The Lady of the Rivers (Cousins' War Series #3)

( 136 )

Overview

Passion. Danger. Witchcraft . . .

The Lady of the Rivers is #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power ...

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The Lady of the Rivers (Cousins' War Series #3)

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Overview

Passion. Danger. Witchcraft . . .

The Lady of the Rivers is #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory’s remarkable story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta always has had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she met his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and saw her own power reflected in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the wheel of fortune before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

A sweeping, powerful story rich in passion and legend and drawing on years of research, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother of the white queen.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Philippa Gregory's third Cousins' War historical novel (after The Red Queen and The White Queen) tracks the fascinating story of Jacquetta of Luxembourg (1416-1472). Born to aristocracy and related to the English royal family, she first married the John of Lancaster, the Duke of Bedford, best remembered today as the prosecutor of Joan of Arc, whose execution Jacquetta witnessed. Still a teenager at her husband's death, she defies convention and ignores the king's will by secretly marrying a squire. This alliance of love produces sixteen children; one of them, Elizabeth Woodville, becomes the Queen Consort of King Henry IV. Gregory follows Jacquetta with sympathy and historical fidelity; indeed, modern readers will be heartened that her story's human issues have not blurred over time.

Publishers Weekly
Wielding magic again in her latest War of the Roses novel (after The Red Queen), Gregory demonstrates the passion and skill that has made her the queen of English historical fiction. Her heroine-narrator, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, who possesses second sight, is but 14 when she witnesses the execution of Joan of Arc. Joan's persecutor, the duke of Bedford, marries Jacquetta the next year in a vain attempt to access her powers, but then leaves her a wealthy widow. Defying convention, Jacquetta chooses a new husband herself: the duke's handsome young squire, Richard Woodville, with whom she has a dozen children, including Elizabeth, the future queen. Richard serves at King Henry VI's court, and Jacquetta befriends his new queen. When the king's widowed mother weds Owen Tudor, tolerance spreads for women who defy convention. As in previous works, Gregory portrays spirited women at odds with powerful men, endowing distant historical events with drama, and figures long dead or invented with real-life flaws and grand emotions. She makes history (mostly accurate) come alive for readers (mostly women) by giving credence to persistent rumors that academic historians (mostly men) have brushed aside. (Oct.)
Library Journal
The best writers of historical fiction imbue the past with the rich tapestry of life and depth, and Gregory is surely counted among their number. Her third offering in the "Cousins' War" series (after The White Queen and The Red Queen) is the story of Jacquetta, mother of the White Queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Given first to a husband who desires only the magical powers she might possess, Jacquetta marries second for love, much below her station. Still, she manages to keep her family in the good graces of the ineffectual King Henry VI, placing them ultimately on the losing side of the Wars of the Roses. She and her husband hold on, however, finally settling in the country to raise their large brood and await the ascendancy of their daughter Elizabeth, who will bring the family to prominence again. VERDICT A worthy addition to this fascinating series, once again distinguished by excellent characterization, thorough research, and a deft touch with the written word. [With fellow historians David Baldwin and Michael Jones, Gregory is publishing in September a nonfiction account The Women of the Cousins' War: The Duchess, the Queen, and the King's Mother.—Ed.]—Pam O'Sullivan, SUNY Coll. at Brockport
Kirkus Reviews

A duchess endowed with second sight is caught up in the War of the Roses, in another installment of Gregory'sCousins' Warseries (The Red Queen, 2010).

The story opens as Jacquetta, a young princess of Luxembourg, befriends Joan of Arc. Jacquetta's great aunt, the powerful Demoiselle, takes Joan into her household while the French and English decide the fate of the warrior maid.Near death, the Demoiselle informs Jacquetta that she is a true heiress to the powers conferred on certain women of her family by their ancestor, the water goddess Melusina. Teenage Jacquetta is noticed by the English regent of France, the Duke of Bedford, who demands her hand in marriage.Horrified at first (Bedford engineers the execution of Joan as a witch), Jacquetta soon learns that, rather than consummate their marriage, Bedford wants to employ her occult talents and her virginity in his quest for the Philosopher's Stone.Bedford's squire, Richard Woodville, worships the new Duchess from afar. After Bedford dies, Jacquetta risks her status as Dowager Duchess and heiress to a great fortune to marry Richard, her less-than-blue-blooded true love.The two attempt to retire to an English country house but are soon summoned to attend to Lancastrian King Henry VI and his volatile Queen, Margaret of Anjou.Richard is made a baron and given command of the English garrison at Calais.As two factions of English nobility, the Lancasters and Yorks, vie for control of the unstable realm, hard-won English territories in France are lost, further undermining Henry's sway.Then Henry lapses into a catatonic state, during which Margaret needs Jacquetta's help to keep the Yorks at bay. However, Jacquetta, who despite Richard's frequent absences has birthed at least 11 children (readers will lose count), resists exploiting gifts that some may see as witchcraft.

Although the complexity of the historical and political events threatens to overwhelm Jacquetta's story, the suspenseful pace never flags, although it's clear that Jacquetta has allied herself—at least for now—with the losing side.

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781416563709
  • Publisher: Touchstone
  • Publication date: 10/18/2011
  • Series: Cousins' War Series , #3
  • Pages: 464
  • Product dimensions: 5.90 (w) x 9.30 (h) x 1.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. She studied history at the University of Sussex and received a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. She welcomes visitors to her website, PhilippaGregory.com.

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    1. Hometown:
      Yorkshire, England
    1. Date of Birth:
      January 9, 1954
    2. Place of Birth:
      Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa
    1. Education:
      B.A. in history, Sussex University, 1982; Ph.D., 18th-century popular fiction, Edinburgh, 1984
    2. Website:
      http://www.PhilippaGregory.com

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 136 )
Rating Distribution

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(72)

4 Star

(36)

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(14)

2 Star

(8)

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(6)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 136 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 23, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

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    The Lady of the Rivers (Cousins' War Series #3)

    great

    Great weekend read with great characters. Finished it in a couple of hours.

    6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 9, 2012

    Slow start, but otherwise entertaining

    Since i'm typing this out on my nook i'll keep it brief. I'm a sucker for this genre. Even though the rational part of my brain recognizes Greggory as a sub-par author, I'm still typical drawn into her books which range from great (TOBG) to downright unreadable (Wildacre series). This falls somewhere in the middle, and also falls short of its sequel The White Queen. In TWQ I found the characters much more dynamic and well thought out. Elizabeth actually has an arc. She grows and changes ovee time. Here.... not so much. The only really interesting character here is probably Margaret of Anjou. Also, for a story that takes place in an incredibly interesting period of history, not much actual history happens here. A lot of family dynamics, Greggory's incredibly annoying insistance that all woman of history were victims of men... she does this in every book, I swear, and maybe the occassional historical event thrown into the backseat. I find it hard to believe someone as important as Lady Rivers was to the royal court would have so little to say about what was happening on her lands and in her country. This could have been so much better. Still, I think its worth reading if you've enjoyed Greggory's other novels or you're a fan of this genre. Maybe not worth buying, but i'd reccomend lending a copy if you are interested.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 2, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    A powerful story

    Jacquetta is married to the much older Duke of Bedford, who is the English Regent of France. He has heard of her gift of second sight and introduces her to a world of education, which was not exactly the forte of women in this era. Jacquette was also introduced to alchemists working for the Duke. When the Duke passes away he leaves Jacquetta a very wealthy widow. Her only friend turns out to be Richard Woodville, the Duke's squire, who is at Jacquetta's side when her husband dies. The two fall in love and marry without the knowledge of the King, which is a no-no, for the King has to approve all royal marriages. They are fined and sent away from the Court of King Henry VI but are welcomed back eventually and Jacquetta becomes the Queen's closest confidante. The Woodvilles soon become friends of the Court although Jacquetta, in between childbearing (11 children), senses the growing threat from the royal rivals (Lancaster and York). The House of Lancaster tries to keep the Court intact but, the House of York want the throne and, during all this, the King is taken ill. Queen Margaret turns to untrustworthy people for help and the Duke of York threatens to overturn the kingdom. Jacquetta and her husband fight for the King and Queen and for their daughter Elizabeth Woodville. Jacquetta has foreseen a fabulous life for Elizabeth including a fortune and maybe the throne of England sometime in the future. This author is an acclaimed writer of British History. The Lady of the Rivers is another about the Lancasters and the Yorks who were both after the throne of England. These people were all related to each other as the readers can see when the family trees are printed. But, Ms. Gregory is a master storyteller and Elizabeth Woodville is the heroine who will become Queen when everything is figured out. This is a powerful story which is very passionate and as the author tells the legendary story of Jacquetta and Elizabeth Woodville the reader will become enthralled with the story of the Lady of the Rivers. Quill Says: This author is well-known in the field of English History. This book is part of a series called The Cousins' War, featuring the Plantagenets and tells of the Wars of the Roses, a very violent time in the history of the English Royals.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 27, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Outstanding storytelling

    In 1430 near Arras, France, in front of her great-niece fourteen year old Lady Jacquetta, Lady Jehanne asks her prisoner Joan to accept parole by reneging her vows from God and remaining at Lord Luxembourg's Castle of Beaurevoir. Though weary that she erred in crowning the king, Joan, still a country peasant at heart refuses. Jacquetta witnesses the execution of Joan declared a witch by the Duke of Bedford.

    In 1433 Jacquetta has no say as she is forced to marry recently widowed John, the English Duke Bedford Regent of France. He plans to use her powers to further his ambitions but dies before he can achieve his objective. Still a teen, Jacquetta is now a wealthy widow. The king and her family choose her next spouse, but Jacquetta refuses to obey. Instead she weds Richard Woodville. They have a happy marriage with many children as he serves King Henry VI at the royal court and she serves as the queen's loyal confident while anticipating after Henry the Lancaster dynasty will die too.

    The third Cousins' War historical thriller (see The Red Queen and The White Queen) is another interesting look at a strong woman who must conceal her fortitude in order to navigate the treacherous male waters. Lady Jacquetta is a fascinating protagonist as she learns from the execution of Joan and the marriage of the king's mother to a Tudor that being strong but smart is an asset even in a male only world. Genre fans will appreciate Philippa Gregory's entertaining medieval biographical fiction of an intelligent courageous woman who not only survives the War of the Roses; she observes her grandson become King of England.

    Harriet Klausner

    4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 21, 2012

    Highly Recommended

    I have really enjoyed reading this book. I have read the Red Queen and the White Queen, and would recommend all three. However, I wish Phjilippa Gregory had written this book first. If you are new to these books read The Lady of the Rivers first.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 16, 2011

    Just ok

    This book started out as a good read then I quickly became bored with the same old stuff chapter after chapter. Did not like the ending at all.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 27, 2011

    Good read for gregory fans

    I have been a huge phillipa gregory fan ever since i read the other bolelyn girl and fell in love with it. This book definitely did not disappoint and i enjoyed reading it as a part of the trilogy based on the cousins wars. I liked it much better than the red queen and about as much as i enjoyed the white queen. Gregory really brings that time period to life and i particularly enjoyed the fact that it centers on a little known character from that time period. The story was engrossing and moved smoothly, i found it difficult to put down!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 16, 2011

    recommended

    It was a good contection to the others in the series. However, it didn't keep my interest as well as the previous books in this series.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 18, 2011

    Preordered, but won't let me read...

    I got an email that my preorder was complete, but I cannot open or even dowmload the book to my Nook Color...anyone else having issues?

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 12, 2011

    Fantastic!

    Phillippa has done it again, I highly recommend the lady of the rivers!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 14, 2013

    Loved it!

    The main character reminds me a lot of catherine de medicci. Judt the talents she had. But she is'nt vile like her.

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  • Posted January 26, 2013

    Stunning imagery, magical, and mystical fiction!

    The story captured the essence of courtly life. Historically, the accuracy was portrayed in the lives of the characters. Get ready to fall in love with Richard!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 19, 2013

    I loved this book and didt want it to end , cant wait till the n

    I loved this book and didt want it to end , cant wait till the next one comes out this summer ...

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  • Posted January 7, 2013

    Great

    Would Loved to have known Jacquetta! What a strong and loyal woman. I would have loved to still get her point of view when Elizabeth actually made it to the throne.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 17, 2012

    Great book

    It keep me on my toes, it was a terrfic book

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 10, 2012

    loved the whole series!

    This time in history makes so much more sense to me now ... and what an interesting series this would be for a womens' study group.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 8, 2012

    Great

    A must read. wonderful book

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 1, 2012

    Following my disappointment with "The Red Queen", I wa

    Following my disappointment with "The Red Queen", I was hesitant to purchase this novel. I had feared that writing too many novels way too quickly had compromised their storytelling quality. I have read all the other Tudor novels as well as "The White Queen". (I found "The Red Queen" immensely boring and didn't finish it. On with this review.

    I very much enjoyed this novel and was sad to reach the end. Phillippa has crafted a great love story with Jacquetta and Richard. Jacquetta does appear in "The White Queen" since she is Elizabeth's mother. I didn't find any obvious inconsistencies with this character in both novels. I also enjoyed "Lady of the Rivers" 's early introduction to Elizabeth Woodville and her marriage to her first husband.

    Her historical backdrop was well done, and didn't take over the novel. I had more insight into Henry VI's illness and the ruthlessly ambitious personality of Margaret of Anjou. I believe that she portrayed the Queen accurately after some of my non-fiction reading on the period. I also found the references to alchemy informative (since I am a huge fan of "A Discovery of Witches".)

    A subtle theme of this book is Jacquetta's frustration with the powerlessness of women in this period.
    Jacquetta mentally fights against the centuries-old misuse of a charge of witchcraft against women who are too powerful or too intelligence for the men around them. Her thoughts on on the subject are subtlely interjected into the novel - but they do cause the modern women to think back on the plight of her sisters.
    Plenty of romance, the right amount of history, and a smattering of feminist philosophy. A great read.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 7, 2012

    highly recommended

    .

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 12, 2012

    The first to read in this series! You'll find it fascinating.

    Very enjoyable. Read this book first, then "White Queen". There are good connections made when you read them in this order. After that, read "Red Queen". Both of those books are also by Philippa Gregory. I think "The Lady of the Rivers" was my favorite.

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