Novels that purport to show a reassessment of a historical figure while staying close to historical ‘fact’ often tread an uneasy line but this one succeeds. The central character is Cecily Neville who through her marriage to Richard of York became a duchess and a significant bit player in the Wars of the Roses. She’s worth looking at again if only for her longevity and for the fact that male historians, and Shakespeare, have tended to see her only as a shadow in the background.

The book traces her life from her betrothal as a child to Richard Plantagenet but the first major event she is involved with is the burning of Joan of Arc in 1431. It is not a pleasant sight but it steels her for the life to come which is retold up to 1460 and the establishment of her son as King Edward IV.

It’s a challenge for the book to cover thirty years. It’s least successful where events are quickly passed over to take the reading forward but it works well where there is insight and speculation into how Cecily might have handled, or been involved in, key decisions. Richard comes across as always less than willing to go the whole way whether dealing with his enemies or ensuring his victories so Cecily has a part to play in keeping him glued to his purpose! There’s a plethora of other characters who come in and out of the story as well.

What is missing, maybe it is missing from the historical record as a whole, is any understanding of the state of these noble families – often intermarried – and the horrendous conflicts which wiped out two generations of the York and Lancaster families over this period in a series of chimerical arguments over the throne and the succession. Perhaps the main players had already been damaged beyond repair by the brutality of the Hundred Years War and the notion of constant war. It certainly seems likely that most of these so-called nobles were psychologically destroyed by years of warfare, rather like twentieth century Mafia bosses or the fighters of the Trojan War and severe post-traumatic stress may not be the best prelude to intelligent statehood!

They were certainly not good at it, marching their armies up to each other’s castles, demanding forfeits and permitting towns to be laid to waste. It’s well known that the battles of the Wars of the Roses were some of the bloodiest ever to take place on English soil and considering the pointlessness of the endeavour too many lives were needlessly wasted. Cecily doesn’t see this longer view or present an alternative and, possibly, more female perspective on what was going on although she does undertake some sensible diplomacy with some of the other women involved.

However, it’s not necessarily the job of historical fiction to explain what these quasi-Royal pretenders were up to and Cecily rolls along the years being a loyal wife, confidante and adviser. There is some question over whether her first son was actually a bastard which isn’t dealt with in the novel although Cecily is happy to suggest the same about Margaret of Anjou who is pictured as a seriously bad person!

All in all, if you like historical fiction then this is a good example and it is undoubtedly necessary that the place of women in history is reassessed. Cecily is a helpful and entertaining re-reading of the life and importance of a woman who influenced English history over a long period and through a series of crucial events.

England in the time of Henry VI and the courageous, intelligent Cecily Neville is married to Richard Duke of York, heir to the throne until Henry can be persuaded to marry and father a son to take his place. Cecily and Richard are constantly living on a knife edge as Henry’s advisors jockey for position and try to oust him from the court and must use their wits to keep themselves and their children safe whilst trying to do their best for the country. Excellent depiction of the events leading to the Wars of the Roses focusing on the incredible role Cecily played while not shirking from the horrors that were inflicted on both rich and poor in the fight for the throne.

This is historical fiction at its best! First time novelist Annie Garthwaite provides us with a vivid and very tense portrait of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York & mother of two kings, Edward IV & Richard III. Tartishly written, historically accurate & wonderfully paced, we follow "Proud Cis", the headstrong and highly ambitious matriarch of the house of York navigating the pitfalls, shenanigans & dangerous waters surrounding the throne of the feeble Henry VI and his neurotic queen Margaret of Anjou, on the road towards the bloody Wars of the Roses. This terrific novel is a great gift to all lovers of 15th century English history! To enjoy without moderation.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Viking/Penguin for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date 6

Like buses, nothing for years then two come along at once. No sooner had I finished Anne O'Brien's 'The Queen's Rival', I discovered this book covering Cecily's earlier married life. A most enjoyable read covering Cecily's married life with all the ups and downs, violence and despair that she endured. To be even the slightest bit royal at that time must have been like living on a knife edge 24hrs a day. She seemed an eminently sensible, clever and resourceful woman. I was reading an epub version and all the way through I was wishing for a family tree to help unravel all the complicated relations. Found this eventually at the end and would have much more useful at the start of the book. Also one is sideways and the others rather less than helpful due to the way they appear over two pages on my ipad. Will definitely be looking out for another historical novel by this author. Thanks to Netgalley.

I really enjoyed it, which I’ll be honest, I was surprised! Duchess Cecily has not really been painted well in history but this is a good and interesting portrayal.

Cecily has always in my opinion been overshadowed by her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, the famous White Queen. So this was a very fascinating read.

*A big thank-you to Annie Garthwaite, Penguin General UK, and NetGalley for arc in exchange fo rmy honest review.*
Cecily Neville was one of the most intelligent women of her generation, driven by ambition and by the awareness of her status among the nobles. Mother to two future kings, wife to a powerful Duke of York, she had the skills to manipulate in order to survive despite being close to death, together with her children.
Ms Garthwaite offers a portrayal of a medievel woman, high-born, politically engaged, and married to a possible successor to Henry VI. This historical fiction does not dwell on romantic bits, it is about politics, battlefield, ability to evade death and rise high, if possible. I appreciated both learning about Cecily of whom I had rather general understanding, and about the English politics of the mid-15th century. The mother of one of my favourite English monarchs, Richard III, is now much more than just a name.

This book has nailed historical fiction with the historical accuracy within the text being outstanding. Garthwaite's work is similar to that of Mantel's and is also a masterpiece in its own right. The use of first person and the exquisite detail of the writing makes the reader feel like they are standing alongside Cecily throughout the story.

Garthwaite, through Cecily, takes you on a European tour and adds real colour and vivaciousness to the medieval period.

Cecily is a complex but strong and intelligent character who grows on you the more you read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

The first half of this book was kinda slow and it took a while for it to pick up; it did halfway through, but that's really not enough. I liked that the author has tried to depict Cecily as this powerful, clever woman, but some part of it felt too impersonal; I didn't really mourn or celebrate with her. I was also not too invested in any of her children or Richard even though I did feel kinda bad for him.