PALE ROSE OF ENGLAND - Sandra Worth
A Novel of The Tudors
A Perfect 10
Berkley
ISBN: 978-0-425-23877-6
February 2011
Historical Fiction

England during the Reign of Henry VII

Henry Tudor reigns in England after defeating King Richard at Bosworth. But the crown rests uneasily on the new monarch when a man claiming to be one of the princes in the Tower surfaces. Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, is in Scotland and has just wed the beautiful young Lady Catherine Gordon. Heads of Europe are backing, at least emotionally, the “Pretender”, and Henry will do anything to destroy any question that he is the rightful ruler of England . So when Richard and Catherine and their young son arrive in Cornwall , assured that the people will rise to welcome Edward IV's son and depose the Tudor usurper, Henry is waiting. In actual fact, while a few take Richard's side, Henry's troops have made sure there was no other uprising and Richard, Catherine, and their child are taken prisoner.

Catherine is immediately separated from her husband and son. Deeply in love with Richard and panicked about his fate, Catherine tries to reason with Henry. But he, too, is in a panic, for if this is, indeed, Prince Richard that he has in his possession, he must be careful what he does. Regicide will destroy his uneasy standing in the European community, not to mention his need to convince the English people that he is their rightful ruler. What he must do is make sure that, without a doubt, this man admits to being an imposter. Catherine, however, will never believe that. A prophecy told to Catherine that she will be loved by a king solidifies her conviction that Richard is the rightful monarch.

Settled into the Tudor household as a lady-in-waiting to the queen, Catherine conducts herself with grace and dignity despite all of the accusations thrown at her by others in the court. With Henry hungering for her approval and love, she walks carefully through life in the dangerous halls of the Tudor world. Even though the queen is the sister of Richard, she makes no attempt to confirm or deny that Catherine's husband is who he says he is. Allowed fleeting moments together, their partings are wretched and heartbreaking.

It is obvious that a lot of research went into this magnificent novel. Each intricate detail of court life, as well as wonderfully realistic characters brought the new Tudor court to life. But it also brought to light the dangers, the horrors, and the sadness that were present daily for those not in Henry's favor. His reaction to the Pretender, known to the English as Perkin Warbeck, shows how much even he questioned his right to the throne. Catherine's love for her husband and son, and her ability to face Henry and stand up to him, were gloriously presented. Her bravery was extraordinary considering her circumstances, but it was also wrenching to know of all of the heartache she endured.

Another Perfect 10 by Sandra Worth, who continues to craft incredible, meticulously researched, beautifully presented novels.

Jani Brooks