Edwin Caskoden

A highly enjoyable historical romance set in the court of King Henry VIII. The story concerns the young sister of Henry, Mary Tudor (1496-1533) and her efforts to marry for love and not state reasons. At age 18, Henry forced her to marry the King of France, Louis XII, even though she was in love with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Mary was married to the French king for 3 months, when he died unexpectedly.

With the death of the French King, Henry ordered that his sister return to England for another political marriage. He sent his friend Charles Brandon to escort her back. However, the couple married in secret in France. Technically this was treason, as Brandon had married a Royal Princess without the King's consent. Henry was outraged, and the Privy Council urged that Brandon should be imprisoned or executed. Due to the intervention of Cardinal Wolsey, and Henry's affection for both his sister and Brandon, the couple were let off with a heavy fine.… (more)

I'm gullible and uneducated enough to have mostly believed the entire story was written by a descendant of Sir Edwin Caskoden. Thank goodness for educated reviews such as Anniemod's, the reading of which really enhanced this delightful love story for me.

Here are two quotes from the book that illustrate why I liked it so much:

1. "How rich is a man who has laid up such treasures of memory to grow the sweeter as he feeds upon them. A rich memory is better than hope, for it lasts after fruition, and serves us at a time when hope has failed and fruition is but - a memory. Ah! how we cherish it in our hearts, and how it comes at our beck and call to thrill us through and through and make us thank God that we have lived, and wonder in our hearts why he has given poor undeserving us so much."

2. "I never doubt a friend; one would better be trustful of ninety-nine friends who are false than doubtful of one who is true. Suspicion and supersensitiveness are at once the badge and the bane of a little soul."… (more)