Katherine: The classic historical romance

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The book tells the story of fictional Merewyn, a poor young girl from Cornwall who has been told by her mother her entire life that she is a descendent of King Arthur, who is surrounded by a host of several non-fictional characters. Seton describes the window-dressing in too much detail but doesn’t describe the historical context in enough detail. Relevant events in the lives of the main characters, political upheaval, they’re just glossed over and not properly explained. Katherine, we’re told, takes no interest in political matters. She exists in a bubble of love and domestic bliss with John of Gaunt and doesn’t question what goes on outside that bubble. When John’s father is ailing and the heir to the throne is still a child, John takes an ever greater role in government, and faces opposition which keeps him occupied and stressed. Katherine sees this merely in terms of “he doesn’t love me any more because we don’t spend as much time together!”, whilst, when we do get inside John’s head, his hardline tactics with the populace are explained as “there was this boy once who told me I was a changeling and I must prove myself to everyone!” Really?! Serious matters of the time – with, undoubtedly, potential for epic drama in a novel – reduced to a grown man nursing a boo-boo and a woman whose life revolves around his love and attention? Urgh. I guess this is where the book is more of a romance novel than a historical fiction, but really I was expecting better. Weir, Alison (18 June 2006). "The secret life of Lady Jane Grey". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013 . Retrieved 8 July 2013. (subscription required)

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Katherine’s eldest son Sir Thomas Swynford was gaoler to the deposed Richard II and implicated in his probable murder. Her daughter Joan Beaufort married the powerful Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland, and by 1450, thanks to the marriage alliances of their many children, Katherine’s descendants were related to almost every noble family in England. I also found it really perplexing that the serfs were anti-nobility, but pro-king. I mean, by all means, make all men equal, but that should include the king, to me. It's just strange that their animosity was aimed at those who, yes, had power over them, but completed glanced off the king which had power over those who had power over them. I think that was their mistake... they wanted to stop the abuses perpetrated against them, over-taxation, slavery, cruelty, and poverty, but put their faith in a young king who knew nothing but his own power and entitlement. And that hurt them, badly.Weir, Alison (2007). Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster' . New York: Ballantine Books. p.310. Katherine was of humble beginnings. She was raised in a convent and finds herself in a loveless marriage. Hugh Swynford offers her marriage which she accepts as she really as no better option. Katherine’s sister is part of the Royal court and advises Katherine to take the marriage offer. Hugh is not a good husband and makes Katherine’s life miserable.

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It turns out that I've read this book before. It did look a bit familiar. I didn't remember what happened in the end. I only remembered a couple parts of the story. Katherine tells the true story of Katherine de Roet, born the daughter of a minor Flemish herald, later knight. Katherine has no obvious prospects, except that her sister is a waiting-woman to Queen Philippa, wife of King EdwardIII, and betrothed to (later the wife of) Geoffrey Chaucer, then a minor court official. By virtue of this connection, Katherine meets and marries Sir Hugh Swynford of Lincolnshire and gives birth to a son, Thomas, and a daughter, Blanchette. Andrew C. Kimmens; Martin Seymour-Smith, eds. (1996). World Authors, 1900-1950. H.W. Wilson. p.2374.While the plot sounds simple, the time and setting were not. There was a plague going on. There were peasant riots. War. Political battles. Katherine suffered many trials in her life -- this is not a romantic comedy. Indeed, I was so captivated by the story and the details in Seton's writing were so vivid that I felt as if I had been transported to medieval England. a b c d e f g Moser, Margaret (29 September 2006). "Love in the Time of 'Green Darkness' ". Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 8 July 2013. Having laid my prejudice for this genre on the table, I wish to say Anya Seton excels at what she does. I was completely invested in Katherine and John of Gaunt as historical characters and as individual people. It took quite a lot to survive in the sphere of the royal house in the 1300s and it is fascinating that these two persons so far down in the line of succession would be the grandfather and grandmother of a bevy of future kings and queens, including the Tutors.

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For the next few years, Katherine lived mainly at Kettlethorpe or in Lincoln, where she leased a fine house near the cathedral. The duke was reconciled to Constance and thereafter concentrated his energies on claiming her kingdom. He remained in touch with Katherine, though, and she helped him financially with his military expedition to Spain, a venture that would ultimately end in failure – the crown he had so long sought eluding him at the last moment.

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This is a wonderful historical fiction tale of the love of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford. You are transported to 14th century filled with political intrigue, danger and romance. It is filled with history and was very well researched.