Recent acquisitions 2 of 3:
📖 Katherine: A Novel by Anya Seton
📖 The Second Century: Latter-day Saints in Great Britain Volume I: 1937-1987 by Derek A. Cuthbert
📖 Your Faith Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church by Jennifer Gamber and Bill Lewellis
#fREADom #UniteAgainstBookBans
pickI‘m torn between giving this a pick and a so-so. It was neither as scholarly nor as readable as Ormrod‘s Edward III. But then less is known about Katherine because of women‘s place in society. So much had to be speculation. However, I‘m starting to get a handle on the characters and might get more out of the Shakespeare history plays next time around. There was more on John of Gaunt in some ways (again, status of women) 👇🏻
Starting another royal biography.
pickThe true story of Katherine Swynford, the long time mistress and eventual wife of John of Gaunt, The Duke of Lancaster. And how they become ancestors of much of the British royal family. A decades long love story that survives war, plagues, murder, loneliness, and arranged marriages. It‘s a well researched and beautifully written piece of historical fiction. It‘s soo good.
pickAlison Weir's tendency to interpret evidence in the way that will make her happiest is evident here -- she insists, for example, that John of Gaunt and Katherine couldn't have consummated their relationship while his first wife was still alive because he told the pope they didn't. Because, I guess, no one would ever lie to the pope about sex? Quibbles about Weir's interpretation aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and now I must see Kenilworth.
At the end of July, when Queen Anne was buried with great pomp in Westminster Abbey, the Earl of Arundel, still smarting after his forced apology to John of Gaunt, had the insolence to turn up late, provoking an outraged Richard II to strike him in the face and draw blood, thereby desecrating the sanctity of the church, which had to be reconsecrated before the funeral could continue.
Reading about Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt is making me long to visit the UK again so I can see Kenilworth up close. I do love a good castle.
Impressed that Alison Weir managed to cobble together a biography of a woman who left behind no letters, no will, no recorded words, and no personal possessions. #morningreads
