The Traitor's Wife

Eleanor de Clare, niece to Edward II, marries Hugh le Despenser when the book opens in 1306. Hugh was quite the character - a pirate, knight, knave or confidant of the king at one time or another. Adopting the consensus of most historians, The Traitor's Wife portrays his relationship with Edward II as a homosexual one. It even suggests there may have been sexual relations between Eleanor and the king, which some historians also believe. This love triangle is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scandals during Edward's reign. In fact, this one doesn't even begin until after the death of Piers Gaveston, also alleged to have had homosexual relations with the king. And then there's the scheming of Roger Mortimer and Queen Isabella, who want to reign - and do for a short while - in all but name. Even after Hugh le Despenser, and a short time later, Edward II, die, Eleanor's life is anything but uneventful. She marries William la Zouche, the man responsible for capturing Hugh. Then she manages to get herself accused of marrying two different men at the same time. As the author later explains in the afterword, the explanation of this event is fictional. But historical records indicate that John de Grey, a knight, challenged the marriage because he believed Eleanor to have been married to him. In short, the book is jam-packed with scandal - impeccably researched, which makes for some juicy reading. Moreover, the characters are likeable - perhaps except for Mortimer - even when they're misbehaving. If you like action-packed medieval drama supported by accurate historical details, you'll love this book. Highly recommended.

As a history teacher, it is FANTASTIC to find a historical novel of such power and accuracy. I found the characters fascinating, complex and engrossing. I really cared what happened to them, even the villians. Each of the major characters has a depth that is rarely found in accurate historical novels. Eleanor is naive and still a source of strength. Her devotion to both King and husband is admirable even when she is clearly fooled by their faults. I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait for another Higginbotham work.

I love English historical fiction having raed all of Plaidy and Gregory's works but was very excited to read a different author's take on the much maligned Edward II. I was not disappointed. As a retired drama teacher I have time to travel and read so I took "The Traitor's Wife" with me on our latest RV adventure. I could not stop reading, my husband was lucky to get fed. Telling us about Edward and his many relatives from the point of view of his beloved niece, Eleanor, was brilliant. Even though the book was quite long, I was never bored and felt that the author had tirelessly researched her subjects and yet she made everyone come beautifully to life. This novel has something for everyone, romance, intrigue, torture and a side of English royalty (Edward II in particular) we haven't seen. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

King Edward I invaded Scotland, setting off the events more or less chronicled in the fictional book and movie, Braveheart. Edward's son was far less of a war hawk than his dad. His misadventures became the root of many problems that cropped up in the English king's court during the early 1300's. In essence, Edward II was the Bill Clinton of England: you either hated him for his sexual dalliances or you ignored them and respected him for his better qualities. This book is a fictionalized account of the story, as seen through the eyes of the king's niece, Eleanor le Despenser, who was also married to a pirate who shared his bed with both of them. Susan Higginbotham explains the whole, sordid, convoluted history with a conversational style that keeps the action flowing and the reader turning the page. This is quite an impressive first novel.

Reviewed by Sondra Fowler for Reader Views (6/06) "The Traitor's wife" is the story of Eleanor de Clare, the Granddaughter of King Edward I. The story starts with Eleanor as a young teen married to Hugh le Despenser. The match makes both Eleanor and Hugh very happy but happiness is not enough for Hugh. He pushes and fights to gain more until he manages his own destruction. Eleanor lives through the reigns of Edward II, her beloved uncle, and Edward III, her cousin. She is tossed about by the machinations and jealousies of others in a way that can only be done by queens, kings and consorts. Through all of this her only desire is to live in peace with her children and Hugh. I admit that it was confusing for a while telling all the Edwards, Hughs, Joans and Isabelles apart but the story, despite the plethora of Eleanor's, was riveting. It had intrigue, schemes and romance. I felt every hurt and injustice that was inflicted upon Eleanor and her family. Isabella, Queen of Edward II was a true villain. She was self absorbed, greedy and hateful. I wanted Eleanor to be happy. I wanted Queen Isabella to die a horrible death. Unfortunately, Isabella lived to be an old woman. The bones of this story came from historical fact and documentation making the characters all the more real to me. As with most historical fiction it inspires me to learn more of the time period. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the medieval time period.