Die Schöne des Hofes

by Jean Plaidy

Eighteen year old Jane Shore's beauty is known around London. She is well-educated and intelligent, and when she catches the eye of a wealthy goldsmith her father sees in her an opportunity for an advantageous marriage. But the marriage is soon annulled and she becomes the favourite mistress of Edward IV.

Her compassion for London's poor brings her widespread popularity, and she uses her favour with the king to beg forgiveness for those who have angered him. When Edward suddenly dies, she seduces other men, namely Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.

But when Hastings loses the new King's favour she is punished and imprisoned in Ludgate prison. There, away from the protection of her loves, she can only face the horrors of those she once protected. And pray for salvation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, British Literature, 15th Century, Medieval

351 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engagingly written dramatic novel about the life of Jane Shore, who was born and grew up in Cheapside, London before being married by her father to a goldsmith, William Shore.

Jane is saucy, wilful, passionate, exquisitely beautiful and with a heart of gold.
She is wooed by King Edward IV in disguise and becomes his favoured mistress. Her compassion for the poor of London and her forgiving nature prove her as a saint.
The death of Edward and the power of King Richard leads her into being drawn into intrigues by her passion for Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and also becomes the mistress William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.
Shore outlines her view of the relationship of mistress Shore to these men.
After the fall of Hastings, Jane is forced to do a cruel penance of being walking through London in a procession, dressed only in a kirtle and carrying a taper, to St Paul's cross, watched by ogling men and jeering crowds.
She was then imprisoned in the ghastly Ludgate prison in London.
As we follow the life of a phenomenal and engaging woman, who it is impossible not to feel the utmost sympathy for, we get a real window into medieval London.
Plaidy uses the novel also to put forward her theory that the princes in the tower, Edward and Richard, were not killed on the orders of Richard III, but on the orders of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) after he took the throne.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engagingly written dramatic novel about the life of Jane Shore, who was born and grew up in Cheapside, London before being married by her father to a goldsmith, William Shore.

Jane is saucy, wilful, passionate, exquisitely beautiful and with a heart of gold.
She is wooed by King Edward IV in disguise and becomes his favoured mistress. Her compassion for the poor of London and her forgiving nature prove her as a saint.
The death of Edward and the power of King Richard leads her into being drawn into intrigues by her passion for Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and also becomes the mistress William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.
Shore outlines her view of the relationship of mistress Shore to these men.
After the fall of Hastings, Jane is forced to do a cruel penance of being walking through London in a procession, dressed only in a kirtle and carrying a taper, to St Paul's cross, watched by ogling men and jeering crowds.
She was then imprisoned in the ghastly Ludgate prison in London.
As we follow the life of a phenomenal and engaging woman, who it is impossible not to feel the utmost sympathy for, we get a real window into medieval London.
Plaidy uses the novel also to put forward her theory that the princes in the tower, Edward and Richard, were not killed on the orders of Richard III, but on the orders of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) after he took the throne.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel tells the story of the beautiful Jane Shore - who married by her father to a local goldsmith, becomes the mistress of Edward IV.

This is a time of intrigue and murder, the betrayl of one ambitious brother of another. It is also the story of a fairly immoral and bawdy court, and how a common merchants daughter from Cheapside came to hold such an important position. Edward IV is married to Elizabeth Woodville and is brother to The Duke of Clarence and Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III). He is also father to the doomed young princes Edward and Richard - whose fate in the tower is now legendary.

This is after all a novel - and so there is a lot I should imagine which is the stuff of immagination - but it is nontheless a thumping good read. It has also put me in the mood to read more about this period. I have a non fiction TBR about the Princes in the Tower - which may get read quite soon.

[Cathy Wacksman]

Jean Plaidy writes in an old-fashioned way but I enjoy the characters she usually writes about, this book takes place in the 1400's. Jane Shore was a famous or infamous mistress to King Edward and Lord Hastings. I admire an author who can conjure up probably daily events in an interesting manner.

[susan heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best

Jean Plaidy was the original,before the newcomers in all their hype the last few,years,and quite simply the best.a true storyteller.

[Barb]

Did not make it very far at all the dialogue was a bit dreadful. Does anyone know of any other fiction based on Jane Shore's life?

[BILLY · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting of this book was quite felicitous and the details of houses, dresses and people were all described with great care, which greatly aided me when I was reading. Jane Shore was quite a phenomenal and true historical figure in the 1400s, as she made for herself a permanent place in King Edward’s court (which was very atypical for mistresses) not by cunning plans, but by the kindness of her own heart (and her beauty of course). The only downside of this book is that it wasn’t riveting and the plot was fairly simple; however, this is also one of its advantages as it portrays the way Jane lives life. Even in prison, she was very relaxed and while she was not overly cheerful, she was content and even until her death as a beggar, she accepted her fate. I loved that Jane didn’t succumb to things that would improve her situation but go against her heart but this also exhibits the existence of “pretty privilege” in every day and age, as she was only able to get away with this non-submissive behaviour because she was beautiful. The king wooed her in secret and a handful of other men from the court, including the king’s stepson, wanted to obtain her love regardless of the consequences. Overall, this book was a good read but if you don’t enjoy reading a plethora of details, it’s not the one for you.

[Melissa Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, I think historical fiction is my new favourite genre.

Based mostly on the believed truth of events, making this book not only engaging but also informative. I've always loved history but found it hard to take in the facts but reading it in a 'story' fashion really helps the information to go in. Previously read queen of the north which is of a similar/ overlapping time period from another angle so reading this one has really concreted the facts in my head about this time period.
I found it was a very gripping and easy read, and despite it being 'history' I wasn't aware of the happenings so did not see the events that occurred coming which only added to my enjoyment of the book. It was nice to have insights into the general lifestyle of the time as well as the factual royal side of it. Will definitely be reading more of these books

[Samantha Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't ever read anything like this and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the characters 🥰

[Phil Syphe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of several novels I’ve read set during the Wars of the Roses, which I continue to consider as a fascinating period of England’s history. This is also the second fiction-based-on-fact account of Jane (aka Elizabeth) Shore.

Jane Shore is one of my favourite personages from medieval times. It’s unfortunate that more details of her life haven’t been recorded. But in the world of historical fiction a good author can fill in the gaps. Jean Plaidy has managed to do just that, portraying a very different account of Jane’s life compared to the version featured in Anne Easter Smith’s “Royal Mistress”.

The Jane in this book is as likeable as she is beautiful. She could’ve gone on to be the ultimate haughty bitch, what with her unrivalled good-looks and her position at court, but rather she uses her influence to aid the suffering of others.

I also like Ms Plaidy’s portrayal of Richard III. She neither paints him as a demon in human form, nor in an unbelievable hero, like a fanatical Ricardian may be tempted to. Her version of the last Plantagenet monarch offers a realistic balance of what Richard may have been like as a person.

The ending is a melancholy one. Won’t say more in case I reveal a spoiler.

Overall, this was in the most part an entertaining read, though I felt it had potential to be even better.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical novel about King Edward IV's mistress Jane Shore written by Jean Plaidy in 1952. The opening chapters imagining Jane Shore's early life are interesting to read as most of Plaidy's novels are about royalty while Jane was born into London's merchant class and experienced a dramatic change in her life after she met Edward IV. Once Jane is a court, however, the historical events of the times receive little attention and the focus is on Shore's affairs with the King and then with other courtiers after his death. There are a lot of historical inaccuracies and Jane sometimes disappears from the story entirely while the novel imagines Richard III's thoughts at the Battle of Bosworth Field or the fate of the Princes in the Tower. A light read, not especially memorable.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Shore is often considered a fringe character in history. In fact, she may not show up at all because she is one of many mistresses of King Edward IV, albeit his favorite, and what is a Jane Shore compared to an Elizabeth Woodville? In this account by Jean Plaidy, Jane Shore not only takes center stage in her own story but also in history. Some of the great turning points in the Wars of the Roses are attributed to Jane, and this novel brings those fascinating machinations to light.

Plaidy presents Jane Shore as a kindhearted but sensuous woman. She isn't content just with being a "good wife". She must have passion and love. It's her greatest weakness, you could say, against her otherwise flawless character. She undergoes several transformations in this book, and it's riveting to watch her mature, for better or for worse. In the beginning she battles with her conscience about leaving her husband for King Edward, eventually and inevitably succumbing. Her years as Edward's mistress expose her to all sorts of plots from the royal court. Not only does she become entangled in them, but she also devises a few of her own, though she can hardly be called cunning. Her worldview is tested again and again as her lover's reign progresses and Edward makes difficult choices in order to keep his power. It's fascinating watching an otherwise guileless woman grapple with the sordid world she's fallen into.

After Edward's death, she becomes the lover of Dorset and Hastings, both offering something completely different from Edward and each other. Jane's relationships with men evolve over the course of her life and the book, and like any human, she makes bad decisions. Unfortunately for her, the stakes are much higher than for the rest of us. Her experiences sober her. She becomes wiser. Yet, through it all, she never loses her kindness to those less fortunate than herself. These contradictions and nuances make her feel like a real person instead of a trope in a novel.

My only frustration is that, either due to a lack of information or a lack of interesting information, we cease to follow Jane's story around the last quarter of the book. Instead, Plaidy follows the perspectives of pretty much anyone else besides Jane: Elizabeth Woodville Sr, King Richard, the princes in the Tower, and even those men who are said to have murdered the young princes. While it did make the story exciting, Jane only popped up tangentially in these parts, and they felt a little out of place.

It's somewhat tragic watching Jane's descent from the daughter of a wealthy merchant and the coveted mistress of the king to being imprisoned for debt before her final transformation as an old beggar woman who lives on a London street corner. However, as Jane herself is aware, she is many things but wise is not one of them. What principles she values - that of love and selflessness - are paramount to survival. Readers may not always agree or even like the choices Jane makes, but you will understand and sympathize with her, and that is the most important thing in a good book. If you like medieval or Tudor history, this book is a must.

[Glafira Osypets · Rating 3 out of 5]

The events of this book take place in the mid-1400s, during the late Medieval age and the last years of the Plantagenet dynasty. “The goldsmith’s wife” is no other but Jane Shore.
Born into the family of a London jeweller, Elizabeth “Jane” Lambert grew up surrounded by the glitter of gemstones, but her greatest treasure was not inheritance, but charm. She possessed not only beauty but also the rare talent of influencing people. And despite her marriage to a respected merchant, after attending several balls in the residence of King Edward IV, she already had him round the finger, and, to be closer to her beloved man, Jane ran away from her husband with their housekeeper, Kate.
However, the king died only in the age of forty. His brother, Richard III, is known to everyone by his rather grim side and by the tragic end. He never had any warm feeling for his brother Edward, and after his death, his kids – Edward and Richard- were murdered; their mother was banished to a nunnery, and Jane was jailed for treason. However, that is not the end of her story…
Why 3/5? The book is greatly fictionalised. Jean Plaidy portrays Miss Shore as a rather miserable and foolish woman, whose only advantage was her beauty. That does not go along with the historical facts. In addition, the later years of her life, starting with the Ludlow prison, were also made up by the writer, so I would give this book simply a fiction genre, rather than historical fiction. Yet, as always, Plaidy’s writing style charms me, and her passion for the lesser-known figures of English history deserves applause.

[pauline high · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great classic from the writer of historical novels, Jean Plaidy. The book is about Jane Shore who at 18 became the favourite mistress of Edward IV. The story is very atmospheric and descriptive and follows Jane from her marriage to Will Shore the Goldsmith, mistress to Edward IV and after his death mistress to Lord William Hastings. She is forced to take a "Walk of shame" after Edward's death, which was loosely copied in the Game of Thrones series. She ends up in Ludgate prison but manages to survive these downs in her life. One of the sad parts of the book, is her relationship with the "Princes in the Tower" and their demise is very well written and described. Also the blame for their death is put not on their uncle Richard III but the first Tudor Henry VII, always a controversial subject. I look forward to reading all the Jean Paidy books in time.

[dorothy cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable

This book charts the rise and fall of Jane. Daughter ,of a Mercator who marries a Goldsmith.
Jane takes a lover who turns out to the King of England.
I found the book a bit wordy and it introduced so many characters that I struggled to remember who they were!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Jean Plaidy work. Some parts fact, some parts fiction, other parts simple romance.

[Lynn Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of the colourful life of Jane Shore, I love Jean Plaidy's books

[Adriana Conto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esposa de un orfebre que fue amante del rey Eduardo IV de Inglaterra la vida las intriga las traiciones las muertes en la en la corte las batallas La Nueva dinastía es interesante

[Marie Prentice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this worth 6 stars

[Kili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical royal fiction

[Carole Allen-Morley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book and true to history. In real life Jane Shore may not have ended life a beggar . She did keep her home after her final husband died. Quite a relief.

[Edmund Marlowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deceptive light on a fascinating story

Fifteenth-century Elizabeth Shore, whom Plaidy follows four centuries of other writers in misnaming Jane, had about as richly varied a life as can be imagined. The daughter of one London mercer who married her off as a young girl to another, she soon afterwards abandoned him to become the favourite mistress of Edward IV, one of England’s more attractive Kings. Fatally involved with the losing side in the dramatic and murderous intrigue that followed his death, she was rescued from prison through marriage to a new lover, but through further unknown twists of fate died a beggar-woman some forty years later.

An ever-increasing number of popular women novelists seem to be drawn to early modern England. With the notable exception of Hilary Mantel’s, their books that I have come across are over-romanticised, inaccurate, unrealistic and shallow, however readable. Having enjoyed The Goldsmith’s Wife as a boy, before becoming disillusioned with this type of historical novel, I wondered whether it might not after all be better than more recent efforts. I was disappointed, though it is at least no worse. It is not shallow, at least in its first half, and her reconstruction of Shore’s early life, especially her seduction by the King, is imaginative and riveting, though overdone.

One may well argue that a historical novelist should sometimes take liberties with the facts, but surely this should be constrained in the case of novelist such as Plaidy, by and for whom claims to serious research and historical accuracy are made. Writing in 1950, research in archives would have been necessary to reveal that her protagonist was the daughter of John Lambert (not Thomas Wainstead), who died in 1487 (instead of being remembered as dead in 1484), that her first husband, Shore, was actually a mercer (so even the title is wrong), that she successfully got her marriage to him annulled in 1476 (rather than believing herself still married to him in 1483) and that she remarried Thomas Lynam (rather than spurning him).

However, even a serious perusal of the popular potted histories Plaidy lists as her sources would have enabled her to avoid such howlers as that her heroine effectively mothered in London the future Edward V (brought up at Ludlow with strict directions from his father for him to be kept away from precisely the sort of people like Shore whom he favoured himself). And when she has the younger Prince in the Tower looking forward in 1484 to being rejoined with his child wife whose death three years earlier had been a politically significant event, I fear it is not poetic license but historical ignorance.

More annoying than all of this though is Plaidy having the Princes in the Tower die in late 1485 under Henry VII’s orders. This is reason deliberately sacrificed to social correctness, akin to joining a popular witchhunt. It is typical of the power and slow stupidity of popular opinion that this idea became dangerously unfashionable to oppose (as supposedly trendy new thought, though going back three centuries) only after the 1930s, when two events combined to place this always-far-fetched conspiracy theory beyond credibility, namely first the as-conclusive-as-conceivable confirmation that the skeletons supposed to be the Princes’ were such and showed them to have died in 1483, and secondly the discovery of Mancini’s manuscript history showing they were generally thought of as already doomed in that year. I’m afraid I see informed concession to this prejudice in 1950 as weakness rather than the freedom from traditionalist teaching that its proponents claim.

Edmund Marlowe, author of Alexander’s Choice, a modern love story, https://www.amazon.com/dp/191457107X

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the whole, I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting take on a fascinating and incredibly complex time in England's history. It was also nice to read a book from the perspective of someone most people know little about, though many have heard her name.

Unfortunately, the book did not delve into the historical events that occurred during Jane Shore's relationship with Edward IV in any kind of detail. It skimmed over even the largest and most significant incidents that occurred, focusing instead on a superficial love story that could be boiled down to "Edward was gorgeous, rich, and the king, so Jane left her husband for him." Even the details of her relationships with Dorset and Hastings came across very superficial, focusing only on sex.

Although I love Jean Plaidy and thoroughly enjoy her writing style, this book is not one of her best. It's a quick, easy read, but lacks the depth and detail I have come to expect from her.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if it was the best book to read right after finishing The White Queen because I'm not confused on what I think about some of the characters.

It was an ok book. I little too romantic for me. But I think that's the authors style.

[Karen Galber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off very slowly but as I got into it. It became more and more interesting
I never knew anything about Jane Shore. From the book Plaidy portrays her as a truly, nice genuine caring person.

Although this book covers the same time period as the white queen it covers a completely different perspective

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was finishing the book, I was getting ready to rip the book apart for a serious downer ending, and then, well, it ends badly, yes, but also, it stayed absolutely true to one particular theory of history and almost had me joining the We-Love-Richard-III-Club

[Esme_weatherwax · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is ok, but the I found Jane to be a bit weak. It is true that for back in that time period she would have seemed a strong woman, but in today's standards she would be seen as weak. The thing I enjoyed most about the book was the backdrop that it all took place in.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way the author used the life of Jane Shore in the forefront of a description of the many significant events that occurred during her time. I would have given more stars if the balance had been toward more history and less romance novelesque descriptions of Jane's love life.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plaidy/Carr/Holt books are always an enjoyable read and this was no different. I didn't know much about Jane Shore, and thought she brought her to life well - and that she did a good job with Richard III also. Good read.

[Sara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Shore, mistress of Edward IV.