Author: Rebecca Batley
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography
Publisher: Pen & Sword History
Book Release Date: 2024
Pages: 256
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Anne Neville, often seen as a victim depicted by Shakespeare, was a powerful and influential figure in medieval England. Daughter, Wife, Princess, Widow and Queen: Anne Neville had many faces. Shakespeare presents her to us as a woman consumed with rage, bitterness and grief. He has her cursing the killer of her husband and father, before marrying him and condemning herself to despair. She rages, screams and weeps but ultimately she is shown as nothing more than a passive victim of the men who used and exploited her. This could not be further from the truth. Born into one of the most powerful dynasties in medieval England, Anne knew her worth, and her power. She was a great survivor escaping the tide of blood that consumed England not just alive but emerging with a crown on her head. Tragedy would untimely engulf her, the death of her son ended all her hopes for a lasting legacy and her premature death was subject to rumour and speculation. But there is undoubtedly more to Anne than her marriage and her end. She is fascinating, elusive, a powerbroker and very much her father's daughter. This is Anne's story.
My Review: Queen Anne Neville is most famously known as King Richard III’s tragic queen. Shakespeare has portrayed her as one of England’s most miserable queens. This biography shows that while Anne Neville had a tragic end, she was one of the most formidable women during the War of the Roses. She was once a Princess of Wales in the Lancastrian side and a York queen. Therefore, Queen Anne Neville was a very influential woman who helped place King Richard III on England’s throne.
Queen Anne Neville, was the daughter of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick. He was known as The Kingmaker and installed King Edward IV on the throne. However, the Earl of Warwick eventually turned against King Edward IV and supported King Henry VI. Anne Neville then married King Henry VI’s son, Edward the Prince of Wales. Both Anne’s father and husband died during the battle against King Edward IV.
Princess Anne Neville then became a wealthy heiress and eventually married Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and King Edward Ivy’s brother. Anne bore Richard a son named Edward. Through a series of unfortunate events, Anne found herself Queen of England. Ms. Bartley shows that Anne was a triumphant and proud queen during her coronation. However, she would experience the death of her son in which she would recover from. Queen Anne also had to deal with rumors that King Richard III would divorce her in order to get an heir. Therefore, Queen Anne Neville died lonely and sad. She would become a forgotten royal figure in history.
Overall, this book was a very short and easy to read biography. However, this book clearly shows that there are very few known facts about Anne Neville. The book suffers from a lot of speculation over what Anne Neville must have done or felt. Also, the book focuses more on battles and on other historical figures. Therefore, this book feels drawn out. It would have been better if it was an academic article instead of a full biography. Queen Anne Neville is a fascinating queen. Sadly, this book did not do justice to her story. I do recommend this book for fans of royalty, especially for fans of Alison Weir, Lisa Hilton, and Sarah Gristwood! However, I will be looking for better biographies of Queen Anne Neville in the future!
Rating: 2 ½ out of 5 stars
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