Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

What do you do when your kind stepmother (who has very much been a mother to you and your siblings) won’t give you some of her money to go fight a war in a foreign country? You charge her with witchcraft of course and confiscate her lands to finance your war. At least that was how England’s Henry V handled the situation.

The Witch Queen by Maureen Peters tells the little known story of Joanna of Navarre, Henry IV’s second wife. The daughter of Charles “The Bad” (and it sounds like he had earned his reputation), Joanna was married off to an older, minor noble of Brittany where she gave birth in quick succession to eight children. Her husband loved armed conflict and often the family finances suffered as a result of his “hobby”.

Joanna’s subsequent marriage to England’s new king is mostly one of convenience and advancement for both parties, although they do seem to be fond of each other and at times, Joanna even imagines that she could love him. But their time is cut short by Henry’s ill health and following his death, Joanna figures she will live out the rest of her years quietly. Her stepson has other ideas.

Thinking that war is a terrible waste of wealth (and remembering her past life with her first husband), Joanna refuses Henry V’s request for money as he prepares to stake his claim to the French throne. In addition, Joanna’s children (now grown) are still in France and some of them allied with the French King. This puts Joanna in a terrible position and she is shocked by her stepson’s reaction to her refusal.

This is a quick, easy read and the story is pretty bare bones, but perhaps there is not a lot known about Joanna and her life. There are some nice dialogue passages and an attempt to weave together the threads of her life into an explanation as to how she ended up on the wrong side of Henry V. The style reminds me somewhat of Jean Plaidy in its basic telling of the story without a lot of embellishment. But it’s nice to read a book about one of the lesser known characters in British royal history.

Memorable lines: "What is important is knowledge, because knowledge brings power. When you have power, you can rid yourself of all opposition." Charles the Bad

"The people do not love kings who bring them good law and set an example of domestic morality. They love the weak Richards and the wild Hals because in their frailties they see their own diminished." Joanna reflecting on why the people love the future Henry V over his father.