Helpful Score: 1
This novel discusses a possible explanation as to what happened to Edward and Richard, the "lost princes" of England in 1483. The boys were locked in the Tower of London shortly after their father's death and the throne was taken by their Uncle Richard, whereas Edward should have been the rightful king. King Richard then decreed that the boys and their siblings were legally "bastards" because their father had been betrothed to another woman before marrying their mother (a legally binding betrothal which is somehow different from a regular engagement). Even though this would make the boys ineligible for the thrown, they were somehow disposed of because they were never seen or heard from again. Historians typically agree that they were murdered and their bodies disposed of somehow. Years later, King Henry VII would lead a revolution that would result in him taking over the throne and he married Elizabeth, the lost princes' older sister, in order to solidify his right to crown since she would have been next in line.
This story is starts off many years later, once Elizabeth is queen and had recently lost her son Arthur, the next king, to an illness. Elizabeth (Bessie) and her friend Nell Caxton begin to tell the tale of the lost princes to her younger son Henry (who would grow up to be King Henry VIII). The rest of the book (except the last chapter) alternates between teenagers Bessie and Nell explaining the events that lead up to the boys' capture and the roles that they played as young women in England during this chaotic time. Nell is the daughter of a printer, and is therefore well-to-do and since her father is the king's service, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her and Bessie to be friends. Although I really enjoyed this story and found myself holding on to every word, the ending left me a bit wanting. The author explains what she feels happened to the lost princes, but even that is a bit rushed and seemingly incomplete. Still, it is a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!
This story is starts off many years later, once Elizabeth is queen and had recently lost her son Arthur, the next king, to an illness. Elizabeth (Bessie) and her friend Nell Caxton begin to tell the tale of the lost princes to her younger son Henry (who would grow up to be King Henry VIII). The rest of the book (except the last chapter) alternates between teenagers Bessie and Nell explaining the events that lead up to the boys' capture and the roles that they played as young women in England during this chaotic time. Nell is the daughter of a printer, and is therefore well-to-do and since her father is the king's service, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her and Bessie to be friends. Although I really enjoyed this story and found myself holding on to every word, the ending left me a bit wanting. The author explains what she feels happened to the lost princes, but even that is a bit rushed and seemingly incomplete. Still, it is a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!
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