Katherine (novel)

Anya Seton's "Katherine" is a historical novel based largely on facts. It tells the story of the historically-important love affair between the titular Katherine and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and third son of King Edward III. The novel begins with Katherine's arrival at court after years of a convent education and ends shortly after her marriage to the Duke in 1396.

In 2003, "Katherine" was ranked 95 in the BBC's Big Read survey of Britain's best-loved novels. [The Big Read Top 100. The BBC. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100_2.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100_2.shtml] ] It is commonly regarded as a prime example of historical fiction.

Plot summary

"Katherine" tells the true story of Katherine DeRoet, who was born the daughter of a minor Flemish herald, later knight, and who has no obvious prospects, except that her sister is a waiting-woman to the queen of King Edward III. By virtue of this court connection, she meets and marries Sir Hugh Swynford of Lincolnshire and gives birth to two children. After his death, Katherine Swynford becomes the mistress of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and bears him four children out of wedlock. Lady Swynford is appointed official governess to the Duke's three eldest children, including the future King Henry IV.

Criticism and historical background

The novel is considered well written and carefully researched and diverges comparatively little from known history, though it does contain some necessary conjectures. It provides the reader with an accurate view of medieval England, life at court, and the lives of women in the 14th century. In addition to this, and to the glimpses of Geoffrey Chaucer, Katherine's brother-in-law), it is also considered one of the greatest love stories ever written. It is one of the few texts that includes writings from Blessed Julian of Norwich, considered one of England's greatest mystics and whose "Revelations of Divine Love" was the first book written in English by a woman. In a poll conducted in the 1990s by Ladies Home Journal the novel "Katherine" ranked in the top 10 all time best love stories.

Katherine Swynford is a significant figure in English history. Apart from being the direct ancestress of all members of the British royal family since Edward IV, who was her 4th great-grandson, she also gave Henry Tudor his tenuous claim to the English throne.

References