Alice

by Sandra Wilson

"You are no ordinary woman, my Lady Alice de Longmore."And she was not. The savagery of 14th century England was no hindrance to the proud, passionate Lady Alice de Longmore. She would have her family's banners restored to the castle at Longmore. And she would be free from the grasping talons of the lecherous, despicable Earl of Warwick, who wanted Longmore castle--and Alice.For her own protection, Alice sought sanctuary at the court of Edward II. There she met the King's notorious favorite, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall. Gaveston's power and influence in the court were matchless. So was his attraction to Alice de Longmore.And to them was born a love that knew no bounds. A love that defied everyone and everything that dared to oppose it. And with that love came a passion so overwhelming...a passion locked in a secret that could destroy Alice and the man she loved....

204 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in the 70s and showing it for the most part. Most interesting aspect is the more favorable depiction of Piers Gaveston, who is usually shown as a greedy, mouthy, too-witty (if you know what I mean), taking advantage of Edward II. Here, he is merely friends-closer-than-brothers with Edward, trying to keep him on the quote-unquote straight and narrow. Edward's presumed homosexuality is described as an unfortunate malady--a remarkably benign concept for the 1200s as opposed to evil, corrupt, etc., but (to me) one of the places where the 20th century bleeds through.

The English nobilty's reaction to Piers is probably spot on, in particular the Earl of Warwick--here the bete noir of the piece. I would like to track down any information tantalizingly referenced at the very end of the novel:

"Soon after Gaveston's execution, the Earl [of Warwick] died mysteriously; it has been suggested that he was poisoned by Gaveston's mistress."

[Tanzanite · Rating 3 out of 5]

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