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Queen of the North
To those around her she was a loyal subject.
In her heart she was a traitor.
1399: England’s crown is under threat. King Richard II holds onto his power by an ever-weakening thread, with exiled Henry of Lancaster back to reclaim his place on the throne.
For Elizabeth Mortimer, there is only one rightful King – her eight-year-old nephew, Edmund. Only he can guarantee her fortunes, and protect her family’s rule over the precious Northern lands bordering Scotland.
But many, including Elizabeth’s husband, do not want another child-King. Elizabeth must hide her true ambitions in Court, and go against her husband’s wishes to help build a rebel army.
To question her loyalty to the King places Elizabeth in the shadow of the axe.
To concede would curdle her Plantagenet blood.
This is one woman’s quest to turn history on its head.
481 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2018
446 people are currently reading
1640 people want to read
About the author
Anne O'Brien
66 books775 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.
I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.
When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.
Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.
For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.
My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.
I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.
When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.
Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.
For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
January 7, 2020
An interesting historical story of a time period I'm less familiar with. As with anything regarding royals and gentry of that time there is intrigue, scandal, plotting and fighting and all is included here. It felt well researched and there was a lot to take in. A little too much for me, in some parts it was a little weighty but overall an enjoyable read.
June 24, 2018
‘Who was I, Elizabeth Mortimer?’
In 1399, King Richard II of England is barely clinging onto power. He’s angered many nobles by his ruthless taxation and his attempts to curb their power. So, when John of Gaunt’s exiled son Henry of Bolingbroke returns to England while Richard is visiting Ireland, he can rally support to replace Richard as king. Richard II abdicates, Henry of Bolingbroke becomes Henry IV.
But for Elizabeth Mortimer and her family, there is only one rightful King – her eight-year-old nephew, Edmund. Edmund is descended from Edward III’s second surviving son, Lionel. Henry of Bolingbroke is descended from Edward III’s third surviving son, John of Gaunt. But there is little support for another child king: Richard II had been king since he was ten years old, and Henry is an adult.
Elizabeth’s husband, Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) and his family, pragmatic and powerful, support Henry IV. But what of Elizabeth? Can she reconcile her divided loyalties? At what cost?
Told in the first person, from Elizabeth’s perspective, Ms O’Brien brings the intrigues of this period to life. The novel is set between 1399 and 1408 and follows the ambitions and fortunes of the Mortimer and Percy families while Henry IV struggles against plots and rebellions.
‘Once you were Queen of the North. What would be your ambition now?’
I knew next to nothing about Elizabeth Mortimer before reading this novel. I’d heard of Harry Hotspur and was aware of how Henry IV became king, but I’d not focussed on the detail. Reading this novel gave me more insight into the competing claims for the throne at this time. It also gave me more background into the later struggles between Lancaster and York.
If you are interested in this period of English history, you may also enjoy this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In 1399, King Richard II of England is barely clinging onto power. He’s angered many nobles by his ruthless taxation and his attempts to curb their power. So, when John of Gaunt’s exiled son Henry of Bolingbroke returns to England while Richard is visiting Ireland, he can rally support to replace Richard as king. Richard II abdicates, Henry of Bolingbroke becomes Henry IV.
But for Elizabeth Mortimer and her family, there is only one rightful King – her eight-year-old nephew, Edmund. Edmund is descended from Edward III’s second surviving son, Lionel. Henry of Bolingbroke is descended from Edward III’s third surviving son, John of Gaunt. But there is little support for another child king: Richard II had been king since he was ten years old, and Henry is an adult.
Elizabeth’s husband, Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) and his family, pragmatic and powerful, support Henry IV. But what of Elizabeth? Can she reconcile her divided loyalties? At what cost?
Told in the first person, from Elizabeth’s perspective, Ms O’Brien brings the intrigues of this period to life. The novel is set between 1399 and 1408 and follows the ambitions and fortunes of the Mortimer and Percy families while Henry IV struggles against plots and rebellions.
‘Once you were Queen of the North. What would be your ambition now?’
I knew next to nothing about Elizabeth Mortimer before reading this novel. I’d heard of Harry Hotspur and was aware of how Henry IV became king, but I’d not focussed on the detail. Reading this novel gave me more insight into the competing claims for the throne at this time. It also gave me more background into the later struggles between Lancaster and York.
If you are interested in this period of English history, you may also enjoy this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 7, 2018
Anne O'Brien has written a series of books looking at the lives of lesser known female players in medieval English history.
This book is a novel of Elizabeth Mortimer, wife of Henry 'Hotspur' Percy, and cousin of both Richard II and Henry IV.
It's marvellous to see people centre stage in a novel that most people seem to ignore.
When you read the Plantagenet family trees in some novels, it's easy to form the erroneous opinion that the monarchs had few children. In reality, the family trees where large, sprawling, and intertwined.
The books was well written, well researched and entertaining. There is a smidgeon of romance, between Elizabeth and Henry, but not with her second husband. Anne O'Brien is pragmatic about marriage at that time period.
Highly recommended.
This book is a novel of Elizabeth Mortimer, wife of Henry 'Hotspur' Percy, and cousin of both Richard II and Henry IV.
It's marvellous to see people centre stage in a novel that most people seem to ignore.
When you read the Plantagenet family trees in some novels, it's easy to form the erroneous opinion that the monarchs had few children. In reality, the family trees where large, sprawling, and intertwined.
The books was well written, well researched and entertaining. There is a smidgeon of romance, between Elizabeth and Henry, but not with her second husband. Anne O'Brien is pragmatic about marriage at that time period.
Highly recommended.
May 28, 2018
This little Ginger Book Geek is a history nerd although my tastes are usually limited to the last couple of centuries- what you might call modern history. I thought that it was about time I tried something different and so I picked up ‘Queen Of The North’ and began to read. Oh my goodness what a read this proved to be. I absolutely loved reading it but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely loved the setting in the North East of England, which is where I live. Place names were mentioned that are familiar to me. I didn’t realise how the boundaries have changed over the years and quite how big the Northumberland area was. Some names of the well to do families were familiar too. For example: the Percy family are just as important today as they were back then.
‘Queen Of the North’ was one hell of a rollercoaster ride of a read. Oh my there was more murder, intrigue, betrayal, family problems, treachery, disputes in this book than you would find in a week’s worth of episodes of a soap opera. There were lots of twists, turns and stomach churning moments and moments where I almost had to read through my hands as I genuinely feared what was going to happen next.
I was hooked on ‘Queen Of The North’ from the moment I read the prologue. The author’s writing style and her descriptions were so vivid that I literally felt as though I had suddenly been transported back to the 1300s and living in a castle. It took me a little while to get used to the old fashioned language that was used back in the day but I soon got over that. Reading this book became an addiction that I just had to feed. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but that couple turned into 6 or 7 chapters. I am usually easily distracted as I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I was able to shut everything out and just focus on the story, which was just as well because there were a few strands to the story and I was interested to see how they linked up an fed into the main story.
The author has clearly carried out a lot of research for this book and it shows. The author has very skilfully combined fact and fiction and the result is this book. The story flows really well. At the same time I have found myself developing an interest in the 1300s, which I fully intend to develop just as soon as I can and I certainly felt as though I had learnt something. As a result of reading this book I also fully intend to go to visit Alnwick Castle in Northumberland to see if it is as beautiful as it sounded in the book.
In short I really did enjoy reading this book which serves as an introduction to the 1300s and was my introduction to Anne O’Brien’s work. It was certainly different to the books I usually read and in this case a change was certainly as good as a rest. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read what comes next from Anne O’Brien but whilst I wait I will just satisfy myself with catching up with her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I absolutely loved the setting in the North East of England, which is where I live. Place names were mentioned that are familiar to me. I didn’t realise how the boundaries have changed over the years and quite how big the Northumberland area was. Some names of the well to do families were familiar too. For example: the Percy family are just as important today as they were back then.
‘Queen Of the North’ was one hell of a rollercoaster ride of a read. Oh my there was more murder, intrigue, betrayal, family problems, treachery, disputes in this book than you would find in a week’s worth of episodes of a soap opera. There were lots of twists, turns and stomach churning moments and moments where I almost had to read through my hands as I genuinely feared what was going to happen next.
I was hooked on ‘Queen Of The North’ from the moment I read the prologue. The author’s writing style and her descriptions were so vivid that I literally felt as though I had suddenly been transported back to the 1300s and living in a castle. It took me a little while to get used to the old fashioned language that was used back in the day but I soon got over that. Reading this book became an addiction that I just had to feed. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but that couple turned into 6 or 7 chapters. I am usually easily distracted as I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I was able to shut everything out and just focus on the story, which was just as well because there were a few strands to the story and I was interested to see how they linked up an fed into the main story.
The author has clearly carried out a lot of research for this book and it shows. The author has very skilfully combined fact and fiction and the result is this book. The story flows really well. At the same time I have found myself developing an interest in the 1300s, which I fully intend to develop just as soon as I can and I certainly felt as though I had learnt something. As a result of reading this book I also fully intend to go to visit Alnwick Castle in Northumberland to see if it is as beautiful as it sounded in the book.
In short I really did enjoy reading this book which serves as an introduction to the 1300s and was my introduction to Anne O’Brien’s work. It was certainly different to the books I usually read and in this case a change was certainly as good as a rest. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read what comes next from Anne O’Brien but whilst I wait I will just satisfy myself with catching up with her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
April 21, 2019
I received a copy of this from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
A fascinating historical tale, but somewhat bogged down with too many facts and details.
I know that Anne O'Brien is a bit of a legend in the historical fiction world, so when I was offered a copy of this book to review, I was delighted to do so. Overall, I enjoyed the story (and the focus on a woman), but there were times when the detail was so intense that it detracted from the plot a little.
Brief overview
It's the late 14th century, and England is in a state of turmoil. A weakened king's throne comes under threat as factions rise to overthrow him; notably Elizabeth Mortimer and her Percy husband 'the hotspur', who wish to put her nephew on the throne.
All doesn't go according to plan as Henry Lancaster manages to seize the crown instead. This places Elizabeth and her family at risk, as she plots to bring down the king.
My review
I was intrigued by the premise. A strong-willed northern queen, up against the patriarchy? Yes please! And to be fair, I did like the character of Elizabeth Mortimer. She was fierce, uncompromising and clever... pretty much everything you'd want a good leading lady to be. I also enjoyed her hot-headed, impulsive husband, and the relationship they shared.
As for the historical aspect? I certainly felt as though I was learning something, as this is a period of time I'm unfamiliar with. I always respect the author who takes the time to research the era thoroughly, as this gives it a real note of authenticity.
Where this book fell down slightly for me was the overwhelming abundance of detail. For example, a lot of time was dedicated to describing their outfits, which I didn't feel was entirely necessary. A few deft words to indicate material, style etc. would have been fine. These sorts of descriptions pulled me right out of the narrative, which was frustrating, as I really wanted to immerse myself in Elizabeth's world.
However, the book has inspired me to find out more about the woman, which is only a good thing.
A fascinating historical tale, but somewhat bogged down with too many facts and details.
I know that Anne O'Brien is a bit of a legend in the historical fiction world, so when I was offered a copy of this book to review, I was delighted to do so. Overall, I enjoyed the story (and the focus on a woman), but there were times when the detail was so intense that it detracted from the plot a little.
Brief overview
It's the late 14th century, and England is in a state of turmoil. A weakened king's throne comes under threat as factions rise to overthrow him; notably Elizabeth Mortimer and her Percy husband 'the hotspur', who wish to put her nephew on the throne.
All doesn't go according to plan as Henry Lancaster manages to seize the crown instead. This places Elizabeth and her family at risk, as she plots to bring down the king.
My review
I was intrigued by the premise. A strong-willed northern queen, up against the patriarchy? Yes please! And to be fair, I did like the character of Elizabeth Mortimer. She was fierce, uncompromising and clever... pretty much everything you'd want a good leading lady to be. I also enjoyed her hot-headed, impulsive husband, and the relationship they shared.
As for the historical aspect? I certainly felt as though I was learning something, as this is a period of time I'm unfamiliar with. I always respect the author who takes the time to research the era thoroughly, as this gives it a real note of authenticity.
Where this book fell down slightly for me was the overwhelming abundance of detail. For example, a lot of time was dedicated to describing their outfits, which I didn't feel was entirely necessary. A few deft words to indicate material, style etc. would have been fine. These sorts of descriptions pulled me right out of the narrative, which was frustrating, as I really wanted to immerse myself in Elizabeth's world.
However, the book has inspired me to find out more about the woman, which is only a good thing.
August 24, 2018
Having read a vast amount of British history centering on royalty, I am surprised that I had not heard about Elizabeth Mortimer, a great granddaughter of Edward III through his second son, Lionel, and Lionel’s daughter, Philippa, who married Edmund, Earl of March. Are you with me so far? Elizabeth’s family contracted for her to marry into the Percy family. She married the heir to The Earl of Northumberland, Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy. Background set. At the beginning of Anne O’Brien’s Queen of the North, Richard II, only issue of Edward III’s first son, is King of England. It appears that Richard became very greedy, and decided to banish cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, heir to Duke of Gaunt - second son, but third child of Edward III, for life, and then Richard took all of Henry’s land as well as all his personal belongings. Henry decided to return to England after his father had died in 1399 to reclaim his inheritance. Ultimately, Henry becomes Henry IV of England. The Percys were from the North where they practically ruled. A very powerful family! They assisted Henry in getting the throne of England. Hear a ‘but’ coming - well, one is. Elizabeth Mortimer Percy has royal blood and is the daughter of the second son while Henry is the issue of the third son, but the inheritance of the throne must go through the male line not the female line. Thus Henry is the correct heir to seek it, but Elizabeth pushes for a Mortimer claim for her nephew who is issue of the female line. This story is Elizabeth’s story and what happened to the Mortimer claim. I had some difficulty getting into the story which has not happened to me before with Anne O’Brien’s phenomenal work, but I did and I finished it. All kinds of emotions are felt. The story can be devastating in relation to the outcomes for certain characters, but I do not feel for this book as I have for Anne O’Brien’s other work that I have read. 3.5-4, but more towards 3.5.
January 20, 2019
2.5 stars. Learning the detailed history of the Percy and Mortimer rebellion against Henry IV was interesting, but I did not at all enjoy it from the POV of Elizabeth, as envisioned by O’Brien. This was single-mindedly political and military history, but seen from the sidelines where most scenes were “tell” rather than “show”. Had there been more social history, had Elizabeth been treated as a more well-rounded character such that we saw her running the estate, loving and caring for her children, etc. It would have been more interesting. As it was, it felt like a slog.
July 21, 2022
This is another historical fiction that has successfully made its way to reach my 4-star medal for the most regal story I've encountered so far.
Physically, this book is everything. I was lucky enough to obtain it in hardcover which has royal blue color with gold embossed on the cover and plain navy blue inside. With a font size that was relaxing to the eyes, I believe it has helped to strengthen my grip to keep turning the pages as the quality of writing was exceptional too. Although the edition I have does not really up to the current trend with a beautiful edge and so on, I still think the simplicity speaks louder to the majestic standard.
The content also balances the beauty of the packaging. Other than the eloquent writing style, the narration of surroundings and conversation between the characters are suitable enough for such old eras. Of course, it is hard for me to make a comparison with the truth as I'm not a historian and have surely never been in such an era, however, the narration has never once reminded me of the present moment, which made it even more interesting. I was dissolved easily to be one with the story and followed the train of thoughts of the main character. I was also baffled by the truth exposed towards the end of the story, which recalled me of earlier pages when I had some doubts, as much as the protagonist had thought. On top of that, the story has a moral message that I presume brings more value to the book as a whole.
One thing that I wish to be enhanced to my liking is the details. There are events that I considered influential to the development of the plot which needs more details as it can banish the impression of the story rushing to another event. Furthermore, the information on the years might need to be presented clearly and in a more consistent manner. Nonetheless, I was pleased when the book is completed with some facts that helps me to understand that sometimes it is quite challenging to tell so many great past events in a limited space.
Physically, this book is everything. I was lucky enough to obtain it in hardcover which has royal blue color with gold embossed on the cover and plain navy blue inside. With a font size that was relaxing to the eyes, I believe it has helped to strengthen my grip to keep turning the pages as the quality of writing was exceptional too. Although the edition I have does not really up to the current trend with a beautiful edge and so on, I still think the simplicity speaks louder to the majestic standard.
The content also balances the beauty of the packaging. Other than the eloquent writing style, the narration of surroundings and conversation between the characters are suitable enough for such old eras. Of course, it is hard for me to make a comparison with the truth as I'm not a historian and have surely never been in such an era, however, the narration has never once reminded me of the present moment, which made it even more interesting. I was dissolved easily to be one with the story and followed the train of thoughts of the main character. I was also baffled by the truth exposed towards the end of the story, which recalled me of earlier pages when I had some doubts, as much as the protagonist had thought. On top of that, the story has a moral message that I presume brings more value to the book as a whole.
One thing that I wish to be enhanced to my liking is the details. There are events that I considered influential to the development of the plot which needs more details as it can banish the impression of the story rushing to another event. Furthermore, the information on the years might need to be presented clearly and in a more consistent manner. Nonetheless, I was pleased when the book is completed with some facts that helps me to understand that sometimes it is quite challenging to tell so many great past events in a limited space.
July 1, 2018
Whoa, Elizabeth the so called Queen of the North was insufferable. So selfish, bitter, self centered and really clueless. The intrigues by The Queen of the North and her family are what made the book for me--not the characters. Although I admit the intrigues were ill thought out. I was aghast by her expectations when they committed treason. I actually liked Henry IV in this book more so than I did in The Queens Choice.
3.5 for story and narration.
3.5 for story and narration.
October 18, 2020
This was a book club choice and although slow going to start to get used to the language and all the titles I soon got into this story... it was right up.my street with the history battles etc and to see things from some of the forgotten women of the time was good! I'd certainly try another one...I'd stick with it you soo get into it and I liked the history at the end about the main characters and the castles!
July 27, 2018
If you’re looking for murder, treason, ambition and feuding families, then you’ve come to the right place. And that’s only the first page!
Anne O’Brien’s Queen of the North is a behemoth of historical fiction, spanning the tumultuous period that would one day lead to the Wars of the Roses: the 1300s. Harry Bolingbroke (soon to be Henry IV) challenges Richard II for the right to the throne, supported by the Percy family of the north. All except for Elizabeth Percy. Her family, the Mortimers, believe that her nephew should be on the throne instead- and she intends to do something about it.
Straight from the start, two things struck me about this novel: the strong female heroine, and the vividly-drawn historical world that we find ourselves in. O’Brien’s dedication to bringing the past to live is easy to see, as is the depth of her research; every page brings a new revelation about the intricate politics of the time, the border skirmishes with Scotland, or even the way in which medieval children were raised. Of particular interest to me (being Welsh!) was the story’s inclusion of Owain Glyndwr, the Welsh revolutionary who aimed to establish a Welsh kingdom once more.
That all made for a fascinating backdrop to the action taking place, but of course that means very little without a compelling narrative. O’Brien gives it to us with the Percy family and the heroine, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is an unusual woman for the standards of her time- outspoken, independent, and not afraid to get involved in men’s affairs. She’s very entertaining to read about, with a sassy internal monologue, and is a canny operator- which keeps you hooked as you try and guess what she’s going to do next. The only problem is her fixation with getting her nephew on the throne. This is the whole crux of the novel- I know!- but I found it quite wearing listening to her being bitter and plotting and falling out with her husband as a result. Sorry!
However, it’s Elizabeth’s relationship with her husband, Harry Percy- Harry Hotspur- that provides most of the focus of this book. I’d heard of Hotspur before of course, but this book does a great job of humanising him, showing you why he made the decisions he did- and shifting the focus, for once, to the importance that his wife may have had in trying to shape history.
Though I would like to have seen more of their relationship- it did tend to get drowned in exposition overloads and important meetings rather than letting us see much of them- it still went a long way to breathing life into the history tomes. With gallons of warmth, humour and intrigue, this read was one that had me hooked until the end. For people looking for the next Elizabeth Chadwick, or Philippa Gregory, this is it. The perfect summer read!
Three word review: vivid. Political. Dangerous.
Anne O’Brien’s Queen of the North is a behemoth of historical fiction, spanning the tumultuous period that would one day lead to the Wars of the Roses: the 1300s. Harry Bolingbroke (soon to be Henry IV) challenges Richard II for the right to the throne, supported by the Percy family of the north. All except for Elizabeth Percy. Her family, the Mortimers, believe that her nephew should be on the throne instead- and she intends to do something about it.
Straight from the start, two things struck me about this novel: the strong female heroine, and the vividly-drawn historical world that we find ourselves in. O’Brien’s dedication to bringing the past to live is easy to see, as is the depth of her research; every page brings a new revelation about the intricate politics of the time, the border skirmishes with Scotland, or even the way in which medieval children were raised. Of particular interest to me (being Welsh!) was the story’s inclusion of Owain Glyndwr, the Welsh revolutionary who aimed to establish a Welsh kingdom once more.
That all made for a fascinating backdrop to the action taking place, but of course that means very little without a compelling narrative. O’Brien gives it to us with the Percy family and the heroine, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is an unusual woman for the standards of her time- outspoken, independent, and not afraid to get involved in men’s affairs. She’s very entertaining to read about, with a sassy internal monologue, and is a canny operator- which keeps you hooked as you try and guess what she’s going to do next. The only problem is her fixation with getting her nephew on the throne. This is the whole crux of the novel- I know!- but I found it quite wearing listening to her being bitter and plotting and falling out with her husband as a result. Sorry!
However, it’s Elizabeth’s relationship with her husband, Harry Percy- Harry Hotspur- that provides most of the focus of this book. I’d heard of Hotspur before of course, but this book does a great job of humanising him, showing you why he made the decisions he did- and shifting the focus, for once, to the importance that his wife may have had in trying to shape history.
Though I would like to have seen more of their relationship- it did tend to get drowned in exposition overloads and important meetings rather than letting us see much of them- it still went a long way to breathing life into the history tomes. With gallons of warmth, humour and intrigue, this read was one that had me hooked until the end. For people looking for the next Elizabeth Chadwick, or Philippa Gregory, this is it. The perfect summer read!
Three word review: vivid. Political. Dangerous.
December 31, 2021
I thought the book started off a little slow although it was in the midst of a dramatic historical event (I question whether this would’ve made complete sense to those without prior historical knowledge on this era). However, halfway through this book with the battle and death of Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy, the book intrigued me more. O’Brien beautifully explores Elizabeth Mortimer’s grief and the blame to which she assigns for it. What I found most interesting was towards the end of the book when Elizabeth’s second husband Thomas de Camoys makes the point to her that she is blind to the realities of the world, shattering the perfected image she has built up of Harry ‘Hotspur’ and pointing out Hotspur’s own role in his death and indeed Elizabeth’s own blame. The exploration of guilt is simply fantastic and the unreliable first-person narrator serves its purpose well here. I think these are really messages which are so important for us in our own lives, to realise that we can blinded too in our own assessment of the world.
The exploration of the Percys and Mortimers in this era was also fascinating and O’Brien continues to do what she always does, tell those great stories of medieval women whose lives have been largely forgotten.
The exploration of the Percys and Mortimers in this era was also fascinating and O’Brien continues to do what she always does, tell those great stories of medieval women whose lives have been largely forgotten.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
Elizabeth Mortimer has royal Plantagenet blood and is married to Harry Hotspur Percy, the heir to the greatest earldom in the north. She believes her young nephew Edmund Mortimer to be second in line to the throne after the childless and unpopular king Richard II. But many don’t want another child king and support her other cousin Henry Of Lancaster instead. When Henry sets foot in England again after years in exile while Richard has suffered grave defeat in Ireland, the battle for the throne is on. Elizabeth’s husband and stepfather join forces with Lancaster and abandon the Mortimer cause. Will there ever be Mortimer king?
This is the second book I’ve read from Anne O’ Brien after having enjoyed ‘the shadow queen‘ about Joan Of Kent a few years ago. Queen Of The North is one of the books she has written around powerful women during Henry IV’s troubled reign. The novel opens with Henry of Lancaster returning to England to gather support to defy king Richard II. The Percy army in the north is preparing to join him.
We meet Elizabeth Mortimer, the wife of the famous Harry Hotspur. The Mortimers are the heirs of Lionel, second son of Edward III, but through the female line of Elizabeth’s mother Filippa Plantagenet. This weakens the claim of her eight-year-old nephew Edmund should Richard die childless. I’ve never really understood why the Mortimer didn’t try harder to get on the throne. They have a stronger claim (if you ignore the female part of it), but history will be forever talking about Lancaster and York. So I found it really interesting to read this story from a Mortimer point of view.
Elizabeth is also a Percy and thus future ‘queen’ of the north. We meet her ambitious stepfather, the earl of Northumberland, and her husband Harry “Hotspur” as he is referred to by the Scots. The marriage between Elizabeth and Harry is quite happy, although there are some serious clashes between them in this novel, not in the least about the succession. Their relationship is the most compelling part of the book in my opinion. I really could love and hate Harry at the same time.
I had hoped that the rebellion would be the biggest part of the novel, but it happens quite fast and the second half focuses even more on Elizabeth’s development as a traitor to the crown. Near the end of the story, I had more and more sympathy for her feelings.
We also meet Queen Joan Of Navarre and Constance Of York in this novel. About both women O’ Brien has written a separate novel. I have the one about Constance ready on my shelves and am curious if I will like her more than in I did this book.
O’ Brien focuses on the story of women, this also means that the main character is far from the action that happens at the battlefield. There are also some serious time jumps adding to the pace of the novel. All things together, I find O’ Brien’s writing style a bit too dry and distant. She lacks the flair of a Joanna Hickson or Elizabeth Fremantle for example. But she writes about forgotten women with a unique story, so I’ll continue to read her books.
Dutch review:
Elizabeth Mortimer is een plantagenet en getrouwd met Harry Hotspur Percy, erfgenaam van het grootste earldom in het Noorden van Engeland. Zij vindt dat haar jonge neef Edmund Mortimer tweede in lijn is voor de troon na de kinderloze koning Richard II. Maar niet iedereen ziet een jonge koning met voogd zitten. Wanneer haar andere neef Henry Of Lancaster terugkeert naar Engeland om de troon te veroveren sluiten haar echtgenoot en schoonvader zich bij hem aan. Maar de Percy ambities zijn groter dan dat. Komt er dan toch een Mortimer op de troon?
Ik las eigenlijk nog nooit een boek over de Mortimers en dat terwijl ik eigenlijk nooit heb gesnapt dat zij niet op de troon zijn geraakt en Lancaster en York wel. Ze stammen namelijk af van de tweede zoon van Edward III en zouden dus voorrang hebben op Lancaster en zeker op York, zij het dat ze afstemmen van een vrouwelijke bloedlijn.
In dit boek heb ik wat inzichten gekregen over hoe er toch geprobeerd is geweest om een Mortimer op de troon te krijgen. (Al zou je kunnen stellen dat Edward IV ook Mortimer bloed had natuurlijk).
Maar het boek gaat over Elizabeth en haar man Harry Hotspur Percy. De Percy's zijn een grote naam in het Noorden en hebben sterke ambities. Elizabeth houdt van haar man, maar twijfelt aan hem wanneer hij de Mortimer cause laat vallen ten voordele van Lancaster. Totdat die vriendschap begint af te brokkelen.
O' Brien schrijft net zoals in 'the shadow queen' met momenten wat droog en door het vrouwelijke perspectief ben je ver van de veldslagen. Er zitten ook soms grotere tijdsprongen in het verhaal. Dat houdt het tempo er natuurlijk wel in. Elizabeth heeft zeker haar eigen verhaal te vertellen. En ik vond haar een interessant hoofdpersonage. De moeilijke relatie met Harry wordt realistisch weergegeven. Ik had alleen gehoopt dat de rebellie op zich een groter aandeel in het boek gekregen zou hebben.
In dit boek duiken ook Constance Of York en queen Joan of Navarre op, over beide vrouwen schreef O' Brien ook een boek. Dat van Constance ligt al klaar. Ik vond haar hier niet meteen het meest interessante personage dus ben wel benieuwd welke invulling zij gaat krijgen.
O' Brien mist de flair van een Joanna Hickson of een Elizabeth Fremantle maar ze kiest er wel best interessante vrouwen met een uniek verhaal uit. Dus ik zal zeker nog wat boeken van haar lezen.
This is the second book I’ve read from Anne O’ Brien after having enjoyed ‘the shadow queen‘ about Joan Of Kent a few years ago. Queen Of The North is one of the books she has written around powerful women during Henry IV’s troubled reign. The novel opens with Henry of Lancaster returning to England to gather support to defy king Richard II. The Percy army in the north is preparing to join him.
We meet Elizabeth Mortimer, the wife of the famous Harry Hotspur. The Mortimers are the heirs of Lionel, second son of Edward III, but through the female line of Elizabeth’s mother Filippa Plantagenet. This weakens the claim of her eight-year-old nephew Edmund should Richard die childless. I’ve never really understood why the Mortimer didn’t try harder to get on the throne. They have a stronger claim (if you ignore the female part of it), but history will be forever talking about Lancaster and York. So I found it really interesting to read this story from a Mortimer point of view.
Elizabeth is also a Percy and thus future ‘queen’ of the north. We meet her ambitious stepfather, the earl of Northumberland, and her husband Harry “Hotspur” as he is referred to by the Scots. The marriage between Elizabeth and Harry is quite happy, although there are some serious clashes between them in this novel, not in the least about the succession. Their relationship is the most compelling part of the book in my opinion. I really could love and hate Harry at the same time.
I had hoped that the rebellion would be the biggest part of the novel, but it happens quite fast and the second half focuses even more on Elizabeth’s development as a traitor to the crown. Near the end of the story, I had more and more sympathy for her feelings.
We also meet Queen Joan Of Navarre and Constance Of York in this novel. About both women O’ Brien has written a separate novel. I have the one about Constance ready on my shelves and am curious if I will like her more than in I did this book.
O’ Brien focuses on the story of women, this also means that the main character is far from the action that happens at the battlefield. There are also some serious time jumps adding to the pace of the novel. All things together, I find O’ Brien’s writing style a bit too dry and distant. She lacks the flair of a Joanna Hickson or Elizabeth Fremantle for example. But she writes about forgotten women with a unique story, so I’ll continue to read her books.
Dutch review:
Elizabeth Mortimer is een plantagenet en getrouwd met Harry Hotspur Percy, erfgenaam van het grootste earldom in het Noorden van Engeland. Zij vindt dat haar jonge neef Edmund Mortimer tweede in lijn is voor de troon na de kinderloze koning Richard II. Maar niet iedereen ziet een jonge koning met voogd zitten. Wanneer haar andere neef Henry Of Lancaster terugkeert naar Engeland om de troon te veroveren sluiten haar echtgenoot en schoonvader zich bij hem aan. Maar de Percy ambities zijn groter dan dat. Komt er dan toch een Mortimer op de troon?
Ik las eigenlijk nog nooit een boek over de Mortimers en dat terwijl ik eigenlijk nooit heb gesnapt dat zij niet op de troon zijn geraakt en Lancaster en York wel. Ze stammen namelijk af van de tweede zoon van Edward III en zouden dus voorrang hebben op Lancaster en zeker op York, zij het dat ze afstemmen van een vrouwelijke bloedlijn.
In dit boek heb ik wat inzichten gekregen over hoe er toch geprobeerd is geweest om een Mortimer op de troon te krijgen. (Al zou je kunnen stellen dat Edward IV ook Mortimer bloed had natuurlijk).
Maar het boek gaat over Elizabeth en haar man Harry Hotspur Percy. De Percy's zijn een grote naam in het Noorden en hebben sterke ambities. Elizabeth houdt van haar man, maar twijfelt aan hem wanneer hij de Mortimer cause laat vallen ten voordele van Lancaster. Totdat die vriendschap begint af te brokkelen.
O' Brien schrijft net zoals in 'the shadow queen' met momenten wat droog en door het vrouwelijke perspectief ben je ver van de veldslagen. Er zitten ook soms grotere tijdsprongen in het verhaal. Dat houdt het tempo er natuurlijk wel in. Elizabeth heeft zeker haar eigen verhaal te vertellen. En ik vond haar een interessant hoofdpersonage. De moeilijke relatie met Harry wordt realistisch weergegeven. Ik had alleen gehoopt dat de rebellie op zich een groter aandeel in het boek gekregen zou hebben.
In dit boek duiken ook Constance Of York en queen Joan of Navarre op, over beide vrouwen schreef O' Brien ook een boek. Dat van Constance ligt al klaar. Ik vond haar hier niet meteen het meest interessante personage dus ben wel benieuwd welke invulling zij gaat krijgen.
O' Brien mist de flair van een Joanna Hickson of een Elizabeth Fremantle maar ze kiest er wel best interessante vrouwen met een uniek verhaal uit. Dus ik zal zeker nog wat boeken van haar lezen.
November 9, 2020
Slow start but a really interesting read
I found this a little difficult at the start but then really got into it. I thought Elizabeth was a strong character.
I found this a little difficult at the start but then really got into it. I thought Elizabeth was a strong character.
June 3, 2018
Queen of the North, Anne O'Brien
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (adult), Historical
I love historical novels such as this which take real events, real people and weave a story of how things may have unfolded. History was a tough time for females, regarded as first fathers property, then belonging to husband, and for those like Elizabeth, with Royal blood, and connected to the current monarch they were his property too.
Politics back then was ever changing, those who supported the king could be traitor soon as the next contender the the throne wins through. It was a time when ambition ruled, when the house name was all and Elizabeth has been brought up strong in the sense of the Mortimer claim to the throne, and genuinely believes her nephew(s) has the right to be king now that Richard is dead. Henry is her cousin, and she believed his claim that he just wanted to reclaim his lands, taken by Richard, and is shocked when he breaks his sworn vows and deposes Richard. For a while the Percy star is high with Harry and his father being supporters of Henry. Slowly though the usual cracks break through, Henry admires what Harry has done, commands him into battles, and yet the financing...well, the royal coffers have other calls.
I adored Harry ( Hotspur as he's fervently known) – he inspired such love and loyalty in his people, was very honest in what he believed, didn't thrown in his lot and change with the wind as so many did back then. He and Elizabeth were a great couple, both strong headed, both ready to put their views forward, both brought up since babies with a certain destiny in mind, and supporting the family names. They clashed, heatedly, repeatedly, but the making up showed how truly they were in love, how much they respected each other even when they didn't agree. When Hotspur finally fell in battle I cried, even knowing it was coming, even though he died centuries ago. These characters felt so real to me, and their stories played out making me feel as if I was there with them, wondering what course of action was best next, what they could do to move things towards the destiny they believed was right.
Stars: Five, a wonderful read, transporting me back in time. Its my second Anne O'Brien novel, and I'm looking forward to catching up on some of the others.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (adult), Historical
I love historical novels such as this which take real events, real people and weave a story of how things may have unfolded. History was a tough time for females, regarded as first fathers property, then belonging to husband, and for those like Elizabeth, with Royal blood, and connected to the current monarch they were his property too.
Politics back then was ever changing, those who supported the king could be traitor soon as the next contender the the throne wins through. It was a time when ambition ruled, when the house name was all and Elizabeth has been brought up strong in the sense of the Mortimer claim to the throne, and genuinely believes her nephew(s) has the right to be king now that Richard is dead. Henry is her cousin, and she believed his claim that he just wanted to reclaim his lands, taken by Richard, and is shocked when he breaks his sworn vows and deposes Richard. For a while the Percy star is high with Harry and his father being supporters of Henry. Slowly though the usual cracks break through, Henry admires what Harry has done, commands him into battles, and yet the financing...well, the royal coffers have other calls.
I adored Harry ( Hotspur as he's fervently known) – he inspired such love and loyalty in his people, was very honest in what he believed, didn't thrown in his lot and change with the wind as so many did back then. He and Elizabeth were a great couple, both strong headed, both ready to put their views forward, both brought up since babies with a certain destiny in mind, and supporting the family names. They clashed, heatedly, repeatedly, but the making up showed how truly they were in love, how much they respected each other even when they didn't agree. When Hotspur finally fell in battle I cried, even knowing it was coming, even though he died centuries ago. These characters felt so real to me, and their stories played out making me feel as if I was there with them, wondering what course of action was best next, what they could do to move things towards the destiny they believed was right.
Stars: Five, a wonderful read, transporting me back in time. Its my second Anne O'Brien novel, and I'm looking forward to catching up on some of the others.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
May 22, 2018
When Henry of Lancaster usurped the throne from Richard II in 1399, it was a far from amicable take-over of power, as it opened the country to the possibility of counter claims to the English crown. Elizabeth Mortimer is married to Henry Percy, the heir to the earldom of Northumberland, better known in history as the volatile and impetuous 'Hotspur', and even though Percy's involvement in English politics results in danger and uncertainty, it is through Elizabeth’s Mortimer connection to royalty where the real challenge comes, as Elizabeth is determined to see that her young nephew, Edmund Mortimer, pursues his legitimate claim to the English throne.
What then follows is a gripping story of politics, ambition and thwarted power which has its foothold firmly established in the unsettled atmosphere of a country which has been divided, not just by the political ambitions of people who merely wanted power for the sake of power, but also from those game players who truly believed that right was on their side.
Into this incredibly masculine world of control and authority, Elizabeth tries to make her voice heard and it is thanks to the skill of this talented writer that she comes to life in such a realistic and positive way. All too often the important women of history are side-lined by their sexier and more powerful male counterparts, and yet, as is so often the case, the women who endured and who worked surreptitiously in the background often had huge influence on the way that events eventually played out.
The author writes with passion and authority deftly bringing medieval England alive in all of its convoluted glory. There are plots and counter plots, meetings with the Welsh Prince, Owain Glyn Dwr, and time spent at the spectacular Northumberland castles of Alnwick and Warkworth and through all of the political maneuverings, Elizabeth Mortimer comes across a determined and hugely intelligent woman who felt that she and her family had grievances aplenty against a king who was, quite simply, not listening. That it doesn't bode well for Henry Percy is enshrined in history but what Queen of the North gives us so vividly is Elizabeth's interpretation of events as they unfolded during the momentous years between 1399 and 1408.
Mixing historical fact with fiction is a difficult challenge especially as so little is documented historically about Elizabeth Mortimer and yet, the author has succeeded really well in bringing her entirely to life, and gives Elizabeth a clear voice which is as bright and distinctive as the woman herself.
What then follows is a gripping story of politics, ambition and thwarted power which has its foothold firmly established in the unsettled atmosphere of a country which has been divided, not just by the political ambitions of people who merely wanted power for the sake of power, but also from those game players who truly believed that right was on their side.
Into this incredibly masculine world of control and authority, Elizabeth tries to make her voice heard and it is thanks to the skill of this talented writer that she comes to life in such a realistic and positive way. All too often the important women of history are side-lined by their sexier and more powerful male counterparts, and yet, as is so often the case, the women who endured and who worked surreptitiously in the background often had huge influence on the way that events eventually played out.
The author writes with passion and authority deftly bringing medieval England alive in all of its convoluted glory. There are plots and counter plots, meetings with the Welsh Prince, Owain Glyn Dwr, and time spent at the spectacular Northumberland castles of Alnwick and Warkworth and through all of the political maneuverings, Elizabeth Mortimer comes across a determined and hugely intelligent woman who felt that she and her family had grievances aplenty against a king who was, quite simply, not listening. That it doesn't bode well for Henry Percy is enshrined in history but what Queen of the North gives us so vividly is Elizabeth's interpretation of events as they unfolded during the momentous years between 1399 and 1408.
Mixing historical fact with fiction is a difficult challenge especially as so little is documented historically about Elizabeth Mortimer and yet, the author has succeeded really well in bringing her entirely to life, and gives Elizabeth a clear voice which is as bright and distinctive as the woman herself.
June 30, 2019
Difficult to get in to, then a tad disappointing given the exciting cover blurb. Navigating through complex histories with so many characters with similar names was never going to be easy but I felt this was rather flat and tedious (and add some costume terminology that no one understands - to show off? - to show you know more than poor average reader? - to try & give it some added depth?) not gripping, not terrific... just a bit dull & ended up not caring about the characters or the turn of historical events.. just wanted to get book finished...
July 24, 2018
Wonderfully written and exactly what I'd expect from such an established writer! I didn't know much about Hotspur and the Percy's before this aside from a few mentions in texts I've read, so this gave me an in-depth and realistic view of the bane of Henry IV life, and of his wife, whose rebellion also caused waves in the 15th century. Absolutely loved the humanity brough to the characters and the events are interesting seen from a different perspective. Grrat reading xx
July 25, 2019
Anne O’Brien is a very hit/miss author for me. After doubting I’d like her work, I enjoyed the first novel of hers I read, The Shadow Queen. Emboldened, I grabbed more of her books only to loathe the very next one I read, The King's Sister and found the one after that, The Scandalous Duchess, only mildly better. It was one with some trepidation that I picked up her latest, Queen in the North and ended up liking it.
Focused on the figure of Elizabeth Mortimer, the wife of Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy and daughter of the Mortimer branch of the royal family (the only descendants of Edward III’s second son, Lionel Duke of Clarence and thus considered by some to be Richard II’s rightful heirs), Queen in the North covers Henry IV’s usurpation of the throne in 1399 and Elizabeth’s efforts to have her nephews, Edmund and Roger, recognised as Richard’s true heirs leading to the battle at Shrewsbury in 1403 and other rebellions against Henry IV.
I think my liking of this is impacted by two things. One, we see very little of Anne O’Brien’s awful take on Richard II and while we do find out that he’s a horrible, attention-seeking aesthete and he really shouldn’t have cared that the Lords Appellant murdered and exiled his friends, this is clearly filtered through Elizabeth’s POV and isn’t just “what is”. Plus Elizabeth comes to have a little sympathy for him. Two, I’m not that invested in the Percys – I like them, but I don’t know much about them (all reference books specifically about them are out of print) and I don’t really have an “idea” of them beyond the concept of Hotspur being a generally well-meaning but rash man.
Unlike O’Brien’s other texts, there’s no huge inaccuracies. The Appellant Crisis is again woefully misrepresented – people died, Richard II was likely deposed briefly, he had a right to be traumatised and upset about it – but that’s only briefly referred to. The only other thing I really noticed was referring to the sons of the Duke of York as ‘Edward of Aumale’ and ‘Richard of Cambridge’ – which uses their titles (Duke of Aumale and Earl of Cambridge) instead of their reputed birthplace (Norwich and Conisburgh) or family (York) as we might typically see. This is odd but understandable – it helps identify them consistently – and fairly small potatoes to me.
So, I liked O’Brien’s Elizabeth Mortimer – she’s a driven, fascinating woman that we’re clearly allowed to see as flawed. Her voice is mature and complex and her relationship with Hotspur, while always depicted as a loving, has ins and outs that keep it interesting while keeping their conflict is caused external events. There’s no will they/won’t they, does he love her drama but conflict driven by the political situations they’re in.
I did think it was pretty unlikely that Elizabeth saddled up to be present at many significant events – Henry IV’s return to England, his oath he was only returning for his duchy of Lancaster, not the throne, the alliance-making between Edmund Mortimer, Owen Glendower and Hotspur – but I’m prepared to let that go. Writing historical fiction about women relating to specific events is often difficult because they’re often not present at key moments and the author is left to work out a way to communicate what’s happening. Do you place them at events they very likely weren’t at? Cut away from their perspective to depict what they’re not present for? Expand the perspectives in the novel so that the central woman becomes one of many characters? Or simply write them reacting to news? I don’t think there’s necessarily a right or wrong solution if the author is dynamic and has the willingness and skill to make it work.
I do, however, wish we’d gotten to see more of Elizabeth outside of the military/political events, especially in relation to her bond with her son as it does play a pivotal role in her character. I would have also liked to have seen an epilogue where they were reunited in Henry V’s reign but that’s me being sappy I suppose.
The complexity of the novel works well – I think one of the strengths of O’Brien’s work is that she’s delved into a number of different perspectives in different novels and that adds layers to her work. She’s previously written a sympathetic Henry IV (I believe) and that characterisation lingers here so that even in the midst of Elizabeth’s rages at Henry, we understand there’s more to it than that.
All up, I was quite content with this novel. I liked Elizabeth’s character, her strength and her flawed nature. I liked that no one was demonised or vilified and that O’Brien gave some sympathy to Richard II at long last.
Focused on the figure of Elizabeth Mortimer, the wife of Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy and daughter of the Mortimer branch of the royal family (the only descendants of Edward III’s second son, Lionel Duke of Clarence and thus considered by some to be Richard II’s rightful heirs), Queen in the North covers Henry IV’s usurpation of the throne in 1399 and Elizabeth’s efforts to have her nephews, Edmund and Roger, recognised as Richard’s true heirs leading to the battle at Shrewsbury in 1403 and other rebellions against Henry IV.
I think my liking of this is impacted by two things. One, we see very little of Anne O’Brien’s awful take on Richard II and while we do find out that he’s a horrible, attention-seeking aesthete and he really shouldn’t have cared that the Lords Appellant murdered and exiled his friends, this is clearly filtered through Elizabeth’s POV and isn’t just “what is”. Plus Elizabeth comes to have a little sympathy for him. Two, I’m not that invested in the Percys – I like them, but I don’t know much about them (all reference books specifically about them are out of print) and I don’t really have an “idea” of them beyond the concept of Hotspur being a generally well-meaning but rash man.
Unlike O’Brien’s other texts, there’s no huge inaccuracies. The Appellant Crisis is again woefully misrepresented – people died, Richard II was likely deposed briefly, he had a right to be traumatised and upset about it – but that’s only briefly referred to. The only other thing I really noticed was referring to the sons of the Duke of York as ‘Edward of Aumale’ and ‘Richard of Cambridge’ – which uses their titles (Duke of Aumale and Earl of Cambridge) instead of their reputed birthplace (Norwich and Conisburgh) or family (York) as we might typically see. This is odd but understandable – it helps identify them consistently – and fairly small potatoes to me.
So, I liked O’Brien’s Elizabeth Mortimer – she’s a driven, fascinating woman that we’re clearly allowed to see as flawed. Her voice is mature and complex and her relationship with Hotspur, while always depicted as a loving, has ins and outs that keep it interesting while keeping their conflict is caused external events. There’s no will they/won’t they, does he love her drama but conflict driven by the political situations they’re in.
I did think it was pretty unlikely that Elizabeth saddled up to be present at many significant events – Henry IV’s return to England, his oath he was only returning for his duchy of Lancaster, not the throne, the alliance-making between Edmund Mortimer, Owen Glendower and Hotspur – but I’m prepared to let that go. Writing historical fiction about women relating to specific events is often difficult because they’re often not present at key moments and the author is left to work out a way to communicate what’s happening. Do you place them at events they very likely weren’t at? Cut away from their perspective to depict what they’re not present for? Expand the perspectives in the novel so that the central woman becomes one of many characters? Or simply write them reacting to news? I don’t think there’s necessarily a right or wrong solution if the author is dynamic and has the willingness and skill to make it work.
I do, however, wish we’d gotten to see more of Elizabeth outside of the military/political events, especially in relation to her bond with her son as it does play a pivotal role in her character. I would have also liked to have seen an epilogue where they were reunited in Henry V’s reign but that’s me being sappy I suppose.
The complexity of the novel works well – I think one of the strengths of O’Brien’s work is that she’s delved into a number of different perspectives in different novels and that adds layers to her work. She’s previously written a sympathetic Henry IV (I believe) and that characterisation lingers here so that even in the midst of Elizabeth’s rages at Henry, we understand there’s more to it than that.
All up, I was quite content with this novel. I liked Elizabeth’s character, her strength and her flawed nature. I liked that no one was demonised or vilified and that O’Brien gave some sympathy to Richard II at long last.
October 16, 2019
Got bored in the middle. Interesting historical facts but Elizabeth just annoyed me, couldn't empathize and just felt on the sidelines of what was happening
July 8, 2018
The reign of Henry IV had always proved an elusive period in history for me - until now!😀
Sandwiches between the of Edward III and the tumultuous tears of the Wars of the Roses, the Lancaster kings have struggled to attract my attention. However, Anne O'Brien's Queen of the North has changed all that. She has brought the reign of Henry IV front and centre, recreating the lives of the king and his contemporaries in vivid, well researched detail.
The character of Elizabeth Mortimer Percy is a wonder to behold, both in her complexity and depth. The author has thoughtfully breathed life into this woman, giving her a personality which makes get leap off the page and grab the reader's attention. Her ambitions, trials and interaction with her friends, family and enemies are at the centre of this vivid tale of war, intrigue and betrayal, with all eyes on the ultimate price - the throne.
Queen of the North tells the story of Hotspur's rebellion with an uncanny historical accuracy, while infusing her characters with such depth and insight that the reader can imagine themselves a fly on the wall while rebellion is being plotted, ambitions are laid out in the open and family loyalties are tested to the limit.
This is a fabulous novel which will keep the reader enthralled from the first page too the last.
Sandwiches between the of Edward III and the tumultuous tears of the Wars of the Roses, the Lancaster kings have struggled to attract my attention. However, Anne O'Brien's Queen of the North has changed all that. She has brought the reign of Henry IV front and centre, recreating the lives of the king and his contemporaries in vivid, well researched detail.
The character of Elizabeth Mortimer Percy is a wonder to behold, both in her complexity and depth. The author has thoughtfully breathed life into this woman, giving her a personality which makes get leap off the page and grab the reader's attention. Her ambitions, trials and interaction with her friends, family and enemies are at the centre of this vivid tale of war, intrigue and betrayal, with all eyes on the ultimate price - the throne.
Queen of the North tells the story of Hotspur's rebellion with an uncanny historical accuracy, while infusing her characters with such depth and insight that the reader can imagine themselves a fly on the wall while rebellion is being plotted, ambitions are laid out in the open and family loyalties are tested to the limit.
This is a fabulous novel which will keep the reader enthralled from the first page too the last.
June 20, 2021
Another of Anne O’Brien’s historical novels about a strong woman and what would later be called the war of the roses, the long term conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster around the Plantagenet line of royal succession.
As is her trade mark Anne O’Brien uses proven historical fact (history) as the base for the exploration of an extraordinary, strong woman, here Elisabeth Percy, whose struggle to uphold the claim on the crown of the Mortimer family, her ascendancy.
It makes for a fascinating read to discover, how a headstrong, intelligent woman might have felt and faired in a time, when women weren’t considered to be suitable for anything other than satisfying men and breeding heirs.
As Virgin Widow, set in a slightly later time some 50 odd years on, it was hard to put aside, once I had got into it. I always love to be educated about history while reading a fabulous story and Anne O’Brien sure delivers again with this one.
As is her trade mark Anne O’Brien uses proven historical fact (history) as the base for the exploration of an extraordinary, strong woman, here Elisabeth Percy, whose struggle to uphold the claim on the crown of the Mortimer family, her ascendancy.
It makes for a fascinating read to discover, how a headstrong, intelligent woman might have felt and faired in a time, when women weren’t considered to be suitable for anything other than satisfying men and breeding heirs.
As Virgin Widow, set in a slightly later time some 50 odd years on, it was hard to put aside, once I had got into it. I always love to be educated about history while reading a fabulous story and Anne O’Brien sure delivers again with this one.
January 4, 2021
Very disappointing. I’m not sure if it was the writing, the plot, or the characters but I had hoped to be more engaged in reading this.
September 22, 2025
Another typical O'Brien novel. a bit tedious although I felt like I learnt a lot, assuming that it's accurate
August 28, 2018
Elizabeth Mortimer was of Plantagenet blood and believed her nephews should be next in line to the throne, unfortunately Henry IV thought otherwise, and so it began. Elizabeth is a strong woman, not particularly likeable, proud and arrogant but I couldn't help admiring her. This is a good historical story, based around true events and people with fantastic historical detail.
January 20, 2021
I bought the audiobook at a discounted private through Chirp and had no idea what to expect. But I enjoyed it quite a bit. I’m hovering between 4 and 5 but decided to round up to 5
May 29, 2018
Sometimes, you come across a really, truly amazing novel about a truly amazing person. This is one of these novels. Queen of the North follows the story of Elizabeth Mortimer, wife to Harry Hotspur, son of the Earl of Northumberland. Set at the turn of the 15th Century, amid a backdrop of lies and subterfuge, the warmth and humour that this book manages to convey very often is pretty astounding. Anne O'Brien is great at separating the characters from the context, and the life of Elizabeth Mortimer that she so vividly depicts makes for a very interesting, enjoyable novel. One more author to add to the favourites in historical fiction!
September 12, 2018
I love Anne O'Brien's books....her storytelling is captivating. She breathes life into past history, she weaves vivid details in war, ambition, love, and heartache. For people looking for the next Elizabeth Chadwick, Philippa Gregory, or Alison Weir this is it. Queen of the North was one that had me hooked until the end.
June 10, 2020
I couldn't keep going with this. It is hard for me to give up on a book but it was so repetitive and unnecessarily long! I had read the Penguin Monarch on Henry IV and wanted to get some more background, especially from a woman character. But I won't be reading any more Anne O'Brien.
June 6, 2018
The story of Elizabeth Mortimer/Percy, Queen of the North and married to the heir of the Earl of Northumberland (Percy family). Henry Bolingbroke, banished from England after an uprising against King Richard II takes the opportunity to return to claim his lands after his father (Lancaster) dies, while Richard is engaged in a campaign in Ireland.
The Northern Lords decide to support Bolingbroke/Lancaster’s return and his claim for restitution of his lands, despite concerns that he may seek further power – the English Crown itself. But Lancaster takes a solemn oath on holy relics that he will support anyone more suitable for the throne of England. Elizabeth is wary. The Percy Lords (husband, and especially father) are persuaded by promises of land, power and titles. Elizabeth’s Mortimer family has legitimate and stronger claims to the throne; namely the young Edmund Mortimer (a minor), so she is suspicious of Lancaster and the motivations of her Percy family. Her worst fears are realised when she hears that the Earl of Northumberland has taken King Richard into custody for Lancaster.
Being a woman (albeit of Royal descent) she is not listened to. The old Earl dismisses her totally and it is fascinating to hear how she has to keep her own channels of information, how her independent spirit and belief in the correctness of inheritance keep her on her path. She is torn between loyalties between her Mortimer birth family and the Percys. Plots and treason (a shifting commodity in those days!) abound. Families are raised and destroyed according to the monarch’s will. I always wondered why the powerful/power-crazed families of the time were driven to support others’ claims to the throne when they had to pay so dearly for failure. But this book really demonstrates these motivations – especially as in this case when the throne was seized so deceitfully.
Anne O’Brien presents the period seamlessly well, as always. The often intricate family connections are clearly explained here; there are also 2 family trees (which always help as far as John of Gaunt’s family and successors are concerned). A fascinating story around the outrage of Henry of Lancaster seizing the English throne, the ‘mystery’ death of King Richard II and how those with legitimate claims tried to challenge this.
The Northern Lords decide to support Bolingbroke/Lancaster’s return and his claim for restitution of his lands, despite concerns that he may seek further power – the English Crown itself. But Lancaster takes a solemn oath on holy relics that he will support anyone more suitable for the throne of England. Elizabeth is wary. The Percy Lords (husband, and especially father) are persuaded by promises of land, power and titles. Elizabeth’s Mortimer family has legitimate and stronger claims to the throne; namely the young Edmund Mortimer (a minor), so she is suspicious of Lancaster and the motivations of her Percy family. Her worst fears are realised when she hears that the Earl of Northumberland has taken King Richard into custody for Lancaster.
Being a woman (albeit of Royal descent) she is not listened to. The old Earl dismisses her totally and it is fascinating to hear how she has to keep her own channels of information, how her independent spirit and belief in the correctness of inheritance keep her on her path. She is torn between loyalties between her Mortimer birth family and the Percys. Plots and treason (a shifting commodity in those days!) abound. Families are raised and destroyed according to the monarch’s will. I always wondered why the powerful/power-crazed families of the time were driven to support others’ claims to the throne when they had to pay so dearly for failure. But this book really demonstrates these motivations – especially as in this case when the throne was seized so deceitfully.
Anne O’Brien presents the period seamlessly well, as always. The often intricate family connections are clearly explained here; there are also 2 family trees (which always help as far as John of Gaunt’s family and successors are concerned). A fascinating story around the outrage of Henry of Lancaster seizing the English throne, the ‘mystery’ death of King Richard II and how those with legitimate claims tried to challenge this.
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