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The Lydiard Chronicles #1
The Lady of the Tower
Alternate-cover edition for ASIN B01B8NL7FO can be found here
London, 1609. When Lucy St.John, a beautiful highborn orphan at the court of King James, is seduced by the Earl of Suffolk, she never imagines the powerful enemy she creates in his beloved sister, the Countess of Rochester. Or that her own sister Barbara would betray her and force Lucy to leave the court in disgrace. Spirited, educated, and skilled in medicine and precious remedies, Lucy fights her way back into society, and through an unexpected love match, becomes mistress of the Tower of London. Living inside the walls of the infamous prison, she defies plague, political intrigues and tragic executions to tend to aristocratic prisoners and criminals alike.
Now married into the immensely powerful Villiers family, Barbara unites with the king’s favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, to raise the fortunes of Lucy and her family to dizzying heights. But with great wealth comes treachery, leaving Lucy to fight for her survival—and her honor—in a world of deceit and debauchery.
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed debut novel tells the true story of her ancestress Lucy through her family’s surviving diaries, letters, and court papers. Lucy’s personal friendships with historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and the Stuart kings brings a unique perspective to the history of seventeenth century England.
London, 1609. When Lucy St.John, a beautiful highborn orphan at the court of King James, is seduced by the Earl of Suffolk, she never imagines the powerful enemy she creates in his beloved sister, the Countess of Rochester. Or that her own sister Barbara would betray her and force Lucy to leave the court in disgrace. Spirited, educated, and skilled in medicine and precious remedies, Lucy fights her way back into society, and through an unexpected love match, becomes mistress of the Tower of London. Living inside the walls of the infamous prison, she defies plague, political intrigues and tragic executions to tend to aristocratic prisoners and criminals alike.
Now married into the immensely powerful Villiers family, Barbara unites with the king’s favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, to raise the fortunes of Lucy and her family to dizzying heights. But with great wealth comes treachery, leaving Lucy to fight for her survival—and her honor—in a world of deceit and debauchery.
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed debut novel tells the true story of her ancestress Lucy through her family’s surviving diaries, letters, and court papers. Lucy’s personal friendships with historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and the Stuart kings brings a unique perspective to the history of seventeenth century England.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
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About the author
Elizabeth St. John
12 books271 followersElizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Follow me on bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza...
.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Follow me on bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza...
.
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September 16, 2017
A year ago, in September 2016, my husband Mark and I spent a morning at Lydiard Park, an estate located near Swindon in Wiltshire, England. It looked like a nice place to take a stroll and see the local scenery. On our map, Lydiard was about halfway between Tintern and Heathrow, so it was a convenient stop before heading home after the HNS Oxford conference and our vacation in Wales. That was all I knew about it. We parked the car, walked toward the house, and ran into many people with their dogs. It seems we’d arrived on the day of the annual dog show, Lydiard Bark.
Even with the crowds (and barking), Lydiard was a place of tranquility, with its beautifully landscaped grounds, nearby lake, and elegant Palladian country house dating from the Georgian era.
What I hadn’t known at the time was that Lydiard was the historic home of the St. John family, who had royal connections: they descended from Margaret Beauchamp, grandmother of Henry VII, through her first marriage. I also hadn’t realized that Lydiard featured in Elizabeth St. John’s The Lady of the Tower, which I’d purchased, coincidentally, on Kindle a few months earlier. I’m kicking myself now for not taking the opportunity to tour the house, which has many family portraits on the walls; likewise the walled garden, although mid-September wasn’t an ideal time for that. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to return someday.
Now that I’ve gotten the chance to read The Lady of the Tower, I can enthusiastically recommend it to anyone interested in the 17th century, the rich tapestry of women’s lives, or simply settling into a well-told, memorable historical novel. Spanning nearly three decades, from the sunset of the Elizabethan era through the early years of Charles I’s troubled reign as a “divine right” monarch, it follows the ups and downs in the life of Lucy St. John, youngest daughter in a prominent Wiltshire family (the author descends from this same family).
Lucy adores her quiet life in the English countryside; Lydiard is the home of her heart, but circumstances often oblige her to live elsewhere. Wherever Lucy resides, from Battersea along the Thames under the care of her spiteful aunt-by-marriage, to a stone castle in remote Wales, to the industriousness of the Royal Navy Yard, the settings are beautifully etched in the mind’s eye.
One principal theme is the plight of women in this earlier time. Dependent on their male relatives and husbands, they’re also expected to create homes for themselves and their children in places mostly not of their own choosing. Lucy's internal conflict between obligations and her personal desires is palpable, especially since she finds court manners empty of substance.
Following a failed love affair, she marries a kind man, but her choice ironically forces her into a role of uncomfortable prominence: that of mistress of the Tower of London, charged with caring for high-ranking political prisoners, including Sir Walter Raleigh… which means getting unwittingly drawn into the drama that surrounds them. The novel also emphasizes something I hadn’t thought much about: the huge monetary costs incurred by those occupying high-ranking positions in the realm.
Another strong point are the depictions of Lucy’s relationships: her tender friendship with sister-in-law Anne; the growing antagonism between Lucy and her brother John, to whom Lydiard is entailed simply because he’s male; and her rivalry with her opportunistic sister Barbara, her polar opposite, who marries the half-brother of royal favorite George Villiers.
Most of the story unfolds against the political and cultural backdrop of the Jacobean age, which saw royal favorites jockeying for position and reward (and carrying their families’ hopes along with them), the financing of transatlantic voyages of exploration; and the growing influence of Calvinist theology. There are several complex love stories, too; and one love strongly echoing through the pages is that which Lucy has for the place she calls home.
(Images above of Lydiard House, St. Mary's parish church, and the grounds of the estate were taken by either me or my husband, Mark, in Sept 2016.)
Even with the crowds (and barking), Lydiard was a place of tranquility, with its beautifully landscaped grounds, nearby lake, and elegant Palladian country house dating from the Georgian era.
What I hadn’t known at the time was that Lydiard was the historic home of the St. John family, who had royal connections: they descended from Margaret Beauchamp, grandmother of Henry VII, through her first marriage. I also hadn’t realized that Lydiard featured in Elizabeth St. John’s The Lady of the Tower, which I’d purchased, coincidentally, on Kindle a few months earlier. I’m kicking myself now for not taking the opportunity to tour the house, which has many family portraits on the walls; likewise the walled garden, although mid-September wasn’t an ideal time for that. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to return someday.
Now that I’ve gotten the chance to read The Lady of the Tower, I can enthusiastically recommend it to anyone interested in the 17th century, the rich tapestry of women’s lives, or simply settling into a well-told, memorable historical novel. Spanning nearly three decades, from the sunset of the Elizabethan era through the early years of Charles I’s troubled reign as a “divine right” monarch, it follows the ups and downs in the life of Lucy St. John, youngest daughter in a prominent Wiltshire family (the author descends from this same family).
Lucy adores her quiet life in the English countryside; Lydiard is the home of her heart, but circumstances often oblige her to live elsewhere. Wherever Lucy resides, from Battersea along the Thames under the care of her spiteful aunt-by-marriage, to a stone castle in remote Wales, to the industriousness of the Royal Navy Yard, the settings are beautifully etched in the mind’s eye.
One principal theme is the plight of women in this earlier time. Dependent on their male relatives and husbands, they’re also expected to create homes for themselves and their children in places mostly not of their own choosing. Lucy's internal conflict between obligations and her personal desires is palpable, especially since she finds court manners empty of substance.
Following a failed love affair, she marries a kind man, but her choice ironically forces her into a role of uncomfortable prominence: that of mistress of the Tower of London, charged with caring for high-ranking political prisoners, including Sir Walter Raleigh… which means getting unwittingly drawn into the drama that surrounds them. The novel also emphasizes something I hadn’t thought much about: the huge monetary costs incurred by those occupying high-ranking positions in the realm.
Another strong point are the depictions of Lucy’s relationships: her tender friendship with sister-in-law Anne; the growing antagonism between Lucy and her brother John, to whom Lydiard is entailed simply because he’s male; and her rivalry with her opportunistic sister Barbara, her polar opposite, who marries the half-brother of royal favorite George Villiers.
Most of the story unfolds against the political and cultural backdrop of the Jacobean age, which saw royal favorites jockeying for position and reward (and carrying their families’ hopes along with them), the financing of transatlantic voyages of exploration; and the growing influence of Calvinist theology. There are several complex love stories, too; and one love strongly echoing through the pages is that which Lucy has for the place she calls home.
(Images above of Lydiard House, St. Mary's parish church, and the grounds of the estate were taken by either me or my husband, Mark, in Sept 2016.)
January 19, 2023
The Lady of the Tower imagines the life of Lucy St John, a descendant of Margaret Beauchamp (maternal grandmother of Henry VII), from 1603 as she emerges from girlhood to 1630 when she was wife of the Keeper of the Tower of London. With the death of Lucy’s mother five years earlier, the family has been dispersed, her sisters to various relatives and her brother John, after studying at Oxford, to Guernsey. Lucy lives at the Battersea manor of her uncle Oliver St John where she endures the dislike and daily cruelties of both her aunt and Lucy’s older sister Barbara, Aunt Joan’s favourite. Her only escape is the extensive garden and her interest in plants and their healing properties.
The family is brought back together for the marriage of Lucy’s brother to Anne Leighton at Lord Zouche’s substantial house at Hackney where she first encounters the glister of court life. With John’s marriage, the family home of Lydiard in Wiltshire is reopened and Lucy and Barbara move there, becoming neighbours to the Countess of Suffolk and falling into the orbit of Lady Suffolk’s children, Frances and Theophilus Howard. When Lucy attends court to see her brother knighted, she experiences to the fullest the superficial glitter and sumptuous display of court life. Barbara is in her element but Lucy is, in many ways, too honest to carefully navigate the politically and morally dangerous and decadent court of James I. Her missteps mean that she is regarded as damaged goods, most particularly by Aunt Joan and Barbara whose main concern is the effect it will have on her own prospects. Lucy seeks solitude and simplicity of life on Guernsey, at her sister-in-law’s family home, and meets a Calvinist refugee family who introduce her to a theology and piety that will carry her through the coming vagaries of life. Her marriage, finally, to Sir Alan Apsley lead, in the end, to her position as wife of the Keeper of the Tower of London where she has care, in part, of high-ranking political prisoners and where she uses her skills with physic and herbs to bring comfort where she can. These skills are a constant throughout Lucy’s life, drawn from knowledge and skills gained from teachers as varied as the Spanish wife the local minister at Battersea to Lord Zouche’s physician and overseeing gardener, Matthias l’Obel. Everywhere she lives, Lucy attempts to bring order and beauty through the gardens she creates that are both useful and a balm to her soul.
Lucy develops and matures through the novel. She is presented as intelligent and kind-hearted yet resourceful with an inner strength. Although, at times, Lucy resents the restrictions that her sex and position place on her, she is a woman of her time with the decisions of where and how she will live made by the men of her family. The reality of life for those at Lucy St John’s level of society is central to the novel – the jockeying for position; the rewards and costs, both personally and financially, of service to the crown; the danger to an entire family of a member falling out of favour with the king.
The narrative is presented in the first person from Lucy’s point of view. And despite the number of sisters and spouses and the multitude of courtiers, each character is distinctly drawn with a unique personality. The physical environment, from the lush gardens at Battersea, Lydiard and Hackney to the stark reality of the Tower of London, is vividly described in fluid prose. Each chapter begins with a letter relevant to that point in the narrative or an excerpt from a recipe book giving sense of the range of herbs and ailments a good wife would use in dealing with the health of those around her.
The Lady of the Tower is biographical fiction of the best sort, strongly rooted in the facts of Lucy St John’s life yet imagined in a way that puts living flesh on the bare bones of history. I would have liked an Author’s Note at the end of the novel which separated out the elements of imagination and fact, but that is merely a personal preference and lack of it does not detract in any way from the immersive experience of Lucy St John’s life.
More reviews can be found at https://catherinemeyrick.com/category...
The family is brought back together for the marriage of Lucy’s brother to Anne Leighton at Lord Zouche’s substantial house at Hackney where she first encounters the glister of court life. With John’s marriage, the family home of Lydiard in Wiltshire is reopened and Lucy and Barbara move there, becoming neighbours to the Countess of Suffolk and falling into the orbit of Lady Suffolk’s children, Frances and Theophilus Howard. When Lucy attends court to see her brother knighted, she experiences to the fullest the superficial glitter and sumptuous display of court life. Barbara is in her element but Lucy is, in many ways, too honest to carefully navigate the politically and morally dangerous and decadent court of James I. Her missteps mean that she is regarded as damaged goods, most particularly by Aunt Joan and Barbara whose main concern is the effect it will have on her own prospects. Lucy seeks solitude and simplicity of life on Guernsey, at her sister-in-law’s family home, and meets a Calvinist refugee family who introduce her to a theology and piety that will carry her through the coming vagaries of life. Her marriage, finally, to Sir Alan Apsley lead, in the end, to her position as wife of the Keeper of the Tower of London where she has care, in part, of high-ranking political prisoners and where she uses her skills with physic and herbs to bring comfort where she can. These skills are a constant throughout Lucy’s life, drawn from knowledge and skills gained from teachers as varied as the Spanish wife the local minister at Battersea to Lord Zouche’s physician and overseeing gardener, Matthias l’Obel. Everywhere she lives, Lucy attempts to bring order and beauty through the gardens she creates that are both useful and a balm to her soul.
Lucy develops and matures through the novel. She is presented as intelligent and kind-hearted yet resourceful with an inner strength. Although, at times, Lucy resents the restrictions that her sex and position place on her, she is a woman of her time with the decisions of where and how she will live made by the men of her family. The reality of life for those at Lucy St John’s level of society is central to the novel – the jockeying for position; the rewards and costs, both personally and financially, of service to the crown; the danger to an entire family of a member falling out of favour with the king.
The narrative is presented in the first person from Lucy’s point of view. And despite the number of sisters and spouses and the multitude of courtiers, each character is distinctly drawn with a unique personality. The physical environment, from the lush gardens at Battersea, Lydiard and Hackney to the stark reality of the Tower of London, is vividly described in fluid prose. Each chapter begins with a letter relevant to that point in the narrative or an excerpt from a recipe book giving sense of the range of herbs and ailments a good wife would use in dealing with the health of those around her.
The Lady of the Tower is biographical fiction of the best sort, strongly rooted in the facts of Lucy St John’s life yet imagined in a way that puts living flesh on the bare bones of history. I would have liked an Author’s Note at the end of the novel which separated out the elements of imagination and fact, but that is merely a personal preference and lack of it does not detract in any way from the immersive experience of Lucy St John’s life.
More reviews can be found at https://catherinemeyrick.com/category...
February 12, 2021
The best historical fiction imparts knowledge about the past while immersing the reader in an unforgettable story. Elizabeth St.John has achieved that beautifully with The Lady in the Tower. When I learned that author St.John was inspired to write the story of her ancestor Lucy St.John after discovering a 400-year-old family diary, I was intrigued. I soon discovered that Elizabeth St.John is a gifted storyteller who effortlessly weaves historical details with richly drawn characters, creating a world that comes alive on the page. Lucy St.John is a character I will carry in my heart for a long time. She faced betrayal and treachery with clear-eyed intelligence and courage. Though she was caught up in court intrigues and shifting political alliances within her own family, she managed to remain true to her values and find happiness even as England careened toward civil war. I highly recommend this excellent read, as well as St.John’s entire Lydiard Series.
May 25, 2019
I REALLY loved learning about Lady Lucy Apsley, née St John, through this historic fiction by her descendant, Elizabeth St. John. 4.5 stars for bringing her to life through her writings, in letters, and her recipes for physics and medicines. While Lucy never had the ambition to succeed at the court of James I, or to achieve wealth through a marriage of her families making, she had a love of service to the suffering, the plants and medicinal uses available through them, and the beauty nature offered. Lucy’s sister was Barbara Villiers, a sibling who would be a thorn, ripping and tearing the fabric of Lucy’s life through her schemes and ambition. You will come across many names you know, Sir Walter Raleigh himself wrote in her book of recipes.
April 17, 2017
I had several reasons for picking up this book, and my high expectations were not disappointed. This was an enjoyable adventure into the Stuart court with all its gilded surface and dirty underbelly. Lucy St John is in a unique position as the daughter of a prominent family but a younger sister with an unsympathetic guardian. Her coming of age takes place in an environment where no one allows their true self to be exposed. Being more honest and naive than those around her, Lucy learns some difficult lessons in courtly love and betrayal, but these experiences set her upon the path to find faith, true love, and happiness.
August 10, 2022
historical fiction at its best
Beautiful prose, great attention to historical detail, hard not to feel one lives in those moments. A story of determination of a woman of strong faith against so many odds.
Beautiful prose, great attention to historical detail, hard not to feel one lives in those moments. A story of determination of a woman of strong faith against so many odds.
April 7, 2016
Set during the reigns of James I and his son Charles I, The Lady of the Tower is the compelling story of Lucy St. John, wife of Sir Allen Apsley who was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London in 1617. From prologue to last chapter, the author keeps the reader mesmerized with the intrigues and high-stakes happenings of seventeenth century England.
Lucy St. John is a worthy protagonist. Orphaned at an early age and raised by a mean-spirited aunt, Lucy is generous, caring and intelligent. Captivated by a young courtier, Lucy’s hopes for marriage are destroyed when her conniving, self-centred sister interferes. On the verge of leaving England for a secluded life in Guernsey, Lucy meets Allen Apsley.
Elizabeth St. John (a descendant of Lucy) deftly portrays the decadent Stuart court, a time of intrigue and political scandal. Her vividly drawn characters risk all – some for wealth and position, others for family and duty. The Lady of the Tower is both a love story and a highly engaging look at the events and people that tipped England towards civil war.
Lucy St. John is a worthy protagonist. Orphaned at an early age and raised by a mean-spirited aunt, Lucy is generous, caring and intelligent. Captivated by a young courtier, Lucy’s hopes for marriage are destroyed when her conniving, self-centred sister interferes. On the verge of leaving England for a secluded life in Guernsey, Lucy meets Allen Apsley.
Elizabeth St. John (a descendant of Lucy) deftly portrays the decadent Stuart court, a time of intrigue and political scandal. Her vividly drawn characters risk all – some for wealth and position, others for family and duty. The Lady of the Tower is both a love story and a highly engaging look at the events and people that tipped England towards civil war.
February 6, 2019
I enjoyed this book, although not normally the style of book that i would choose.
I listened to the audio of this book which I will review on the Audible site, however, it was easy to see that this was a well written, well-researched novel based on the author's family history.
Lucy was a character who was easy to empathise with, feisty when she wanted to be, humble when she needed to be and intelligently portrayed as shown in the readings of her apothecary diary. I wanted to slap the man who broke her heart and give her husband a good telling off, not knowing how lucky he was to have this woman as his wife. The way that people who were born to money and nobility in these times could fall so easily through no fault of their own was touchingly portrayed and Lucy, was denied the 'softer' life her birth had denied her because of the death of her parents and her aunt's dislike of her.
The pace was not fast, not necessarily gripping, but had me wanting to read more about what was going to happen to her and her family. I'm hoping that I can pick up the sequel soon to find out!
One of the aspects i really liked about the premise of this book is that the author has used her ancestress' letters as a framework for her story which gave authenticity, in my view, to her novel and I would applaud Ms St. John for creating a world i could believe in.
I wholly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the slower paced biographical novels and anyone who appreciates an excellent well-written book.
I listened to the audio of this book which I will review on the Audible site, however, it was easy to see that this was a well written, well-researched novel based on the author's family history.
Lucy was a character who was easy to empathise with, feisty when she wanted to be, humble when she needed to be and intelligently portrayed as shown in the readings of her apothecary diary. I wanted to slap the man who broke her heart and give her husband a good telling off, not knowing how lucky he was to have this woman as his wife. The way that people who were born to money and nobility in these times could fall so easily through no fault of their own was touchingly portrayed and Lucy, was denied the 'softer' life her birth had denied her because of the death of her parents and her aunt's dislike of her.
The pace was not fast, not necessarily gripping, but had me wanting to read more about what was going to happen to her and her family. I'm hoping that I can pick up the sequel soon to find out!
One of the aspects i really liked about the premise of this book is that the author has used her ancestress' letters as a framework for her story which gave authenticity, in my view, to her novel and I would applaud Ms St. John for creating a world i could believe in.
I wholly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the slower paced biographical novels and anyone who appreciates an excellent well-written book.
October 9, 2018
Literature at its best
How many times have I picked up a historical novel that promises much in promotional hype but fails to deliver? Too often. All the more reason why this amazing debut by Elizabeth St. John was such a pleasant surprise.
Let me start with the language, which is something of a pet peeve with me. I believe that language in historical fiction, more than in any other genre, is an intrinsic part of the setting. Woven into the fabric of the historical background, it is like fine golden thread lending shine and glitter. And authenticity. The author made sure we get all that in abundance. She went out of her way to use language befitting the period. The use of little snippets at the start of each chapter, featuring herbal remedies or letters, all based on actual documents and diaries belonging to the author's family, lent more realism to the setting. My only grievance was the American spelling. I feel that British spelling would have been more appropriate to the setting in a work of this calibre. That being said, when weighed against the novel's many strengths, this is not a major issue. I might suggest, perhaps, a British version in a future edition, which would certainly make it an all-round perfect literary work.
The attention to historical detail cannot be praised enough. From actual events, to real historical figures, to the mundane minutiae of daily life, The Lady of the Tower brings to vivid life 17th century England and court life. The treacherous Stuart court is the backdrop against which the lower ranks vie for the monarch's favour and related rewards. Around the King's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, revolve the ambitions of the St. John family and, eventually, their downfall. The political machinations, often lethal, highlight the dark side of power and are all the more poignant for the principal setting of this story: the Tower of London. The stark contrast between the extravagances of court life and the abject poverty of the lower orders is heartbreaking even when viewed in a fictional setting.
The novel is long but there's never a dull moment. All the human trials one might expect in a historical drama are explored in great depth — the rise and fall of fortunes that come with great wealth and power, courtly love, betrayal, deceit, scheming, blackballing, jealousy, debauchery, sickness and death. A reader is kept on her toes from beginning to end.
I found the plot to be all the more interesting for its biographical content, based as it is on the author's very own ancestor, Lucy St. John, who is our heroine. Lucy is a remarkable woman of fortitude and strong principles, who endears herself to the reader both as an intellectual and as a woman. She stands out among the many vibrant characters in the story. Her life, the hardships she endures, epitomise the plight of women of the time, who were helpless chattels of their male relatives and husbands. The author illustrates this aspect for us well. We question whether any woman alive in that era could have led a fulfilling life. The ending of this first novel proves that they could and did, even if it seems unfathomable to our modern emancipated thinking. There is an underlying spiritual theme in Lucy's story that transcends time. It is about acceptance of one's lot, about making the most of what life offers without nurturing too many expectations and finding fulfillment within those constraints.
This amazing foray into the past is the first in St. John's The Lydiard Chronicles series, and I am now all agog to read the sequel. An enjoyable read that I do not hesitate to recommend to all who appreciate good historical fiction.
How many times have I picked up a historical novel that promises much in promotional hype but fails to deliver? Too often. All the more reason why this amazing debut by Elizabeth St. John was such a pleasant surprise.
Let me start with the language, which is something of a pet peeve with me. I believe that language in historical fiction, more than in any other genre, is an intrinsic part of the setting. Woven into the fabric of the historical background, it is like fine golden thread lending shine and glitter. And authenticity. The author made sure we get all that in abundance. She went out of her way to use language befitting the period. The use of little snippets at the start of each chapter, featuring herbal remedies or letters, all based on actual documents and diaries belonging to the author's family, lent more realism to the setting. My only grievance was the American spelling. I feel that British spelling would have been more appropriate to the setting in a work of this calibre. That being said, when weighed against the novel's many strengths, this is not a major issue. I might suggest, perhaps, a British version in a future edition, which would certainly make it an all-round perfect literary work.
The attention to historical detail cannot be praised enough. From actual events, to real historical figures, to the mundane minutiae of daily life, The Lady of the Tower brings to vivid life 17th century England and court life. The treacherous Stuart court is the backdrop against which the lower ranks vie for the monarch's favour and related rewards. Around the King's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, revolve the ambitions of the St. John family and, eventually, their downfall. The political machinations, often lethal, highlight the dark side of power and are all the more poignant for the principal setting of this story: the Tower of London. The stark contrast between the extravagances of court life and the abject poverty of the lower orders is heartbreaking even when viewed in a fictional setting.
The novel is long but there's never a dull moment. All the human trials one might expect in a historical drama are explored in great depth — the rise and fall of fortunes that come with great wealth and power, courtly love, betrayal, deceit, scheming, blackballing, jealousy, debauchery, sickness and death. A reader is kept on her toes from beginning to end.
I found the plot to be all the more interesting for its biographical content, based as it is on the author's very own ancestor, Lucy St. John, who is our heroine. Lucy is a remarkable woman of fortitude and strong principles, who endears herself to the reader both as an intellectual and as a woman. She stands out among the many vibrant characters in the story. Her life, the hardships she endures, epitomise the plight of women of the time, who were helpless chattels of their male relatives and husbands. The author illustrates this aspect for us well. We question whether any woman alive in that era could have led a fulfilling life. The ending of this first novel proves that they could and did, even if it seems unfathomable to our modern emancipated thinking. There is an underlying spiritual theme in Lucy's story that transcends time. It is about acceptance of one's lot, about making the most of what life offers without nurturing too many expectations and finding fulfillment within those constraints.
This amazing foray into the past is the first in St. John's The Lydiard Chronicles series, and I am now all agog to read the sequel. An enjoyable read that I do not hesitate to recommend to all who appreciate good historical fiction.
March 6, 2018
Lucy, our Lady of the Tower starts out as a Cinderella kind of character, with the wicked stepmother and hateful sisters (or at least some of them) but eventually she finds her own way and manages to survive in the treacherous Stuart court thanks to a late, mature relationship with a respectable, though risk-taking courtier. Everyone in her family circle is at the mercy of the willful, handsome, aspiring George Villiers (soon to be Duke of Buckingham), court favorite of James I and later Charles I. As an old reader of “The Three Musketeers”, I had forgotten that the Duke of Buckingham rose to power under James. Apparently he had no problem leaving a trail of broken lives on his way up the social ladder, and our Lady’s husband is among his hapless victims.
I found the pace of this book a little bewildering. We spend an inordinate amount of time on her youthful disappointment in love which colors her subsequent behavior throughout. She never seems to grow out of her infatuation until close to the end, and her marriage seems kind of empty as a result. Husband Allen becomes constable of the Tower but spends most of his time elsewhere, never taking Lucy into his confidence. We learn that he has sacrificed his fortune in the service of the Duke, guaranteeing payment to suppliers for the Duke’s foreign wars. Alas, the government is penniless and yet the Duke undertakes a second invasion which is more disastrous than the first. The whole sequence of war debacles is pretty convoluted to me, and suddenly Allen comes back terribly injured along with the rest of the shattered army. Lucy does her best to mitigate her family’s misfortunes, but it seems she is outmaneuvered by the ambitions of her nasty sister Barbara—and by fate, itself. This was not a happy time.
The author has given us an insight into an era that is rarely written about. We don’t often get to see into the glittering court of James I, though even here we are on the outside looking in. Nonetheless, it’s an intriguing glimpse of a superficial world, where the trappings of wealth mean much more than loyalty and honesty. Lucy is almost an anachronism in her own time, which is one of the things that makes her so interesting. I wish the author would have given us more background in an Author’s Note at the end.
I found the pace of this book a little bewildering. We spend an inordinate amount of time on her youthful disappointment in love which colors her subsequent behavior throughout. She never seems to grow out of her infatuation until close to the end, and her marriage seems kind of empty as a result. Husband Allen becomes constable of the Tower but spends most of his time elsewhere, never taking Lucy into his confidence. We learn that he has sacrificed his fortune in the service of the Duke, guaranteeing payment to suppliers for the Duke’s foreign wars. Alas, the government is penniless and yet the Duke undertakes a second invasion which is more disastrous than the first. The whole sequence of war debacles is pretty convoluted to me, and suddenly Allen comes back terribly injured along with the rest of the shattered army. Lucy does her best to mitigate her family’s misfortunes, but it seems she is outmaneuvered by the ambitions of her nasty sister Barbara—and by fate, itself. This was not a happy time.
The author has given us an insight into an era that is rarely written about. We don’t often get to see into the glittering court of James I, though even here we are on the outside looking in. Nonetheless, it’s an intriguing glimpse of a superficial world, where the trappings of wealth mean much more than loyalty and honesty. Lucy is almost an anachronism in her own time, which is one of the things that makes her so interesting. I wish the author would have given us more background in an Author’s Note at the end.
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February 14, 2016The reign of James I was a tumultuous one and it was difficult for those who were around the Court to keep their heads, their careers or their virtue. For Lucy however the danger and animosity came within her very own family - her sister Barbara leading the pack, hating Lucy with a vengeance even when it seemed that there was no reason for Barbara who had it all to be jealous of Lucy.
Lucy catches the eye of the Earl of Suffolk but it was not to be and she had to find a path for herself. Most women of the time would have fallen into the arms of any other man but Lucy had ideas that with her wealth of knowledge of plants and herbs, ample knowledge of the medications of the time that she could forge a life for herself. It was not exactly how it turned out to be but she did find a faithful husband and had an eventful life within the Court.
Not a smooth one though. Her husband was drawn into scheme after scheme by the King and lost everything and Lucy was once again bereft. In a world full of scheming women and men Lucy had to fight to stay afloat, now not just for herself but for her young family.
Descriptive of the Court and the intrigues of the Duke of Buckingham who literally ruled the court and King James, the story of Lucy's life from the time she was a little girl was a very emotional read.
Lucy catches the eye of the Earl of Suffolk but it was not to be and she had to find a path for herself. Most women of the time would have fallen into the arms of any other man but Lucy had ideas that with her wealth of knowledge of plants and herbs, ample knowledge of the medications of the time that she could forge a life for herself. It was not exactly how it turned out to be but she did find a faithful husband and had an eventful life within the Court.
Not a smooth one though. Her husband was drawn into scheme after scheme by the King and lost everything and Lucy was once again bereft. In a world full of scheming women and men Lucy had to fight to stay afloat, now not just for herself but for her young family.
Descriptive of the Court and the intrigues of the Duke of Buckingham who literally ruled the court and King James, the story of Lucy's life from the time she was a little girl was a very emotional read.
January 10, 2018
I loved the attention to historical detail in this book and learning more about this time period. The interworking and the intrigue of the court is fascinating. I especially like Lucy and how she doesn't give into all of the evil going on around her, but keeps a strong faith. Ms. St. John writes a fascinating story filled with attention to detail.
Content: I would rate this book PG13 due to violence (descriptions of violent images) and sexual content.
I won this book in a giveaway and was not obligated to write a review.
Content: I would rate this book PG13 due to violence (descriptions of violent images) and sexual content.
I won this book in a giveaway and was not obligated to write a review.
February 23, 2016
This was an absolutely amazing book, filled with beautiful scenes and intrigue. for the Historical fiction lover, it is an amazing look into the lives of almost-royalty. The lives of these 17th century nobles is compelling, and leaves the reader with eyes wide with wonder, and a yearning to know more. If you have not yet read this wonderful 1st book in the series, you are truly missing out on an adventurous look into history. I personally cannot wait for the second!
November 17, 2017
Set in the Stuart period of King James 1, 'The Lady in the Tower' provides a riveting read for fans of British historical fiction. The author, Elizabeth St. John uses documents from her own family history to create a multi-faceted protagonist who immediately captures the interest and sympathy of the reader. The cast of characters are skillfully drawn and the landscapes come to life on the page. An absorbing and fascinating read!
April 1, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
" Elizabeth St John brings these years of Stuart England to the fore, bringing the known facts of her ancestor’s life together with richly imagined scenes creating in the process a believable heroine, an intriguing plot and an enjoyable novel. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
" Elizabeth St John brings these years of Stuart England to the fore, bringing the known facts of her ancestor’s life together with richly imagined scenes creating in the process a believable heroine, an intriguing plot and an enjoyable novel. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
September 16, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A fascinating tale of the period when England said goodbye to the Tudors and hello to the Stuarts. The protagonist, Lucy, grows up in a household where she is treated with contempt by her guardian and by her scheming sister Barbara. In a time when women had very little say in their futures and where the intricate, backstabbing antics of the Royal Court, Lucy struggles to survive. Married to an important member of the King's retinue of courtiers, she finds herself living in the infamous Tower of London, the wife of the Tower Gaoler.
The author paints a vivid picture of life in the early 17th century. I was drawn in by the descriptive, and indeed the educative nature that arises from the pages. Lucy, a woman, dares to formulate and even more daring, lets her opinions known. It was indeed a world dominated by men of noble birth, not very unlike the world we live in now(substitute rich for noble). In Lucy's words, "I so tire of these court behaviors, where the men who rule think only of their own affairs and not of those of the citizens of this land." Words that I utter every day.
I chose to read this book not knowing much of the period, at least not from the perspective of the court of King James and his son Charles. I now know a lot more, and if there is one thing I love to do is to learn history. If I can do that and be entertained along the way, then so much the better. The author has done those things while at the same time preparing the way for a sequel. After all of the pain, anguish, fear, and even the joys of her life, Lucy emerges as one of the more interesting characters I have come across in my historical-fiction reading. 5 stars
July 6, 2022
A beautifully written odyssey into early seventeenth century England.
This is a delicious read: filled to the brim with an astonishingly detailed description of the Jacobean/Stuart courts; nature and the countryside; the ports and the city of London, including the Tower. It is true to say that it is so skilfully done you actually feel that you are treading in the footsteps of the heroine, Lucy St. John. What an unexpected twist when you discover that she is actually a distant ancestor of the author. I felt Ms St. John did her ancestor proud and brought her and her large, slightly chaotic family to life as they and their exploits flew off the pages. We are introduced to the brilliantly drawn sister, Barbara, whose malice against Lucy knows no bounds. Handsome Theo, one of the famous Howards, is a worthy hero, absurdly handsome and charming. Spouting Shakespeare and clearly in love with Lucy, we can’t help but be drawn to him.
Along the way, there are many famous names: a flickering of the old queen, Bess; portraits of James I and his son, Charles, that seem to perfectly capture these often elusive kings. Sir Walter Raleigh steps in for a last hurrah. The courts are scandal-filled places where only the strongest survive. The amount of research Ms St. John must have done is astounding but this novel wears it lightly. The story is told through the eyes of Lucy and we are willing her on throughout. The tension is palpable until the very last sentence. And the good news is that there are two more in the series. A must-buy!
This is a delicious read: filled to the brim with an astonishingly detailed description of the Jacobean/Stuart courts; nature and the countryside; the ports and the city of London, including the Tower. It is true to say that it is so skilfully done you actually feel that you are treading in the footsteps of the heroine, Lucy St. John. What an unexpected twist when you discover that she is actually a distant ancestor of the author. I felt Ms St. John did her ancestor proud and brought her and her large, slightly chaotic family to life as they and their exploits flew off the pages. We are introduced to the brilliantly drawn sister, Barbara, whose malice against Lucy knows no bounds. Handsome Theo, one of the famous Howards, is a worthy hero, absurdly handsome and charming. Spouting Shakespeare and clearly in love with Lucy, we can’t help but be drawn to him.
Along the way, there are many famous names: a flickering of the old queen, Bess; portraits of James I and his son, Charles, that seem to perfectly capture these often elusive kings. Sir Walter Raleigh steps in for a last hurrah. The courts are scandal-filled places where only the strongest survive. The amount of research Ms St. John must have done is astounding but this novel wears it lightly. The story is told through the eyes of Lucy and we are willing her on throughout. The tension is palpable until the very last sentence. And the good news is that there are two more in the series. A must-buy!
October 5, 2020
My imagination went on an indulgent trip as I read this book... Through the voice of Lucy, it sent me back to the time I spent visiting the Tower of London; I walked the paths and climbed the smooth, concave stone stairs in the narrow towers leading to the cells occupied by elite prisoners of the era. I remember leaning against a well-worn wall, fingering the crevices between the stones, imagining Anne Boleyn or Walter Raleigh skimming their hands against the very same ridges 400 or more years ago... I imagined prisoners landing at the watery steps of the dock entrance, then being led through cover of darkness to their cells to await their fate at the hands of the ruling monarch... to say I was entranced is a pitiful understatement. Reading this book brought back memories of the Tower, and sent me on new voyages inside my own head...
June 12, 2019
I'm giving this novel five stars as I thoroughly enjoyed the story of The Lady of the Tower. The roads that Lucy chose in her life kept me turning the pages and I've always loved stories that are populated with historical figures. King James, King Charles and the Duke of Buckingham featured prominently in this novel and the policy of gaining 'favours' through the Royal Court was quite distressing; especially when promises were not kept and debt ensued. Lucy was a strong character and worked hard to keep her family together when life became difficult for them.
I have only one small quibble and that was the mention of a 'wedding lunch'. I think wedding breakfast would have been more suited to the Stuart era.
However, this is a small matter and I'm happy to say that I'm now reading the sequel By Love Divided. An excellent five star story.
I have only one small quibble and that was the mention of a 'wedding lunch'. I think wedding breakfast would have been more suited to the Stuart era.
However, this is a small matter and I'm happy to say that I'm now reading the sequel By Love Divided. An excellent five star story.
May 21, 2020
This story was so enthralling! Historical facts embedded into the life of the main characters; love opposed to duty and social advancement; morality opposed to survival; a beautiful writing style that takes the reader to the various places so vividly you think you are there yourself, all of these facts make this book hooking, interesting and beautiful. Highly recommended to readers of historical fiction!
February 28, 2023
wow!
I love historical novels. This is a great story, written so you feel like you are with Lucy where she goes and what she sees! I am onto the next book! A wonderful read! 💗
I love historical novels. This is a great story, written so you feel like you are with Lucy where she goes and what she sees! I am onto the next book! A wonderful read! 💗
March 14, 2021
Outstanding
October 29, 2017
If you love historical fiction, this brilliantly written novel definitely should be on your must-read list! The atmosphere of 17th century England, the authentic dialogue, meticulously researched and vividly presented life of noble families make this novel truly stand out among the others in the genre. What I loved about this particular story was how it was narrated in such a way (through young Lucy St. John’s eyes) that I felt like I saw and experienced everything through my own eyes. The hopelessness of a young orphaned girl’s situation when she and her sisters are left to fend for themselves in the household of their aunt that would put any stereotypical “evil stepmother” to shame; the frivolous ways of the court that nearly ruined a sincere and loving heart; the intrigues of those belonging to the highest echelons of power that cost some their freedom, and some - their lives…
Lucy was an absolutely outstanding leading character - defiant, possessing an inquiring mind and a loving heart, but at the same time unafraid to stand up for what is right - and for that, she deserved my utmost respect. What I also appreciated in this novel was that how there weren’t purely positive or negative characters (even though some will definitely make you dislike them) but a kaleidoscope of very real people with all their flaws and redeeming qualities, just like it is in real life.
Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, “The Lady of the Tower” will be a perfect addition to every history lover’s book collection. Highly recommended!
Lucy was an absolutely outstanding leading character - defiant, possessing an inquiring mind and a loving heart, but at the same time unafraid to stand up for what is right - and for that, she deserved my utmost respect. What I also appreciated in this novel was that how there weren’t purely positive or negative characters (even though some will definitely make you dislike them) but a kaleidoscope of very real people with all their flaws and redeeming qualities, just like it is in real life.
Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, “The Lady of the Tower” will be a perfect addition to every history lover’s book collection. Highly recommended!
April 18, 2016
From the very first page, Elizabeth St.John's powerful and evocative writing swept me into early seventeenth-century England along with her heroine and ancestress, Lucy St.John. Lucy tells her own story, and we follow her from an unhappy childhood, through an encounter with an aristocratic love rat, to a marriage that makes her mistress of the Tower of London. I really empathised with Lucy - she deserved happiness and I was absorbed in her struggle to triumph over her difficult family, Court intrigues and the limitations imposed on women of her time. The other character who jumps off the page is Lucy's manipulative sister Barbara - I loved to hate Barbara and cheered every time she made one of her entrances! Comparatively few authors have written about this period and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Whitehall in the corrupt reign of James I (he was the king who invented the title of baronet in order to sell it). Elizabeth St.John excels at painting pictures and creating atmosphere, and every setting is described in crystalline detail. This is the perfect book for a snowy winter evening, hot summer afternoon or anything in between. I would especially recommend it to fans of Anne O'Brien, Joanna Hickson, Gillian Bagwell or Susan Holloway Scott. Looking forward to the sequel!
June 16, 2024
A very emotional book
Well researched and written, I love history told from the woman's point of view. Because we were there. Too often history is all battles and kings and men. What a pleasant change to read about the women s influence.
Well researched and written, I love history told from the woman's point of view. Because we were there. Too often history is all battles and kings and men. What a pleasant change to read about the women s influence.
April 19, 2019
A wonderful story that breaths life into a great period in history. Through her vivid narrative style, Ms. St. John recounts the adventures of her ancestor, Lucy St. John, drawing us into the intrigue that surrounded court life in early seventeenth century England. A definite page turner, with characters that touch our hearts, and at times, elicit righteous indignation for the heroine. A definite must read for anyone who loves the history of the period.
August 5, 2018
Good read!
I enjoyed reading this book, and the author did a very good job of moving the plot along. Based on other reading I’ve done off this time period, I think author stayed close to historical facts.
I enjoyed reading this book, and the author did a very good job of moving the plot along. Based on other reading I’ve done off this time period, I think author stayed close to historical facts.
September 8, 2016
Singularly depressing.
Well written, but tells of the great depravity of wealth and power in the courts of kings and their disregard for those they ruled.
Well written, but tells of the great depravity of wealth and power in the courts of kings and their disregard for those they ruled.
January 5, 2017
We are proud to announce that THE LADY IN THE TOWER by Elizabeth St. John is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
January 12, 2025
Loved this! Beautifully written! Really enjoyed how the author included her family's letter's, journals, and apothecary recipes!
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