Book Review: Her Highness, the Traitor by Susan Higginbotham

Her Highness, the Traitor by Susan Higginbotham
ARC, Paperback, 336 pages
Sourcebooks Landmark
June 1, 2012
★★★½☆☆

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Received from Publisher for review

“As Henry VIII draws his last breath, two very different women, Jane Dudley, Viscountess Lisle, and Frances Grey, Marchioness of Dorset, face the prospect of a boy king, Edward VI.

For Jane Dudley, basking in the affection of her large family, the coming of a new king means another step upward for her ambitious, able husband, John. For Frances Grey, increasingly alienated from her husband and her brilliant but arrogant daughter Lady Jane, it means that she—and the Lady Jane—are one step closer to the throne of England.

Then the young king falls deathly ill. Determined to keep England under Protestant rule, he concocts an audacious scheme that subverts his own father’s will. Suddenly, Jane Dudley and Frances Grey are reluctantly bound together in a common cause—one that will test their loyalties, their strength, and their faith, and that will change their lives beyond measure.”

Throughout my reading of this book, I felt like the title could be changed slightly to fit almost every main character. At one time or another they were all found to be traitors to the crown and a vast many paid for it with their lives. With that said, THE traitor of the title is not one of our narrators, but her story is told through the viewpoints of Jane Dudley (Jane Grey’s mother-in-law) and Frances Grey (Jane Grey’s mother). I really appreciated this story being told from their perspectives. With the alternating chapters you could see events from both sides of the fence – and usually they were on opposing sides. With these narrators you are right within the crush of events, however they escape with their lives. I feel that the author did a very good job of making these women their own and really getting the reader to care about them.

Regarding THE traitor, Jane Grey – I found it hard to connect with her in this novel. She isn’t one of the narrators, so we have to see her through the eyes of others, and you would think with two opposing narrators we would get a well-rounded view of her. She appears stand-offish and mostly one dimensional. When she meets her ultimate end, I did not feel too much for her. This is diametrically different from my outpouring of tears at the end of Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir. I would have liked to have been given the chance to get to know her better in this novel.

This book casts a much more sympathetic light on the Dudley’s and the Grey’s than many other novels do. The relationship between Frances Grey and her daughter Jane is typically characterized as harsh with Frances coming out as an advancement grabbing woman. The Dudley’s, particularly John Dudley, the patriarch, are crafted as villains who are creating treasonous plots. As described in the author’s note, Higginbotham has tried to craft characters that are more likely closer to their historical counterparts as recent research has been lifting that veil of villainy that has long since shrouded both families.

I have to appreciate the cast of characters presented on the outset of the book because titles changed so often during this time period that I would have had trouble keeping them all straight.

While this book did not grab me from the first pages, it slowly began to grow on me. If you encounter this while reading, give it the chance to grow on you and you will appreciate the results.

If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book?

Reviews of this book by other bloggers: 

• The Broke and the Bookish
• One Book at a Time

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

Also by Susan Higginbotham:

The Stolen Crown

The Traitor’s Wife

The Queen of Last Hopes
[My Review]

Hugh and Bess

Hanging Mary

The Woodvilles

Margaret Pole

Find Susan Higginbotham: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

New Book Alert – The Sisters Who Would Be Queen by Leanda de Lisle

The Sisters Who Would Be Queen by Leanda de Lisle

Genre: Non-Fiction; Biography

Release Date: October 13, 2009 (US), January 19, 2009 (UK)

Publisher: Ballantine Books

“Mary, Katherine, and Jane Grey–sisters whose mere existence nearly toppled a kingdom and altered a nation’s destiny–are the captivating subjects of Leanda de Lisle’s new book. The Sisters Who Would Be Queen breathes fresh life into these three young women, who were victimized in the notoriously vicious Tudor power struggle and whose heirs would otherwise probably be ruling England today…

Exploding the many myths of Lady Jane Grey’s life, unearthing the details of Katherine’s and Mary’s dramatic stories, and casting new light on Elizabeth’s reign, Leanda de Lisle gives voice and resonance to the lives of the Greys and offers perspective on their place in history and on a time when a royal marriage could gain a woman a kingdom or cost her everything.”

From the moment I saw this book, it quickly jumped to the top of my “must have now” list. I actually preordered it a few days ago and am eagerly awaiting its arrival at my door. The story of Lady Jane Grey has intrigued me since the day I first heard about her. She was truly a pawn that was used by everyone and paid for it with her life. I knew nothing about her two sisters until I read about them in my recent read Elizabeth’s Women by Tracy Borman. I also feel that they got the short end of the stick.

I cannot wait to read this one!




Copyright © 2009-2011 by The Maiden’s Court

Book Review: Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

ARC, Paperback, 416 pages

Ballantine Books

February 27, 2007

★★★★½☆

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Collection

"I am now a condemned traitor . . . I am to die when I have hardly begun to live. 

Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison Weir’s enthralling debut novel, breathing new life into one of the most significant and tumultuous periods of the English monarchy. It is the story of Lady Jane Grey–“the Nine Days’ Queen” –a fifteen-year-old girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of the religious and civil unrest that nearly toppled the fabled House of Tudor during the sixteenth century."

This was my first book by Alison Weir and I enjoyed it a lot. As a historian, Weir brings much to the fiction table in this book. She is able to integrate a lot of intricate historical details into the overall story. When historical details are in question, Weir chooses the most believable route to follow creating a vastly interesting historical adventure.

The focus of this book is the Lady Jane Grey and her rise to the throne of England and subsequent downfall 9 days later. Her story is told from just before her birth and the life of her mother and father. She is a smart girl and lives a rather quiet life at her home of Bradgate Hall. Her mother is not the warmest person and does everything she can to advance the family in the hierarchal structure of English society. Her greatest ambition is to bring Jane to the throne, regardless of the manner or the repercussions.

This story is told through the voice of many different narrators; at last count I think there was 8, but it could be a few more than that. I am on the fence as to whether this many narrators are effective or not. Each of these people brings a different perspective of the events of the day to the table. At the same time it can sometimes get confusing as to exactly who these people are and what their purpose is. Some of the narrators appear frequently (Jane and her mother) and some only appear once (Jane Seymour). I have read other books where multiple narrators are employed (The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory) but the number has been limited to a few. I think this was more effective because you can really make a connection with the characters and understand their importance.

The character of Jane Grey is exceptionally well written. I had no previous experience with the story of Jane Grey and I have to say that I learned a lot. There were times that my heartstrings were pulled. The author really knows how to create an emotional scene.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the reign of Lady Jane Grey as well as politics of the time period.

 

Other bloggers reviews of this book:

• Good Books and Good Wine
• She Reads Novels

Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

Also by Alison Weir:

Alison Weir also has written both non-fiction and fiction novel. Her other historical novels are:

 

Captive Queen

 

A Dangerous Inheritance

 

The Lady Elizabeth

 

The Marriage Game

 

Find Alison Weir: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court

Quote of the Day - Lady Jane Grey's Final Poem

I should be getting up two reviews this weekend - The audio book of I Am America, and So Can You by Stephen Colbert and Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir. In the meantime, I thought I would leave the last poem Jane Grey wrote on the day that she was executed for you to read.

"Last light has fallen,

I awoke today with trepid consternation,

This morning will be my last,

The Tower outside is busy,

Tower hill is ready

Oh poor Guilford!

Thou doest say numbers there are vast

The beating of drums,

relocates me to the window.

I watch him, Guilford Dudley, walking, pacing himself slowly,

Tears weep from my eyes, as I watch him walk his last walk of life.

Departed, now, from my view,

From this here lieutenants room.

I look upon the heavens above,

'God our father bequeath to, Guilford your holy love'.

Nearby, a sound of constant clanging,

It is no longer the drums I hear beating.

Left of the window is a commotion on Tower green,

They are finishing a structure,

A scaffold,

Oh,

It is for me."

Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court

Historical Spotlight: Marriage of Lady Jane Grey to Lord Guilford Dudley

The marriage of Lady Jane Grey to Lord Guilford Dudley was purely a strategic move by both sets of parents. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, wanted to connect his family to the royal line by marrying his youngest son, Guilford, to the Duke of Suffolk's daughter, Jane. The Duke and Duchess of Suffolk had always wanted to elevate their family and putting Jane in line for the throne was the best way. The two were married in May of 1553.

The wedding was a triple wedding: Jane and Guilford, Katherine Grey (Jane's sister) and Lord Herbert, and Guilford's sister Katherine to Lord Hastings.

Jane and Guilford did not get along well. She is said to have described the consummation of their marriage as rape, as he was so forceful. Once Jane was Queen, she refused the attempts by the Duke of Northumberland to have Guilford crowned as King. She would only agree to have him named the Duke of Clarence.

When the Lady Mary was proclaimed Queen, Jane and Guilford were housed in the Tower until February 12, 1554. Queen Mary signed the death warrant for both of them for the reason of treason and both were beheaded.

Jane was buried in St. Peter ad Vincula between Queen Anne and Queen Katherine, who had both suffered the same fate.




Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court

Historical Spotlight: Lady Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk

Lady Frances Brandon - Lady Frances Grey - Lady Dorset - Duchess of Suffolk

Frances Grey was the mother of Lady Jane Grey - the Nine Day Queen of England. Frances was the daughter of the well known Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor (King Henry's sister). She married Henry Grey in 1533. They had three daughters: Jane, Katherine, and Mary.

During the reign of King Henry VIII, Frances was 4th in line to the throne, after Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the King's younger sister. His oldest sister Margaret and her children were passed over in the line of succession because she was married to the king of Scotland and that was not what Henry wanted ruling England.

Frances is known for being a very harsh mother to her girls - partly because they did not have the son they desired and also because they had high aspirations in politics. She disliked the more quiet personalities of her girls. Her third daughter, Mary, was born with a hunch in her back and kept out of the public eye - not for her protection but to avoid embarassment of the family.

Frances was a schemer - her and her husband tried to have their eldest daugher, Jane, married to King Edward. This did not happen, but she became queen in her own right for nine days after Edward died. After Mary came to power, Jane and her father Henry Grey were executed in 1554. Despite this, Frances was able to secure a pardon from her.

Within a month of the loss of her husband and daughter she married again - Adrian Stokes. They had three children within the next 4 years, but all died in infancy. She lost political power during the reign of Elizabeth and died in 1559.




Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!

This week's book is Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.

"I am bursting, but suddenly I see what I should do. I slide my feet apart beneath my heavy skirts and, quietly and slowly as I can, relieve myself onto the rushes on the floor. Then I sit down, hoping that no one will notice the puddle that my skirts are hiding."


"Take this child, wash her, and change her clothes," she says very low, "then bring her to me in the great chamber, where I will teach her some manners."


Pg. 42. I could not stop laughing as I read this passage!





Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court