This is the third
book in the Cousin’s War series and it focuses on Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford
and mother of the future Queen of England. Descended from Melusina, the river
goddess, Jacquetta has always had the gift of second sight. Growing up in
France, visiting her uncle, she meets his prisoner, Joan of Arc and recognizes
her own power in the young woman accused of witchcraft. Jacquetta is soon married
to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and it is her husband who
first introduces her to the dangerous and mysterious world of alchemy and who
asks her to use her gifts to the benefit of England. Her only friend in the
Duke’s household is a squire, Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the
Duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young, beautiful widow. The two become lovers
and marry in secret and return to England to serve in the court of the young
King Henry VI and his French Queen Margaret of Anjou, to whom Jacquetta becomes
a close and loyal friend. Henry the king slides
into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favourites
for help; and Richard, Duke of York threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for
his rival dynasty of the House of York. Jacquetta fights for her King, her
Queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth Woodville, a young woman married to a
neighbour for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future:
a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.
☆☆☆☆
If
you are going to read this series, I would suggest starting with this book
rather than with the White Queen as this book ends where the White Queen
begins. It also provides a lot of background information about the War of the
Roses and the lives of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. There are references to
both of the previous novels in this book and a lot of scenes were repeated from
the Red Queen.
The
novel started out a little slow for me but it picked up about ¼ of the way in.
I really enjoyed the character of Jacquetta and her “sight”. I also really
enjoyed the romance between Jacquetta and Sir Richard Woodville – it was
genuine and very well written. Even though they were both forced apart while
serving their King and Queen, their marriage remained strong and fruitful – it
was nice to see that for once true love could prevail against the odds.
I
was not too impressed with the portrayal of Margaret of Anjou – she seemed like
a spoiled little girl who pouts when she doesn’t get her own way. Margaret
falls into the category of French Queens coming to England and things going
downhill from there for the country. Every time Margaret opened her mouth I
cringed because I felt like I was dealing with an annoying teenager, even in
her later years. She was incredibly annoying and utterly stubborn. Maybe if she
had not been so set on revenge and blinded by love with the Duke of Somerset,
and if she had actually listened to those around her, maybe there would not
have been so many problems in her life and the lives of her country. She also
has a seemingly psychotic son, who may or may not be a legitimate heir to the
throne.
Poor
Jacquetta is trapped right in the middle of the War of the Roses, the war that
tore England apart – she is good friends with the Red Queen, Margaret of Anjou
and mother of the White Queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Jacquetta however plays her
role perfectly, as she switches loyalties with ease.
There
were also a lot of miss opportunities for some major drama – the Duke of
Gloucester and his ambitious wife Eleanor is a prime example of a pair who
never reached their dramatic potential.
Overall
I would say that this was a decent novel, not one of Gregory’s best works but
still not bad. Again, I would definitely recommend reading this novel first in
the series followed by The White Queen as that novel picks up where this one
leaves off.
