Review: Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman by Tony Riches
Today, I'm delighted to welcome back acclaimed historical fiction author, Tony Riches. I'm reviewing his brand-new release, Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman, a story full of intrigues, danger, and love. Have a look!
Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fabulous tour stops HERE!
Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman
The Elizabethan Series, Book #6
Tony Riches
I was curious about this novel when I first heard about it. Bess Throckmorton was the wife of Sir Walter Raleigh – famous adventurer of New World exploration fame in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
We meet young Bess, employed as gentlewoman to the queen. Of 'ordinary’ descent – not nobility – Bess has had a tough rise to her position, and she's fully aware of the other ladies in the queen's inner circle looking down at her. But she is confident – and in love.
Unfortunately, she's in love with Walter Raleigh, sea-faring adventurer, who is giving the Spanish fleet a run for their money, as he returns to England with ships laden with treasures from the New World. As Walter is in the queen's favour – still a volatile place to be in at the best of times – they want to wait to ask the queen's approval, as Bess is no noblewoman.
After a couple of years of dithering, Bess gives in to Walter's advances, and promptly falls pregnant. They marry in secret, without the queen's knowledge, fully aware that her wrath may descend on them any time.
Eventually, Elizabeth finds out, and Bess and Walter wonder who betrayed their confidence. Both are sent to the tower, separately, and Bess has to endure the loss of her baby son to the plague whilst incarcerated. Your heart goes out to her as she is helpless to save him.
It is only later that she finds out her own incarceration is harsher than her husband's, and this is the first time Bess begins to question his backers. Banished from court, but eventually released, they make their home at his estate at Sherborne Manor in Dorset. For a while, her focus is on the building works for their new mansion, and she feels at peace there, far away from court.
Meanwhile, Walter is off on his adventures again, but his failure to find the fabled El Dorado sees him losing favour with the ageing queen. His enemies gather, to reduce his influence and standing. And although he still holds valuable appointments, the queen's interest is more focused on the handsome earl of Essex.
During Walter's frequent absences, Bess realises that her husband prefers to be away, on adventures, and leaves her behind to look after her estate. She discovers that people she trusts betray them, and begins to clandestinely fight for their survival.
But when Elizabeth dies, and James VI of Scotland becomes King of England, Walter is accused of treason, and sent to the tower. Bess must fend for herself, and her sons, or they would lose everything.
How will Bess cope with her husband's long incarceration at the Tower? Read the novel to find out!
Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman is a very well-portrayed tale of a young woman who has to use her wits and her few trusted contacts to tread the murky world of the late Elizabethan and early Jacobean court of England. She keeps uncovering secrets her husband kept from her, such as treasures hidden from the queen, and starts using it to pay her way.
Bess is a resourceful young woman, who grows into her own. At a time, when dangers lurk everywhere, and spies infiltrate your home, she learns fast that she cannot trust anyone, even when she has to rely on help from others. She discovers that loyalty and true friendship doesn't exist in her world.
Worst of all is her treatment by her often absent husband. I'm not sure if he stopped caring about her, or was too engrossed in his own importance and plans. He doesn't abuse her, yet he seems to care little about how she fares when he's away or locked up. Whilst Bess moves heaven and earth, Walter wallows in self-pity and delusions of past grandeur.
Bess often makes excuses for his bad behaviour – something that would have been the norm in those days – but I was glad every time she spoke up. It took a lot to rile her up, but when she's angry, or concerned for her sons’ inheritance – she doesn't shy away from begging for help or racing across the country to petition the new queen.
Her status is as much at play here. Not of noble birth, she is often overlooked, and she is forced to make people listen. I felt for her, and sometimes wished she could have been more forceful. But ultimately, as a mere wife, her hands were tied.
Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman is a compelling account of one young woman finding her way in the dangerous Tudor and Stuart courts, where one wrong word could see you locked up, or executed. Riches describes Bess as resourceful, intelligent (despite her low level of education) and incredibly loyal to her erratic husband. In my view, he didn’t deserve her!
I would have preferred more details on dates within the chapters. The chapter headers give us the years, but the individual scenes that follow are often spread across that year, or more, and I'd have liked more of a timeline. But that's a personal preference.
The research is impeccable – after all, the author knows the era incredibly well – and it shows us both the splendour and the squalor of the era. Bess' own experiences are portrayed in great detail, and we have an in-depth view of ordinary people's daily life through her.
Bess – Tudor Gentlewoman is an immersive tale. Fans of Tudor and Stuart fiction would enjoy reading about the plight of an ordinary woman in a treacherous world, with a husband who is more invested in his adventures than their marriage. Her decisions and actions are fascinating to follow, and you're rooting for her all the way.
Highly recommended!
~~~
Bess Throckmorton defies her notorious background and lack of education to become Queen Elizabeth’s Gentlewoman and trusted confidante.
~ Rosie Lee, 5* Goodreads review
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