Hugh and Bess
Authors: Susan Higginbotham
Praise for
Hugh and Bess
“Hugh le Despencer and Bess de Montacute
are an engaging pair whose lives are
transformed by tumultuous times, partners in a
union founded on ambition and family expectations.
Susan Higginbotham smoothly and convincingly
depicts an era of dynastic marriages, pageantry and
warfare, effectively anchoring her reader in England's
past. A winning combination of historical fact, the
author's imaginative vision, and skillful writing.”
—Margaret Evans Porter
“A novel following in the footsteps of Jean Plaidy
and Norah Lofts.”
—Dear Author
“A delightful novel full of chivalry, romance,
and real-life terrors.”
—Historical Novels Review Online
“A vivid portrait of life in 14th century England, and a love
story that blooms unexpectedly from an arranged marriage.”
—Curled Up With a Good Book
Praise for
The Traitor's Wife
“A noblewoman pays the price for her
loyalty to an unpopular king and her unfaithful
husband…conveys emotions and relationships
quite poignantly…entertaining historical fiction.”
—Kirkus Discoveries
“The dialogue is excellent, the characters are
well formed and vibrant… Higginbotham's talents
lie not only in her capacity for detailed genealogical
research of the period, but also in her skill in
bringing these historical figures to life with passion,
a wonderful sense of humor, honor, and love.”
—Historical Novels Review Online
“Higginbotham has stirred to life a girl who is
naïve and passionate, impulsive and loyal…an
endearing, involving story, made so by the
unconventional characters of Eleanor and Edward.”
—Reviewer's Choice
“Higginbotham makes history come alive…
The Traitor's
Wife
is a tale of intrigue, betrayal, loyalty and passion.”
—BookPleasures
“All the ingredients for a great tale: [love], treason,
war and murder. Couple this with Higginbotham's
clear passion and knack for accuracy, and this book
is a can’t miss…this novel was a joy to read.”
—Read and Review
“Beautifully researched and incredibly
captivating,
The Traitor's Wife
is a book you won’t
want to put down. Susan Higginbotham's vivid portrayal
of life during Edward II's tumultuous reign makes for
fascinating reading. Highly recommended!”
—Michelle Moran, bestselling author of
The Heretic Queen
“Once I began
The Traitor's Wife
, I couldn’t stop. When
the electricity went out one night, I actually found
myself reading by flashlight!”
—Sharon Kay Penman, bestselling author of
Devil's Brood
“
The Traitor's Wife
brings to vibrant life a woman
of determination and courage, who became entangled
in the colorful, often lethal intrigues of Edward II's court.
A captivating, well-paced read, full of the dramatic
passions of an era that has often been written about but
never from this particular point of view. Readers will
flock to the wit and verve of Eleanor de Clare.”
—C. W. Gortner, author of
The Last Queen
“With each new layer, this tremendously researched
novel just keeps getting better. A worthy mate
to Marlowe's play
Edward II
, Higginbotham shows
the subtle side of pain.”
—David Blixt, author of
The Master of Verona
“Susan Higginbotham has delved into a dark
period of English history and given us a more sympathetic
look at a king of dubious reputation—Edward II.”
—Anne Easter Smith, author of
A Rose for the Crown
“In scope, historical accuracy, and authoritative
voice, this novel reads like really good biography. In
dramatic force it reads like exceptional fiction. The
maelstrom of death and destruction set in motion by the
avarice, betrayal, and revenge prevalent in the
English court of Edward II is a cautionary tale of
human frailty skillfully delivered.”
—Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of
The Illuminator
and
The Mercy Seller
“In
The Traitor's Wife
, Susan Higginbotham brings
the rich tapestry of Edward II's reign alive
in brilliant tones of humor and intimacy in a
sweeping tale of medieval passion. Scholarly,
witty, thoroughly enjoyable!”
—Jeri Westerson, author of
Veil of Lies: A Medieval Noir
“An exhaustively-researched journey into the realm of
Edward II, with all its deviousness, sordidness and passion.”
—Erika Mailman
Copyright © 2007, 2009 by Susan Higginbotham
Cover and internal design © 2009 by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Cover design by Kimberly Glyder
Cover image © Cristofano Allori/The Bridgeman Art Library
Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.
P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410
(630) 961-3900
Fax: (630) 961-2168
www.sourcebooks.com
Originally published in 2007 by Onslow Press
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Higginbotham, Susan.
Hugh and Bess / by Susan Higginbotham.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Montagu, Elizabeth, Lady, ca. 1327-1359—Fiction. 2. Le Despenser, Hugh, Baron, 1308-1349—Fiction. 3. Great Britain—History—Edward III, 1327-1377—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3608.I364H84 2009
813’.6—dc22
2009014952
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
VP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter I: January 1341 to April 1341
Chapter II: October 1326 to March 1327
Chapter III: June 1341: Hanley Castle
Chapter IV: June 1341: Tewkesbury
Chapter V: August 1341 to July 1342
Chapter VI: July 1342 to March 1343
Chapter VII: January 1344
Chapter VIII: November 1346 to August 1347
Chapter IX: June 1348 to February 1349
Chapter X: April 1349 to January 1350
Author's Note
The Traitor's Wife
Acknowledgments
Reading Group Guide
About the Author
To my readers