The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

Right now I am in the middle of re-reading Philippa Gregory's Cousins War series. The first book in the series is entitled The Lady of the Rivers. I love Philappa Gregory's work and was so excited when she decided to create another series (her earlier works revolve around the Tudors). These novels are about the years leading up to, and about, the Cousins War, also known as the War of the Roses.

The first novel in the series is told through the eyes of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, who would later become Jacquetta Woodville, great-grandmother of Henry the VIII (though she died long before he ever came into existence). While historians may not know much about her, she was an important part of English history. Jacquetta started off her life as French royalty, married an English Duke, and wound up marrying her deceased husband's squire for love. She rose to great heights, was thrown down to great lows, and ended her life as a leading lady of the English court.

Now it has been said that Jacquetta's family, the House of Luxembourg was founded by a water goddess named Melusina. Melusina's decedents are said to have the powers to See. Jacquetta was actually accused of witchcraft (but that happens later on in the series) when her daughter was Queen of England. Gregory uses the story of Luxembourg's ancestry to create a strong willed female character.

Gregory makes it very clear in the text that during this time period women were regarded as objects, pawn on a chessboard if you will. They were used to make bargains and negotiate relationships. What they were not allowed, were opinions and a say in what happened in their own life.  Jacquetta tries her upmost to be a typical courtly beauty, but still be true to her beliefs. Throughout the novel she continually comments on the fact that men are frightened by powerful woman, which is why they have to turn them into something evil, like a witch. And sometimes power doesn't mean strength, it just means having knowledge of the world around you. I love the fact that Gregory pushed the theme as knowledge as power. It's so true and I just don't feel that authors really write on that theme enough.

So while Jacquetta was a real person, it is important to remember that this is a work of historical fiction. Gregory admitted herself that there was not a lot out there on Jacquetta, even though she was a key eye-witness throughout  the War of the Roses. So many events are embellished and probably not very accurate, but still. The prose itself is great, there's a reason why the call Gregory the Queen of Royal Fiction.  If you're looking for something that doesn't have romance and is all about the historical accuracy, I suggest something else. However, if you're just looking for a good read, thumbs up all around!

Now, next post will be about Henry VIII's grandmother. Know who that is? Hint: this is not Jacquetta's daughter.

Till next time,
R.F.F.