Mette was just fourteen when she lost her first child. Her loss left her bereft beyond measure but her mother was able to secure her a position as wet nurse for the King's newborn daughter. At first, Mette feels no connection with the child. Instead, she continues to mourn the loss of her own son, wishing it were he she was caring for. But soon she and Catherine begin to form a bond - one that will stand the true test of time. Amidst political upheaval - a king whose sanity leaves him unable to rule and a queen who's plotting with her lover against the king's advisors - the royal children are sent down separate paths. Catherine, just four at the time, is sent to Poissy where she will be taught the manners and bearing of a royal. It will be almost ten years before Mette is reunited with the girl. But this time Catherine will need more than mothering: the princess is to become an important piece in a game that pits the French against the English and, more importantly, her brother the Daughin against their mother, the queen. Ooh, more historical intrigue! As a US student, there's very little included in our education about the lineage of any country's monarchy. In truth, I have to admit that my ability to keep them straight comes from historical references I've gleaned through pop culture and books like Hickson's. So this Catherine of history is Catherine de Valois. Her brother is the king Joan of Arc fights for. Her son (Henry VI) is the king dethroned during the War of the Roses. Her grandson (Henry VII) is the king who finally ends the battle between the Lancasters and the Yorks.But that's not this story! This is Catherine's younger years - from birth through to her marriage to King Henry V (and there's a sequel called THE TUDOR BRIDE from that marriage forward). Her story is told through Mette - Guillaumette - Catherine's nurse and friend.It's a turbulent time in France. Their leader's mental health has been in decline and forces from England have been attempting to reclaim French lands for themselves. Charles VI, Catherine's father, becomes fairly unable to rule and the actual decision making falls into the hands of various others like his uncle, the Duke of Burgundy. Loyalties are split between two parties - the Burgundians and the Orleanists and no one is safe from the strife.Meanwhile, Henry V of England is the latest to try to lay claim to land in France said to belong to England. Catherine, caught between her mother's plans and her brother's, is offered up as a possible bride for Henry in an attempt to forge a treaty. Catherine is well aware of the position she's in. In fact, Hickson portrays her here as an intelligent girl who attempts to forge her own political connections, first aligning herself with her brother against their mother. She also sets aside many of the social norms of the time in an attempt not only to piece together a family of sorts but to learn more about what's going on around her.Hickson really does a wonderful job in THE AGINCOURT BRIDE, smoothly plotting around the history itself and building believably complex characters out of their real basis. The story reads quite easily and quickly - just the kind of historical fiction I like to lose myself in!With THE AGINCOURT BRIDE Hickson displays a true expertise in the time period. As mentioned above, there is a second installment - THE TUDOR BRIDE - already out in the UK and due out here in the States this fall. When I saw the gorgeous book cover, and saw the word "Agincourt" in the title, I knew I had to read "The Agincourt Bride". After all, Brannagh and Thompson's film version of "Henry V" is on my list of Top Ten Favorite Movies - Ever!We, who have the luxury of hundreds of years to digest and dissect these long-ago events of history will doubtless be shocked and sometimes disgusted by the actions of people at this time, who were called 'nobles'. For the royals, the dukes and duchesses, counts, barons and the like, it was a cush gig. Especially the royal family - meaning mostly the Queen, as the Charles VI was mostly not in his right mind. The best that money could buy - of everything, was ordered, received ... but rarely paid for. And the tradesmen dared not refuse to supply the goods or services.Any woman who feels overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood can look at Queen Isabeau and instantly feel better about her own skills. The narrator, Mette, feels sorry for Princess Catherine, saying that her only taste of luxury until she came of age to be married off in the cause of France was at her birth, a glittering social event, witnessed by far too many men of the court. After that, she was turned over to the Royal Nursery, run by a woman who was paid to provide for the childrens' wants barely provided for their needs, pocketing most of the money. Mette used to sneak in bread and food from her family's bakery to feed the royal brood, so that they would not starve to death. The Queen either knew none of this, or didn't really care, so long as she could run off with one of her lovers the moment the King had one of his 'spells'.After reading "The Agincourt Bride" and having some weeks to think it over, I have come to the conclusion I would not have lasted very long in 15th Century France, as a tradeswoman or a peasant. If the lower-classed servants could not leave the room when 'nobles' passed by, they had to turn to the wall, so they would not see or make eye contact. No. Oh no. Even H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS, NO! (And I don't say that lightly, but some things are just wrong.) I would have had a few choice words for the Queen in the garden, the day she breezed into town to take away the two princes and one of the older princesses, so the Duke could marry them off with his children or nephews and nieces. At least I might have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the "Shortest Stint as a Servant in the Royal Household of King Charles VI of France" and "Bloodiest Pink Slip"."The Agincourt Bride" is like a fine tapestry that spans an entire wall of a castle gallery: rich, finely detailed, gorgeous in color and material. Hickson masterfully weaves historical events with dashes of fiction in order to provide us with an eminently readable story, told from a female point of view (Mette's, mostly). How unfortunate most women of all classes and anyone born "not rich" were back in those days, and how fortunate we are to have authors like Joanna Hickson to turn to the back of the rich tapestry of recorded history and show us the knots and tears and hidden 'mis-steps' that were made in order to have a nice looking picture on the front.
Do You like book Azenkūras Līgava (2013)?
Not enough Agincourt - too much implausible wet nurse/confidante/spy.
—melodiejean
really good how it moves through the past so well
—alrutl3
I can not wait till the second book this fall!
—DRose
Loved it and look forward to TheTudor Bride!
—Anha
