The White Queen

The White Queen

Set amidst the tumult and intrigue of The War of the Roses, the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen, is vividly brought to life by internationally bestselling author Philippa Gregory, in the first of her stunning new series, The Cousin's War.

Philippa Gregory was an established historian and writer when she discovered her interest in the Tudor period and wrote the novel, The Other Boleyn Girl which was made into a TV drama and major film. Now, six novels later, she delves into the history of the family that preceded the Tudors: the magnificent Plantegenets. It's a story of complex rivalries, loves and hatreds.

Widowed when her husband was killed in battle, Elizabeth Woodville of the House of Lancaster used her ambition (coupled with the witchcraft skills of her mother Jacquetta) to seduce and secretly marry the reigning Plantagent king, Edward IV, of the family of the white rose, the House of York.

But as long as there were other claimants to Edward's throne, the profound rivalries between the two families would never be laid to rest. Violent conflict, shocking betrayal and murder dominated Elizabeth's life as Queen of England, as she fought for the success of her family. The ultimate tragedy she faced was the mystery surrounding her sons, known as the Princes in the Tower, who were escorted to the Tower of London and never seen again. Their fate remains unknown to this day.

From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores the story of one woman's ambitious accent to royalty during The War of the Roses and one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in British history.

Philippa Gregory lives with her family on a small farm in Yorkshire where she keeps horses, hens and ducks. Visitors to her website become addicted to the updates of historical research and the progress of ducklings.

Phillipa's other great interest is the charity that she founded nearly twenty years ago: Garden for The Gambia. She has raised funds and paid for 140 wells in the primary schools of this very dry and poor African country, and thousands of school children have been able to learn market gardening in the school gardens watered by the wells. The charity also provides well for women's collective gardens and for The Gambia's only agriculture college at Njawara.

A past student of Sussex Univeristy, and a PhD and Alumna of the Year 2008 of Edinburgh University, her love for history and commitment to historical accuracy are the hallmarks of her writing. She also writes reviews for UK newspapers and The Washington Post and The LA Times, and is a regular broadcaster on television and radio.

Review: Travel back in time with this engaging author and discover the untold history of the White Queen in a time when a woman used every advantage she could.

The White Queen
Simon and Schuster
Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 9781847374554
Price: $35.00