Ungrateful Daughters: the tale of the stepmother who was just Catholic, not wicked
Written: May 08 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting story, with color reproductions of paintings, and answers to historical questions.
Cons: It's popular biography, but scholarly enough to be taken seriously.
The Bottom Line: Shedding light on some murky English history, this was an enjoyable read that turned some names and dates into people.
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| telynor's Full Review: Maureen Waller - Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart ... |
Rock-a-bye Baby, in the treetop,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
If the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come Baby, cradle and all.
Think it's just a nursery rhyme? Think again. In the year 1688, in the streets of London and in the taverns, this little ditty was being sung, hinting of a dark future to come for England's King. James II had come to the throne after his brother, Charles II, had died, leaving no legitimate children to inherit. And unlike his clever brother, who had known when to give in to Parliment and public opinion, James was an utter blockhead, stubbornly insisting on the divine right of kings to rule, and to be obeyed at a word. After three years on the throne, he was about to loose everything that his brother had gained, and all because his Queen was about to give birth to a child.
In most circumstances, the birth of a royal heir is the cause of national rejoicing. But this time, England's people were dreading the birth of a child to the king for the simple fact that James II had converted to Catholicism, and his second wife was a Catholic as well. In today's world, the choice of religion doesn't seem like much, but for the English of the seventeenth century, a return to Catholicism was something to fear.
Fortunately, the king had two other children: Mary, the eldest, was married to the Protestant Prince of Orange, William, who also was her cousin. And there was the younger daughter, Anne. If something were to happen to James and his son, there would be no worries about Catholicism, and the Inquisition, coming to England. And in only one generation before, a king had been removed from his throne and executed...
This is a fascinating, and compelling read, chronicling the lives of royal princesses, the power of the press, and the fact that wearing a crown did not necessarily mean brilliance in mind or character. Author Maureen Waller puts together a very readable tale of power, and what families will do to each other to get it. Especially telling is the personality of Anne, who would be England's last Stuart monarch. A very different portrait emerges of a woman who had grown up in the shadow of her beautiful stepmother, and found herself able to plot with her sister to see her father driven out of his kingdom and into exile. It's also one of the better biographies of the later Stuart period of English history, telling the truth of the 'Warming Pan Baby,' the Glorious Rebellion of 1688, and political manuevering in northern Europe.
Along with a map, and two inserts of color reproductions of paintings, Waller also lets the participants in this family drama tell their own story, from personal letters and diaries, along with contemporary chronicles from the people who lived during this turbulent time in English history. The linking narrative is light enough to keep the reader motivated to find out what happens next, but doesn't get so stultifying as to drive them to boredom either. What I found very intriguing was the story of James II's Queen, Mary Beatrice d'Este, an Italian princess who was popular with the people, but who managed to be have her reputation blackened into a conniving virago who would dare to try and put a 'changeling' on the throne.
For those of you who have ever wondered why it is that the English Monarchy today will not allow anyone in the line of succession to marry a Catholic without permission, or have heard of the Old Pretender, or Bonnie Prince Charlie, here's a story that will answer those questions.
Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses who Stole their Father's Crown
Maureen Waller
2003; St. Martin's Press, New York
ISBN 0-312-30711-X
Recommended:
Yes
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