An exceptional classic of historical fiction!
First published in 1954, the KATHERINE of the title is Katherine de Roet Swynford (1349-1403), one-time household governess, then mistress, and later third wife of John of Gaunt (1340-1399), 1st Duke of Lancaster. And a fascinating woman in her own right. Her chief claim to fame is that their descendants founded the ever-popular House of Tudor. She’s also happens to be the sister-in-law of Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400), author of THE CANTERBURY TALES. Awarded five stars on Goodreads.
When I first read this book many years ago, I knew little of English history during this time period. But I found the story and especially the character of Katherine so compelling that it launched an entirely new fascination. So much so that I’ve now read dozens of books about assorted members of the House of Plantagenet, and its offshoots, the York and Lancaster rivals.
Photo from wikipedia.
In a quirky piece of historical irony, John of Gaunt’s son and heir by his first wife, Henry Bolingbroke, later King Henry IV (1367-1413) was instrumental in starting the Wars of the Roses (1455-87), whereas his great, great grandson, Henry Tudor (1457-1509 – aka King Henry VII) is credited with ending those wars.
The book is considered a well-researched historical romance for its time period (when far fewer resources were readily available) and is just one of the dozen well-received novels American author Anya Seton (1904-1990) wrote. Several of which were made into movies. For me, this was a true page-turner.
It’s a shame Seton is not more widely known today because for me, she is one of the best historical novelists I’ve come across. She made Katherine, John of Gaunt, their romance, AND complex histories — all come alive. I actually became extremely invested in whether their Beaufort descendants should be considered legitimate. (Read the book to find out more!) Clearly this is one of those works of historical fiction that has stayed with me over decades.
If you’re interested, the novel KATHERINE has its own wikipedia page, and has been continuously in print since it was first published.
More about Anya Seton, which was actually a pen name for Ann Seton.
Discover more from Toby A. Smith
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Toby A. Smith 
I loved books by Anya Seton, along with Jean Plaidy and others, in my teens and early twenties, and have had a lifelong fascination for the mediaeval and Tudor periods as a result. The books ‘The kings grey mare’ and ‘We speak no treason’ by Rosemary Hawley Jarman sparked an enduring interest in the Wars of the Roses and ‘Daughter of Time’ by Josephine Tey made me a Riccardian! This is what good historical fiction can do – open doors for further learning and exploration.
On a side note, earlier this year I visited England on a self curated family history tour, and in Lincoln Castle grounds I saw beautiful casement window purported to have been originally from a house where John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford conducted their early affair.
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We’ve read many of the same books – we must both be Anglophiles. The only author I have read many times but do not like that much is Jean Plaidy. Have you tried Sharon Kay Penman?
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I read her book on Edward IV (the Sun in Splendour? Not sure of the title) Enjoyed it, though from memory it was rather huge!
Like you I’m not a big fan of Jean Plaidy. I think I read those as my mum often got from the library and I’d usually finished the books she picked up for me too soon and needed more to read. 😊
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