Katherine

SUMMARY: This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king's son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954. 'A great adventure, powerfully told' (Philippa Gregory) A sumptuous tale of passion and danger in the medieval court, Anya Seton's Katherine is an all-time classic.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. Fictional account of the life of Katherine Swynford (de Roet) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the third surviving son of King Edward III. It is a love story between 2 people who have political marriages before they finally get married. Henry Tudor along with Elizabeth II are both descended from her. It is ranked in the top 100 books of its kind in England. Katherine is the beautiful young daughter of a penniless knight - When she comes to court she falls passionately in love with the King's favourite son - She soon becomes involved in the power, intrigue and politics of court life The inimitable classic love story of Katherine and John of Gaunt, Katherine was featured as one of the BBC's top 100 reads.