Katherine

Anya Seton

Jan 2000 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

"Exhilarating, exuberant, and rich," Katherine is an epic novel of a love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family (Austin Chronicle).

Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption.

Anya Seton's vivid rendering of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster makes Katherine an unmistakable classic.

“An inspiration and the benchmark by which I judge historical novels.”—Alison Weir

Ratings and reviews

This is a good novel. But it cant be taken seriously as historical fiction. There was no such thing as sugar in the days of Edward III. Lol. So as is the authors claim of violence . To service your betters in bed and get children by them was a womans duty. Swyford cuckolded her first husband. Known fact. Again I like Historically CORRECT fiction and this isnt it.

First published in 1954, the KATHERINE of the title is Katherine de Roet Swynford, one-time household governess, then mistress, and later third wife of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Their descendants founded the ever-popular House of Tudor. She made Katherine, John of Gaunt, their romance, AND complex histories — all come alive. For me, a real page-turner.

This is one of my favorites from seton.. a must read if you are a fan!! I cant believe this book is available... i even requested it from the publisher at barnes and noble and i couldn't get it in e book format.

About the author

ANYA SETON (1904–1990) was the author of many best-selling historical novels, including Katherine, Avalon, Dragonwyck, Devil Water, and Foxfire. She lived in Greenwich, Connecticut.