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Guest Post with Anne Easter Smith, author of Queen By Right & Giveaway (US only)

June 3, 2011 by Darlene


I’ve very pleased to welcome Anne Easter Smith, author of Queen By Right, to Peeking Between the Pages. I reviewed Queen By Right yesterday for her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours (my review) and if you did read my review you know I absolutely loved this book! Queen By Right is everything historical fiction should be – it teaches me something and keeps me totally hooked on the story as well. Today Anne Easter Smith joins us with a guest post on Cecily Neville herself…

I have been intrigued by Cecily Neville since enjoying Sharon Kay Penman’s Sunne in Splendour almost twenty years ago. She never appeared in my first book, A Rose for the Crown, but you could almost imagine her imposing presence every time I mentioned her. Some of my favorite scenes in Daughter of York were between Margaret and her mother, and it occurred to me that after three books describing the lives of her children and grandchildren, that I should go back to the beginning of the York family in the Wars of the Roses and tell their parents’ story.

The Hundred Years War between England and France was still raging when Cecily Neville was born at Raby Castle in County Durham. Dubbed “the Rose of Raby,” Cecily is the twenty-second and youngest child of Ralph Neville, the powerful Earl of Westmorland, and also cousin to the boy king, Henry VI. Cecily’s fate becomes entwined with the king’s when she is betrothed to her father’s ward, Richard Plantagenet, the orphaned duke of York, whose claim to the throne is arguably stronger than young Henry’s.

Believe it or not, there is very little written about Cecily that is not incorporated in biographies of the men of the period, but most of those portray her as proud, intelligent, and strong-willed. The second nickname that has come to be associated with her is Proud Cis. She was known for her reclusiveness and piety in the last 20 years of her life, and so I have tried to imagine what caused her to shut herself away. True, it was quite common for widows to retire to an abbey (like Elizabeth Woodville), but I chose to use a few life-changing experiences of Cecily’s that might have made her turn to God later in her life. I hope I have been true to the information we have about her.

I never did find the origin of either of her nicknames, but they are everywhere in the secondary sources down the centuries. It told me that Cecily must have been very beautiful, and it also told me she was not someone who suffered fools gladly. I have tried to show that she had a public side where she maintained a cool and aloof exterior and a softer yet passionate side when she was with her family. Unfortunately the personal feelings of most of historical people from that time are not recorded anywhere, except in letters, and even those are stilted and formal to our way of thinking. But it is believed by historians that Cecily and Richard had one of the few love matches among the nobility of the 15th century, and I tried to find reasons for this in my research. The fact that Cecily did insist on following Richard around so much instead of staying meekly at home with the children told me that they enjoyed being together. I also thought it was unusual for a wife to plead personally on behalf of her husband to the king on two occasions, which showed me how devoted she was. And when Richard landed in Wales after almost a year of exile in Ireland in1460, he immediately called for Cecily to join him even though the king’s forces were attempting to thwart Richard’s progress towards London and it could have been dangerous. It seemed to me husband and wife could not bear to be parted a moment longer, and Cecily joined him only a few days later leaving her children in London.

I try and stay true to those known facts about a character, and it is known Cecily was quite pious especially later in life. However, it is fair to say most medieval people of any learning did a lot of praying and were always concerned for their immortal souls. A man might commit adultery or order a murder one moment but be at the confessional the next being given a penance and telling his rosary. Religious ritual was a daily part of everyone’s life. Because it is a known fact about Cecily, I used the spiritual side of her life as a theme in the book.
__________
What a wonderful post Anne! I loved reading more about Cecily. I had mentioned in my review yesterday that I find her fascinating and it’s sad that there isn’t a lot more information on her in historical records. Thanks for visiting here at Peeking Between the Pages today!
__________

About the Book
(from Anne Easter Smith’s website)

This is the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and one of English history’s most intelligent and courageous women.

In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, Anne has found her most engrossing character yet. Cecily earned two monikers from her contemporaries: Rose of Raby for her fair-haired beauty and Proud Cis for her fierce loyalty and courage in the face of the many history-making events she experienced in her eighty years. This was a woman who could have been queen had her husband lived to win the day over Henry VI and his queen, Margaret of Anjou, in the winter of 1461.

History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of Ludlow Castle, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, Duke of York who she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match, and together they face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue.

All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her own hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and the kingdom. As civil war escalates between the cousins of Lancaster and York, Cecily will lose her love, her favorite brother and her dearest child. But in the end, she will watch proudly as her oldest son takes his father’s place at the head of a victorious army and is crowned at Westminster Abbey as King Edward IV.

Read an Excerpt
Read reviews from Anne’s blog tour here


Buy Queen By Right on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

About the Author (from Anne Easter Smith’s website)


In my novels, I strive to serve those readers who are looking for accuracy in historical fact and yet also engage those who are looking for a good story with strong characters, a little romance and lots of period detail. A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, The King’s Grace, and Queen by Right are for those readers who enjoy settling into a book and living with the characters for a good long time.

I spent my childhood in England, Germany and Egypt as the daughter of a British Army colonel. At my boarding school in Surrey a teacher we called “Conky” — after William the Conqueror — inspired my passion for history. When in my early 20s, I read Josephine Tey’s “A Daughter of Time”, I became particularly fascinated by Shakespeare’s so-called villain, Richard III.

At age 24, after living and working as a secretary in London and Paris, I came on a lark to New York with my flatmate just for a “two-year stint.” Many years, two marriages, two children and five cross-country moves later I’m very definitely a permanent resident of the U.S. — but my love for English history remains.

I began writing professionally a few years after I landed in Plattsburgh, NY near the beautiful Adirondack Mountains with my first husband and daughters, Joanna and Kate. For ten years, I was the Features/Arts Editor for the daily newspaper and wrote articles on every conceivable subject that was not hard news! It proved a wonderful training ground for my foray into authoring.

It was while living in Plattsburgh that I took on another persona as a folksinger, playing in music festivals, clubs, restaurants, and on public radio. When I’m not writing, I can be found either on the local stage or weeding my garden, the latter which I hate almost as much as I do sewing! My husband, Scott, and I love biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing and sailing, which we can do either near Boston, where we live now, or back in the Adirondacks. I should also add that I’m a member of the Richard III Society and the Historical Novel Society. And my daughter Kate has even got me posting to Anne Easter Smith Facebook page.

Anne Easter Smith’s website
Find Anne on Facebook

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith to share with my US readers only (sorry!). To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address to contact you (no email, no entry).
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will be drawing for the winner on Saturday, June 25/11. Good luck to all!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. "Confuzzled" Shannon says

    June 3, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I am just starting to get into historical fiction and this sounds lovely. I follow you!

    confuzzleddesigns@gmail.com

  2. Blodeuedd says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Nice post:)
    I love how it truly sounds like they really cared for each other

  3. Beachreader says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:32 am

    What a terrific author post and giveaway.

    I follow.

    jgoffice(at)cox(Dot)net

  4. Anonymous says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Please count me in. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC.

    Bethie
    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  5. Audra says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    No need to enter me as I read and loved this book — but wanted to exclaim over this fabu guest post — I really so enjoyed how Smith made Cecily so real and so interesting!

  6. Allison Macias says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    I know little to nothing about Proud Cis, but I'm eager to learn! Please enter me. I follow you and I sidebar-ed the entry at http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/
    Thanks!
    allisonmharper@hotmail.com

  7. Zibilee says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    What an interesting guest post! I love that you shared it with us, and I am so excited about your giveaway! I would love the chance to be entered, as this is a book that I really want to get the chance to read. Thanks for hosting this one Dar!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I follow through google reader as well.

  8. Holly (2 Kids and Tired) says

    June 3, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I've been seeing this book pop up around the blogosphere and it sounds so good. I'd love to win!

    I follow in google reader.

    je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. Carol N Wong says

    June 3, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    I really want to read this book!! Cecily Neville was such a strong woman and I haven't read about her at all. I appreciate all the research that Anne Easter Smith put in it. Love to win this book.

    I follow with Google Friends connect.

    My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:

    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2011/06/guest-post-with-anne-easter-smith.html

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  10. rhonda says

    June 3, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    thanks for giveaway.Love historical fiction,i follow your blog.Lomazowr@gmail.com

  11. mamabunny13 says

    June 3, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    This is my favorite genre. I can't wait to read it.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  12. mamabunny13 says

    June 3, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    I follow you via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  13. mamabunny13 says

    June 3, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/76715948740059136
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  14. Ann says

    June 3, 2011 at 8:27 pm

    Would love to win this book. I'm a follower.

    summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com

  15. Colleen Turner says

    June 3, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    I cannot wait to read the book! Thank you for the giveaway :)!

    candc320@gmail.com

  16. Colleen Turner says

    June 3, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).

    candc320@gmail.com

  17. bookworm says

    June 3, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Great guest post! I enjoyed this book very much also.

  18. lag123 says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    I love historical fiction! Thanks for the giveaway!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  19. lag123 says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    I follow via GFC

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  20. lag123 says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/76789385605021698

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  21. Shannon says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:31 am

    Thank you for including me.

    I follow.
    tiredwkids at live dot com

  22. JBO says

    June 4, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I'd enjoy a copy. History teacher. Historical fiction nut
    bowen4flag@aol.com

  23. Amy says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Cecily is a fascinating woman and I would like to read Anne's book about her. Thank you for hosting a giveaway of this captivating book, Dar!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Amy says

    June 4, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I'm a GFC follower of your blog!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. Amanda says

    June 4, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Oh great post! Thank you!

    I'm a follower and I tweeted @vegasbookgirl

    Thanks!

    Amanda
    libraryofmyown at gmail dot com

  26. Ashley says

    June 4, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Loved the post- I am dying to read more about Cecily! Thank you for the giveaway.

    I'm a follower.

    ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com

  27. Staci says

    June 5, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    This is why I love historical fiction. I especially love it when an author brings to life a person that I would never read about!!

    stacijoreads@gmail.com

    I follow you!

  28. Carol M says

    June 5, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    This sounds like a book I would enjoy!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  29. Carol M says

    June 5, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    I follow on GFC
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  30. Carol M says

    June 5, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/77499082926600192
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  31. traveler says

    June 6, 2011 at 12:48 am

    This wonderful historical novel interests me greatly. many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  32. petite says

    June 6, 2011 at 12:54 am

    Interesting book which would be captivating. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  33. Judy says

    June 6, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Thank you for the giveaway. I'm following on GFC w/ @headlessfowl.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

  34. Anonymous says

    June 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Another good one. You've got some great giveaways! I follow on Google Reader.
    cdirks1(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
    Thanks!

  35. Anonymous says

    June 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    I love to read Historical Fiction….this book sounds great. I would love to read this.
    RJB
    loki304(at)tds(dot)net

  36. Norma Huss says

    June 7, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Is it your captivating review or the captivating manuscript that attract me to this book? I'm betting it's both!

  37. Dana Huff says

    June 9, 2011 at 2:37 am

    I'm definitely interested in this one!

    dana dot huff at gmail dot com.

  38. Maureen says

    June 9, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Cecily looks like a fascinating person.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

  39. Maureen says

    June 9, 2011 at 11:35 am

    I am a follower
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

  40. Hoot says

    June 11, 2011 at 12:19 am

    I am so interested in this book. Thank you for the interview. This is always my favorite part of the blogs I read.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  41. Hoot says

    June 11, 2011 at 12:19 am

    I am a follower

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  42. Hoot says

    June 11, 2011 at 12:20 am

    I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/79341556859023360

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  43. bison61 says

    June 11, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    I enjoy reading historical fiction

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

  44. Anonymous says

    June 11, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    I love reading historical fiction, so I hope I win this.
    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

  45. Beth says

    June 15, 2011 at 1:49 am

    Oh, I recently read a novel where she was a side character; this one should be interesting from her point of view!

    I'm a follower and I tweeted 🙂 (bharbin11 on twitter)

    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

  46. Peggy says

    June 18, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    This book looks like a great read. It will definitely go on my list. Of course, I would love to win it.

    I'm new here, no blog, no twitter, but I have just subscribed via Google Reader.

    ppapaya@yahoo.com

  47. taflynn says

    June 21, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    I have done some family research recently and found that Cecily Neville's brother, George was my 20th great grandfather, which I guess would make her my 20th great aunt. I would LOVE to read this book, any info, even fictional is important to me, if I do not win the drawing, I guess I will purchase the book on my own for my Nook if it is available. Thanks so much. Tamela Flynn

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