Finished last night:  THE KING'S MISTRESS by Emma Campion, 2010.

I was very interested in the subject of this novel, Alice Perrers, as she has gone down in English history as one of the most villainous of women, and I was curious as to how the author would treat her story. Alice Perrers was the mistress of English king Edward III towards the end of his life, and she gained a reputation for being a greedy, manipulative harlot who tore the rings off the fingers of the dead king before he was even cold and then fled for her life. Campion manages to provide a fairly credible story for Alice, especially her life up to the time she becomes a member of Queen Philippa's retinue and is noticed by Edward III. Although the idea that Philippa encouraged and approved of Alice's relationship with the king a little hard to take, I found Alice's argument "When had I a choice to be other than I was?" to be an interesting viewpoint, and it was useful as a recurring point throughout the novel. Risen from the ranks of the merchant class, Alice grew in power and prestige, but at the same time made enemies who cruelly brought her down later. Campion portrays Alice as a strong character, determined to rule her own life, which included acquiring property and wealth and providing for her children, but she also shows how Alice was repeatedly manipulated at court by powerful people like John of Gaunt, Edward the Black Prince, Joan of Kent, and even Edward III himself, to forward their own agendas. Even when she tried to do what was right it usually turned out to be wrong for herself. Campion gives lots of period details concerning court life during the 14th century, political machinations, trade, customs, daily life among the merchant class, financial transactions, and fashions. At times the detail almost overwhelms. The secrets concerning Alice's first husband's family and the dowager Queen Isabella I found very intriguing and was glad for the bit of suspense; I also thought the relationship that Alice had with Geoffrey Chaucer a nice touch, as well as Alice being acquainted with Katherine deRoet, the young girl who would later become Katherine Swynford, the mistress and then wife of John of Gaunt. Campion writes well and has definitely done her research. Fans of Anya Seton's Katherine would probably enjoy this novel as well.