The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory is known for her books of fiction about royalty. Normally, I am more of a fan of historical non-fiction but the heroine of this novel is not a woman who I have ever found any non-fiction work about. She is Jacquetta of Luxembourg.  Not a household name by any means, but as a lover of English history, especially Plantagenet England, it is one that is very familiar to me. 

John of Bedford was the grandson of one of my favorite historical figures, John of Gaunt.  He was also Jacquetta's first husband. He was a great soldier and statesman who made one tragic misstep which ended up being what he is remembered for,  he had Joan of Arc burned at the stake. This was, however, two years before he married Jacquetta. 

In spite of this, in this story, Jacquetta and Joan meet and form a connection. Historically it is unlikely but it makes for more drama in a novel. Another license that is taking is giving Jacquetta 'second sight". While her enemies did bring charges of witchcraft against her they never came to fruition and she was never found guilty of anything. 

It is important to note that in this time period, almost anything that was unusual could be credited to witchcraft. 

If it sounds like I didn't like this book, that is not the case. I liked it very well but I accept that it is fiction. 

Jacquetta lived during a very turbulent period of history and she was very much in the center of the action. Her second husband, Richard Woodville was if not quite a commoner, certainly way below her in position but since it was a love match, it is romantic.  

From what pictures I could find of Jacquetta and Richard, they were a good looking couple, certainly, their children were known to be excessively handsome. 

Her daughter, Elizabeth Woodville,  would one day go on to marry the English King Edward IV, but that is another story altogether. 

This book is a good read and will familiarize you with all of the major players in the English War of the Roses. Jacquetta was a pivotal player in this most interesting period of history and her great grandson Henry VIII is certainly someone who is familiar to everyone. Many women have been overlooked in the written histories and it is about time that someone gave us the story of Jacquetta and Philippa Gregory has done just that.