Historical Fiction Annotation - Shadow on the Crown

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Title: Shadow on the Crown

Author: Patricia Bracewell

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: February 7, 2013

Publisher: Viking Adult

Pages: 432 (hardcover)

Geographical Setting: England and Normandy

Time Period: Medieval

Plot Summary

In 1002, Emma of Normandy is negotiated as a bride for the aging King Aethelred of England. Aethelred, a father many times over and a widower, is not eager at all to wed again, but does so to appease his advisors and forge political alliances with Emma’s brother, Richard, Duke of Normandy. At 15, Emma (rather than her sickly older sister) is sent to a strange land and expected to find her way in this new home.

Emma finds herself in an unwelcoming court, with a rival named Elgiva who had set her sights upon becoming the new queen of the land. Emma surrounds herself with Norman ladies-in-waiting and guards, but continues to be tormented not only by Elgiva and her conniving family, but also the sons of Aethelred who worry about her bearing another child – especially a son- to the King. According to the marriage contract, Aethelred not only marries Emma but makes her queen of England, something the other sons’ mother never attained. Emma’s title as queen may allow any children she has to usurp the grown children that Aethelred has fathered. After Emma miscarries her first pregnancy, the court begins to doubt her ability to serve as queen.

In the midst of this change, the reader is introduced to the ghosts that haunt King Aethelred – namely, that of his elder brother who was murdered in his sleep shortly after taking the crown. Aethelred and his mother share a secret about this murder – one that Aethelred cannot shake – and he finds his conscience increasingly interrupted by the guilt he feels about his brother’s death. His health and spirit decline and he finds himself suffering with these thoughts and memories.

As time goes on, Emma is welcomed by the people of the land who see her as a gentle, kind and loving woman who shows care for all, while she continues to be tormented by the king’s court. Aethelred’s youngest children see Emma as an affectionate, loving step-mother and cling to her.  In time, Aelthelred’s eldest son Athelstan also begins to see this side of her, and Emma finds herself falling in love with Athelstan. After a brief affair, Emma is unable to bear her feelings for him and asks him to leave her so that she may not be tempted. Emma returns to her husband, and though she feels no love for him, dutifully resumes her attempts to bear him a son.

An unsettling and tragic turn of events culminate when Aethelred, in an attempt to appease his brother’s ghost, Aethelred names Emma’s future children as heirs to the throne, thereby alienating Athelstan and his other brothers from her favor. Emma finds herself on more secure footing, and after bearing a son, understands that her role as wife and queen are cemented – for the time being.

The first in a trilogy, this book creates a strong foundation for the story of Emma, her sons, and her life as queen of England.

Elements of Historical Fiction Writing

World Building/Historically Accurate

One of the most important elements of historical fiction is the story’s ability to convey historically accurate information in a narrative tale that both intrigues and interests the reader. In this book, Bracewell uses quotations and information from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, a recorded history of the Middle Ages. Bracewell uses information from these Chronicles to begin each chapter, which gives a small glimpse into both the timeline and the pace of this story.

Given the time period of this story, it is more difficult to determine historical accuracy. Fewer recordings of history lend this time period to having some gaps, as it did through the Middle Ages. However, the Anglo Saxon Chronicle is a respected, accepted historical document which lends validity to this story.

Accurately Portrayed Characters

In historical fiction, characters in the books are at least roughly/loosely based on actual characters from history. Emma and Aethelred, Richard Duke of Normandy and other characters in this book actually lived; characters more like Emma’s maids. Elgiva and other members of court may have been embellishments. Within respect to the actual historic characters and their lives, this book remains as true to account as the author is able to determine.

Leisurely/Long Pacing

As with many works of historical fiction, this book is lengthy at 432 pages, and has a leisurely pace. Even when the characters experience action, the prose used to describe the setting and action is evenly paced, descriptive and lends itself to leisurely reading. Most historical fiction, at least from this time period, tends to be longer with descriptions that acquaint the modern reader with the culture of that time period.

Historically Accurate Language

Some historical fiction will use historically accurate language to further paint the picture of the historical setting. In this case, the author did choose to incorporate both Middle English, as well as Dutch. In this situation, Bracewell included a glossary in the front of the book that this reader extensively used to reference! Additionally, the book also included language that accurately depicted things such as clothing, chambers, etc. to help create the setting for the story.

Book Read-Alikes

The Forever Queen – Helen Hollick

This book is another take on the reign and life of Emma of Normandy, and her marriage to two English kings. This book encompasses in one what the trilogy of Shadow on the Crown did in three books. Both authors capture Emma’s life, marriage to two very different kings, her challenges at court, her family and marriage alliances and how they clashed, and her motherhood of two future kings of England. This book would be a great read for anyone who very much enjoys the story of Emma of Normandy

.

To Defy a King – Elizabeth Chadwick

The story of Emma of Normandy tells an all-too-familiar tale of a young girl who is required to marry a (much often older) man in order to forget family alliances. In To Defy a King, Mahelt is a spirited young woman who is daughter to the kingdom’s greatest knight; however, after her father’s death, is required to marry a man of the King’s choosing and live a life of fear while her brothers are held hostage. Both of these books share the story of women who are used as pawns in political situations, who still manage to retain their spunk, personality, and individuality.

The White Princess – Philippa Gregory

While these two books span different times during the Middle Ages, the storyline of “behind the scenes” women who married powerful English kings is resonant in both. Elizabeth of York is bidden to marry Henry Tudor and forge the two greatest houses in the kingdom under one family. As with Emma, this marriage is about cultivating peace, alliances and protection. Elizabeth of York is torn between her love for Richard III, her relationship with Henry Tudor and her reappearing brother, and finds her alliances stretched and questioned as Emma does with King Aethelred and her brother, Duke of Normandy.

Author Read-Alikes

Philippa Gregory – the most obvious, and clear, read-alike is Philippa Gregory, who is the “reigning queen” of historical fiction – namely the European monarchy. Gregory and Bracewell share stories that write about strong female characters, are rich in detail and description, and create tantalizing stories about families, wars, love, courts, and betrayal in the Middle Ages.

Alison Weir – Like Gregory, Weir writes a number of books about the Tudor court and focus on singular subjects such as King Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. Her books span many strong female characters in British history, and her works are richly detailed and peppered with historical facts and little known elements.

Sharon Kay Penman – Like Bracewell, Penman writes a number of books that are based in the Middle Ages, and focuses on biographical historical fiction. Her books are quite detailed and leisurely paced, and capture a great deal about life at that time.

Reader Thoughts

For a long time now, I have been an avid fan of historical fiction. I have explored books in all time periods, but find that I am most drawn to books about Middle Age nobility (Philippa Gregory is an author I greatly enjoy) and more recently, World War II historical fiction. Given the choice, I think I could read about King Henry VIII and his wives incessantly, but I have been branching off more lately to read more about earlier medieval times. Lately, I’ve also been reading about nobility in Italy, Spain and Scotland in this time period. I greatly appreciate the characteristics of historical fiction that describe the setting, the culture, etc. – I like to imagine the setting in which these writers weave these stories.  I believe that this is a huge part of why I enjoy middle ages so much – there’s so much to talk about!

This book was recommended to me by a colleague as I wanted to read something different than my usual Philippa Gregory/Alison Weir for this assignment – and she did not lead me astray. Something about this writing made the story seem colder, more detached – as I imagine things were for Emma as she started this new life. Emma was a fun, spunky, lively character who was refreshing in a somber, dark, damp court. This was my first foray into the world of Norman rule, and I would like to continue exploring it!

I will admit that until I read some online reviews, I did not know this was a trilogy which is a relief as the only part of the book that I do not like is the ending. Not knowing it was a trilogy made the ending seem rushed and trite – but now that I know there are additional books to read, I can see how this on built a strong and solid foundation for the rest of the story. I would highly recommend this!