THE FIRST PRINCESS OF WALES

Author: Karen Harper ISBN: 0307237915 1/2007 HISTORICAL FICTION Publisher: THREE RIVERS PRESS
Time Period: Medieval, 1300's (reign of Edward III)

The daughter of a disgraced earl, she matched wits with a prince. It is the fourteenth century, the height of the Medieval Age, and at the court of King Edward III of England, chivalry is loudly praised while treachery runs rampant. When the lovely and high-spirited Joan of Kent is sent to this politically charged court, she is woefully unprepared for the underhanded maneuverings of her peers. Determined to increase the breadth of his rule, the king will use any means necessary to gain control of France—including manipulating his own son, Edward, Prince of Wales. Joan plots to become involved with the prince to scandalize the royal family, for she has learned they engineered her father’s downfall and death. But what begins as a calculated strategy soon—to Joan’s surprise—grows into love. When Joan learns that Edward returns her feelings, she is soon fighting her own, for how can she love the man that ruined her family? And, if she does, what will be the cost?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Finally! A book I can set next to my copy of Anya Seyton's KATHERINE on my keeper shelf to keep it company. KATHERINE is the story of Katherine Swynford, who was first mistress and then became the wife of John of Gaunt, son of Edward III of England. THE FIRST PRINCESS OF WALES by Karen Harper is the story of Joan of Kent (the Fair Maid of Kent) and Edward, the Black Prince, who just happened to be the brother of John of Gaunt and first-born son of Edward III. Both of these books are the types of stories that fairy tales are made from, with their fearless knights and damsels in distress who call upon their knights for rescue. Both stories are set in medieval England and France, and are filled with drama, action, court intrigue, and too many fascinating characters to name.

Even though we know the conversations and some events in this story are fiction, they are drawn from the chronicled lives of real people—and just knowing that makes THE FIRST PRINCESS OF WALES nearly too irresistible to pick up. Just think of Joan of Kent as the Elizabeth Taylor of her day. Her beauty was praised in song and it was said she was the most beautiful woman in the kingdom in her day. The fact that she ended up married to the most handsome and eligible bachelor of an English prince, Edward, certainly didn't hurt her reputation any. But theirs was not an easy path that took them to that marriage, and their volatile relationship did as much to hinder their coming together as the political events that unfolded around them.

Karen Harper originally wrote this book in 1984, and though it's been revised a bit for its re-release, that's partly why I cannot give it more than a 4 Rose award. Yes, it's very well written and well researched, and the fast pacing makes the 600 pages seem like 300, but there are certain parts and some scenes which play overly dramatic when read, dating the writing style to that of the '80's. However, I love the way Harper portrays both Edward and Joan: He, the spoiled son and heir apparent of a powerful king, used to getting his way in everything he wishes. Strong, handsome, charming and athletic, he's not the type of man any woman could say no to.

The beautiful young Joan does, though. She's as stubborn, headstrong and determined as Edward, sometimes to her own detriment. Theirs is a volatile relationship, and yet their feelings for each other endure through countless trials and tribulations, including Joan's subsequent marriages to other men and the birth of her children. The fact that Edward remained faithful to Joan in real life after they were finally able to marry, says volumes about how devoted to (or obsessed of) her this mighty prince became. Now that is the kind of medieval love story I enjoy!

THE FIRST PRINCESS OF WALES isn't just about a forbidden alliance between two people in love, but about the politics and manipulations of mighty nations and the royals who ruled them. Anyone who loves the fair-haired Plantagenet monarchs and their kin will fall in love with this book in an instant—it's a very recommended read for those who live for good historical fiction.

Nancy Davis