Which historical person should Philippa Gregory write about next

[SCW]

My choice would be Isabella of France. Married to Edward the Second of England. You have the beautiful French Princess, the unfaithful husband. Lots of pillaging from the Scots, the lover in the tower and the rebellion against the husband. Plus she could incorporate the 'templar curse' into the novel.

[The Czar]

I think Princess Sophia Romanov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Alekseyevna would make a good historical chick romance thingy.

[Nefret]

My choice would be Isabella of France. Married to Edward the Second of England. You have the beautiful French Princess, the unfaithful husband. Lots of pillaging from the Scots, the lover in the tower and the rebellion against the husband. Plus she could incorporate the 'templar curse' into the novel.

Does Isabella have any novels already?

[boswellbaxter]

Does Isabella have any novels already?

Many of them. Margaret Campbell Barnes, Edith Felber, Pamela Bennetts, Jean Evans, Hilda Lewis, Terry Tucker, and Maureen Peters have all written about her. I have them listed here:

http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/edfict.html

[Nefret]

Many of them. Margaret Campbell Barnes, Edith Felber, Pamela Bennetts, Jean Evans, Hilda Lewis, Terry Tucker, and Maureen Peters have all written about her. I have them listed here:

http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/edfict.html

Wow... so many I have not read. Thanks!

I do have the Hilda Lewis book though.

[MLE]

I think she should write about Henry IV of Spain. For one thing, in the course of her research she would no doubt discover that Aragon is a COUNTRY, not a CITY. And there is all the speculation about who really fathered his daughter Juana 'La Beltraneja'. Right up PG's alley.

[annis]

Why does the worrying thought "Eleanor of Acquitaine" come to mind? Please, no...

[LCW]

Has her work gotten any better in the last few years? After reading The Other Boleyn Girl and one other of her novels, I don't even remember the title of it, PG is one of the authors I avoid.

[Misfit]

Has her work gotten any better in the last few years? After reading The Other Boleyn Girl and one other of her novels, I don't even remember the title of it, PG is one of the authors I avoid.

I'm currently reading The Rivers Woman (or whatever it's called). It's fairly underwhelming to say the least.

[SCW]

I gave up reading The Red Queen after the first few chapters...But I hope PG never writes about Eleanor of Aquitaine...
I read the Jean Plaidy novel of Isabella of France years ago...Ideally I think SKP would be a great choice to write a novel about this Queen

[donroc]

None whom I mention or write about -- all else is fair game for her. :D

[LoveHistory]

I say turn her loose on Cleopatra. Ancient Egypt is "in" right now.

[Divia]

Why does the worrying thought "Eleanor of Acquitaine" come to mind? Please, no...

I could see her doing this.

Has her work gotten any better in the last few years? After reading The Other Boleyn Girl and one other of her novels, I don't even remember the title of it, PG is one of the authors I avoid.

In my opinion she is as lackluster as ever. I noted so on a blog and the owner of the blog got annoyed. :D She is repetitive. I'm joan of arc. I'm joan of arc. I'm joan of arc. her stories aren't interesting anymore. She was fine for back in the day, but not anymore.

I say turn her loose on Cleopatra. Ancient Egypt is "in" right now.

Oh dear. One can only imagine what she would do with Cleopatra.

[MLE]

None whom I mention or write about -- all else is fair game for her. :D

I don't know about that. I used to feel possessive about the historical characters in my WIP, hoping nobody else beat me to the punch. But now I'm thinking, the more the merrier! If a high-profile author decides to write about the same character, it will only raise interest, give him/her a 'marquee name' and very likely drive more readers to MY work, whenever it becomes available.

So Philippa Gregory, please write about Maria Pacheco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Pacheco)! Or her brother, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Hurtado_de_Mendoza_%28poet_and_diplomat%29). Just don't put them in the sack together--that's more than even my pragmatism could stomach.

[Nefret]

I say turn her loose on Cleopatra. Ancient Egypt is "in" right now.

No... stay away from my Egyptian queens, please. :p

[Misfit]

She is repetitive. I'm joan of arc. I'm joan of arc. I'm joan of arc. her stories aren't interesting anymore. She was fine for back in the day, but not anymore.

Hate to tell you, but we get more Joan of Arc at the first of the new book :mad:

[Divia]

Is it as bad as the last?

[Misfit]

Is it as bad as the last?

Worse. Margaret of Anjou and Jacquetta are limp as a dishrag. Then there's the every freaking time someone is mentioned we get their entire complete name, i.e. Edmund Beaufort Duke of Somerset, Richard, Duke of York. Over and over and over and over again.

[Divia]

I tried to get a netgalley of this but it didn't work. I figured if I can't get it for free then I'm not getting it.

My library and I are in a tug of war. They think I destroyed a book, when I told them the book looked like that before. They want me to pay 15 bucks. I figure I'll inter library loan through my library.

Since I can't get it for free I'll skip this one.

Cover is nice though. :)

[LoobyG]

I really like the cover too Divia :) I mostly do like PG's covers, but not the content, alas.

[Nefret]

I
I read the Jean Plaidy novel of Isabella of France years ago

Is that still in print... or being re-issued?

[Amanda]

Maybe she should just cut to the chase and write a novel around Melusine?

[EC2]

Maybe she should just cut to the chase and write a novel around Melusine?
:D:D:D Oh that made me laugh! Thanks!

[LoveHistory]

I just had what could very well be a brilliant thought. PG's next subject should be (drumroll please)...Helen of Troy. :D

[Divia]

I just had what could very well be a brilliant thought. PG's next subject should be (drumroll please)...Helen of Troy. :D

Thats not bad. She can fill it with incest, sex, repetitive phrases "I am beautiful." "the world loves me." "girls want to be me." etc. etc. and there ya go.

[SCW]

How about Morgan Le Faye...(Some slight doubts that she actually existed) but she was supposed to be beautiful, a sorceress and committed incest...

[Misfit]

How about Morgan Le Faye...(Some slight doubts that she actually existed) but she was supposed to be beautiful, a sorceress and committed incest...

Yes! Just think what she could do with that one. We'll have to wait. It sounds like she and her publishers want to bleed The Wars of the Roses dry first. I'll be curious to see the reactions to The Rivers Woman. It is not good. Not good at all, and it's not just the repetition I'm grousing about.

[Nefret]

I just had what could very well be a brilliant thought. PG's next subject should be (drumroll please)...Helen of Troy. :D

That could be amusing, maybe.

[princess garnet]

Is that still in print... or being re-issued?
Of all the Jean Plaidy titles reissued, that one on Isabella of France wasn't it. It may be from her Plantagenet series (http://jeanplaidy.tripod.com/id28.htm)--that series hasn't been reissued.

[Nefret]

Of all the Jean Plaidy titles reissued, that one on Isabella of France wasn't it. It may be from her Plantagenet series (http://jeanplaidy.tripod.com/id28.htm)--that series hasn't been reissued.

Oh, thanks. That would make sense.

[Divia]

How about Morgan Le Faye...(Some slight doubts that she actually existed) but she was supposed to be beautiful, a sorceress and committed incest...

Oh! Now that is brilliant!

Yes! Just think what she could do with that one. We'll have to wait. It sounds like she and her publishers want to bleed The Wars of the Roses dry first. I'll be curious to see the reactions to The Rivers Woman. It is not good. Not good at all, and it's not just the repetition I'm grousing about.

I'm annoyed I didnt get my free galley. :( I want to see how bad it is. :D

Are you going to write a review?

[SCW]

So if PG is writing about the women from the War of the Roses era does that mean she may write a novel about Katherine Swynford (Not sure how her last name was spelled)
On that note - I might go looking for Anya Setons book

[Misfit]

So if PG is writing about the women from the War of the Roses era does that mean she may write a novel about Katherine Swynford (Not sure how her last name was spelled)
On that note - I might go looking for Anya Setons book

Oh she wouldn't dare, would she?

[rebecca]

SCW--"How about Morgan Le Faye...(Some slight doubts that she actually existed) but she was supposed to be beautiful, a sorceress and committed incest..."

I had the same thought it's right up PG's alley--A beautiful sorceress who is perhaps mad, bad and dangerous to know.

I actually don't know why she wont because this element of magic she has woven in her other books ie: The Wise Woman and The White Queen doesn't work for me, mainly because it is not realistic, it steps into the realm of fantasy so why not write fantasy?

I have not read Lady of the Rivers yet but I do hope PG hasn't gone overboard with the whole witchy woman Mesuline-whatever:eek:...I find it irritating.

My two cents worth:)
Bec

[Divia]

I dont mind fantasy elements in some HF novels, but I dont like the way she does them. I mean if she is going to do the magic aspect then she should do what Rebecca said.

If she is going to play it like more like a religion where you do rituals but things could or could not happen(like rolling the dice and see) then I'm OK with it.

However, as we all know PG is a historical expert, so she wouldn't dare write fantasy. :rolleyes: I mean, then she couldn't tell us the truth about how it all went down..

[Misfit]

I have not read Lady of the Rivers yet but I do hope PG hasn't gone overboard with the whole witchy woman Mesuline-whatever...I find it irritating.

I agree, if you are going to write fantasy, write a fantasy and not traipse around going on about your Doctorate. IMO the *magic* in Lady of the Rivers isn't as OTT as it was in White Queen (no storms being whistled up at least), it is still there. [spoiler]You won't believe the twist on Henry VI's illness."] *rolls eyes*

I was reading a digital copy and tagged all the Melusine mentions I noticed. Counted over twenty, and that doesn't include fishy/water/river type of mentions. There are also lots and lots of them.

[Divia]

Is that 20 on one page ;)

[Misfit]

Is that 20 on one page ;)

No, throughout the book. Still it is too much.

[Divia]

No, throughout the book. Still it is too much.

Did yo ucount the joan of arc references?

[Misfit]

Did yo ucount the joan of arc references?

No, Joan is only present at the first of the book. Not like The Red Queen.

[LoveHistory]

How about Morgan Le Faye...(Some slight doubts that she actually existed) but she was supposed to be beautiful, a sorceress and committed incest...

According to my son the Arthurian scholar, it wasn't Morgan/Morgana but their older sister Morgause who was Mordred's mother. He's writing a book about the main legends and I'm his editor. He's only fired me twice. :D Of course he's 11 years old and doesn't know much French, Welsh, Gaelic, or old English.

Great subject idea.

[SCW]

Well Morgana or Morgause would be a more enthralling subject than Lady Rivers.
I just don't know how PG composed such a compelling novel about Anne and Mary Boleyn yet wrote such pedestrian accounts about Katherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots.

But if she was to write a novel about Isabella of France - I would certainly purchase it.

Another personage could be Catherine De Medici or her rival Diane de Poitiers-

[MLE]

Now if you are getting into France, a perfect if well-worn topic would be Queen Margot, who by her own admission slept with BOTH her brothers.

[Divia]

Now if you are getting into France, a perfect if well-worn topic would be Queen Margot, who by her own admission slept with BOTH her brothers.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Would she write about France though? Or will she only do England?

[boswellbaxter]

Now if you are getting into France, a perfect if well-worn topic would be Queen Margot, who by her own admission slept with BOTH her brothers.

Where does she say that?

[MLE]

just what I read she had said in her memoir, which is thought to be very embellished. I believe I read it in Leone Frieda's book (although my references tend to get mixed up) that Margot wrote of her brother's hypocrisy in castigating her for her licentious behavior, when Henri himself, as she expressed it, "first put his foot in that stirrup". The line stayed with me. And she claimed elsewhere that the incest was with more than one.

[rebecca]

Divia--"If she is going to play it like more like a religion where you do rituals but things could or could not happen(like rolling the dice and see) then I'm OK with it..."

If PG decides to focus on Arthurian myth with its elements of Druids and Celtic spirituality then I am fine with that so long as she doesn't go OTT with it all. I can't forget the Wise Woman book where she made candle wax figures and they suddenly 'came alive' it strains all credibility, in that the book is set in actual historical times. But if it had been a 'Game of Thrones' type book it may have worked(I still wouldn't like it-but others might). But I can't stand the whole "she blows outside her window and suddenly a deep mist engulfs Richards arm(paraphrasing from memory) and the 'ties her arm and Richard's arm begins to ache(again as above) it is way too OTT for the likes of me.

Misfit--"if you are going to write fantasy, write a fantasy and not traipse around going on about your Doctorate. IMO the *magic* in Lady of the Rivers isn't as OTT as it was in White Queen (no storms being whistled up at least), it is still there. [spoiler]You won't believe the twist on Henry VI's illness."] *rolls eyes*...."

Once it is published I will probably join you in the eye rolling department. Why does PG go on about being an historian when she isn't? That's why I think she gets into trouble by trying to proclaim herself an expert. That said I did really enjoy TOBG but I read it for entertainment purposes only...but I can accept a bending of the truth to flesh out how you see a persons character...But I suppose I should be grateful that she didn't turn Anne Boleyn into a witch with a black cat and broom-stick! lol:D

LoveHistory
Your son is correct it was Morgause who gave birth to Mordred...Morgana stole his sword and gave it to her lover.( I hope your son doesn't fire me-I think I have it right. Right?) lol:D

SCW--wrote such pedestrian accounts about Katherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots........But if she was to write a novel about Isabella of France - I would certainly purchase it. ....Another personage could be Catherine De Medici or her rival Diane de Poitiers-'

I don't know why she does that. I remember reading the Constant Princess when Arthur pleads for her to tell him another story about her growing up...I'd scream nooooooooo more pleaseeeeeeeee. Enough with Spain already. As for Mary Queen of Scots why did she choose to write about the most uninteresting time of Mary's life? Why not set the book in Scotland when she first arrived? It made no sense to me.
Isabella of France and Catherine De Medici I'd buy it too.

MLE--well-worn topic would be Queen Margot, who by her own admission slept with BOTH her brothers..."

What a family right up PG's alley. I'd buy it.
Bec:)

[LoveHistory]

I have a possible explanation for why PG wasn't able to work her...um, magic?...with KoA and MQoS. Perhaps she has trouble writing OTT sexed-up versions of women who were known for their religious tendencies. Not betting money on this idea, but it did occur to me.

Bec, my son can't fire you. I've actually been fired again over the weekend. Think I've been reinstated once more, but maybe I should check with him on that.

[Divia]

good possiblity of that, for sure. Interesting.

[rebecca]

LoveHistory--"I have a possible explanation for why PG wasn't able to work her...um, magic?...with KoA and MQoS. Perhaps she has trouble writing OTT sexed-up versions of women who were known for their religious tendencies..."

I think she tried in the Constant Princess to make KoA more ruthless and ambitious when Henry VII puts out 'feelers' to marry her himself. In the book(if memory serves me correct) she actually considers it before rejecting it and then Henry VII takes his revenge by enforcing poverty on her and her entourage. Though PG tried hard it didn't work and seemed less than convincing.

I can't be fired...Phew! *wipes forehead*:D Perhaps you could ask your son for a raise?:D It seems to me you work mighty hard for him...Perhaps you could see Judge Judy about this issue?:D lol

Bec:):D

[MLE]

LoveHistory, Katherine of Aragon was definitely devout, but Mary, Queen of Scots was the woman whose husband killed her (probable) lover, and then she was (likely) complicit in the plot to blow him up, after which she ran off with the man who dun it.

Raised in the licentious and irreligious atmosphere of the French court under Henri II (lover of Diane de Poitiers, along with several other dalliances) I don't think she is in the same personality category.

I think PG just likes to figure ways to turn the conventional wisdom on its ear just for the heck of it (like making Elizabeth I an empty-headed girl managed by her men). She pulled that off in TOBG, although its success was less because she upset the conventions and more because she told the story well. Since then, it seems like she has been chasing down the wrong trail.

[SCW]

At first I thought Isabella of France would be a more suitable topic than Margaret Beaufort or Lady River because she led a more interesting life (well that's how I perceived it)

But then PGs novels about Elizabeth the First and Mary Queen of Scots were rather on the dull side. (Virgins Lover and The Other Queen)...

Just a random thought - but why would an English noblewoman like Margaret Beaufort admire Joan of Arc? Wasn't this the peasant girl who supposedly used the dark arts to drive the English (Margaret's Countrymen) out of France.
I just can't see there being many fond memories of Joan of Arc amongst the nobles of the English court

[LoveHistory]

Mary, Queen of Scots was the woman whose husband killed her (probable) lover, and then she was (likely) complicit in the plot to blow him up, after which she ran off with the man who dun it.

Raised in the licentious and irreligious atmosphere of the French court under Henri II (lover of Diane de Poitiers, along with several other dalliances) I don't think she is in the same personality category.

That depends on which version of her story you believe. It's also just as likely that Riccio was not her lover. And she may not have been involved in the plot to blow up her first husband. Lots of speculation involved in her reputation both to the good and bad. No way for us to know. If PG buys the saint version, that might very well have been the monkey wrench in her formula.

As to Margaret Beaufort and Joan of Arc...JoA succeeded where many men had failed. Regardless of nationality, that would be considered admirable by any woman with an ounce of ambition. Also possible that MB didn't believe the "dark arts" bit. It was rather usual for a woman who didn't behave according to society's strictures to be labeled as being in league with the devil, especially a woman who wielded any power or influence (Elizabeth Woodville, Anne Boleyn...etc).

[Divia]

Just a random thought - but why would an English noblewoman like Margaret Beaufort admire Joan of Arc? Wasn't this the peasant girl who supposedly used the dark arts to drive the English (Margaret's Countrymen) out of France.
I just can't see there being many fond memories of Joan of Arc amongst the nobles of the English court

You are correct. The English had no love for Joan. And according to the English, she was from the Devil, or a witch and she used magic to win. The soldiers called her witch and whore from the battlefield, and it was Joan who helped turn the tide of the war at Orleans. She lifted the siege which was a huge blow to the English. The English weren't removed from France during her life, but she inspired her countrymen, that's for sure.

So yeah a peasant girl, who claimed to hear voices with god, made the English lose a country. I am also unsure why and Englishwoman would admire Joan. :confused: Her piety or devotion to god was in question for the English, while those in France believed her to be the real deal.

[SCW]

I know that Margaret Beaufort was supposed to be a very pious and learned woman - but I've never heard of her showing reverence towards Joan of Arc....Oh I know - its a story and PG has to make it interesting but it just didn't seem real. Well at least she didn't make any living wax images of Richard the Third or Elizabeth Woodville.

Another peeve of mine is that in one of her novels (think it was Wideacre) - she mentions a person who was sentenced to transportation in Australia. The problem here is that Wideacre is set during the mid 1770s and the other character who mentions this fact dies around 1776!
OMIGOD! They must have had the sight!!

[Nefret]

I agree with what some of the others have said... maybe she should write historical fantasy instead. At least then she could make up things.

[MLE]

Does anybody know what this non-fiction work she's about to come out with is on?

[boswellbaxter]

Does anybody know what this non-fiction work she's about to come out with is on?

She's written it with two historians, David Baldwin and Michael Jones. Her section is on Jacquetta Woodville, Baldwin's is on Elizabeth Woodville, and Jones's is on Margaret Beaufort.

[The Czar]

I think Empress Theodora would be a good subject for a "chick lit" bio (don't mean to be sexist there :)). Her life prior to becoming empress was pretty spicy, to say the least...

Her father, Acacius, was a bear trainer of the hippodrome's Green faction in Constantinople. Her mother, whose name is not recorded, was a dancer and an actress.[5] Her parents had two more daughters.[6] After her father's death, her mother brought her children wearing garlands into the hippodrome and presented them as suppliants to the Blue faction. From then on Theodora would be their supporter.[6]

Both John of Ephesus and Procopius (in his Secret History) relate that Theodora from an early age followed her sister Komito's example and worked in a Constantinople brothel serving low-status customers; later she performed on stage.[7] Lynda Garland in "Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium, AD 527-1204" notes that there seems to be little reason to believe she worked out of a brothel "managed by a pimp". Employment as an actress at the time would include both "indecent exhibitions on stage" and providing sexual services off stage. In what Garland calls the "sleazy entertainment business in the capital", Theodora would earn her living by a combination of her theatrical and sexual skills.[3] Theodora made a name for herself with her portrayal of Leda and the Swan, where she stripped off her clothes as far as the law allowed, lying on her back while some attendants scattered barley on her groin and then some geese picked up the barley with their bills. She also entertained notables at banquets and accepted a multitude of lovers.

During this time she met Antonina, with whom she would remain lifelong friends.

At the age of 16, she traveled to North Africa as the companion of a Syrian official named Hecebolus when he went to the Libyan Pentapolis as governor. She stayed with him for almost four years before returning to Constantinople. Abandoned and maltreated by Hecebolus, on her way back to the capital of the Byzantine Empire, she settled for a while in Alexandria, Egypt. She is said to have met Patriarch Timothy III in Alexandria, who was Monophysite, and it was at that time that she converted to Monophysite Christianity. From Alexandria she went to Antioch, where she met a Blue faction's dancer, Macedonia, who was perhaps an informer of Justinian.

She returned to Constantinople in 522 and gave up her former lifestyle, settling as a wool spinner in a house near the palace. Her beauty, wit and amusing character drew attention from Justinian, who wanted to marry her. However, he could not: He was heir of the throne of his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and a Roman law from Constantine's time prevented government officials from marrying actresses. Empress Euphemia, who liked Justinian and ordinarily refused him nothing, was against his wedding with an actress. However, Justin was fond of Theodora. In 525, when Euphemia had died, Justin repealed the law, and Justinian managed to marry Theodora. By this point, she already had a daughter (whose name has been lost). Justinian apparently treated the daughter and the daughter's son Athanasius as fully legitimate,[8] although sources disagree whether Justinian was the girl's father.

After her ascension, she basically shared power with Justinian, and was, from what I've read (mainly Robert Graves' Count Belisarius) was quite a Machivellian ruler, full of intruige and whatnot. Her life would make an interesting book.

[SCW]

I agree with you. The Empress Theodora is an interesting historical figure. But hasn't someone just written a novel about her

[Nefret]

I agree with you. The Empress Theodora is an interesting historical figure. But hasn't someone just written a novel about her

Yeah, I think so. I'm pretty sure that book comes out this month.

[The Czar]

I've got a great one for a female historical bio...

Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia)

I think that would be a great one. It has everything, a little romance, a lot of fighting. I would love to read a novel on her.

[annis]

Judith Weingarten wrote a fairly comprehensive biographical novel about Zenobia a few years back, called The Chronicle of Zenobia: the Rebel Queen. Carla reviewed it here (http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/zenobia_rebel_queen.htm).

Judith Weingarten also wrote an interesting post (http://judithweingarten.blogspot.co.nz/2008/06/now-all-shame-is-exhausted.html) about Queen Z for the Roman History Books and More website.

[The Czar]

Judith Weingarten wrote a fairly comprehensive biographical novel about Zenobia a few years back, called The Chronicle of Zenobia: the Rebel Queen. Carla reviewed it here (http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/zenobia_rebel_queen.htm).

Judith Weingarten also wrote an interesting post (http://judithweingarten.blogspot.co.nz/2008/06/now-all-shame-is-exhausted.html) about Queen Z for the Roman History Books and More website.

Well crap. I thought for sure that would be one that hadn't been done. Everytime I think "I want to start writing a book" I instantly come up on four people who already have on that subject. :(

[annis]

It's going to be a big ask to find a historical figure no one has previously written about. Does it matter? After all, think how many novels have been written about, say, Anne Boleyn or Cleopatra. Each one is interesting in its own right as another interpretation.

[EC2]

I think as long as you can find your own angle on a historical personage and perhaps bring a new insight, or explore different facets, then you'll have an audience.