Product Description

Katherine comes to the court of Edward III at the age of fifteen. The naïve convent-educated orphan of a penniless knight is dazzled by the jousts and the entertainments of court.

Nevertheless, Katherine is beautiful, and she turns the head of the King’s favourite son John of Gaunt. But he is married, and she is soon to be betrothed.

A few years later their paths cross again and this time their passion for each other cannot be denied or suppressed. Katherine becomes the prince’s mistress, and discovers an extraordinary world of power, pleasure and passion.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3071 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-13
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 576 pages

Philippa Gregory
‘A great adventure, powerfully told’

Review
'Perhaps the greatest gifts Anya Seton brings to her historical novels are the zest of her narrative, the life she breathes into the most insignificant characters, and the atmosphere of the era she evokes around them' (Books and Bookmen )

'Brilliant historical construction' ( Evening News )

‘Miss Seton’s enthusiasm for both character and period is infectious. Katherine emerges a glowing, vital figure’ (Daily Telegraph )

‘A great adventure, powerfully told’

(Philippa Gregory )

'Anya Seton takes us into other worlds, making us live for a few hours on a grand scale'

 

(Women's Journal )

'wonderful historical novels'

(Alison Weir )

Evening News
'Brilliant historical construction'

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Customer Reviews

A great medieval love story
Katherine de Roet, mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt, son of Edward III, through her children by John is the ancestress of just about every Royal English line - Plantagenets, Tudors and Stuarts. I first read this book when I was in my early teens and am still reading it 40 years later. Jewel bright in its descriptions, it takes the reader through turbulent times in the 14th century. So much we can never know, but it seems that the affair between Katherine and John was a great love story - they eventually married. It inspired me to visit her tomb in Lincoln Cathedral and the little Lincolnshire village of Kettlethorpe where she once lived. Was she as beautiful as the book implies? I would have loved to have met her.

A vivid portrayal of love and politics in medieval England
I have just re-read this book for the third time,having fallen in love with it many years ago in my early teens.Anya Seton's characterisation of the people thronging this book is its main strength, but the historical research places it firmly in its period and really brings those times to vivid life for the reader, without being stuffy or worthy. Anya Seton draws the reader into the medieval world of England as it really must have been, describing life for the rich and poor, and those in between, in a way that is completely credible. Katherine's story is amazing and uplifting, and of course the fact that it is true makes it all the more entrancing. If you believe in 'love conquers all' and enjoy stories set in the past, this is the novel for you. A real page-turner that will make you wish you had a time machine to travel back to Katherine's era. I can't recommend the novel highly enough!

Katherine is Amazing
I am 51 years old and I read Katherine as my 5 year exam at school. Over the years I have brought the book again and re-read it. Then I lend it to someone else and end up buying it again. I can only tell you that it make a great impression upon me and gave me a love of early history which I have never lost. I also passed my English exam. its not a boring mushy love story but a beautifully written historical novel with the love of a man and a woman. I would recommend this book to anyone that is capable of reading. Any gents reading this " The battles are great" I honestly recommend this book to anyone.