Jane Shore

by Mary Bennett

Jane Winstead is only sixteen when King Edward and Lord Hastings begin vying for her affections.

After Hastings attempts to steal her away in the dead of night, Jane’s father decides to marry her off as soon as possible to Matthew Shore, a wealthy goldsmith.

But Goldsmith is a jealous man, and forbids Jane from leaving the house except to see her relatives.

Jane’s mother is not content with a mere goldsmith, and Matthew’s cousin Cecily is jealous of Jane.

Between the two of them they hatch a scheme to put Jane back in the clutches of the King.

All around them the War of the Roses is beginning to show its thorns and Matthew Shore is on the wrong side of it.

Even if he survives it, he might never be able to go home.

Meanwhile, Cecily is hatching another scheme, using the traitor Owen Lewellyn as a pawn.

But Owen’s sister, Nesta, might prove harder to win over than he suspects.

Based on the real-life mistress of Edward the fourth, Jane Shore is a gripping read from start to finish.

Read the story of Jane Shore as it’s never been told before and step back into history.

Mary Bennett (1813-1899) also edited 'The Boys and Girls Companion' with her husband. After his death Mrs. Bennett died in poverty.

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2018

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is another old novel being given new life in order to take advantage of the current surge in interest in the Wars of the Roses. I appreciate a Victorian era novel as much as the next girl, but not this one.

One of the problems that publishers tossing out these old books with new covers do not seem to have considered is that there is much stiffer competition out there than when these novels first hit the scene. In 1888, the story of Jane Shore as a 15 year old that various men are attempting to steal from her father may have been more interesting (and less gross). However, today dozens of other books tell the story in a more satisfying, and more historically accurate, manner.

Of course, I knew all this going into this read and still thought that the perspective of Jane Shore might have something new to offer. It didn't. The book is not really told from Jane's perspective. She is more of an inanimate object that people are fighting over. I will admit that it didn't take long for me to begin skimming, but Jane never seemed to do anything other than what was demanded of her.

Then there's the flowery Victorian language. Again, there are some books of this era that I love, but this book seemed to use a lot of words but never say anything. Characters were shallow and boring. Maybe it got better after I had lost patience and utilized speed-reading mode to get to the end, but I doubt it.


I received this from NetGalley.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Elizabeth Shore, known as Jane, was a mistress of King Edward IV of England. She often appears in fiction set during the Wars of the Roses as a minor character – depending on the book, either as a bad influence or a comfort to Edward in his declining health, and a possible conspirator in the rebellion which followed his death – but several novels have also been written specifically about Jane. This one was written in the 19th century by Mary Bennett, a truly ‘forgotten’ author if ever there was one. It seems that she had several historical novels published, though, so she must have enjoyed some success at the time.

As Jane was a relatively unimportant historical figure, there is still a lot that we don’t know about her today – and obviously even less was known in Bennett’s day. If you do choose to read this book, then, you should be aware that although it does follow the basic outline of Jane’s life, not everything in it is factually correct.

Bennett’s Jane is portrayed, in typical Victorian style, as an innocent, virtuous young woman at the mercy of the king, his friend Will Hastings, and several other men who want to take her from her father and husband. She is the sort of person who has things happen to her rather than making them happen herself, which means she is not the most interesting of characters to read about. In fact, I didn’t feel that any of the characters in this novel ever came to life on the page or seemed like real people at all.

This book was entertaining in parts – mainly when the action switched to Wales and the story of two fictional characters, Nesta Llewellyn and the musician Leolin – but very tedious in others and wouldn’t be the best introduction to Jane Shore’s life.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read others fictional accounts of Jane Shore's life I was really looking forward to reading this, but I have to admit I was bored by it. I didn't like the style of writing, and disliked the writing of the Welsh dialect. It might have been a better book if it was a lot shorter.
A NetGalley Book.

[Melisende · Rating 1 out of 5]

A highly romanticised story of Jane Shore, mistress not only of Lord Hastings but of King Edward IV of England. Reads like a Shakespearean drama.