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A fascinating fictional version of the life of Katherine Gilbert, then Raleigh. Mother to Sir Walter Raleigh.
A grim first marriage to a weedy sounding social climber, Katherine was forced to start a family when very young, against her dear father's wishes and conditions of the pairing. She was a noblewoman however and fulfilled her duty to her horrible husband. A dark haired man on board the Trinity during her first sea voyage caught her eye, and her heart and that yearning lasted for years until one day, the awful husband expired and she was free to marry again. The dark haired man was Walter Raleigh and Katherine bore him children, Walter the youngest being named after her beloved second husband.
The turmoils of the times from Henry VIII's reign, subsequent wives, reformation, Cromwell's rise and fall to the final stages in the book where Elizabeth I finally restores some semblance of order. This book has it all and in no way is it rushed, nor is it spoiled by being written in our modern language i.e. not old English but simple, good English.
I loved this book as it covers areas of Devon I know and love with references to the Cornish uprising, Sampford Courtenay and Dartington's creation.
Thoroughly recommend this; it will make the readers want to explore the area to find traces of this once great family's past.

Original Review: Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4504421891?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1

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