France in the early fifteenth century: at its head a mad king and a queen whose appetites for sensual pleasure could never be sated. The great warlords of Burgundy and Armagnac rise up to seize the crown - the birthright of one fawn-like small boy, the Dauphin Charles, upon whom the future of all France depends.
Only Yolande, the courageous, elegant Duchess of Anjou, Queen of Sicily, understands the poor child's predicament and gathers him into her beautiful airy chateau to grow up unhampered by the terrible affairs at court. But Yolande herself is not free from turmoil. A fleeting visit from the young Earl of Richmond has brought a passion into her life that she cannot quell and a shameful secret that threatens her standing as the cool-headed ruler of her husband's domain.
Yet it is from this unlikely union of stately duchess and fiery young nobleman - one of the most magnificent love stories of history - that will spring the kingdom's hope: an innocent girl who will ride at the head of the dwindling French army and lead them to triumph over the English, reinstating Charles as the most dazzling king that France would ever know.
Deryn Lake's meticulous research and vivid writing combine in this captivating tale of intrigue, lust, power and mystery about the great King Charles VII of France and the women who inspired and loved him - women closely linked to the Knights Templar and The Priory of Sion and who played a key part in history, shaping the destiny of men...
"A meaty dish of lust and medieval intrigue."
Maureen Owen, Daily Mail
"Ingenious, long and highly readable."
Philippa Toomey, The Times
"Best writer of her kind."
Kent Messenger
At the time of reissue of this book, Deryn Lake told her readers:
Hot news at the moment is the recent court case between two of the authors of THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL and Dan Brown, writer of THE DA VINCI CODE. As we all know by now Dan Brown won because there is no copyright on ideas and his book, after all, was a work of fiction. What connection has all this with THE KING'S WOMEN, I hear you ask? Let me tell you that I read THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL at the time I was researching my book and became convinced that there really was a secret society called The Priory of Sion. Moreover it had a connection with Joan of Arc - one of the main characters of the story - through René d'Anjou. Rene was not only the future King of Lorraine but also Grand Master of the Priory, and Joan of Arc actually asked to be sent to him at the time when she was attempting to see the Dauphin. As for the rest... you'll have to read the book to find out how this most intriguing mystery unfolds. I am so grateful to Allison and Busby for reprinting the book and to Suzy Dunlop, the managing director, for showing her faith in me. It now means that a new generation of readers can find out more about the fascinating character of Charles VII and the many women with whom he was connected. By the way, I gave THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL a really good credit at the end of the book and was quite definitely not sued!
The King's Women was originally published in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton in 1991. It is reissued in paperback by Allison & Busby on June 15th 2006: order the new edition of The King's Women now..
The year is 1775, and the setting is not London but Boston, Massachusetts, a town seething with unrest as it balances on the brink between war and peace. With loyalties and love stretched to their limits, the lives of Thomas Gage, his wife Margaret and his exotic young slave Sara, become inexorably intertwined.
For many years, Thomas believed he did not have the time or the inclination for romance, but everything changed when he met and fell in love with the vivacious Margaret Kemble, whose hand he eventually won in marriage. Years of happiness ensued in which he rose to become the British Governor of Massachusetts.
But in 1775 the ever-building tensions in the troubled state suddenly erupt into violence. Having risen through the army ranks before meeting Margaret, Thomas has known many battles in his time. But this one - the War of Independence - is different; there are personal passions and beliefs involved. Being a British Governor living in America means that Thomas's allegiances, and those of his American wife, are sharply divided.
In this anxious time, Thomas seeks solace through teaching his pretty black slave, Sara, the simple pleasures of reading and writing. But with conflict, heartbreak and death close at hand, threatening to engulf all involved, can true love and happiness ever prevail for the Governor and his lady?
A remarkable and thoroughly researched historical novel, The Governor's Ladies explores the complexities of human nature amidst the turmoil of love, loss, betrayal and revenge.
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