Praise for the author
ANNE
O’BRIEN
‘The characters are larger than life…and the author
a compulsive storyteller. A little fictional embroidery
has been worked into history but the bones of the
book are true.’
‘O’Brien has excellent control over the historical
material and a rich sense of characterisation, making
for a fascinating and surprisingly female-focused look
at one of the most turbulent periods of English history.’
‘Better than Philippa Gregory’
‘Anne O’Brien is fast becoming one of Britain’s most
popular and talented writers of medieval novels. Her
in-depth knowledge and silky skills with the pen help
to bring the past to life and put the focus firmly on
some of history’s most fascinating characters.’
—Pam Norfolk,
‘Anne O’Brien is definitely an author to watch for
historical fiction fans and I look forward to
reading more of her work in the future.’
‘Ms O’Brien’s prose is smooth and uncomplicated.
Her characters’ speech is not overburdened with
archaic expressions, yet still evokes the time period.
She has obviously done a good deal of research and it
makes this story pleasurable to someone like myself,
who loves all things medieval…’
—Cynthia Robertson,
Praise for the author
ANNE
O’BRIEN
‘The characters are larger than life…and the author
a compulsive storyteller. A little fictional embroidery
has been worked into history but the bones of the
book are true.’
‘O’Brien has excellent control over the historical
material and a rich sense of characterisation, making
for a fascinating and surprisingly female-focused look
at one of the most turbulent periods of English history.’
‘Better than Philippa Gregory’
‘Anne O’Brien is fast becoming one of Britain’s most
popular and talented writers of medieval novels. Her
in-depth knowledge and silky skills with the pen help
to bring the past to life and put the focus firmly on
some of history’s most fascinating characters.’
—Pam Norfolk,
‘Anne O’Brien is definitely an author to watch for
historical fiction fans and I look forward to
reading more of her work in the future.’
‘Ms O’Brien’s prose is smooth and uncomplicated.
Her characters’ speech is not overburdened with
archaic expressions, yet still evokes the time period.
She has obviously done a good deal of research and it
makes this story pleasurable to someone like myself,
who loves all things medieval…’
—Cynthia Robertson,
ANNE
O’BRIEN
VIRGIN WIDOW
DEVIL’S CONSORT
THE KING’S CONCUBINE
ANNE
O’BRIEN
VIRGIN WIDOW
DEVIL’S CONSORT
THE KING’S CONCUBINE
About the Author
ANNE O’BRIEN taught history in the East Riding of Yorkshire before deciding to fulfil an ambition to write historical fiction. She now lives in an eighteenth-century timbered cottage with her husband in the Welsh Marches, a wild, beautiful place renowned for its black-and-white timbered houses, ruined castles and priories and magnificent churches. Steeped in history, famous people and bloody deeds, as well as ghosts and folklore, the Marches provide inspiration for her interest in medieval England.
Visit her at www.anneobrienbooks.com
About the Author
ANNE O’BRIEN taught history in the East Riding of Yorkshire before deciding to fulfil an ambition to write historical fiction. She now lives in an eighteenth-century timbered cottage with her husband in the Welsh Marches, a wild, beautiful place renowned for its black-and-white timbered houses, ruined castles and priories and magnificent churches. Steeped in history, famous people and bloody deeds, as well as ghosts and folklore, the Marches provide inspiration for her interest in medieval England.
Visit her at www.anneobrienbooks.com
The
Forbidden
Queen
Anne O’Brien
www.mirabooks.co.uk
The
Forbidden
Queen
Anne O’Brien
www.mirabooks.co.uk
To George, as ever, whose knowledge of English
medieval history is improving in leaps and bounds
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All my thanks to my agent, Jane Judd, whose support for me
and the courageous women of the Middle Ages continues
to be invaluable.
To Jenny Hutton and all the staff at MIRA, without whose
guidance and commitment the real Katherine de Valois
would never have emerged from the mists of the past.
To Helen Bowden and all at Orphans Press without whom
my website would not exist, and who come to my rescue to
create professional masterpieces out of my genealogy
and maps.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All my thanks to my agent, Jane Judd, whose support for me
and the courageous women of the Middle Ages continues
to be invaluable.
To Jenny Hutton and all the staff at MIRA, without whose
