Customer Reviews

Loyal in Love: Henrietta Maria, Wife of Charles I (A Queens of England Novel)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first volume in the Queens of England series of books by Jean Plaidy, who is also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt. It is a well written work of historical fiction that tells the story of the daughter of King Henry IV of France, Henrietta Maria, who went on to marry King Charles I of England.

Henrietta Maria, a Catholic, found herself married to Charles, a Protestant, living in a Protestant country, among a Protestant people. The English, at the time, viewed Catholics with deep suspicion, as the excesses of the Catholic Queen Mary, "Bloody Mary", the daughter of Henry VIII, were still not forgotten. A fervent Catholic, however, Henrietta would not put aside her religion, nor was she particularly discreet about her devotion to Catholicism and, as such, was never fully accepted by the English people.

Henrietta Maria was an impetuous and pretty, young woman, fond of musical revels, fashionable clothes, and gossip. Her husband, Charles, a family man of principle and integrity, was devoted to her, and together they would go on to have a number of children. Their marriage of state, made for the purpose of maintaining a Franco-English alliance, turned out to be a real love match.

Henrietta Maria was also, however, a puppet of Rome, charged with leading Protestant England back to Catholicism. This was to cloud her judgment, at times, and cause much trouble down the road, and, ultimately, serve to pave the way for the rise of Cromwell and his Puritans. They would make her devotion to her religion and her influence over her husband a focal point for turbulence and civil war. Her loyalty and love for her husband was legendary, but not even she could keep him from the road that led to regicide.

Written in the first person, this is a wonderfully told tale of an enigmatic, little known Queen, who wielded great influence over her beloved husband. Rich with historical detail, it is an enormously entertaining novel that is rife with the political intrigues of the day. All those who love well written, historical fiction should enjoy it.

Princess Henrietta Maria of France is arranged a marriage with Charles I of England. It is a match fraught with difficulties because England is by this point staunchly Protestant and Henrietta is dedicated to Catholicism. A marriage treaty is created which both sides have to know will never be enforced (including that Henrietta will have sole charge of the religious instruction of any offspring until they reach the age of 13). Henrietta goes to England believing the country to be open to her raising her children to be Catholics, but in fact the people and the leaders would never allow heirs to the throne to be taught contrary to the Church of England. Despite their differences, however, Henrietta and Charles fall very deeply in love and relish in their private lives together. They are unprepared for the change in feeling that is sweeping the nation, and seem to run headstrong towards disaster.

Quote: "'Oh Charles,' I cried, 'I have destroyed your plan! I, who would give my life for you, have destroyed you."

Finally, a queen and king who are madly in love and totally devoted to each other! Of course, we have to know it's too good to last. The author does a very good job with making the reader understand that although the king and queen make what seem to be unbelievably foolish choices, raised as they were to believe as they believe, it would not occur to them to act differently and they can't be judged from twenty-first century eyes. To admit that the king is not given his office by God? Insanity! To rule with help from Parliament instead of absolutely? Who are you kidding? To renounce the faith you were promised the freedom to practice, even to possibly save your husband's kingdom? Bowing to the masses? Not a realistic possibility. The characters are painted well, their good qualities and their faults, and the book makes for a very entertaining read.

I really love Jean Plaidy and her novels, and am so happy Three Rivers Press continues to re-publish one after another. This one, though not my favorite, is interesting and moving. Pick it up if your bored this summer, and the rest of Jean Plaidy's books.

I've really enjoyed Jean Plaidy's books over the years, but hadn't read one in quite a while. Since they've begun to be re-published I decided to see what the library had to offer. I picked this up because I knew very little about the English Civil War and its principal players.

Jean Plaidy usually excels at drawing the reader into a specific historical period through excellent research and detailed description, but I found this book lacking. It felt like a first draft. Written in the first person, Henrietta Marie's voice is repetitious. All of the historical events presented feel shallow due to a lack of detail. King Charles' presence is barely felt as are her feelings toward him. The relationship--supposedly a great love match--never feels fully fleshed out. There's a lack of physical description that makes it hard to feel part of the scene. None of the other characters register as real people either.

Overall, it was a rather boring read. I did finish the book, because I was actually interested in the subject. This is the only fictional account of Henrietta Marie I've been able to find. I give it two stars for that alone.

Read this if you're curious, but I'd recommend any other of Jean Plaidy's books especially The Queen's Confession about Marie Antoinette (written under her Victoria Holt nom de plume) or The Lady in the Tower about Anne Boleyn. BTW--Loyal in Love was originally titled "Myself, My Enemy".

I have a love of history, especially when told in a point of view of the subject. Unfortunately, this one, "Loyal in Love" is really just a lot of whining. Yes, it was sad that Charles I didn't know what he was doing, and it was interesting how it got so out of control that he ended up losing his head. But I don't know if it was the way it was written or that Henrietta Maria is a hard-headed beast, I could hardly get through it. I am merely giving this book three stars simply because I have a love for Jean Placidy. I really wanted to believe that Henrietta would redeem herself in the end. But she didn't. She does a lot of "Woe is me; everyone is out to get me; I just wanted to be with Charles; we loved each other SO much..." Bleh. It was a lot of me, me, me. And Jean Placidy doesn't usually write like that, so I don't know if she just got bored with the subject or really couldn't make it better. But good riddance to Henrietta Maria...

Loyal in Love is the story of Henrietta Maria, daughter of King Henri IV and wife of King Charles I. Sent to England at a young age to be married, she misses her friends and family, the comforts of her Catholic country, and is confused by the English people and their different ways. Over time, a great love develops between her and Charles, but everything they've built is threatened by feuds with the Parliament and England's descent into civil war. Looking back on her life, Henrietta recalls events from her childhood to her days as an old woman and Dowager Queen.

This is the only reading I have done on King Charles I and Henrietta, and I have to say, I didn't enjoy it as much as some other historical novels I have read. I wasn't feeling very sympathetic to their cause as I found Charles to be indecisive and more focused on his wife than affairs of state. Henrietta was meddlsome, spoiled, and impetuous, and never seemed to learn from any of her previous mistakes. Only at the end of her life does she see the errors she has made.

The writing, however, is excellent; very true to accepted truths and detailed. I just couldn't get completely wrapped up in Charles and Henrietta. I am looking forward to reading some of Plaidy's other titles.

Good book. Very professional seller. Quick to contact me back. Delivery was held up by the volcano but othersiwe a very satisfying purchase. Thank you.

This is a re-issue of Myself My Enemy (isn't that a better title?), so if you've read that book, don't bother buying this one. On the other hand, if you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it! If you like this book, I highly recommend The Wandering Prince or The Loves of Charles II, which is a re-issue of Plaidy's trilogy about Charles II. The first book, The Wandering Prince, focuses on Henrietta Maria's youngest daughter and continues her story.

I really did like this book. Jean Plaidy told this story in such a fashion that you feel like, at the end, you know everything about Henrietta Maria.

Her life begins in France, and at 5 months, her father, Henry IV, is killed. Throughout her life this is a reminder of what people can do to royalty and a foreshadowing of what's to come in her life. She grows up in a...not so much a loving home, but she is loved by the one she affectionately calls Mamie.

She is eventually betrothed and married to Charles I of England. This is a problem for her because she is a stauch Catholic, and he, a Protestant. The marriage starts off extremely rocky. She knows no English and wants to have her way. He is determined to bend her to his will. They hate each other and you almost wonder if this state affairs will continue.

After a series of events they do manage to work out most of their differences but the main one. Neither will bend to the other's wish for a conversion. Henrietta gives birth to many children, none of whom, are raised Catholic as she wants, but she learns to live with it, albeit grudgingly.

Because she is Catholic she isn't well liked by the English people and some turn her Catholicism into a major issue. Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan, among others, leads many Englishmen in a "crusade" against their King and Queen, resulting in the English Civil War.

This lasts for years. Henrietta is forced to flee and then must endure heart wrenching tradegy, which Plaidy makes you feel deeply. She then spends a lot of time trying to restore her son to that which was lost.

Jean Plaidy tells this wonderful tale with a passion missing from the history books. Henrietta Maria was instrumental in the English Civil War, but nothing is really said about her. Plaidy brings this Queen of England to roaring, tempermental life. She shows her amazing loyalty to her husband by risking all to do what she felt right. Even if it was seen as unpopular by others.

Well written. Kept my interest throughout. Made me order more in this series.