Daughters of Chivalry

July 15, 2019
In her appealing debut, British historian Wilson-Lee shines a light on the five daughters of Edward I of England: Eleanora, Joanna, Margaret, Mary, and Elizabeth. She argues that, though they were overshadowed by their mother Eleanor of Castile and sister-in-law Isabella (widely known as the She-Wolf of France), these educated royal women avoided the modern stereotype of the passive medieval princess by acting as regents, alliance brokers, and patrons: Joanna questioned and defied her strong-willed father’s orders, choosing her own second husband and supporting her reckless brother while he was estranged from their father; Mary, who involuntarily entered a convent at age 6, eventually became a nun who took full advantage of her rank, moving between manors and overspending with goldsmiths. A few modern suppositions, such as that multiple children signified happy or at least content marriages and that darkened birthing rooms were felt to be soothing (rather than being primarily for the purpose of shielding the woman from public view), may strike historically aware readers as questionable. But Wilson-Lee’s in-depth narrative on these overlooked women, perfect for Anglophiles, adds new context to the much-studied courts of Edwards I and II. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management.

Starred review from September 1, 2019

Wilson-Lee's debut brings to the forefront the five daughters of Edward I: Eleanora, Joanna, Mary, Margaret, and Elizabeth, who lived from the late 13th to early 14th century. She traces their lives from their earliest years up to the crowning of their brother, Edward II, to offer a behind-the-scenes look at what the worlds of real medieval princesses were like. Using a vast number of resources, from personal letters and medieval chroniclers to contemporary literature and the king's wardrobe rolls, the author draws back the stereotypes to highlight the daughters as individuals. This female-centric focus allows the author to show how aristocratic women exercised their power and influence to direct their lives, impact their families, help others, and influence historical events all while growing up during the heavily male-dominated Middle Ages. VERDICT While putting a spotlight on an underrepresented era of medieval history, this book seeks to appeal to all kinds of readers with its easy narrative style, in-depth research, and engrossing details.--Laura Hiatt, Fort Collins, CO

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
In her first book, British historian Wilson-Lee shatters the romantic myth of the medieval princess as a meek, chaste, and idealized woman, waiting patiently to be rescued by a handsome prince or a charming rascal. King Edward I (Edward Longshanks) ruled England from 1272-1307, during which time he sired a large brood of children, including five daughters. Painting full-bodied portraits of Eleanora, Joanna, Margaret, Mary, and Elizabeth, the author presents a more realistic picture of the role of women in the royal court during the Middle Ages. Each of these sisters learned at an early age how to game the system they were born into, consequently gaining power and influence, primarily through the manipulation of the men purported to be both their protectors and their intellectual superiors. Deftly working with the hand they were dealt, they played active roles in the often convoluted diplomatic and domestic politics of the era. Wilson-Lee provides an illuminating and redefining look at the achievements of remarkable medieval women who operated strategically behind-the-scenes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)