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Jan 1, 1896 — —· 130 yrs

UNITED KINGDOM AUTHOR · FICTION

Hilda Winifred Lewis

7
BOOKS
4.3
AVG RATING (6)
0
READERS
Whitechapel, United Kingdom
Wikipedia

At that famous period of history, when the seventeenth century (after a deal of quarrelling, king-killing, reforming, republicanising, restoring, re-restoring, play-writing, sermon- writing, Oliver-Cromwellising, Stuartising, and Orangising, to be sure) had sunk into its grave, giving place to the lusty eighteenth; when Mr. Isaac Newton was a tutor of Trinity, and Mr. Joseph Addison Commissioner of Appeals; when the presiding genius that watched over the destinies of the French nation had played out all the best cards in his hand, and his adversaries began to pour in their trumps; when there were two kings in Spain employed perpetually in running away from one another; when there was a queen in England, with such rogues for Ministers as have never been seen, no, not in our own day; and a General, of whom it may be severely argued, whether he was the meanest miser or the greatest hero in the world; when Mrs. Masham had not yet put Madam Marlborough's nose out of joint; when people had their ears cut off for writing very meek political pamphlets; and very large full-bottomed wigs were just beginning to be worn with powder; and the face of Louis the Great, as his was handed in to him behind the bed-curtains, was, when issuing thence, observed to look longer, older, and more dismal daily. . . .

— from Catherine

Most acclaimed

#2

The gentle falcon

4.0 (1)

But 15 years of age, Isabella Clinton is brought from her country manor to be gentlewoman to the little Queen Isabella, child-wife of England’s King Richard II. She is able to comfort and befriend the little girl through all the political intrigues and dangers of court life, and to share with her the bitterness of Richard’s overthrow by his cousin Bolingbroke. The tragic story of Isabella of France is beautifully told through the sharp, but gentle eyes of Isabella Clinton and the book gives a vivid picture of life in England at the court of Richard II.

#1

Call Lady Purbeck

0.0 (0)

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was the most powerful and most hated man in the realm throughout nearly two reigns. Handsome, cruel, ambitious Buckingham was the favorite of James I and of Charles, James's proud son. To fill his pockets and swell his pride, Buckingham could bend both monarchs to his will. He cared not if his country suffered. Of all those who loathed and feared Buckingham, Frances Coke, later Frances Villiers, Viscountess Purbeck, loathed and feared him most. Her strange, pale beauty, high spirits and passionate nature marked her as one to trouble the hearts of men, and one to whom a marriage without love would be forever odious. But Buckingham and the whip's lash forced her into a form of marriage with John Villiers, Viscount Purbeck, Buckingham's gangling, half-crazed brother. Their union was never consummated, and it was not long before Frances, like every other woman at the Stuart Court, took a lover, gentle, gifted Robin Howard, her kinsman. Buckingham himself was the lover of the Queen of France, and at the easygoing, pleasure-loving Stuart Court everything was permitted--save that which angered the King's favorite. A cuckolded John Villiers was a personal affront to great Buckingham. Even his death did not still the bitterness against my lady Purbeck, who had caused the scandal of a generation. Frances paid dearly for her illicit love. Frances Villiers, a much wronged woman, lived in an age of chivalry and brutality, color and corruption. Her father was Sir Edward Coke, a harsh, embittered man who paid for rating the Law above the Crown. Francis Bacon was her adviser. King Louis XIII of France and the infinitely cunning Cardinal Richelieu were among her many admirers. Her Odyssey is a stirring and poignant tale by an acknowledged master of the historical novel.

#3

Catherine

4.4 (5)

At that famous period of history, when the seventeenth century (after a deal of quarrelling, king-killing, reforming, republicanising, restoring, re-restoring, play-writing, sermon- writing, Oliver-Cromwellising, Stuartising, and Orangising, to be sure) had sunk into its grave, giving place to the lusty eighteenth; when Mr. Isaac Newton was a tutor of Trinity, and Mr. Joseph Addison Commissioner of Appeals; when the presiding genius that watched over the destinies of the French nation had played out all the best cards in his hand, and his adversaries began to pour in their trumps; when there were two kings in Spain employed perpetually in running away from one another; when there was a queen in England, with such rogues for Ministers as have never been seen, no, not in our own day; and a General, of whom it may be severely argued, whether he was the meanest miser or the greatest hero in the world; when Mrs.

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