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The White Queen A Novel The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Philippa Gregory Books

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The White Queen A Novel The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Philippa Gregory Books

Elizabeth Woodville and her family are probably little known to most readers. However, she assumed a major role when she became queen to Edward IV in the middle 1460s. This period of time in England was tumultuous. Wars over the kingship were waged, only really ending with the death of Richard III. Edward's rise to king was one part of this "war of cousins" in the country.

Also, a part of the context, Elizabeth's first husband died and the land she had been given as dowry was stripped from her. Knowing that Edward was riding, she conspired to meet him and ask for restoration of her lands. As the book has it, they immediately felt attracted to one another. A "secret" wedding took place in short order before he had to move on for a time.

Then, the conflict with one of his major supporters over Edward's marriage. His choice of Elizabeth was at odds with Warwick's desire to have a grand marriage with a major figure. Warfare once more broke out, ending with execution of Elizabeth's father and brother. The tone of the novel changes--perhaps too much. Up until this point, the first person narrative shows Elizabeth to be warm, caring, and sweet. After the executions, she becomes much harder, desirous of material wealth, and vengeful. Despite then trauma of her family deaths, the wrenching change in her tone is not fully believable as a "before-after" sequence.

The novel chronicles the ups and downs of Edward, more family deaths, his flight (and return) after treachery, her many children's birth, battles, her relationship with the future Richard III and George (Edward's two brothers). There is speculation about the fate of the Prince of Wales and who might have been responsible for his death--and a charming but not very compelling deus ex machine where her other son survives.

The book ends with Edward's premature death, Richard taking the crown, Elizabeth's shifting alliances as she tries to preserve the succession, and--finally--the state of her and her family's life before Richard's defeat and the accession of the Tudors to the throne.

A good read with much historical context provided. There are some points that are not convincing to me, as noted above. Still, I enjoyed reading this book a great deal.


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The White Queen A Novel The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Philippa Gregory Books Reviews

Typical Gregory fashioned telling of the story of the York Queen and her rise from widowhood. Unfortunately it is this rise that cause so much turmoil within the York house. The War of the Roses/Cousins War is complicated enough, but then the York divided upon itself due to petty jealousies supposedly much caused by this secret marriage. Elizabeth was not someone to be trifled with and when wronged, her curses were sure to cause the torturous death of those that perpetrated them. but they tended to have a potential side effect of putting someone she loved in danger as well.
Not sure if some of her problems were self fulfilling prophesies.
This story did not have the emotional detail that some of her other stories. It was definitely based a bit more on fact and since that story was full she did not embellish as much -- and that part of her amazing story telling was missing
I don't know what genre to place this book in. Stripped to its essence, I would have to say that this is a romance. It just happens that it takes place in the historical setting of the battle for the English throne known as the war of the roses. As such, it contains all the elements of an adventure novel as well as some aspects of a mystery. It also contains aspects of magic and witchcraft. What this book is not, and never professed to be, is a history book.

The White Queen is the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the commoner and former Lancaster supporter, who married the newly crowned Edward IV from the house of York. They married in secret, for love, and kept it quiet for a time because marriages during that time among nobles were arranged for political alliances. Told mostly in the first person from Elizabeth's point of view, the book starts in 1463 when Elizabeth first meets Edward until 1485 when Edward's brother Richard III holds the throne.

The book was meticulously researched and contains an extensive bibliography (for anyone wanting to read the history.) By using the first person, Ms Gregory is filling in the thoughts of Elizabeth as well as the behind the scenes dealings in the king's court. These are not historically accurate, nor were they ever portrayed as such. One can only guess what went on behind the scenes as no historical documents exist to tell us, and with all the backstabbing going on I am not surprised that nothing was put in writing.

Another nice touch added by the author was the introduction of magic to the story. Elizabeth's mother claimed to be descended from Melusina, the water goddess who was half woman and half fish. Melusina's legend exists in many cultures and is probably most well known as that of a mermaid. This legend is woven into the events of the war of the roses masterfully, and Elizabeth and her mother are both accused of witchcraft at one point or another. Whether to believe or not is left up to the reader.

If you enjoyed Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon as I did, then I think you will also enjoy The White Queen. They are both similar in that they are first and foremost love stories. The main difference is that there is no time travel in this book. Instead, the reader is transported to the fifteenth century and sees life through the eyes of Elizabeth Woodville.
This book was GREAT! I had no idea that Elizabeth was such a proactive (and prolific!) Queen. There is so much that we don't know about our English history (or at least we didn't go this far back when I was in school). I love how Philippa Gregory incorporates her research into her novels. She brings her characters to life.
Elizabeth Woodville and her family are probably little known to most readers. However, she assumed a major role when she became queen to Edward IV in the middle 1460s. This period of time in England was tumultuous. Wars over the kingship were waged, only really ending with the death of Richard III. Edward's rise to king was one part of this "war of cousins" in the country.

Also, a part of the context, Elizabeth's first husband died and the land she had been given as dowry was stripped from her. Knowing that Edward was riding, she conspired to meet him and ask for restoration of her lands. As the book has it, they immediately felt attracted to one another. A "secret" wedding took place in short order before he had to move on for a time.

Then, the conflict with one of his major supporters over Edward's marriage. His choice of Elizabeth was at odds with Warwick's desire to have a grand marriage with a major figure. Warfare once more broke out, ending with execution of Elizabeth's father and brother. The tone of the novel changes--perhaps too much. Up until this point, the first person narrative shows Elizabeth to be warm, caring, and sweet. After the executions, she becomes much harder, desirous of material wealth, and vengeful. Despite then trauma of her family deaths, the wrenching change in her tone is not fully believable as a "before-after" sequence.

The novel chronicles the ups and downs of Edward, more family deaths, his flight (and return) after treachery, her many children's birth, battles, her relationship with the future Richard III and George (Edward's two brothers). There is speculation about the fate of the Prince of Wales and who might have been responsible for his death--and a charming but not very compelling deus ex machine where her other son survives.

The book ends with Edward's premature death, Richard taking the crown, Elizabeth's shifting alliances as she tries to preserve the succession, and--finally--the state of her and her family's life before Richard's defeat and the accession of the Tudors to the throne.

A good read with much historical context provided. There are some points that are not convincing to me, as noted above. Still, I enjoyed reading this book a great deal.