The King's Daughter

Who was Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV, wife of King Henry VII, and mother of King Henry VIII? Loved by her father, Elizabeth leads an early life of warmth and happiness, reveling in those special family moments despite her father's weighty role as King Edward IV of England. The machinations of her mother, Elizabeth Woodville, provide a sharp contrast as Elizabeth's worldview is shaped by the differences and it's easy to see why she's later known as Elizabeth the Good. However, England is in a time of turmoil and Elizabeth will see her father's reign end and experience the reigns of both Richard III as and her eventual husband, Henry VII. Step inside Elizabeth's world and see THE KING'S DAUGHTER, the first Tudor Queen.... Sandra Worth brings historical characters to vivid life in THE KING'S DAUGHTER. The lush details and clear narrative voice of Elizabeth create a tale that draws the reader into a time long past. It's a tribute to the author that she still made me cry at the death of Arthur despite knowing the historical facts of the time period. That's the trademark of a good author, one who can still make you feel emotions even when you know what is to come. The role of women at the end of the Medieval era and the advent of the Tudor period was a precarious one. Elizabeth's transition from a child to a young woman coincides well with the change in the historical time frame. Sandra Worth provides excellent characterization of the dangers women face during these tumultuous and ever changing times as Bess Woodville, Lady Margaret Beaufort, and Elizabeth are all merely coping in the best ways they know how. Survival is paramount to all three, but only Elizabeth strives to reach above the pettiness and air of death that permeates the time period. Her willingness to sacrifice her own happiness for the overall good of others provides an interesting comparison to the philosophy espoused by Henry VII and subsequently taught to Henry VIII. Sandra Worth provides a very solid case for her perspectives on the various historical figures Elizabeth encounters. One could argue other interpretations but the context is certainly fitting for how the events played out. THE KING'S DAUGHTER is highly recommended! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

"Love drew her heart toward him, and shame drover her eyes away." Such are the words shared by Tristan and Iseult in a volume treasured by King Richard of Gloucester and Elizabeth of York, the daughter of King Edward V, Richard's brother. Simple, clear words perhaps but in reality portraying a mesmerizing, complex life of a woman seeking her own role in history! The story begins with understanding the totally dissimilar nature of Elizabeth's parents, her life intertwined with a loving but unwise father, King Edward, and her overbearingly meddling mother, Bess Woodville, a notorious woman feared by everyone in the kingdom. The latter is a woman like so many other tyrants, possessing an inordinate amount of greed stemming from fear of being deposed and having to return to an insignificant, impoverished status. The description sounds historically objective, but Sandra Worth fully captures the essence of Elizabeth's confused plight in the middle of this calculating shrew who calls herself mother and siblings who eventually will disappear or turn against Elizabeth for a very long time. Who will prevail and what personality will evolve from such chaotic parenting? Imagine such a childhood! Bess Woodville's plans following the death of King Edward are thwarted by Richard seizing the throne as Protector and then King, and all seems well for a while as he and his beloved Queen Anne rule England. Justice becomes the norm rather than the exception, until Richard's rivals begin to make war to seize the Crown. Times of joy and tragedy follow the royal couple. Will Richard's mercy free Bess and allow Elizabeth a place in his court? For there we read of the intimate bond between this King and Queen about to be tested in the furnace of adversity. During this time, Elizabeth realizes her mother's lies have distorted the truth. As Elizabeth begins to see Richard with new eyes, how will she be treated by the Queen and by Richard who previously sees Elizabeth only as a despised Woodville? Destiny seemingly has other plans as Henry VII invades England and Elizabeth agrees to marry the usurper, a union tortured again, this time by Henry's own mother, Margaret Beaufort, a woman even more diabolical than Elizabeth's own mother. Will Elizabeth find honor or regret in her choice made for what she believes is England's good? What can she do against her mother-in-law's influence over her two very different sons, Arthur and Henry? Again, the author allows clarity and accuracy to prevail as she presents Elizabeth's debacle and evolution over years. Elizabeth of York's account opens a window for the reader to view the benign and treacherous court dialogues, romances and planned unions, as well as important plans and actions of those who serve the Crown for different reasons. Questions regarding the disappearance of Elizabeth's brothers and the identity of the mysterious Pretender haunt Elizabeth through the remainder of her life. Were there other unseen, unrealized pos

When the Duke of Gloucester became King Richard, his seventeen year old niece Elizabeth of York becomes a prisoner of his ambition like her two younger siblings. Richard incarcerates the "little princes" in the Tower and proclaims his niece is a bastard. He also further abuses his royal power insuring opposition is nil as he cements his control of the throne. Elizabeth is shocked by what is happening to her and immediate family. Her dying aunt suggests she trust Richard's judgment and accept her lot in life. She does as she marries Henry Tudor in 1486, whose rise to the crown led to the English believing her to be the "Good Queen". Their oldest son Prince Arthur weds Katherine of Aragon; and their oldest daughter Margaret marries the King of the Scots. When her Arthur dies, she worries about her other son Henry being young to be a ruler except with her as the Queen Consort guiding hand This late fifteenth century biographical fiction looks closely at Elizabeth of York who through the males in her life is related to several kings as a daughter, niece, mother and finally wife of Henry VII; and should have been sister too. The story line brings Elizabeth to life as she watches her world crumble when her father dies and her uncle incarcerates her and her younger brothers only for her to rise again and again. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this worthy look at the machinations to sit on the English throne during the War of the Roses, the peace her marriage to Henry brings to the land and the rise of her children to throne; as she was much more than the title as her roles in life all lead to that of royal relative. Harriet Klausner

Elizabeth of York was the only woman to be a daughter, niece, sister, wife, and mother to English kings. Her wide connection to royalty did not prove to grant her a charmed life, quite the opposite. Her life began as a charmed one, the daughter of Edward IV, she was loved by her father and lived a brief life of joy and contentment as the apple of his eye. When war struck their country again at the tender age of five, she and her family were forced into sanctuary, and thus the first hints of tragedy started to enter her life. Her father survived the battle and lived until she was seventeen, but with his death came the beginning of a series of events that led this hopeful princess into a life filled with death and sorrow. Losing her father, her brothers, her nephew, her queen and friend, and then her beloved uncle (the man she also loved), she never lost her faith. When given an opportunity to run, she stayed behind, determined to let a royal marriage to a man who claimed the crown end years and years of battle. From the moment you open this book, drawn into a game of revelry, to the end you are hooked into Elizabeth's life as she tells it. Sandra skillfully relays a heartwrenching tale that pulls you into the heart of a queen. You find yourself enjoying each brief moment of happiness, and sharing each lonely moment of pain and fear. "Elizabeth, the Good! Elizabeth, the Beloved! Elizabeth, the King's Daughter!" You will want to know her. You will want to see her find peace. She will be made a part of you. Thoroughly researched, you can see that Sandra loves her subjects in all of her novels. You are given a touching tale that will leave you with real tears...and you will learn of a period of history through a historical figure often forgotten - but certainly no less important.

The King's Daughter is the story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV and mother of King Henry VIII. According to Sandra Worth, she was the only English queen to have been a wife, daughter, sister, niece, and mother to English kings - that's definitely a pedigree worth writing about! The time period of the novel is directly after the Wars of the Roses, the devastating English war that raged on between the houses of York and Lancaster for thirty years. For me, the most interesting part of the novel was not Elizabeth's portrayal, but that of Richard III. Prior to reading this novel, I didn't know much about him - simply that he was humpbacked and that he had usurped the crown and imprisoned two princes in the Tower of London. They were never seen again, so people supposed that he had them murdered. The sympathetic representation of Richard III in The King's Daughter surprised me, not because I don't think it's possible that he has been the subject of slander, but because I've never read anything that really tried to vindicate him. I thought it was extremely interesting and am planning on reading some of the books that Worth recommends at the end of the book about Richard III, namely Audrey Williamson's The Mystery of the Princes. My heart bled for Elizabeth when I was reading the novel. Her life was so quiet, yet so unbelievably tragic. She experienced so much pain and loss, and had to quietly bear it on her own. She was extremely well written, though I wished she could have had a bit more backbone. Of course, Worth was constrained by the historical record of Elizabeth in writing the character, so her portrayal is understandable. I have to say that the main love story in the novel struck me as odd and made me uncomfortable (I can't say any more than that without revealing key plot details), but again, Worth was sticking to historical evidence. I thought that The King's Daughter was very well crafted. There is a long note at the end of the book expounding on the historical details included in the novel, which I really appreciated. Of course, all historical fiction is subject to interpretation and will include fanciful details on the author's part, but it is nice to know whether what you are reading is grounded in fact. Worth obviously took a lot of time and effort to research Elizabeth of York's life, and it has really paid off. I recommend The King's Daughter to any fan of historical fiction; Elizabeth of York is a fascinating character and an important (if virtually forgotten) part of English history. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5