Historical Fiction by Jean Plaidy

Jean Plaidy is a psuedonym for E.A. Hibbert. She wrote piles of books about the British monarchy and not so royal. Her other pen names include Phillipa Carr, Victoria Holt and Eleanor Burford. She passed in 1993--she was just 52.

She tells the stories from the point of view of the central character. Her stories are true to history and pull in many sources. She also pulls in rumors and not so true stories, many times having the character debunk the falsity. Her books bring to life the lives of courtiers, ladies in waiting, the Tower of London, the Thames, hunting parties and grand parties. Her descriptions bring to life the day to day activities, including the not so romantic, such as unbathed persons and old rushes on the floors.

I just finished Queen of This Realm, about Queen Elizabeth I. She ruled 45 years as a virgin Queen, taking no man to lord over her. She desired nothing more than to earn the love of her people and make England prosperous. A man would only get in the way, as would children, and cause her to lose sight of the end. She courted many men, most notably Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Theirs was an life long love affair, unconsummated and unrequited. Ever vain, she was heavily dependant on cosmetic help, especially after small pox marred her beauty. She sent few to death, only when pressed by her council and only when she felt there was no other way to keep her crown.

Although I have truly found myself attracted to these books, they are long reads and do require a great deal of attention due to the immense amount of detail. The character lists also require a key in some cases, especially this one as there are so many Roberts in the mix. The Tudors liked to use the same names over the years. However, for Anglophiles, these are the ultimate story books for a great deal of entertainment and history.

Check out Rose Without a Thorn, The Sixth Wife and Murder Most Royal for other Queens' stories.

Historical Fiction

One of my friends is ALWAYS recommending books. She turned me onto Diana Gabaldon, whose Outlander series takes place between 1940 and 1740 initially. As the main character, Claire travels across time, she meets and falls in love with Jamie (James) who is a Scottish citizen and fiercely loyal to his clan. They eventually get caught up in the Stewart rebellion and Claire returns to her own time. She carries with her Jamie's child.

When she returns, she comes as a doctor and a mother of a full grown child. She has made the decision to return to Jamie on the death of her first and modern day husband. Her child, Brianna, eventually follows her. Across time and across continents, they travel back and forth. Jamie is never able to cross time, but he takes the time travel in stride.

The reader learns of the Scottish history, some English history and early American immigration settlements in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. It is a time of treason, a time of loyalty, a time of exploration, and a time of war. You might even catch on to brewing scotch whiskey.

Her next book is An Echo in the Bone, due out 9/22/09.