Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV, was surrounded with intrigue. Whether it is due to her ‘hasty marriage’ to Edward, her supposed witchcraft (doubtful!), or being the mother to the Princes in the Tower; her legend lives on. Rosemary Hawley Jarman brings this captivating Queen to life in, “The King’s Grey Mare”.“The King’s Grey Mare” follows Elizabeth Woodville’s life from a young girl to her rise and somewhat-considered fall on fortune’s wheel. Although the initial pages immediately cast a ‘witchcraft’ focus on the Woodvilles (no pun intended); the novel isn’t as fluffy and unbelievable as many other historical fiction novels. In fact, it is relatively tolerable and doesn’t inhibit Jarman from weaving a strong, historical essence in “The King’s Grey Mare”. Elaborating on this, Jarman’s text is quite historically accurate (with liberties that only versed readers will notice) and only contains a few staunch positions on topics which are considered speculation amongst historians (this may also be a result of the book being published in the 70s). The novel is rich, dense, and truly brings the events and era to life. So much so, that the plot and imagery begins to play out like a film with colorful settings and emotions. Granted, sometimes Jarman’s writing is too descriptive and one wants to tell her to get on with the story, already.Elizabeth’s character arc is strong and she truly comes alive more so than the few other novels which surround her. She displays charm and multiple layers which either unravels or grows as the story progresses and thus, strengthens the novel. All of the characters in “The King’s Grey Mare” are compelling and not the usual black-and-white. Furthermore, Jarman doesn’t feel the need to over-explain the figures or their roles making “The King’s Grey Mare” perfect for those familiar to the topic and, although possibly overwhelming; also a great lesson for those new but seeking historical merit. “The King’s Grey Mare” can become tiresome as it is divided into sections versus chapters and therefore the story doesn’t breathe with enough breaks. Several times, the novel advances in years or months from one paragraph to the next which is distracting and causes confusion. Also annoying is Jarman’s extensive use of exclamation points within mid-sentences (I’ve heard this was a common British stylistic) and the addition of several poems, songs, and lyrics amongst the text which could be omitted without depleting the plot value. Aside from that, Jarman’s language is well-written, beautiful, and very accurate with the times. As “The King’s Grey Mare” progresses, the story is told from various character view points. Instead of causing misunderstanding, this heightens drama and reveals ‘insider’ information eliminating the hated, “As you know, Bob…” style of writing common to HF. The pace and excitement levels are elevated, while drama increases. Unfortunately, the magical elements within the story also increases and will deter true-to-history fans.Approximately midway through, “The King’s Grey Mare” takes a climatic turn which although exciting is also a bit chaotic and “all over the place”. Thankfully, this evens out and Jarman finely captures the various emotional states of Elizabeth making her relatable and ‘human’. Also compelling is the addition of Grace Plantagenet to the story (although her actual plot is much too fluffy). A negative: Jarman has the habit of skimming important events versus engaging in them, which rushes the story. Surprisingly, Jarman doesn’t hide her allegiance to Richard III or her resentment towards Elizabeth and eventually, Henry VII. This is odd merely because “The King’s Grey Mare” is a Woodville novel and yet doesn’t portray Elizabeth in the best light. Jarman even pinpoints the death of the princes on Henry. As “The King’s Grey Mare” rounds out, the plot begins to wean and Jarman stretches the story (especially with the Grace sub-plot). The pace slows and encourages an ending which doesn’t seem to come. Even with the weak conclusion however, Jarman creatively maintains her stance on historical events without forcing them and seamlessly interlopes them into the plot. This gentle pushes raises historical debate versus angering the reader on historical liberty-taking. “The King’s Grey Mare” does not (sadly) include an author’s note to reveal the historical mirth taken which would be helpful for general readers. Despite complaints and a weak ending; “The King’s Grey Mare” is absolutely terrific in comparison to much of today’s HF. It is dense, rather accurate (more accurate than not), and well-written, bringing the Wars of the Roses and Elizabeth alive. “The King’s Grey Mare” is 100% recommended for a less Romanticized view of the Plantagenets.
I admit my high rating may be due to early imprinting and nostalgia, but this was one the novels that made me fall in love with both English history and historical fiction. I was maybe fourteen when I still read this book but I can still remember it vividly decades later. Jarman is known as someone sympathetic to Richard III, who thinks him much maligned--you can see that in his depiction in Jarman's We Speak No Treason centered on Richard III. Ordinarily, ardent Ricardians are harsh on Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of the minor gentry who caught the eye of a king and became Queen and mother of the Two Princes in the Tower and an ancestor of Elizabeth I (and II). This portrait does have its hard edges, but I did feel sympathy for her Elizabeth--more I felt the pull of her charisma, and I think Jarman does well by her subject. I also enjoyed Jarman's We Speak No Treason and Crown in Candlelight about the wife of Henry V who'd become an ancestress of the Tudors. The King's Grey Mare though remains my favorite novel by her. (And when a friend I lent my copy to returned it with the copy ripped off, let me tell you that was the beginning of the end of our friendship.)
What do You think about The King's Grey Mare (2008)?
This is one of those deeply researched and passionately felt historical novels that help fill in all the blanks left by a public school education and a Herman and the Hermits record. Everything feels real, even the things that historians can't possibly know and must therefore imagine. In that sense, Jarman is the perfect mix of historian and fiction writer. I go away from this book, feeling sure that these exact conversations were had.My only lingering complaint is Jarman's (or her editor's) habit of taking great chronological leaps, with only a blank space between paragraphs to separate one year from another. I found myself annoyed on several occasions when I would be a paragraph into the next section only to be jarred by the realization that months or even years have passed in that little white space.
—Bryn Greenwood
This is the first time I've read a Rosemary Hawley Jarman novel and based on this it won't be the last. I just thought this was wonderful and very well researched. It's the first time I've seen the idea that Henry VII had the princes killed, which I found interesting given that Richard III is seen as a bit of a bad guy in this book. Although to Elizabeth Woodville everyone was a bad guy. I really liked the love story between the young Elizabeth and John Grey and I even liked the character of Grace Plantagenet. Sure there were some slow places in this and sometimes the whole Melusine storyline gets a little too "witchy" for me, but it is part of the Jacquetta/Elizabeth Woodville story so it is not out of place here at all.
—Cheryl
Review - I always viewed Elizabeth Woodville as being a strong-willed woman, who always did what she wanted, but in this novel we see her firmly under the hand of her witch mother, which I don't believe. It immediately put me off. I was bored within the first few pages, but plodded on for a couple of chapters. Nevertheless, I couldn't finish the book as the description seemed at times to be overwhelming, and there wasn't enough action.Genre? - Historical Fiction / DramaCharacters? - Elizabeth Woodville / Edward IV / John Grey / Thomas Grey / Jacquetta of Luxembourg / Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers / Cecily Neville / Richard III / Anne Neville / George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence / Richard Neville, Earl of WarwickSetting? - Grafton & London (England)Series? - N/ARecommend? - NoRating - 7/20
—Helene Harrison
