The lady of the rivers - Philippa Gregory

THE COMPELLING NOVEL FROMSUNDAY TIMESBESTSELLER PHILIPPA GREGORY

'This is a man's world, Jacquetta, and some women cannot march to the beat of a man's drum. Do you understand?'

1435. Rouen. Jacquetta of Luxembourg is left a wealthy young widow when her husband, the Duke of Bedford, dies. Her only friend in the great household is Richard Woodville, the Duke's squire, and it is not long before the two become lovers and marry in secret.

The Woodvilles return to the Lancaster court, where Jacquetta becomes close friends with young King Henry VI's new queen. But she can sense a growing threat from the people of England, and the danger of royal rivals. The king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret, his queen, turns to untrustworthy favourites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty, the House of York.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen and her daughter Elizabeth Woodville, for whom she senses an extraordinary future.

A sweeping, powerful novel rich in passion and legend, The Lady of the Rivers tells the story of the real-life mother to the White Queen.

Praise for Philippa Gregory:

'Meticulously researched and deeply entertaining, this story of betrayal and divided loyalties is Gregory on top form'Good Housekeeping

'Gregory has popularised Tudor history perhaps more than any other living fiction writerall of her books feature strong, complex women, doing their best to improve their lives in worlds dominated by men'Sunday Times

'Engrossing'Sunday Express

'Popular historical fiction at its finest, immaculately researched and superbly told'The Times