The Star of Lancaster
#11 in the Plantagenet Saga
by Jean Plaidy
One of the idiosyncrasies of Jean Plaidy’s writing is her style of encompassing mini-stories within the main story, weaving them all together. This she has done with The Star of Lancaster, covering an aging John of Gaunt, his rising son, Henry IV of England, and the short lifetime of the great soldier-king, Henry V.
As usual the story covers a handful of women close to male protagonists: Mary de Bohun, wife of Henry IV and mother of Henry V; Isabella of Valois, Queen of England and second wife of Richard II; Joanna of Navarre, Queen of England and second wife of Henry IV; Isabeau of Bavaria, Queen of France; and Katherine of Valois, Queen of England and wife of Henry V. These characters take us through Richard II’s disastrous reign, Henry IV’s shaky one, and Henry V’s triumphant, but tragically brief stint as King of England (and France).
During the decline of Richard II, Mary de Bohun was a young heiress under the wardship of John of Gaunt. She was being pressured to go into a convent by her greedy elder sister and brother-in-law, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, who wanted the entire de Bohun fortune instead of half. John of Gaunt, interested in the fortune himself, contrived a meeting between Mary and his eldest son, Henry of Bolingbroke, and the two were fortunately fond of each other. They married at a very young age to secure Mary’s fortune, though their heir was not born for another 8 years.
While Mary was busily having one baby after another, Henry was actively looking after his father’s lands, and following the court. He found himself involved in several intrigues against the king, finally ending in a decade long banishment from England. While staying at various houses in France, he met Joanna (then Duchess of Brittany), who would become his second wife and Queen of England several years later.
Harry of Monmouth (the future Henry V) meanwhile is growing up, and has always been a strong-willed and adventurous child. He was admired by many, because he mingled with the lower classes, and displayed strength and cleverness in dealing with every situation. He was ambitious and very much aware of his father’s tentative claim to the throne. When his father deposed Richard and accepted the crown, Harry began planning for the day he would become King of England.
This story covers Henry V’s glorious battle at Agincourt, and his clever decisions as King of England. His one-time friend and fellow tavern companion, John Oldcastle, plays a small role, involving himself the on-going religious movement of the Lollards.
This novel, like many of the Plantagenet Saga, is long and features many characters with detailed back stories. It will appeal to Plaidy fans, of course, and those interested in the intricate history of the Wars of the Roses, as it covers the early quarrels of Edward III’s sons and grandsons.
The next in the saga is Epitaph for Three Women, continuing the story with Henry VI:
“On the death of Henry V, a nine-month-old baby is made King of England. Ambitious men surround the baby king, including his two uncles, the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester, who both have plans. In Lancastrian England and war-torn France, there are three women whose lives are to have a marked effect on the future. Katherine de Valois, haunted by an unhappy childhood, finds love in an unexpected quarter and founds the Tudor dynasty; Joan of Arc leaves her village pastures on the command of heavenly voices; and Eleanor of Gloucester is drawn into a murder plot and becomes the centre of a cause celebre. Murder, greed and ambition flourish alongside sacrifice, dedication and courage. These are turbulent times as the defeated become the victorious…”
My favorite quotes from The Star of Lancaster:
“All men worth their salt are slandered by those who fear their own weakness.”
“A crown, he thought, what men will do for it. And when they get it, what joy does it bring them?”
“It was ironical that such holy places were so largely dependent on sinners…”