by Anya Seton
First published 1970
Katherine Swynford serves as governess in the household of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Despite her marriage to another man, she finds herself drawn into a passionate relationship with the powerful duke. Their love affair unfolds against the backdrop of fourteenth century England, where the Black Death ravages the population and political intrigue threatens the crown. Knights ride to battle while serfs endure crushing poverty under Plantagenet rule. Katherine and John must navigate the treacherous court where Edward III, the Black Prince, and young Richard II wield absolute power. War, betrayal, and murder surround them as their relationship endures across the years. Katherine faces the consequences of adultery in a world that offers little mercy to women who defy convention. Through loneliness and social exile, she and John maintain their bond despite the forces working to tear them apart. Their documented romance becomes the foundation for future generations of British royalty, transforming a scandalous affair into a love story that reshapes history.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, historical-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-love
Setting: England, Plantagenet
Period: 14th Century
640 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Fawcett Crest