In the Shadow of the Crown

Don’t judge this book by its cover — there are days of glory, but precious few nights of love, and several gory deaths.

Susan Bowden is an active member of the Richard the Third Society. In Part One, she has given us a portrait of King Richard vastly different from Shakespeare’s malevolent hunchback, but probably more akin to the real man, beloved by the people of York. In her descriptions of court life, Bowden brings a complex historic period to life.

There is an “Interlude,” but really, the passage of time is the main connection between Part One, beginning in 1482, telling of Joisse Radcliffe and Tom Thomson, and Part Two, beginning in 1536 and telling about their grandson Philip. Part Two is set during an uprising in northern England in what is known as the Pilgrimage of Grace.

As in much historical fiction, the background is real, but the author created the major characters. The differences between servants and masters, aristocrats and the lowborn provide more variety of speech and background information but create pretty unbelievable bases for romance.

The broad sweep of history is brought to life, but details bring doubt about historical accuracy. Magenta dye and orthopedic boots were not around in 1482. The personality of Joisse is believable, but there is little in Tom Thomson, a stable lad, to lure the heiress of an estate, except his good body. Philip, their grandson, and Laura Metcalfe are another unlikely pain.

Read this book to learn some English history, to witness gruesome executions and killings, and to see the struggle between spiritual faith and doubt. Read something else for believable, enthralling, passionate love stories between men and women mature enough to be interesting.