"A poignant tale of Elizabeth of York."
Our story begins with Elizabeth being fitted for her
wedding gown for her marriage to the Dauphin of France. At
the point where she can't take anymore, a message comes
that her father wants to see her. Now Elizabeth is Edward's
favorite daughter and she loves spending time with her
father. As she goes into the room, she realizes all the men
are talking about her. When the king sees her, he sends
everyone out and pulls Elizabeth on his knee, then tells
her that the wedding has been called off. The King of
France has decided to marry the Dauphin to someone else. As
the king leaves the room, he asks who Elizabeth would like
to sit with her. He's not surprised when she asks for
Dickon, her favorite sibling. King Edward has just died. For some reason, Elizabeth's
mother arranges for her son from her first marriage to
bring Edward V back to London for his coronation. Paranoid,
she takes Dickon and her daughters and goes into sanctuary.
For some reason, Elizabeth Woodville is certain her brother-
in-law Richard means to harm her and her children. This is
later proved to be true when Richard kills Elizabeth's son
and Edward ends up in the Tower. Then he tricks Elizabeth
into releasing Dickon for Edward's coronation. This doesn't
happen. Instead, Richard takes the crown for his own and
orders the murder of the two princes. When Elizabeth
discovers this, she agrees to marry Henry—a Lancaster—even
though she knows her father would not approve. When Richard's wife Anne dies, he begins making overtures
toward Elizabeth, even though he is her uncle. Which man will Elizabeth end up marrying? The man who
murdered her brothers? Or the Lancaster? THE TUDOR ROSE: A NOVEL OF ELIZABETH OF YORK is a wonderful
story of the times in England right after the War of the
Roses. Margaret Campbell Barnes tells a poignant tale of
the woman who was the daughter, sister, niece, mother and
wife of Kings of England. Going from the king's favorite
child to dealing with her overwrought mother in sanctuary,
then acting as companion to Queen Anne and finally ending
up married to Henry Tudor, Elizabeth Tudor remained brave
and strong—the one sibling everyone depended on. This is an
amazing story of one woman's life—the woman who united
England and began the Tudor Dynasty. I highly recommend
this story to all lovers of historical novels.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted October 15, 2009
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