An easy to read but captivating medieval romp. This one has all of Elizbaeth Chadwick’s hallmark writing complete with war, love, plague and longing all wrapped up in an engaging, yet easy read.
Plot in a Nutshell
This is a fictionalised account of Joan (Jeanette) of Kent’s early years. Of royal blood, she grows up as a ward in the court of her cousin Edward and his wife, Queen Philippa. There, she falls quickly and deeply in love with a young knight, Thomas, and the two secretly marry.
Before their marriage can be made public, Thomas leaves for war. In his absence, Jeanette is coerced by her ambitious mother into a second marriage to a man she detests. This act and the subsequent marriage effectively leaves her a prisoner. When Thomas returns and what follows is a prolonged struggle, against family and expectation, as both attempt to reclaim their marriage, whatever the cost.
Thoughts
This medieval period is a great pickings for historical fiction. Whilst we know a good deal there are still so many gaps. These feel compelling opportunities for a great author to fill in. And this is true here.
This is excellently researched. The period come alive through an attention to detail that really makes the world appear rich without ever feeling like it is lecturing you on history. Chadwick dives into details such as fabrics, daily pastimes and the intracies of hawking. And so the rhythms of court all flesh out the day to day lives of Jeanette without ever feeling dry or academic.
This novel has been marketed as a romance, and it is true there is hidden and then denied love at it’s centre. However I think it is more than that alone. Jeanette is less of a love sick character as she is someone who is evolves and grows into herself and her strngeth. She develops under the constraints she suffers but is never defeated by them.
Thomas too, is more than just a brooding hero. He has his role as a knight and is carrying a heavy responsibility after the execution of his father. Throughout he must balance those elements and his decisions are not always driven by love. He is also a dedicated son and brother. Chadwick portrays him effectively and carefully trying to balance his commitment to Jeanette with his commitments to his King.
Development of the main characters is not at the detriment of a large supporting case – the Queen Philippa is particularly well drawn and someone I’d like to read more about. Not least did she really have a pet squirrel? Is that a thing people did? Otto, Thomas’ brother is also steadfast and adds a further counterpoint beyond the romance.
Stylistically, the prose is accessible and fluid. Much of the story is carried through dialogue versus long descriptions. I found myself emersed in the story in a way that felt immediate and pacy. It made the occasional anachronism in language feels like a deliberate trade-off, a way of keeping the reader close rather than insisting on historical distance.
The novel is also not without action. There is plenty of battle and bloodshed, both on land and also at sea. These action packed passages create tension and intrigue and sit alongside the more domestic scenes providing breath. This widens even further as we see the slow pace of the religious courts and are forced to imagine the glacial trek backwards and forwards between the royal and Papal courts.
One of the more compelling plot points, in fact, lies in the relationships between women. The book offers a clear-eyed view of how constrained aristocratic and royal women were. And how this is never more true than in matters of marriage and autonomy. At the same time, it shows the different ways they navigated and tested those limits, adapting, influencing where they could, and, in Philippa’s case, exercising a quieter form of power.
Where I did find myself more conflicted was in the depiction of the main love story. All indications are Jeanette was all of 12 when she first met Thomas who was already twice her age. The idea of this great, and incredibly quickly consummated love is not easy. This story may be historically grounded but it was undoubtedly romanticised and that does not sit well with a modern reader. I was much more comfortable as she matured and her relationship is easier to read as one she understands and has chosen for herself.
An engaging and thoughtfully constructed historical novel that balances romance with character, setting, and social commentary. Not without its issues, particularly in how its central relationship reads today, but ultimately an engaging and immersive read.
A Final Note
Did I fall down the rabbit hole of medieval pets after reading this? Yes I did! Check out here for the answer to whether primary sources back up the idea of squirrels as a pet! Another example here!
