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Reviews
Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster by Alison Weir
katebull's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that her pension was determined in enormous houses and tonnes of wine.
sheryls's review
2.0
I read this non-fiction book in order to learn a little about Katherine Swynford before reading Anya Seton's novel "Katherine". The good thing is I can use it as a reference when I do read the novel. However, it was a struggle for me to finish this as I found the writing dry and filled with details about many other characters other than Katherine. This was apparently done because there is not much information known about Katherine herself apart from her relationship with John of Gaunt but I think this should have been much shorter and excluded some of the more extraneous characters. There was also page upon page of descriptions of floorplans in the various royal residences as well as descriptions of genealogies both tall and wide, both of which I frequently skimmed.
just_justine's review against another edition
2.0
I can't fault Alison Weir for trying. Katherine Swynford is an interesting figure whose role in history had far-reaching consequences, and her story deserves more notice. I've always felt that Weir has a knack for historical speculation--for taking what historical evidence is available and discussing how it could fit into the broader interpretation. But with Katherine Swynford, all she has to go on are some of John of Gaunt's surviving household records, speculative geographical connections, and a line or two in a few biased chronicles, and it isn't enough. Much of the book felt like either a general explanation of events of the period, a list of annuities granted by John of Gaunt to Katherine, or architectural descriptions of places Katherine once inhabited. To be honest, Weir probably would've been better off making this a biography of John of Gaunt. The relationship between him and Katherine (which is interesting and convincing) could still have been discussed, and Weir would've had a greater opportunity to discuss England under Edward III and Richard II--a very turbulent, interesting period--in the guise of examining John of Gaunt's life beyond Katherine.
suzqz's review
4.0
I haven't read much history, but this book was fascinating for me. All the guessing and deducing... the differences and similarities between then and now... I'm ready to read more.
mcsangel2's review against another edition
3.0
As a fan of the history of the English monarchy, this was quite an interesting read on a woman whose descendants came to the throne and have ruled (in one genealogical line or another) since.
yggdrasil793's review against another edition
2.0
4/10 Stars. This book wasn't really about Katherine Swynford. There was plenty of information about John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and how he was related to the royal family and nobility throughout the realm (as well as his heirs). There simply isn't enough surviving information about Katherine Swynford to have justified an entire book (supposedly) about her. I have no doubt that she was a truly fascinating and remarkable woman, but unfortunately for us, nothing of hers has survived. No writings, no belongings, nothing. Everything in this book comes second hand, from payments and grants and gifts from John of Gaunt, documented in his registers, and the Royal Family, and supposition. Not really worth the read.