The Queen's Choice
Her children or her crownFrance, 1399: The Duke of Brittany is dead and his widow, Joanna of Navarre, has inherited control of their land – a testament to her intellect, integrity and political prowess.Then comes an unprecedented proposal from Henry IV, King of England. The price of becoming his Queen? Abandoning her homeland, leaving her children and sacrificing her independence.Henry's hold on the crown is unsteady and war is brewing. With the constant threat of rebellion, Henry will trust no-one – not even his new Queen. Crossing the channel is a dangerous prospect. But the union between Joanna and Henry would bring the chance of a vital alliance between two proud states – if they will allow it.One question. Two paths. A choice that will make history.
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ISBN: 978-1-474-03253-7
THE QUEEN’S CHOICE
© 2016 Anne O’Brien
Published in Great Britain 2016
by HQ, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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Version: 2018-05-23
Acclaim for the author ANNE O’BRIEN
‘The author a compulsive storyteller.’
–Sunday Express
‘If you enjoy Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir,
you will love Anne O’Brien.’
–We Love This Book
‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating
historical politics and ultimately, the shaping of the woman who founded the Tudors.’
–Cosmopolitan
‘One of the best writers around.’
–The Sun
‘Flawlessly written.’
–Birmingham Post
‘Another excellent read from Anne O’Brien.’
–The Bookbag
‘One of Britain’s most popular and talented writers
of medieval novels.’
–Lancashire Evening Post
‘A must-read for any historical fiction fan.’
–The Examiner
‘Her writing is highly evocative of the time period…
O’Brien had produced an epic tale.’
–Historical Novel Society
‘Anne O’Brien’s novels give a voice to
the “silent” women of history.’
–Yorkshire Post
‘Brings the origins of the most famous royal
dynasty to vibrant life.’
–Candis
‘I was keen to see if this book… lived up to
the hype—which it did.’
–Woman
To George, as always with my love, and thanks for
allowing me to fill the house with music and songs of courtly love from the medieval troubadours. As Joanna might have sung to Henry:
‘To you, sweet good-natured one, have I give my heart. Never shall it be taken from you.’
Jehan de Lescurel d.13o4
Who ever lov’d, that lov’d not at first sight?
Christopher Marlowe 1564-1593: Hero and Leander
Forasmuch as I am eager to hear of your good estate…I pray you, my most dear and most honoured lord and cousin, that you would tell me often of the certainty of it, for the great comfort and gladness of my heart. For whenever I am able to hear a good account of you, my heart rejoices exceedingly.
Written at Vannes 15th February 1400: the duchess of Brittany to King Henry IV
(The wives of powerful noblemen) must be highly knowledgeable about government, and wise…
Christine de Pizan: The Book of the City of Ladies c. 1405
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Exodus 22.18
Contents
Acclaim for the Author ANNE O’BRIEN
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO WRITE ABOUT JOANNA OF NAVARRE?
October 1396: the town of Ardres, near Calais
It was to be the day, although I did not know it when my women confined my hair to a jewelled caul and coronet, my feet to gilded-toed shoes, and all in between to layers of fine linen, silk damask and fur.
It was to be the day that my life tilted on its even keel; the day that my ordered existence warped, as a tapestry, ill-formed in the hands of a careless Arras weaver, would stretch immoderately in the damp of winter. I had one such in my audience chamber at the Château of Vannes, until I dispatched it, ruined, to some distant storeroom. On this day it was as if some power had disturbed an exact balance that throughout my life had been secure and unquestioned.
It was the day that I met Henry, Earl of Derby.
Not that I had any presentiment of such meddling in what fate, my father and my husband had decreed for me. Nor did I look for such turbulence in my life, for I lived in placid luxury, always predictable, sometimes dull, but never less than harmonious. My life demanded no emotional response from me, rather a practical acceptance of my role as wife, mother, ducal consort. Indeed my whole life had been one of acceptance. I was particularly good at it. I was nobly born, twenty-eight years old, and had been Duchess of Brittany for ten of them. But on that bright morning, my thoughts occupied far from any intrusive dabbling, all was overset.
