The Queen’s Secret by Jean Plaidy

Jean Plaidy was the pen name of English author Eleanor Hibbert. She also wrote under the name Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr. When she was at the height of her career in the 1950- and 60s she was one of the most popular writers in the world. Recently her historical novels have been re-released and have found favor with a new generation of readers.

The Queen's Secret is part of the Queens of England series. It is the second book in the series and is the story of Queen Katherine of Valois who was the wife of King Henry V of England. 

He is the great warrior of the Shakespearean play of the same name. While he may have been great in battle, his love of war made him a poor king and he spent much of his reign away from his country.

This book is written in the first person, like a diary by Katherine. She takes us from her childhood in France and leaves us understanding a little more about where she came from. Her Father King Charles of France was called Charles the Mad and his madness made her life as a child very unsettled and allowed for the war that was brewing with England.

This dynastic marriage produced a son and with the early death of King Henry V his widow was banished from the court but not allowed to return to France. Thus begins the real story of the novel, the queen’s secret if you will.

Owen Tudor was Welsh and certainly not of the class of Katherine of Valois. He became after the death of King Henry the Clerk of the Wardrobe in the dowager queen's household. At some point, he also became her lover and eventually her husband though it was a secret marriage and relationship. Their union resulted in several children including their eldest some Jasper Tudor who was the father of Henry Tudor who would eventually become the King of England.

Jean Plaidy takes great care in creating her characters. The main characters in this drama are real but of course, as with any good historical fiction, she supplies the conversations and adds minor characters to fill in information that would otherwise not be provided.

The history in this book is spot on. The author does not take liberty with the known facts. The book is very easy to read and you will learn a great deal of history without even realizing it. This is historical fiction at its very best.