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A review by chandraisenberg
Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess by Alison Weir
3.0
Unfortunately, there's very little extant primary source material when it comes to Katherine Swynford; however, Weir, in a valiant effort, attempts to piece together some semblance of a biography. The text isn't lengthy and, often, chronicles the major events in the lives of those surrounding Katherine, as well (e.g. John of Gaunt, Hugh Swynford, Chaucer, Richard II, Blanch of Gaunt, the Beafort children).
It's difficult to imagine an author telling Katherine Swynford's story more successfully than Anya Seton. Her novel is commendable, but fictional. In light of the interest Seton's novel generated, a biography was definitely called for, but I can't say that I feel Weir truly did the job to the best of her abilities. Though it's a great contribution to aristocracy and politics during the latter part of Edward III's reign and that of Richard II, I feel as though Weir didn't accomplish what she set out to do.
It's difficult to imagine an author telling Katherine Swynford's story more successfully than Anya Seton. Her novel is commendable, but fictional. In light of the interest Seton's novel generated, a biography was definitely called for, but I can't say that I feel Weir truly did the job to the best of her abilities. Though it's a great contribution to aristocracy and politics during the latter part of Edward III's reign and that of Richard II, I feel as though Weir didn't accomplish what she set out to do.