The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II Book

I was so eager to dig in and begin this book, especially with the endorsements of friends and a bit of help from the author herself (helping me to choose which book of hers to start with). I was beyond frustrated that it took me two months to read. Let me explain, it wasn't the fault of the book but life that got in the way. I tried to read a few pages here and there but you can't do that with this book. You need, and want, to have time to spend with Eleanor de Clare, her family and their lives, even then you will want more. The people and writing demand your undivided attention, so I had to wait.

Was it worth the wait to visit Edward II's court and the people he loved, his favorite niece Eleanor de Clare, Piers Gaveston and Hugh le Despenser, the Younger? Was it worth the wait to see all the machinations and manipulations for power, bed hopping, politics, imprisonment, coups, battles, piracy, even a three year pregnancy? Simply put, yes. We enter a world that existed about 700 years ago. Before you realize it, the 21st century has slipped away and there is suddenly no distinction between the present and past.


Wedding of Edward II and Isabella

This novel covers the years 1306 to 1337, primarily centered on Eleanor de Clare, granddaughter of Edward I, niece to Edward II, wife of Hugh le Despenser "the younger" and William la Zouche. In those 31 years, it was incredible what Eleanor lived through personally, never mind what happened around her. She's a proper wife, but happy to explore the joys of her sexuality even if it means dealing with the religious guilt of doing so, she loves completely but is blind to her husband's wrongdoings, she's an heiress, a prisoner and a loving mother.

"A thief, a spy and a whore. And yet when I was young I used to be regarded as quite priggish." Eleanor speaking of herself before her proctor.

The author has this casual way of bluntly and quickly telling the reader what happened; the Battle of Bannock Burn or someone's death, and then would follow this up by showing the reader how it all came to be. Painful and emotional events, like the capture and deaths of Edward II's favorites, are handled first with shock, almost a brutal frankness, followed with a horror and sadness, and finally acceptance.

"Don't, it'd be a pleasure to have one generation of Dispensers with their heads intact. Edward, don't get yourself caught up in an endless cycle of hate. It'll waste you." Eleanor's eldest son Hugh to his brother Edward.



Susan Higginbotham provides a character list, broken down by family and title, to help keep everyone straight during a time when naming children after the royal family or close relations was the norm. I admit I needed to refer to that list many times, otherwise all the surnames, first names and titles would be a jumbled mess. With the marriages and deaths, making everyone related a genealogical chart would look like a spiders web, which in many ways seems all too appropriate. I would have liked a map to help me keep track of the properties, royal progresses and events. I can see where these names and things may seem daunting for some but don't let any of that discourage you.

This is a book for adults with sexual situations that may not be comfortable for everyone, same sex, and one scene of familial relations. Even though these scenes are tastefully handled and sparingly used, I wanted to mention them for those sensitive to these or looking for a clean read.

"Everybody tells me how beautiful she is. I can see it. But beauty is like a tapestry. What hangs well in one room may simply not in another. Sometimes I wonder if she was not hung in the wrong room." Edward II talking to Eleanor about Queen Isabella.


When you finish this book, you will not want to leave these people and events behind. This was my first book about Edward II but it won't be my last. There are so many I want to know more about, Queen Isabella, Zouche, Gaveston, Edward III and Eleanor's eldest son Hugh. Fortunately, Higginbotham's next book, Hugh and Bess carries on Hugh's story and her web site has a nice list of historical fiction covering Edward II and his people. In her afterword, Susan explained the historically accurate aspects and explained her choice or direction for those events still debated today. I appreciate when an author goes to these lengths; it shows an appreciation for their reader.

Sit back and get ready for a transformative experience. I hope you enjoy the journey and education as much as I did, just be prepared to never want to leave.