What do you think?
Rate this book
Medieval Babes: Tales of Little-Known Ladies #2
Mistress of the Maze: The Legend of Rosamund Clifford
Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here
Rosamund Clifford, one of the most famous royal mistresses of all time—concubine to Henry II, the first Plantagenet King.
A young maiden ruled by a grasping father who will stop at nothing to promote his own cause with the King...even using his daughter's beautiful face and enticing body to gain high favour.
A fearful girl taken by a mysterious messenger from Godstow nunnery to a Tower surrounded by a grotesque topiary labyrinth, where she must wait for the arrival of the master of the maze—not the Minotaur of ancient Greek myth but the bull-like Plantagenet King Henry.
Drawn like a moth to a flame, Rosamund soon grows to love the charismatic King…but when her love is reciprocated, she makes a terrible enemy, Henry’s estranged wife, the powerful Eleanor of Aquitaine.
When Henry locks Queen Eleanor in Sarum castle and speaks of annulment, Rosamund thinks she has no more to fear from her rival.
But a spurned Queen is a dangerous foe…
Novel 57,000 words
Rosamund Clifford, one of the most famous royal mistresses of all time—concubine to Henry II, the first Plantagenet King.
A young maiden ruled by a grasping father who will stop at nothing to promote his own cause with the King...even using his daughter's beautiful face and enticing body to gain high favour.
A fearful girl taken by a mysterious messenger from Godstow nunnery to a Tower surrounded by a grotesque topiary labyrinth, where she must wait for the arrival of the master of the maze—not the Minotaur of ancient Greek myth but the bull-like Plantagenet King Henry.
Drawn like a moth to a flame, Rosamund soon grows to love the charismatic King…but when her love is reciprocated, she makes a terrible enemy, Henry’s estranged wife, the powerful Eleanor of Aquitaine.
When Henry locks Queen Eleanor in Sarum castle and speaks of annulment, Rosamund thinks she has no more to fear from her rival.
But a spurned Queen is a dangerous foe…
Novel 57,000 words
155 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2017
320 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Reedman
105 books167 followersBorn in Canada, J.P. Reedman has been a UK resident for over 30 years. She has been writing since the age of 5, and preferred genres are fantasy and historical (or a mixture of both.) Interests are British history and prehistory, especially the neolithic and bronze ages, archaeology, anthropology and features of the countryside. She is author of the STONEHENGE SAGA a novel that places the legends of King Arthur back into the bronze age, and a number of works about King Richard III, including the epic, I RICHARD PLANTAGENET, which, with both parts combined, is over 250,000 words long and written from Richard's first person perspective. She is also the author of the bestselling medieval novel, MY FAIR LADY, about the little known Queen, Eleanor of Provence which is first in an ongoing series about lesser-known medieval noblewoman. 13 SO FAR!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 23, 2024
If English kings named Henry have no haters, then I am dead.
Also I didn’t read this book twice idk why Goodreads has marked it that way. I can’t decide if this is a two or three star, so I’m going with 2.5? I like this authors writing and I like this series, but I have some thoughts (spoilers ahead I guess, for those of you who don’t know about the myth of Rosamund and Eleanor).
The reason for the lower score is because of the final climax - the author, as she puts in her historical notes, is aware that the villainizing of Eleanor in this story is misogynistic and unfair - yet she…does it anyway?
I don’t have an issue with Henry and Rosamund seeing her (Eleanor) as the boogeyman- it makes sense from their POV. But then having the final chapter “proving” that she is in fact the Bogeyman with a murder plot, annoyed me.
I am 100% convinced Rosamund most likely died from an illness/maybe childbirth? Not via Eleanor. I think the myth of the Queen killing her comes from misogyny and ignores Henry’s role in this, as with all home-wrecker narrative’s. Both women were wronged by him, and both women had very little choice in the matter. And if the author is aware of this, why write it that way? She says in her historical notes how Henry got zero blame for his role with these two women and the fact that he was big old slut who lied to the women in his life to get his way, but then you don’t show that in your novel?
Also, I seriously, highly doubt that Eleanor, who had way bigger things to worry about such as being imprisoned and the safety of her sons, to try and plot the murder of one of Henry’s MANY mistresses. She was also, by all accounts a religious woman and don’t think she’d have risked her immortal soul with murder?
But for real, I felt very bad for Rosamund, who had zero autonomy or choices in her life. Either be a nun or live in sin with a guy old enough to be your father. Then said old man lies to you and is like “oh ya I’ll totally marry you, just need my old bitch wife to die” (the woman who gave him several children and her lands) which we all know is in no way going to happen. She died believing in him when he was clearly just telling her what she wanted to hear.
Regardless of how this all actually went down in real life, Rosamund most likely had zero choice in what happened to her, like too many women in history, and it’s just a sad story. But despite my beef with this book, I still like this series and I wish we knew more about these women.
As much as Eleanor is a lurking villain in Rosamund’s mind, the only true villain here is Henry, her dad, and the patriarchy in general.
Also I didn’t read this book twice idk why Goodreads has marked it that way. I can’t decide if this is a two or three star, so I’m going with 2.5? I like this authors writing and I like this series, but I have some thoughts (spoilers ahead I guess, for those of you who don’t know about the myth of Rosamund and Eleanor).
The reason for the lower score is because of the final climax - the author, as she puts in her historical notes, is aware that the villainizing of Eleanor in this story is misogynistic and unfair - yet she…does it anyway?
I don’t have an issue with Henry and Rosamund seeing her (Eleanor) as the boogeyman- it makes sense from their POV. But then having the final chapter “proving” that she is in fact the Bogeyman with a murder plot, annoyed me.
I am 100% convinced Rosamund most likely died from an illness/maybe childbirth? Not via Eleanor. I think the myth of the Queen killing her comes from misogyny and ignores Henry’s role in this, as with all home-wrecker narrative’s. Both women were wronged by him, and both women had very little choice in the matter. And if the author is aware of this, why write it that way? She says in her historical notes how Henry got zero blame for his role with these two women and the fact that he was big old slut who lied to the women in his life to get his way, but then you don’t show that in your novel?
Also, I seriously, highly doubt that Eleanor, who had way bigger things to worry about such as being imprisoned and the safety of her sons, to try and plot the murder of one of Henry’s MANY mistresses. She was also, by all accounts a religious woman and don’t think she’d have risked her immortal soul with murder?
But for real, I felt very bad for Rosamund, who had zero autonomy or choices in her life. Either be a nun or live in sin with a guy old enough to be your father. Then said old man lies to you and is like “oh ya I’ll totally marry you, just need my old bitch wife to die” (the woman who gave him several children and her lands) which we all know is in no way going to happen. She died believing in him when he was clearly just telling her what she wanted to hear.
Regardless of how this all actually went down in real life, Rosamund most likely had zero choice in what happened to her, like too many women in history, and it’s just a sad story. But despite my beef with this book, I still like this series and I wish we knew more about these women.
As much as Eleanor is a lurking villain in Rosamund’s mind, the only true villain here is Henry, her dad, and the patriarchy in general.
April 26, 2021
I loved this book!
Let me start off by admitting I may be biased, as Rosamund Clifford is a distant relative of mine--24th great-aunt, to be exact. So are many of the other characters.
That being said, the author did an excellent job of weaving an hypnotic narrative that drew me fully into the story. Her prose is evocative and descriptive without being overly flowery, and transported me to the time and the places told in this tragic tale. Short and easy to read despite being flavored with archaic language appropriate for the time period, it allowed me to escape the modern world for a period of time to the England my ancestors inhabited in a most enjoyable way!
Let me start off by admitting I may be biased, as Rosamund Clifford is a distant relative of mine--24th great-aunt, to be exact. So are many of the other characters.
That being said, the author did an excellent job of weaving an hypnotic narrative that drew me fully into the story. Her prose is evocative and descriptive without being overly flowery, and transported me to the time and the places told in this tragic tale. Short and easy to read despite being flavored with archaic language appropriate for the time period, it allowed me to escape the modern world for a period of time to the England my ancestors inhabited in a most enjoyable way!
May 27, 2020
Still Waiting for A Good Rosamund Story
I suppose selecting from a series called "Medieval Babes" should have been warning enough. Takes the easy road in dealing with stereotypes of women and ignoring the responsibility of Henry II and the nobles who peddled their daughters and wives for gain.
I suppose selecting from a series called "Medieval Babes" should have been warning enough. Takes the easy road in dealing with stereotypes of women and ignoring the responsibility of Henry II and the nobles who peddled their daughters and wives for gain.
March 23, 2020
Beautiful Punch to the Gut
It made me very sad.
Rich detail, strong-voiced characters, and all the sad reality of a woman thrust between the will of her father, God, and a King.
The ending left me in tears because her love never waivers.
It made me very sad.
Rich detail, strong-voiced characters, and all the sad reality of a woman thrust between the will of her father, God, and a King.
The ending left me in tears because her love never waivers.
April 24, 2020
Most people who have at least a little historical knowledge know about the king's mistress hiding at the other end of the maze to avoid the queen's wrath, but very few, I expect, know enough. Imagine Anne Boleyn, but a couple hundred years before, when mistresses were the king's stock in trade, and England controlled more of France than France did, and the English King was married to the French King's ex, with several sons, two of which would be the most famous of our history (the crusader king and the evil king...), and we can see why Henry II hid his favourite mistress from the queen who could remove virtually a quarter of France from him.
In this book, the story is told through the eyes of Rosamund Clifford (said mistress), and we see nothing of the court or the machinations of Eleanor and her sons (the devil's brood, they were known as), whose rebellion led to a 20 year sourjourn in a tower for Eleanor and a long wait for the crown for her sons (one of which, Henry, was crowned within his father's lifetime, yet never became king, dying before his sire). What would have been nice would have been to see a little of these happenings instead of a second-hand accounting, maybe a second point of view instead of a first person narrative, so this could be achieved. I remember my Creative writing classes at uni and how we were told how to 'show, not tell' and this is something I think this author might take note of for further reference.
Aside from this, the story of Rosamund, which I guess the author didn't want to detract from, hence the tell not show, is relatively interesting, but very little actually happens aside from waiting and then seeing and more waiting - seems there should at least be a poisoning plot to break up the boredom of her life, poor lady! A more exciting escapade and a little life blown into the character to bring her to life would have made this a more 4* book, but it's an interesting and informative view of a woman we know little about aside from the maze and the tower...
In this book, the story is told through the eyes of Rosamund Clifford (said mistress), and we see nothing of the court or the machinations of Eleanor and her sons (the devil's brood, they were known as), whose rebellion led to a 20 year sourjourn in a tower for Eleanor and a long wait for the crown for her sons (one of which, Henry, was crowned within his father's lifetime, yet never became king, dying before his sire). What would have been nice would have been to see a little of these happenings instead of a second-hand accounting, maybe a second point of view instead of a first person narrative, so this could be achieved. I remember my Creative writing classes at uni and how we were told how to 'show, not tell' and this is something I think this author might take note of for further reference.
Aside from this, the story of Rosamund, which I guess the author didn't want to detract from, hence the tell not show, is relatively interesting, but very little actually happens aside from waiting and then seeing and more waiting - seems there should at least be a poisoning plot to break up the boredom of her life, poor lady! A more exciting escapade and a little life blown into the character to bring her to life would have made this a more 4* book, but it's an interesting and informative view of a woman we know little about aside from the maze and the tower...
March 21, 2020
This is a short (118 pages) book that retells the story of the most famous of King Henry II's mistresses. So, if you know little about her - this might be a good way to learn a bit more. However, it's a largely superficial look at their story, with little emotion or exploration of their thoughts and motivations.
For example, it was never clear to me why Henry might have fallen for Rosamund initially, aside from her famous beauty. Or why he set her up in her own household. Or why he found her captivating enough to maintain a multi-year relationship. Or even why Rosamund would fall in love with Henry. He comes across as brutish and bullying.
Their story, in this version, seems shallow, focused largely around their enjoyment of sex. Which is why I consider this more a sequential narration of their story, rather than a fully fleshed out historical novel that explores their inner thoughts and tries to make them multi-dimensional people. So just don't expect to learn more about or understand this couple any better from reading this book than you would by reading Rosamund's Wikipedia page.
For example, it was never clear to me why Henry might have fallen for Rosamund initially, aside from her famous beauty. Or why he set her up in her own household. Or why he found her captivating enough to maintain a multi-year relationship. Or even why Rosamund would fall in love with Henry. He comes across as brutish and bullying.
Their story, in this version, seems shallow, focused largely around their enjoyment of sex. Which is why I consider this more a sequential narration of their story, rather than a fully fleshed out historical novel that explores their inner thoughts and tries to make them multi-dimensional people. So just don't expect to learn more about or understand this couple any better from reading this book than you would by reading Rosamund's Wikipedia page.
June 2, 2020
Very good read!
Whether or not the story is factual, I don't care. The story is good. The early Plantagenets are my most favorite of all British royals. Henry II and Eleanor had a very turbulent marriage; sometimes I wonder if that was why Henry played the field so much.
This is not the first book I have read by this author, and I anxiously wait for the next.
Whether or not the story is factual, I don't care. The story is good. The early Plantagenets are my most favorite of all British royals. Henry II and Eleanor had a very turbulent marriage; sometimes I wonder if that was why Henry played the field so much.
This is not the first book I have read by this author, and I anxiously wait for the next.
December 31, 2018
Great read! The author might have put too much of an emphasis of the legend of Rosamund's life, but that might be because she probably doesn't have much to work with. I like how she portrays Henry II- pretty fair and balanced in my opinion.
October 20, 2019
Enjoyable
A quick, easy and most entertaining read. I have enjoyed both books I have read by this author and would read others. Story flows smoothly with good balance between narrative and dialogue.
A quick, easy and most entertaining read. I have enjoyed both books I have read by this author and would read others. Story flows smoothly with good balance between narrative and dialogue.
April 16, 2020
Rosamund Clifford. Henry II's mistress and Eleanor of Aquitaine's rival. This novel was more fairy tale than historical but pleasant and a quick read. The book begins when Rosamund is a young teen and is used by her father to gain favor from the king a known womanizer. The king becomes enamored of Rosamund and sends her to be educated at Godstow Abbey then on to Woodstock and immortality and legend. There is an author's note at the end explaining what sparse facts of Rosamund there are. (
May 16, 2021
The forgotten mistress of Henry II. Locked away in the Tower of London as his lover, he made her believe that she was lodging there and not being held prisoner.
Henry II had many mistresses including Rosamund, and she had no choice, it was either stay or become a nun.
A good read!
Henry II had many mistresses including Rosamund, and she had no choice, it was either stay or become a nun.
A good read!
February 18, 2023
My copy has 157, NOT 118 pages and the cover is NOT the one shown. It was a pretty good tale, I enjoyed it. I wanted to add the current Amazon cover but the process is SUCH A PAIN IN THE ASS that I just gave up.
June 25, 2024
Mystery and intrigue at a scintillating time.
Stories about Kings and their mistresses never grows tiring. The twist and turns of this story written in beautiful English was a great was to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Stories about Kings and their mistresses never grows tiring. The twist and turns of this story written in beautiful English was a great was to spend a Sunday afternoon.
May 30, 2017
A light read. It was interesting but not terribly memorable. Nonetheless I am glad to have read it.
January 14, 2020
I enjoyed this book. An interesting character from history that is portrayed well in this book.
May 12, 2020
Short historical work
I was wAiting for the novel to open up with story of Henry’s reign with Rosemunds Famiy . Rosamunds father worked with Henry and no mention
I was wAiting for the novel to open up with story of Henry’s reign with Rosemunds Famiy . Rosamunds father worked with Henry and no mention
December 13, 2020
Rose of the World
Pretty good. I liked the descriptions and the unusual words the author used. She seemed nonjudgemental while reporting a serious condition for what it's worth.
Pretty good. I liked the descriptions and the unusual words the author used. She seemed nonjudgemental while reporting a serious condition for what it's worth.
Read
May 5, 202105/04/2021
May 10, 2021
Much better!
In this romantic tale, the male writer gives more details that a woman might give when telling the story of her lover the king.
In this romantic tale, the male writer gives more details that a woman might give when telling the story of her lover the king.
November 3, 2021
A very entertaining read of one of Henry II mistresses Rosalind Clifford
May 17, 2022
I enjoyed this book, whether fact or fiction.
July 3, 2022
A very uninteresting book, the only good part was the limited chronology
July 15, 2024
Historical novel
Different from. Basic grammar. Otherwise an interesting and engaging story. I presume the details are correct. I enjoyed reading this.
Different from. Basic grammar. Otherwise an interesting and engaging story. I presume the details are correct. I enjoyed reading this.
December 24, 2024
A bit of history. A bit of romance. A sad ending. Still an entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews