Stuart Saga
8 primary works • 11 total works
Book 1
From the pen of international multi-million copy bestseller Jean Plaidy comes a rare insight in to the complicated and passionate emotions of Mary Queen of Scots - hers is a tale of love, romance, politics, plotting and bloody murder... Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory.
'This must surely rank best,...
From the pen of international multi-million copy bestseller Jean Plaidy comes a rare insight in to the complicated and passionate emotions of Mary Queen of Scots - hers is a tale of love, romance, politics, plotting and bloody murder... Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory.
'This must surely rank best, or near it, of the many novels about this sadly fascinating woman' -- Birmingham Mail
'These books are page-turners; they offer a wonderful way to learn about history, their heroines are smart, strong and in control of their destinies and their stories will remain with you for ever...They are a celebration of women's spirit throughout history.' -- Daily Express
'Gripping and exciting' -- ***** Reader review
'Captivating' -- ***** Reader review
'Spellbinding' -- ***** Reader review
'Jean Plaidy at her best!!!' -- ***** Reader review
'I was gripped from the first page' -- ***** Reader review
'A riveting read' -- ***** Reader review
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At just six days old, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scots.
At just six years old she was betrothed to the Dauphin François, the future King of France.
Reluctantly leaving Scotland, Mary is raised in the decadent French court in preparation to become the Queen of France. But her reign with François is short-lived.
Widowed at just eighteen years old, Mary is once again forced to leave her home to return to Scotland. Now a Catholic queen of a Protestant country, Mary must rule with caution and choose her next husband prudently...
Book 2
A private battle rages at court for the affections of a childless queen, who must soon name her successor—and thus determine the future of the British Empire.
It is the beginning of the eighteenth century and William of Orange is dying. Soon Anne is crowned queen, but to...
A private battle rages at court for the affections of a childless queen, who must soon name her successor—and thus determine the future of the British Empire.
It is the beginning of the eighteenth century and William of Orange is dying. Soon Anne is crowned queen, but to court insiders, the name of the imminent sovereign is Sarah Churchill. Beautiful, outspoken Sarah has bewitched Anne and believes she is invincible—until she installs her poor cousin Abigail Hill into court as royal chambermaid.
Plain Abigail seems the least likely challenger to Sarah’s place in her highness’s affections, but challenge it she does, in stealthy yet formidable ways. While Anne engages in her private tug-of-war, the nation is obsessed with another, more public battle: succession. Anne is sickly and childless, the last of the Stuart line.
This final novel of the Stuarts from Jean Plaidy weaves larger-than-life characters through a dark maze of intrigue, love, and destruction, with nothing less than the future of the British Empire at stake.
Book 3
...Read more
Married against her will while still a child, Frances emerges from that experience a headstrong force of nature—determined to have her own way, no matter what the consequences. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, have led her deep into the world of spell-makers and poisoners. This is a woman to underestimate at great peril. But not until Robert finds himself ensnared in one of Frances’s plots—imprisoned in the Tower of London and accused of murder—does he learn at last what she is truly capable of.
Book 4
Captivating in its historical detail, lush and sweeping in its scope, and unforgettable in its dramatic depiction of relationships between monarchs and families, The Three Crowns is the singular story of the only joint sovereigns in British history. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory.
'Plaidy has brought the past to...
Captivating in its historical detail, lush and sweeping in its scope, and unforgettable in its dramatic depiction of relationships between monarchs and families, The Three Crowns is the singular story of the only joint sovereigns in British history. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory.
'Plaidy has brought the past to life' -- Times Literary Supplement
'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times
'Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with such rich complexity' -- Guardian
'Absolute heaven' -- ***** Reader review
'Another wonderful book from a brilliant writer' -- ***** Reader review
'Fantastic' -- ***** Reader review
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When an empire is at stake, one woman stands between the past and the future.
In post-Restoration England, King Charles II has fathered numerous children, but not a single legitimate heir. So it falls to his brother, James, Duke of York, to head the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland-the three crowns of Britain. But James's devout Catholicism, and desire to return Britain to the rule of Rome, does not sit well with his subjects and his time as king is sure to be short.
Born leader and brilliant soldier, William of Orange, has a plan... By marrying Mary, James' fifteen-year-old daughter and heir, he will position himself perfectly to seize the English crown.
Mary must also decide how much power to cede to William, should she keep him as Consort or let him rule beside her as King?
The Stuart saga continues with The Haunted Sisters.
Book 5
England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep...Read more
England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep betrayal: the defection of the daughters James loves, Mary and Anne.
Both raised Protestant according to the wishes of England, the sisters support Protestant usurper William of Orange, Mary's husband, who lusts after the British crown. Passive Queen Mary is subservient to her husband's wishes, while Anne is desperate to please her childhood friend Sarah Churchill, a bold and domineering woman determined to subdue Anne, the queen-to-be, and rule England herself.
Intrigue and political drama run high as the sisters struggle to be reconciled with each other--and with the haunting memory of the father they have exiled.
Book 6
Fans of Philippa Gregory will love this beautifully evocative and atmospheric novel from international multi-million copy bestseller Jean Plaidy. Two powerful female cousins finally end their battle for England's crown...Who will be the victor?
'Paints a fresh and vivid picture...truly impressive in its breadth of canvas' -- Sunday Times
'These...
Fans of Philippa Gregory will love this beautifully evocative and atmospheric novel from international multi-million copy bestseller Jean Plaidy. Two powerful female cousins finally end their battle for England's crown...Who will be the victor?
'Paints a fresh and vivid picture...truly impressive in its breadth of canvas' -- Sunday Times
'These books are page-turners; they offer a wonderful way to learn about history, their heroines are smart, strong and in control of their destinies and their stories will remain with you for ever...They are a celebration of women's spirit throughout history.' -- Daily Express
'An intriguing story, told in a 'can't-put-it-down' way...Go on, treat yourself!' -- ***** Reader review
'Amazing' -- ***** Reader review
'Historical fiction at its finest' -- ***** Reader review
'Compelling' -- ***** Reader review
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Scotland has been torn apart by civil war and the young and passionate Catholic Mary Queen of Scots is in the hands of her enemies.
Under duress, Mary abdicates in favour of her son, James VI, and fleeing to England, she boldly seeks refuge from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
But Elizabeth has never trusted the ambitious Mary, and consequently has her imprisoned. So begins a treacherous battle between two of history's most powerful and ruthless women. Without once meeting her cousin, Mary is held captive for nineteen years, whilst Elizabeth rules in the shadow of countless Catholic plots against her life...
Book 7
Ten years after Charles I was deposed and executed, his son, Charles II, regains the throne after many years in exile. Charles is determined not only to restore the monarchy but also to revive...Read more
Ten years after Charles I was deposed and executed, his son, Charles II, regains the throne after many years in exile. Charles is determined not only to restore the monarchy but also to revive a society that has suffered under many years of Puritan rule, when everything from theater to Christmas festivals was illegal. As king, Charles II throws himself into the gaiety of court life, becoming a patron of the arts and a consummate lover of women. He first secures a strong dynastic alliance by marrying Catherine of Braganza, a shy, plain Portuguese princess who falls in love with her handsome husband and brings him great wealth, but can never give him the son he longs for. For many years, his “untitled queen” is a bold and sensual older woman—Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine—whose husband is routinely paid to look the other way. But when the politically ambitious Lady Castlemaine becomes too powerful, she is replaced by Louise de Kéroualle, a baby-faced French noblewoman who may have been sent to Charles’s court as a spy. His other great love, and Louise’s rival, is Nell Gwyn, a stage actress who rises from the streets of London to become the king’s favorite and a hero of the working class.
Court intrigue and affairs of the heart weave together in this unforgettable page-turner.
Book 8
Two sisters change the course of a nation by forsaking the King-their own father.
England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep betrayal: the...
Read moreTwo sisters change the course of a nation by forsaking the King-their own father.
England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep betrayal: the defection of the daughters James loves, Mary and Anne.
Both raised Protestant according to the wishes of England, the sisters support Protestant usurper William of Orange, Mary's husband, who lusts after the British crown. Passive Queen Mary is subservient to her husband's wishes, while Anne is desperate to please her childhood friend Sarah Churchill, a bold and domineering woman determined to subdue Anne, the queen-to-be, and rule England herself.
Intrigue and political drama run high as the sisters struggle to be reconciled with each other-and with the haunting memory of the father they have exiled.
Fans of Philippa Gregory will love this captivating journey back in time from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy. Kings in exile, unrequited passion, courtly intrigue and secrets - what more could you want?
'Jean Plaidy's strength as a popular writer is again shown...solid, enjoyable.' -- Daily Mirror
'Outstanding'...
Fans of Philippa Gregory will love this captivating journey back in time from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy. Kings in exile, unrequited passion, courtly intrigue and secrets - what more could you want?
'Jean Plaidy's strength as a popular writer is again shown...solid, enjoyable.' -- Daily Mirror
'Outstanding' -- Vanity Fair
'Plaidy has brought the past to life' -- Times Literary Supplement
'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times
'Excellent as always!' -- ***** Reader review
'Couldn't put it down...!' -- ***** Reader review
'Easy to read and hard to put down' -- ***** Reader review
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1651: Charles II - the most fascinating of England's rakes - is in exile. With him are his younger sister Minette and his buxom mistress Lucy Water and together they traverse the political and romantic minefield of the French courts.
Minette soon falls passionately in love with Louis, the young Sun King. Yet her affections are not returned and, heartbroken, she must mollify herself with a marriage to his secretly gay brother, Phillippe.
But at what cost?
Here multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy brings to life the various loves and political losses of one of our most amorous Kings. Fans of Philippa Gregory will be hooked from page one...
'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting.' -- Observer
'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama.' -- New...
Here multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy brings to life the various loves and political losses of one of our most amorous Kings. Fans of Philippa Gregory will be hooked from page one...
'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting.' -- Observer
'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama.' -- New York Times
'Outstanding' -- Vanity Fair
'History was never so interesting at school' -- ***** Reader review
'This was a gripping and informative book' -- ***** Reader review
'A rollicking fine restoration read - LOVE!' -- ***** Reader review
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Charles II, the Merry Monarch, is determined that his people shall know peace and religious freedom. But the shadows cast over the throne by his son Monmouth and his wayward, Papist brother, the Duke of York, are proving too much for his popularity.
Amidst these dramatic events that ultimately shape Restoration England, our promiscuous regent is often to be found in the company of his many woman, including the ready arms of little Nell Gwyn, his buxom, pretty and witty mistress.
Politics and passion play equal parts in one man - a recipe for success?
The Stuart saga continues with The Three Crowns.
Historical romance at its very best: fans of Philippa Gregory will love this captivating journey back in time from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy.
'Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with such rich complexity' - Guardian
'These books are page-turners; they offer a...
Historical romance at its very best: fans of Philippa Gregory will love this captivating journey back in time from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy.
'Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with such rich complexity' - Guardian
'These books are page-turners; they offer a wonderful way to learn about history... and their stories will remain with you for ever' -- Daily Express
'Every bit as exciting and moving today as they were when first written.' -- Woman & Home
'Unputdownable, educational and a great read' -- ***** Reader review
'Excellent as always!' -- ***** Reader review
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1666: Charles II is rapturously welcomed back on the throne after years in exile.
Needing funds he marries the wealthy Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza. But this is an unsuccessful match as the princess fails to provide him with an heir and the dowry never materializes. Although Charles always treats her with the utmost kindness, Catherine has to tolerate his many mistresses, notably the promiscuous beauty Barbara Castelmaine.
The plot unfolds against a background of the Plague, the Popish Plot and the Great Fire of London where underlying religious tensions promise to cause problems for the King.
When his Catholic brother, James, looks likely to succeed him, the people rise up against Catholics. Even Queen Catherine is in danger when she is accused of plotting to kill her husband.
Will this restored monarchy be able to hold on to power?