomas Stanley. Unlike her marriage to Henry, Margaret never really loved Thomas. Thomas was more of a tool to get her into the court of Edward IV to make sure her beloved son Henry could come home. When I have read Margaret’s biographies in the past, I have always wondered what life must have been like for her while she was in the court of her former enemies. To see her interacting with Elizabeth Woodville and her children was a delight and makes you wonder what life might have been like for Margaret if she had more children.

With the sudden death of King Edward IV in 1483 and the mysterious affair with his sons, Edward’s brother becomes King Richard III and fortune’s wheel takes another turn for Margaret. She must take dangerous steps to make sure that her beloved son can return home, even if it means risking her own. The amount of courage and patience that Margaret had was nothing short of extraordinary. You cannot help but admire Arnopp’s Margaret Beaufort.

I found this a thrilling second book to this stunning trilogy. Arnopp made Margaret Beaufort and her family even more relatable. I felt sympathy for Margaret as she had to make some extremely difficult decisions. I did know what was going to happen, but I still wanted to continue reading just to see how Arnopp would interpret the events in Margaret’s life. If you have read “The Beaufort Bride” and you want to continue the journey, you need to read “The Beaufort Woman” by Judith Arnopp.

[Helen Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging, fast-paced look at Margaret's marriages to Stafford then Stanley. A great book that delves into complex characters, never stereotyping and always giving the reader food for thought.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Fiction Book Of The Year Award 2018 — Gold Medal Winner.


“Some would say that life itself is a battle, and the rules apply equally. One must know one’s friend…and one’s enemies, of course…”

There seems to be no end in sight to the suffering and misery brought about by the Cousins’ War. The country is divided. But who will win the ultimate prize? Who will sit on the throne of England? Will it be a son from the House of Lancaster or a son from the House of York?

Married at 12, widowed at 13, Lady Margaret Beaufort is now the wife of Sir Henry Stafford. Margaret had not expected to find love again, but Henry’s gentle ways and intelligent wit make for a good husband and a contented household. If only he were not called so often to war. Henry has not the constitution for the battlefield and Margaret fears greatly for his health. She also desperately misses her beloved and only son, Henry. As soon as this war is over, Margaret is determined to leave for Pembrokeshire, for that is where her son lives with his uncle and guardian, Jasper Tudor.

However, fate is a fickle friend at the best of times, and it is certainly no friend of Margaret’s.

The Battle of Tewkesbury changes everything. Having lost his wits, his two kingdom and his son,[1] the Lancastrian King, Henry VI, dies in the Tower. There is only one other legitimate heir to Henry’s throne. Unfortunately for Margaret, the heir is her son. But, Henry is only a child, what threat could he possibly be to the recently crowned son of York, Edward IV?

Well, Judith Arnopp has done it again. History has come gloriously back to life in The Beaufort Woman (Beaufort Chronicles #2).

The Beaufort Woman follows the fortunes and misfortunes of Lady Margaret Beaufort as she navigates the dangerous, yet also rewarding, court of Edward IV and Richard III. This is a wonderfully vibrant retelling of the history of this period. It is told through the narrative of Lady Margaret, which makes this a very personal and intimate reciting.

In recent years Lady Margaret’s reputation has been somewhat tarnished. I have read several historical fiction stories of her life, and Margaret always came across as a cold, manipulative, ambitious, God-fearing woman who has no compassion for anyone other than herself and her son. This depiction never sat very well with me. It is as if Margaret has taken the place of what was once reserved for Richard III. Margaret is now the antagonist in this sordid tale of kingship and power. Thank goodness Arnopp did not follow the trend. Arnopp has presented Margaret as a loving wife, a caring mother, and a loyal friend. Her forced separation from Henry is utterly heartbreaking. Margaret, as any mother would, wants to be with her son more than anything else. She wants to see him grow up. She wants to know all the things that a mother should know about her child. The last thing to cross Margaret’s mind is that one day Henry might be crowned King… Well, perhaps it did cross her mind once or twice!

Make no mistake, this story isn’t just about a mother‘s longing for her child. It is very much a story about England and the principal players of this time. They are all within the pages of this remarkable book. Some are villains and some are not, but all have their own story to tell. Arnopp has presented a sublime account of Edward’s court, as well as the uncertainty which followed his death, and the subsequent court of Richard III. This is a richly drawn novel. The historical figures walk off the page for the readers’ enjoyment.

I adored the characterisation of Sir Henry Stafford. He is a loving husband who was taken too soon. However, Arnopp’s interpretation of Sir Thomas Stanley was magnificent. Like Margaret’s initial reaction, I didn’t want to like him, but as the story progressed, I felt my initial resistance to him thawing. He was fabulously portrayed. This is one of the things that I love so much about this series, the characters are so real in the telling that they provoke strong reactions. I found myself putting on Margaret’s shoes, so to speak, and asking myself, would I have done anything differently if I were her during this period in history?

I enjoyed the portrayal of the relationship between Margaret and Elizabeth Woodville— Edward’s Queen. Their friendship is a little complicated to begin with, but there is no doubt in Arnopp‘s interpretation that the two of them are fond of each other, and there is certainly no malice there. I think this is a much more realistic interpretation of their relationship. As was Arnopp’s interpretation of Margaret’s relationship with Anne Neville, Richard’s Queen.

Arnopp has that rare skill of being able to make even the mundane exciting and compelling; an example of this is when Margaret finds herself under house arrest for plotting against King Richard. I could feel her initial relief at Richard’s leniency in sentencing her, and then later, I could understand her frustration and boredom at being so cut off from the life at Court.

Arnopp writes with great elegance and authority. This is one of those stories where reading one more chapter before you close the book is not satisfying enough. Once began, you don’t want any interruptions. This is most definitely a sit-down-and-finish book. The Beaufort Woman (Beaufort Chronicles #2) is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read set in this period of history. It is so good. I want to shout about it from the rooftops.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Award.

[1]Cheetham, A. Fraser, A (editor) — The Wars of the Roses (University of California Press, 2000)

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book about Margaret, we see a young woman trying to make the best of a bad situation. She’s stuck in a marriage with a kindly, patient man she’s not in love with, and constantly misses her young son in his formative years. Matters could be much worse, she discovers, when her third husband dies and she marries a brute of a fourth—a marriage of convenience. Lord Stanley doesn’t abuse her; he’s just inscrutable, rough, and not very supportive. At least, it takes him a long time to sympathize with her. Most surprising to me is the pseudo-friendship she develops with Elizabeth Woodville, queen to Lancastrian’s enemy Edward IV. But Margaret sees a kindred spirit behind the arrogant façade, and gives much comfort to Elizabeth after Edward’s death. She even comes to favor the young prince Richard and is fraught with worry when he disappears from the Tower. Margaret also sees—and is puzzled by—the gentle side of Richard III, who is so savage to his enemies:

During the afternoon, although my conversation is mainly with Anne, I watch Gloucester carefully. I am confused. It is impossible to comprehend that this mild-mannered man, so obviously in love with his plain little wife, is the same fellow who sent Hastings to his death; who is not above bullying the queen for possession of her son; and who does not even attempt to disguise his hatred for the queen’s family. He is attentive and pleasant, amusing and gentle. Either he is playing a game and blatantly deceiving me, or he is not the tyrant rumour reports him to be.

What I like about this book is that we get to see both sides of the Lancaster/York issue. Margaret unwillingly lets herself be drawn into the lives of those she once considered her adversaries. Maybe Elizabeth Woodville is not the shrew she is always depicted as. Maybe Stanley is not quite the opportunist he seems. Even Margaret is not perfect, and we see her making blatant errors of judgment, which really humanizes her. This is a very well-written novel about a difficult behind-the-scenes situation which usually gets lost in the more dramatic dynastic conflicts.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beaufort Woman is book two of the Beaufort Chronicles of English historical fiction. Margaret is the mother of Henry, the man who would later become King Henry VII.

This is a complex time in history and Arnopp has made a good job of making it readable as a piece of fiction. There are a lot of characters to keep abreast of and at times I did struggle with all the names and titles. However, for fans of the Plantagenet era and the Wars of The Roses, this series would make and excellent choice of reading material.

[Whispering Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having already read the first book in the series, I was on tenterhooks to find out what happened next. Judith Arnopp has not disappointed; this is a novel that is not only gripping but also utterly engrossing. I thought the author had approached this story with an understanding of not only the history of this era but also the political landscape, as well as the desperate longing for a mother to be united with her son.

I thought the portrayal of Lady Margaret was wonderfully drawn and her relationship with Sir Henry Stafford certainly helped to drive the story forward.

To appreciate how great this book is, then one really has to read it. I cannot wait to get started on the third and final book in the Beaufort Chronicles series.

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the very interesting series of King Henry VII's mother Margaret. A very good read for anyone interested in The War of the Roses! Highly readable and very enjoyable!

[Amy McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beaufort Woman continues from the first book The Beaufort Bride. Margaret is married to Henry Stafford and Edward of March is on the throne. The war of the roses continues and Margaret struggles with her loyalties.

When Edward IV is successful and his enemies dead Maragret is desperate to be invited to court to get close to the queen and attempt to bring Henry Tudor home from exile in Brittany. Margaret becomes a close friend to Elizabeth Woodville and is promised her son can return. Before he can return Edward dies and the court is turned upside down. Edwards youngest brother Richard is protector for the young Edward but will he be crowned?

The story continues with Richard usurping the crown and a round of plots against him resulting in Henry Tudor finally landing on British soil to fight for the throne. Margaret under house arrest anxiously awaits news only to find herself Mother of the King.

This book was such a good read! I was reading every chance I got. Judith Arnopp successfully portrays the characters and the court. As it's the second book I've become attached to some of the characters. I'm not a fan of Margaret Beaufort I find her meddling does more harm than good but I admire her! The book also touches on the disappearance of the princes in the tower. Oh how I wish that mystery could be answered!

I now look forward to reading the final instalment!

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed a lot slower than the first novel. It was told from Margaret’s perspective and, sadly, she was often far from the drama of war and political intrigue. Yes, she was trying to maneuver to get her son returned home, but for most of the story she was in various places just waiting and waiting for messengers to deliver her letters on what was happening. There were many times where the author described how bored and lonely she was, which, unfortunately, made for slow and boring reading. There were a few times where there was action and intrigue, things were happening and Margaret was caught up in it, but these were were few and far between in this novel. It was not my favorite so far, and I’m hoping that the final novel of this series is more interesting and exciting. There needs to be more depth to bring the characters to life. If Margaret is not doing anything of note for long periods of time, the author should really consider telling the story from a different perspective for a while to bring more interest to the story. This novel centered on the York King, his feud with his brother constantly trying to usurp the throne, and the scramble for the throne after the King dies. Margaret becomes a lady in waiting to the new queen while still being loyal to her son. There is no reason with for a book with this many people vying for the crown to be slow and boring.

[Beverley Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written!

Such a beautifully written story. This is a fascinating and addictive piece of writing that follows the life of Margaret Beaufort after her marriage to Henry Stafford, who is known as Harry. Their marriage is strong, loving, with each respecting the others ideas and points of view. A rarity in marriage for those times. But when Harry unexpectedly dies after years of marital happiness, Margaret, for her own protection must marry again. Her loveless marriage to Thomas Stanley only serves to remind her how much she misses her gentle and loving husband, Harry. Her continued separation from her only child Henry, only adds to her sadness.
A time when Kings are crowned, only to be usurped by another, Margaret successfully keeps her wits, along with her vision that one day, she and her son will be reunited, and Henry will, one day, be crowned King of England.
Highest recommendations!

[ItsMeMel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation of the first installment. Margaret’s life continues to keep me fascinated and wanting to know more. I found myself sometimes pausing to reflect just how far women have come since Margaret’s time. The customs, traditions and expectations of the time for women are a hard pill to swallow. This book does a good job of putting you there in the moment, allowing you to share in the experiences and events of Margaret as she walks a fine, tight rope during her dangerous hopes of putting her beloved son on the throne of England. I appreciate the author’s ability to express the choices and decisions one must sometimes make in a time that was all too willing to behead a “traitor.”
I look forward to the next book where Margaret finally gets to see the fruits and rewards of her struggles.

[The Shield Maiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is even better than the first. Margaret Beaufort has already been through a terrible ordeal and fate still has more installed for her. This book shines a bright light onto a woman who suffering seemingly knows no end, but whose determination can not be faulted. Margaret is a fighter, and she continues to be so in this book. She fights for her son, and she also fights for her place in the world.

I really enjoyed the author's take on the War of the Roses, and I thought the portrayal of this war, through the eyes of Margaret, was brilliant. It really did feel, at times, that I was standing by Margaret's side, witnessing events firsthand. This series is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent read! Margaret Beaufort is shown as an ambitious mother who relentlessly fight for the return of her son from exile so that he can take his rightful place at the Court of England. Judith Arnopp has again succeeded in rendering Margaret Beaufort a very vivid and real person. The author also managed to render the many historical events of these perilous times in such a clear and easy way that the reader does not get confused over names (which Henry, Margaret, Elizabeth?), kings and queens! Highly recommended for historical fiction readers!

[P.L. Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment of this trilogy, I thoroughly enjoyed The Beaufort Woman. I found the writing far better than the first book. The story exciting and engaging, with the last 40% a real page turner. Judith Arnopp's world building really drew me in and I was immersed in her story and emotions. I think her interpretation of Margaret is believable, what with the amount of available information on her. I expect the final book to be more accurate as her life was better documented as the King's Mother.

[Shanae Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read

Margaret this woman is remarkable & I'd never thought I'd say this but you name it & this woman had been through it. Four husbands, difficult birth that preventing her from any further children, the loss & experience of love, being in the service of two queens & be separated from the love of her life, her son. Her persecution & the will to quietly serve won her son the crown. Arnopp does a amazing job at bringing her character to life & making you empathize with her plight. Now onto book three.

[Tara Neale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched

Filling in the gaps of the women that history has overlooked. A very good fictions rendition of a powerful woman who ultimately took control of her own fate, her sons, her nations, and to some degree the world's. While it is a pity that we do not have more accurate records of the lives of women such as Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville, it was a pleasure to enjoy one well researched possible story of their lives.

[Olivia Castetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mom of a young boy...

My son is nearing his first birthday, and I read this with my newfound motherhood boldly feeling everything Margaret thought, fretted, and celebrated. I adore medieval history, but this book is a crown jewel in relatable storytelling and heartfelt triumph and tribulations.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

Continues Margarets story through the battle of Bosworth. What I like is the author humanized Margaret and you will find yourself in her. I also like the other characters that continue from book one that I presume to be fictional but you will continue to want to know their status.

[Patti Hyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had been some time since I had read the first book so had to get caught up with some of the characters and what had been going on which I think made the first part more interesting. I though mid way through the book it got bogged down and was hard to get through. Will read the last book just because I have it. After reading 1 and 2 would not go out and buy 3.

[Melissa Everly-kosek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent middle story of a trilogy

The Beaufort Woman tells how Margaret served Queen Elizabeth Woodville and Queen Anne Neville. However she never gave up of seeing her son Henry take the English throne from King Richard the 3rd, which is where the novel ends. Looking forward to the last novel.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beaufort Woman

This us the second book in this trilogy of Margaret Beaufort by Judith Arnopp. This book is excellent. The author pulls you in until you think you are Margaret! Highly recommend this book and it's author.

[Thomas Woodell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paints a plausible portrait of Margaret Beaufort

The book is very readable. Gives a human face to history and presents possible motives behind the actions that shaped English history.

[Carolyn R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptionally well-written. I was led along the character's journey in an enjoyable and thought-provoking way.

I also felt "in" the history which key for me. I like historical fiction firmly grounded in history, not a story that could have happened at any time.

Well done.

[Sekhar N Banerjee · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK read

The history part is good and I have no comments. But the rendering of the history to a Story is very amateurish. I doubt whether the author is fully versed on the way of life in Medieval England

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read more about Margaret

I loved the writing about Margaret's relationships with her third and fourth husbands. And her 'friendships' with Queens Elizabeth and Anne. Highly recommended. I'm going to read the third book in the trilogy as soon as I finish this review.

[Desiree Craver · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 thumbs up

Fantastic read. It put a slightly new spin on events i have read about many times. Definitely recommend it and the Beaufort Bride.

[Naomi Laboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I feel it was the most realistic book about Margaret that I have read! About to start book 3!

[Joi Kyzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books 1 and 2 were good.

Interesting take in both books. Very sympathetic to her lot in life as a girl bride, young widow/mother, and player at court.