Silver Mirror

How I wish Gellis were still writing historical romance! I want good history in with the romance, and Gellis was one of the few who satisfied. Silver Mirror paints a rare picture of life at court in the mid-thirteenth century. Alphonse, a younger son, is not a landed lord; he serves as his family's representative at the French and English courts, and has earned a living on the tourney circuit. Barbe, the heroine, is the illegitimate daughter of an earl; she has a modest property but also lives mainly at court as one of the noble attendants of one of the princesses. Alphonse and Barbe's struggle to come to an understanding is entangled in the struggle for control of the English throne. Gellis manages to intertwine romance and history better than any author I can think of.

At least those of her books I've read so far that is. Barbara is the "natural" daughter of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and the story is set during the latter years of Henry III's reign during the conflict between Henry and his barons, most specifically Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. Barbara's father Roger sides with Leicester while his brother sides with the royalists. Leicester's younger son Guy aims to make Barbara his mistress against her will and to avoid exacerbating the political situation she sails for France. Married and widowed at a very young age (although the marriage was never consummated), Barbara has carried a torch for knight Alphonse d'Aix and still carries the silver mirror he won in a tourney and gave to a very young Barbara. When the two meet again, they are instantly attracted to each other and decide to wed -- although neither are willing to admit their true feelings for each other. The rest of the story evolves around the growing conflict between Henry and his son Edward and Leicester and the rebellious barons as Barbara and Alphonse return to England and are constantly involved in the thick of all the intrigue and treachery as the two warring factions battle for supremacy, until that final and fateful battle at Evesham. Gellis does a good job (as usual) setting up the back story and history of the period and although this is billed as a romance there's quite a bit more to it than that - if you're looking for a bodice ripper I suggest you look elsewhere - you'll probably be bored to tears with all the history. Barbara and Alphonse were really rather adorable with their fears of revealing their true feelings to each other and the crossed purposes on the path to true love - Barbara always thinking Alphonse is off chasing other women while Alphonse discovers the silver mirror Barbara treasures above all else and thinks she is hiding a secret lover. Although a bit slow at times as the history of this period is a bit complex, I did enjoy it and found it just right for a snow bound winter's afternoon. 3.5/5 stars.

Yes, the hero's name is Alphonse (of Aix)and Roberta Gellis does a great job of bringing his life in the era of Henry III to life. Alphonse is the younger brother of Raymond Comte d'Aix whose story was told in Fire Song and the nephew of both Eleanor, Queen of England, and the Queen of France. He has spent his life at the French court as, essentially, a diplomat and politician. During his time at the French Court he had been instrumental in arranging the affairs of Barbara, the natural daughter of the Earl of Norfolk. He had also fallen desperately in love with her. However Barbara was already married to a friend of his and Alphonse is too honorable to engage her in an affair. When Barbara's husband dies unexpectedly and Barbara recoils from the men who seek her as a bride because of her wealth, Alphonse withdraws from temptation to Aix.Now it is ten years later. The Barons of England are in revolt. Queen Eleanor is in France trying to secure support for her husband. Among those of Henry's supporters who have fled to France is Barbara's uncle. And Barbara is sent as her father's emissary with news of his wife, children and estates. There, she and Alphonse meet again. Played out against the politics of the era, the story of Barbara and Alphonse is engrossing reading. This is one of Gellis' stronger historical novels. The characters are interesting and the conclusion satisfying.

As usual Roberta wrote a wonderful story, with a lot of historical content, which makes all her stories so believeable. I also recommenh all the Roselynde Chronicals

Once again Roberta Gellis has set an intriging passionate novel in a medieval time period with a skill that makes history come alive. When Lady Barbara Bigod first told Alphonse d'Aix she lived him she was 13 years old and he considered her only a child. When they meet again 11 years later he has grown to love her spirit, her mind and her love of court intrigue. But she accuses him of wanting to make her his mistress. When he immediately asks her to marry him, she fears she has shamed him into the question. When she says yes, he thinks she is joking. They marry, but neither is sure of the other. Court intrigues, rumors of invasion and attempts on Barbara's honor further complicate their marriage.