Edward IV & Elizabeth Woodville: A True Romance

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Amy is now my favourite historical writer. Absolutely loved the way she wrote about these two hugely important people in history. She has an amazing talent for writing facts that draw you in, it's as if you are sitting with her having a chat. Her research and attention to detail is outstanding.These two hugely important characters in our history have been much overlooked. Their marriage was an incredibly different shift away from the norm and Amy has diligently unearthed amazing facts about the times they grew up in. In my view far more interesting than the often too much written about Henry Vlll. Without these two pairing up our history would be so different. I love the interest she has in the female influence in Royal and noble history. Something until now not often really looked into properly due to only the basics being written down. Thank you Amy I was engrossed from beginning to end.

Read Conn Iggulden's book "Bloodline" then read this....filled the gaps & was very informative...loved it

As a fan of Amy Licence' work, I am a bit in two minds about this one: it is clearly the product of deep research into, and familiarity with, the period in question and the people involved. I am persuaded that in the long run Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville formed a long, successful and fruitful marriage. Whether that was quite how it started out remains open to speculation. She was a widow from a non-regal but respectable background. The romantic notion of her waiting under a leafy tree with her two young sons by her side, looking to Edward for restitution of lands and income is, I believe, just that - a notion. She was the daughter of the highly astute and well connected Jacquetta of Luxembourg, former Duchess of Bedford, who would have been eagerly looking to find a suitable husband for her widowed daughter, whose family had come home to be an expense on her household. Ms Woodville's beauty has never been in doubt so a meeting between these two (however deliberate or otherwise) would undoubtedly have sparked Edward's carnal appetite and it is extremely possible that Elizabeth opted for the future 'Boleyn strategy' of withholding her favours until she had a ring on her finger. In which case, smart girl as the ultimate prize, the Crown, was her reward. On the other hand, Edward may have used the 'secret wedding strategy' as his route into the lady's chamber and affections. It was certainly all kept very quiet until the issue of a formal alliance with a foreign bride meant it had to come out into the open.I don't buy the story of Edward's illegitimacy, despite later claims by his mother when trying to undermine him, which I think was a risky spot of brinkmanship on her part. The pre-contract with Eleanor Talbot has more substance to my mind, but again the actual betrothal arrangements remain shrouded in mystery and speculation. The truth of that died with Edward.The fact remains, however, that Elizabeth was true to her King, seeking sanctuary to protect herself and their large family when the fickle winds of support for his reign changed direction. His death was a disaster for her as his brother, at first Lord Protector, then Richard III, persuaded her to give her husband's heirs into his protection - which as we know leads straight to another fascinating medieval mystery.This is an accessible book - as already mentioned, bit of good editing needed - and it has its place in the canon of literature featuring the Wars of The Roses and their long term impact on England.

good addition to collection

Enjoyable

This an interesting and well-written book. I recommend it to anyone interested in this period in English History