⋙ Download Gratis The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson 9780007446971 Books

The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson 9780007446971 Books

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The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson 9780007446971 Books

Agincourt refers to a battle between France and England. The English, led by Henry V (he of Shakespearean fame) came to glory and victory through their use of longbowmen. In Hickson's novel, Agincourt is barely a blip in the life of Catherine of Valois. But the battle drives much of the journey taken by this French princess, who would become Henry's wife and mother of Henry VI.

Instead of telling the story through Catherine's own eyes, or even that of Henry's or any other aristocrat, Hickson wisely chooses to tell Catherine's story through the eyes of her trusted confidante Guilliamette, aka Mette. Starting as Catherine's wet-nurse after the early death of her own newborn, Mette continues on through long years to remain close to the princess and to events at the court. While each woman is a product of the age in which they live (e.g. neither is a feminist, or warrior--neither can escape the experience of ugly personal physical abuse at the hands of vile males), yet each manage to move past this experience, and all the need to survive in an ever-changing maelstrom of fortune and disfavor. Both Mette and Catherine manage to carve out rich and rewarding lives for themselves.

Mette may be the narrator--and a very good one she is--but this is Catherine's story. After spending her early childhood in a convent, Catherine then becomes a pawn. waved in front of the invading Henry V as a potential bride, while the French courtiers decided whether or not placate the English or not. When Catherine first meets Henry, she is taken with him (more than she thought she would be) and he is obviously also pleased with her. Finally they marry as part of a treaty. But this is not a love story. Catherine is no wispy heroine, overcome with desire for the man who will end forever her family's right to rule as monarchs of France (except now through any sons she may bear him). She expects some contentment in the marriage, especially as it turns out her brother, the Dauphin and heir to the French throne, now considers Catherine a traitor forever. But, in fact, the early weeks of marriage are not happy ones.

But with the advice and assistance of her loyal Mette, Catherine carves out a satisfying beginning as Queen of England and wife to Henry V.

Oh yes--and somewhere near the end of this book, Owen Tudor makes his appearance. As yet, all Catherine knows of him is that he is a marvelous Welsh singer, whose music stirs a romantic spark in her husband's soul and brings their first marital happiness.

Hickson plans to carry the story of Catherine further along. It will be worthwhile.


Tags : The Agincourt Bride [Joanna Hickson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The best-selling novel about the queen who founded the Tudor dynasty. ‘A bewitching first novel…alive with historical detail’ Good Housekeeping. Her beauty fuelled a war.<br />Her courage captured a king.<br />Her passion would launch the Tudor dynasty. When her own first child is tragically still-born,Joanna Hickson,The Agincourt Bride,HarperCollins,0007446977,Historical,Catherine,France - History - Charles VI, 1380-1422,Great Britain - History - Henry V, 1413-1422,Henry,16th century, c 1500 to c 1599,Catherine De Valois,Catherine De Valois; Royal family; The King’s Curse; The Queen’s Choice; Phillippa Gregory; The King’s Sister; Tudors,Classic fiction,ENGLISH HISTORICAL FICTION,England,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Medical,FICTION Romance Historical Tudor,FICTION Romance Military,FICTION Sagas,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction and related items Classic fiction (pre c. 1945),Fiction and related items Historical fiction,Fiction-Historical,FictionLiterary,FictionMedical,FictionRomance - Historical - Tudor,FictionRomance - Military,FictionSagas,GENERAL,General Adult,Great Britain - History - Henry V, 1413-1422,Great BritainBritish Isles,Henry,Historical,Historical - General,Historical fiction,Literary,Modern period, c. 1500 onwards c. 1500 to c. 1600,Phillippa Gregory,Royal Family,The King's Curse,The King's Sister,The Queen's Choice,Tudors,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Medical,FICTION Romance Historical Tudor,FICTION Romance Military,FICTION Sagas,FictionLiterary,FictionMedical,FictionRomance - Historical - Tudor,FictionRomance - Military,FictionSagas,Historical - General,Literary,Fiction - Historical,English Historical Fiction,16th century, c 1500 to c 1599,Fiction,Modern period, c. 1500 onwards c. 1500 to c. 1600,Classic fiction,Historical fiction,Fiction and related items Classic fiction (pre c. 1945),Fiction and related items Historical fiction

The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson 9780007446971 Books Reviews

Agincourt Bride is definitely a dense read and one to be savored. It brings to life so many aspects of the world it's set in and just leaves the reader contemplating the words long after finishing.

This book wins a prize for transporting its readers right smack dab into the early 1400's and the Hundred Years War. From the mean streets of Paris to the pastoral agriculture of the Champagne region, Joanna Hickson knows how to weave historical details into a narrative so that it doesn't overfill the palate and yet we get a real sense of the times. There are a few times where I could say I felt like too many setting-the-scene elements were thrown into one paragraph and not interwoven with the rest of the story. But they are very few. I would compare this author's world building chops with greats like Elizabeth Chadwick and Kate Quinn, she's that good.

I felt that it was truly inspired to tell the story mainly from the POV of Catherine's nurse/Keeper of the Robe, Mette. We got a very intimate look into the life of France's royal family without really being a part of it. We also got to see through Mette's eyes the way of life for the everyday folk of the medieval world a common baker's daughter, a servant in the royal household, a royal Houndsman or Groom, a seamstress, and a common tailor. Seeing the grand events of the Hundred Years War and the great battle of Agincourt through these common eyes brought new dimensions to them for me.

I also liked how the author interwove throughout the story letters Catherine wrote to various individuals, most never delivered, that gave us a glimpse into the mind of a noblewoman caught in various political webs and in truly trying circumstances. Seeing the two sides of the story through these truly different women with very differing ways of seeing the world just made the story more well developed for me and more well rounded.

Definitely don't read this book if brutal details squick you. The author doesn't shy away from the harshness of the times, especially the lot of women and the lack of power they had over their bodies and fates. War details are talked about and shown. Rape and sexual details are discussed and occur front and center to some of our characters. But I have to give the author credit for not shying away from these brutal details. They brought some realism to the times and really brought home how lucky we are to live in the modern world.

The one gripe I had about this book was how it first introduce and wrote Catherine's personality and how she was viewed by those around her. She seemed a little too perfect for me, the perfect little princess. She's described as angelic, compassionate, willing to listen to those below her, clever in maneuvering against her enemies, and forgiving. It seemed like she had absolutely no flaws at all and that sort of characterization made me roll my eyes more than once at her. Later in the story once her trials really got flowing and she matured a little, I started to see some three-dimensionalization of her character which I enjoyed. But seeing her throw a couple temper tantrums or something like that earlier in the story might have shown a little more to character overall.

Overall, this book is definitely one for the enjoyment pile. It's got some really dense historical detail and story I enjoyed to the hilt. The characters, for the most part, were three dimensional and overcame some serious pain and issues. I loved seeing this part of history and the medieval world explored so thoroughly. I see that a sequel is due out fairly shortly; it's already on my to read list. I look forward to its release with breathless anticipation of visiting Mette and her Queen again.
This caught my interest right off, and I read the first few chapters without putting it down. I was engaged by Mette's story and the history, but then it took the turn that most historical novel, with a romantic story, take, and it became people with modern thoughts, behaviors and conversations in a historical setting. I just could not believe that a Duchess or a King would ask a nursemaid's advice about marriage and seduction. The characters seemed one dimensional to me and untrue to their time and space. I know this does not bother most people who read historical romances, so I could recommend this book to them. I would not recommend it to someone who likes novels that are more history than romance.
I'm a big fan of historical fiction because I can go back and actually learn something later when I research what parts were true. Anyhow I got this book because the reviews though few, were very positive. I took it with me to Mexico and probably almost ruined my husbands romantic getaway because I could not put it down. I hate to admit I haven't read a lot about Henry V or Catherine of Valois though I knew of them. This helped pique my interest in who they really were and I've learned a lot of history after I researched it. The book was well written and fascinating. I highly recommend it and I am now awaiting the second book to come after. Catherine was an amazing lady who though maybe a pawn earlier in life was finally able to shape her life into her own making. She was able to find love and start a dynasty of royalty that sparked the War of Roses. Awesome book.
Agincourt refers to a battle between France and England. The English, led by Henry V (he of Shakespearean fame) came to glory and victory through their use of longbowmen. In Hickson's novel, Agincourt is barely a blip in the life of Catherine of Valois. But the battle drives much of the journey taken by this French princess, who would become Henry's wife and mother of Henry VI.

Instead of telling the story through Catherine's own eyes, or even that of Henry's or any other aristocrat, Hickson wisely chooses to tell Catherine's story through the eyes of her trusted confidante Guilliamette, aka Mette. Starting as Catherine's wet-nurse after the early death of her own newborn, Mette continues on through long years to remain close to the princess and to events at the court. While each woman is a product of the age in which they live (e.g. neither is a feminist, or warrior--neither can escape the experience of ugly personal physical abuse at the hands of vile males), yet each manage to move past this experience, and all the need to survive in an ever-changing maelstrom of fortune and disfavor. Both Mette and Catherine manage to carve out rich and rewarding lives for themselves.

Mette may be the narrator--and a very good one she is--but this is Catherine's story. After spending her early childhood in a convent, Catherine then becomes a pawn. waved in front of the invading Henry V as a potential bride, while the French courtiers decided whether or not placate the English or not. When Catherine first meets Henry, she is taken with him (more than she thought she would be) and he is obviously also pleased with her. Finally they marry as part of a treaty. But this is not a love story. Catherine is no wispy heroine, overcome with desire for the man who will end forever her family's right to rule as monarchs of France (except now through any sons she may bear him). She expects some contentment in the marriage, especially as it turns out her brother, the Dauphin and heir to the French throne, now considers Catherine a traitor forever. But, in fact, the early weeks of marriage are not happy ones.

But with the advice and assistance of her loyal Mette, Catherine carves out a satisfying beginning as Queen of England and wife to Henry V.

Oh yes--and somewhere near the end of this book, Owen Tudor makes his appearance. As yet, all Catherine knows of him is that he is a marvelous Welsh singer, whose music stirs a romantic spark in her husband's soul and brings their first marital happiness.

Hickson plans to carry the story of Catherine further along. It will be worthwhile.