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Counterpoint: Barbara, Lady Villiers
SHORT STORY
Barbara Villiers Palmer is one of the most famous courtesans in history. Mistress to Charles II and mother of five of his children, Lady Castlemaine's notoriety is legendary. This is the story of her namesake and grandmother, Barbara St.John Villiers. The apple did not fall far from the tree.
Barbara St.John Villiers has always despised her sister Lucy, and when Theo Howard, Earl of Suffolk, fell in love with her, Barbara thought she'd die of jealousy. Instead, she decided to get even by befriending someone even more scandalous than herself, Theo's sister, Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset. Unfortunately, Frances was then imprisoned in the Tower of London, accused of murder, and Barbara had to find a way to turn this to her advantage - and continue her vendetta against Lucy.
When I wrote The Lady of the Tower, the story revealed itself in the narrative of my ancestress, Lucy St.John. But, as with all novels, other characters appeared, and their voices grew strong and insistent, demanding their own story be told. This novellete is Barbara’s counterpoint to chapter thirty-one in the novel, in which Barbara manipulates Theo and his sister to gain much for herself.
A counterpoint is a melody played in conjunction with another, or an opposing viewpoint in an argument. Our lives are complex, and each one of us carries within us a counterpoint to another’s story. Here is one to Lucy St.John, the lady of the Tower
Barbara Villiers Palmer is one of the most famous courtesans in history. Mistress to Charles II and mother of five of his children, Lady Castlemaine's notoriety is legendary. This is the story of her namesake and grandmother, Barbara St.John Villiers. The apple did not fall far from the tree.
Barbara St.John Villiers has always despised her sister Lucy, and when Theo Howard, Earl of Suffolk, fell in love with her, Barbara thought she'd die of jealousy. Instead, she decided to get even by befriending someone even more scandalous than herself, Theo's sister, Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset. Unfortunately, Frances was then imprisoned in the Tower of London, accused of murder, and Barbara had to find a way to turn this to her advantage - and continue her vendetta against Lucy.
When I wrote The Lady of the Tower, the story revealed itself in the narrative of my ancestress, Lucy St.John. But, as with all novels, other characters appeared, and their voices grew strong and insistent, demanding their own story be told. This novellete is Barbara’s counterpoint to chapter thirty-one in the novel, in which Barbara manipulates Theo and his sister to gain much for herself.
A counterpoint is a melody played in conjunction with another, or an opposing viewpoint in an argument. Our lives are complex, and each one of us carries within us a counterpoint to another’s story. Here is one to Lucy St.John, the lady of the Tower
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2018
50 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth St. John
13 books272 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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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 27, 2022
Good
Very short but you come to know Barbara very quickly. She was a very strong and determined woman. On to the next.
Very short but you come to know Barbara very quickly. She was a very strong and determined woman. On to the next.
October 2, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
A short novella
"As always, Ms St. John delivers an exquisite little peephole into the 17th century world, complete with a brief but titillating portrait of George Villiers, the elegant and oh, so handsome Duke of Buckingham. "
shortlisted for Book of the Month
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
A short novella
"As always, Ms St. John delivers an exquisite little peephole into the 17th century world, complete with a brief but titillating portrait of George Villiers, the elegant and oh, so handsome Duke of Buckingham. "
shortlisted for Book of the Month
July 31, 2025
3 green stars.
The "counterpoint" is to provide a contrasting point of view to an episode in The Lady of the Tower. Barbara Villiers is certainly a fascinating, if unlikeable, person. The author is a master at setting a scene and providing vivid descriptions. But there really isn't enough here to stand on its own as a story. Fun to read though if you've read The Lady of the Tower.
Description: Barbara Villiers has always despised her sister Lucy, and when Theo Howard, Earl of Suffolk, fell in love with her, Barbara thought she'd die of jealousy. Instead, she decided to get even by befriending someone even more scandalous than herself, Theo's sister, Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset. Unfortunately, Frances was then imprisoned in the Tower of London, accused of murder, and Barbara had to find a way to turn this to her advantage - and continue her vendetta against Lucy.
The "counterpoint" is to provide a contrasting point of view to an episode in The Lady of the Tower. Barbara Villiers is certainly a fascinating, if unlikeable, person. The author is a master at setting a scene and providing vivid descriptions. But there really isn't enough here to stand on its own as a story. Fun to read though if you've read The Lady of the Tower.
Description: Barbara Villiers has always despised her sister Lucy, and when Theo Howard, Earl of Suffolk, fell in love with her, Barbara thought she'd die of jealousy. Instead, she decided to get even by befriending someone even more scandalous than herself, Theo's sister, Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset. Unfortunately, Frances was then imprisoned in the Tower of London, accused of murder, and Barbara had to find a way to turn this to her advantage - and continue her vendetta against Lucy.
August 15, 2018
If you've read Elizabeth St. John's Lady of the Tower or By Love Divided, you'll recognize Barbara as the villain you just love to hate. She's deliciously manipulative and maddening for the mischief and grief she causes her sister Lucy. In this short story, we get to see the other side of Barbara--still manipulative and a political player, but after the mask comes off, someone who is worthy of our empathy. Elegantly written and an insightful study of a complicated character.
December 1, 2022
Did not like
I did not particularly care for the way this was written it was very hard to understand it was very hard to follow the plot I was frustrated multiple times having to go back to the beginning of the story to understand what exactly is happening
I did not particularly care for the way this was written it was very hard to understand it was very hard to follow the plot I was frustrated multiple times having to go back to the beginning of the story to understand what exactly is happening
July 11, 2021
Short but good
July 22, 2020
nothing much new here either. same information as the Lady in the tower.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews