Red Roses: Blanche of Gaunt to Margaret Beaufort by Amy Licence Book Review

The Wars of the Roses were not just fought by men on the battlefield. There were daughters, wives, mistresses, mothers and queens whose lives and influences helped shape the most dramatic of English conflicts. This book traces the women’s stories on the Lancastrian side, from the children of Blanche, wife of John of Gaunt, through the turbulent 15th century to the advent of Margaret Beaufort’s son in 1509, and establishment of the Tudor dynasty. From Katherine Swynford and Catherine of Valois’s secret liaisons to the love lives of Mary de Bohun and Jacquetta of Luxembourg to the Queenship of Joan of Navarre and Margaret of Anjou, this book explores how these extraordinary women survived in extraordinary times.

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time now, and I was very happy to receive it from the publisher. “Red Roses” focusses on the Lancastrian women in the Wars of the Roses, beginning with Blanche of Lancaster and ending with the Lancastrian matriarch Margaret Beaufort. I like that “Red Roses” has included some of the more unknown women of that time, such as Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois, who both died quite young. I have always loved Amy Licence’s books. She also wrote, “Edward IV & Elizabeth Woodville: A True Romance” and “Cecily Neville: Mother of Kings”, among others. Her writing style is always pleasant and easy to follow.

“Red Roses” has an amazing design and several images in the middle of the book. It’s a must-have for everyone interested in the Wars of the Roses.

“Red Roses: From Blanche of Gaunt to Margaret Beaufort” by Amy Licence is available now in the UK and will be available in the US on 1 June.