“A glorious example of romance in its most classic literary sense: exhilarating, exuberant, and rich with the jeweled tones of England in the 1300s.” —Austin ChronicleKatherine is an epic novel of a love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of … vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. Anya Seton’s vivid rendering of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster makes Katherine an unmistakable classic.
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If you love medieval times, read this!
One of my favorite books of all Time!
When Katherine meets John of Gaunt as a young girl, they have no idea how their love will change English history and the royal line that sits on the throne from the Lancasters, to the Tudors, to the Stuarts, and on to even to the Windsors today.
Totally amazing, rich in history, beautiful love story, and a fascinating vision of medieval England!
I read this book many years ago, but still I think it is one of the classics that I will always remember fondly!
I read this book 63 years ago and I have never stopped loving historical fiction-it set a standard.
Katherine is one of the best books I’ve ever read. So good in fact that I have read it more than a dozen times. Have worn out 2 paperback copies then was lucky enough to find it in hardcover for $3 in an antique shop!
This is one of the first historical novels I read, fifty years ago, and I have returned to it several times since. Characters are well fleshed out; persons of note during Katherine’s lifetime such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Katherine’s historical brother-in-law, and Julian of Norwich, a contemporary of Katherine’s who is introduced in a believable …
I’ve read this book several times and never tire of the story of Katherine and the king’s son John of Gaunt. It’s history and it’s a love story as well, based on the lives of Katherine and her lover, John who is the power behind the throne of the old king’s heir, his grandson, a young boy who is not yet out of the nursery.
I must say that I …
I’ve read Katherine several times in past years. One of my favorite books of all times
Read most of her books while in high school many years ago. Brought history alive. My English teacher recommended this author highly and I have enjoyed all of her books
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
I read this long ago and loved it. Katherine was a widow who became the mistress of John of Gaunt who was one of the many sons of Edward III of England. He became the Duke of Lancaster and his descendents were the Red Rose family in the Wars of the Roses. Anya Seton writes a compelling story and her historical knowledge is top notch. You’ll …
I read this book years ago. It has remained one of my all time favorites. I have recommended it to my friends many times. It was the beginning of my love of historical fiction. Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir have filled the gap since Anya Seton stopped writing.
I read this classic years ago, and need to revisit it. If you’ve watched The White Queen, The White Princess, and The Spanish Princess, this book (by another author, of course) is what goes before, and explains the origins of Margaret Beaufort, for one, and lays the foundation of the Plantagenets before the York-Lancaster split.
true historic novel
Katherine is an ancestor of mine. This was an especially good historic fiction book.
This is one of the best books I have ever read – medieval historical romance between John of Gaunt (third son of Edward III) and Katharine Swynford.
This story is told against the backdrop of England in a period I don’t know well. I enjoyed a compelling tale with so much interesting historical background.
In the top 10 of best books I have ever read.
what wonderful, romantic love story with an informative history lesson. brings the Plantagenets and their reign to life.