Foreword

I've loved the medieval time period since I first picked up Thomas Costain's books as a child. I was also influenced by Anya Seton's Katherine, and thought, If only I could write something so passionate, so romantic, and yet with such historical accuracy! (I've re-read Katherine periodically, and it's only this last time—perhaps due to my advancing age and cynicism—that I found myself rolling my eyes all too often.)

I decided to write my series, Knights of England, beginning with the tragic reign of Edward II and ending with the equally tragic reign of his grandson, Richard II, because these two kings seem the perfect bookends to an important century. There is an almost perfect symmetry in the lives of these unfortunate monarchs. If not in actuality, I, as a novelist can make it so!

Much has been written about the Plantagenets, which is one of the reasons my main characters are fictional. I have nothing new to add to the personalities of Edward II, his queen or their lovers. I feel very protective toward some of these historical figures, such as Edward II, and in later books that most magnificently medieval of kings, Edward III, his son, the Black Prince, and the much maligned Johns—John of Gaunt and John Ball. Reading others' portrayals, I sometimes think, No, that's not what they were like at all.

As if I actually knew these people!

Fiction allows me to take my characters in various directions and have them think and act in ways that are not constrained by actual historical or personal markers. (He fought in this battle, she died childless, he was maimed in this fashion...) Furthermore, I feel presumptuous, even somehow disrespectful, putting my thoughts into the heads of actual people. So, I read and research and fashion Edward II, Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer in admittedly simplistic ways. I hope I do better with my fictional characters. My goal is to give at least a glimmering of the thinking prevalent in fourteenth century England—toward class, duty, religion, relationships, and the surrounding world. Though these people are our ancestors and superficially similar, they are different. I find those differences fascinating and hope I convey at least a flavor.

A couple of observations. I have much sympathy for Edward II, sandwiched as he was between two great kings and who might have been happier living an ordinary life as a farmer or carpenter or some such. A crown can indeed be a heavy burden. While "conventional" thinking is that Edward II did have sexual relationships with his favorites, others argue that was not the case. I came down on the conventional side, though that may only be because very close friendships in contemporary times seem so often to involve something sexual. (Or may be portrayed as sexual or speculated upon in lascivious fashion.) Which probably says more about us than it does about our ancestors.

Also, the manner of Edward's death/murder is contested. I chose the most sensational and horrific possibility. Ian Mortimer, whose works are both wondrously fun to read and well researched—thank you, Mr. Mortimer—has presented compelling evidence that Edward II did not die at Berkeley Castle, but lived quietly overseas for many more years. I hope that is so. My lone caveat is it seems that so many storied figures, whether of Arthurian origin or of more modern vintage—I'm thinking of you, John Kennedy, Elvis, and Jim Morrison—who are taken too young have similar legends attached to them. The yearning for a savior who will return in time of trouble (or an immortal bard who has cast off fame and is living quietly as... whatever) seems to run deep in our psyches.

As do castles, kings, knights, damsels, chivalry, and courtly love!

I hope you enjoy The Lion and the Leopard, which is a rewrite of an original novel by that name and is the first in my five part series, Knights of England.