The Red Queen by Phillipa Gregory

The norm for historical fiction usually involves a real event seen through the eyes of completely fictional characters. However the works of Phillipa Gregory follow the historical characters themselves, reading more like a enhanced and intriguing biography. She carefully researches each book, often visiting the places where the action actually took place.

In The Red Queen, Gregory recounts the rise of the Tudor family to the throne of England. Margaret Beaufort, born into the Lancaster clan, believes herself chosen by God to do great things. As a child, she fantasizes herself an equal of Joan of Arc, selected to lead an army for Christ. However at the age of twelve she is forced into a marriage to Edmund Tudor, and within a year produces a male heir, hoped by many to be in line for the crown. Although Margaret is not allowed to raise her son Henry, she becomes fananically ambitious for his royal future.

The glaring theme of this novel is the deception, violence and shrewd bargaining of the parties hoping to put their chosen on the throne of England. The rivalry between the houses of Lancaster and York becomes bloody and tragic. As the heirs to the throne slowly die off, Margaret's son moves into a situation where the crown becomes a genuine possibility.

An bit of irony evolves, as Margaret berates the brutal actions of the Yorks, while justifying her own equally cruel activities with the knowledge that she is chosen by God to do his will.

Also an interesting sidenote is the plight of women in the 15th century. Margaret passionately resents the fact that females are considered property with no rights, with all decisions concerning their lives made by others. She realizes if her son becomes king, she will then be in a position of power and influence.

Phillip Gregory is a brilliant author, making history fascinating and exciting. The Red Queen should definitely be on your must read list, along with all her previous works. On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate this one a 9, and possibly some of her earlier books would rate even higher.