This one is not a casual read. I was alternately fascinated and intrigued, then I'd realize a bit later that my mind was wandering. Knowing quite a bit about not just the Tudor era but the players, so to speak, from Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn back to Eleanor of Aquitaine, not to mention the mythical legends of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere did give me a head start. In other words, having some concept of the history involved would benefit readers.
I can't even begin to summarize the contents. It's very well researched and presented as what I'll call more of a historical work than one you'd pick up as a fun read. There are 24 chapters, each rather long, notes at the end of each, a postscript, appendix, and notes for further reading at the end which is where I found the photos in a digital copy. The intro to the book sets forth the idea that courtly love was more a literary fantasy than a reality. It was useful to those in power and hoping to retain or gain power. The author takes us from its earlier literary emergence, noting that the Lancelot and Queen Guinevere image of romance had its beginnings in a work by Chretien de Troyes in the late 12th century. A knight that would show his love by crawling over a bridge made of sharpened blades....only to have his lady love disappointed that he hesitated? Uh, okay.
The image, spread by troubadours, including trobairitz, the female version, grew and spread. Let's fact it, there's nothing like a good story to catch the imagination, especially at a time when females had little or not power and were often bartered as marriage objects to smooth the way of their family to power and prestige. Trust me, the author details how this works and gives examples from history.
My ears figuratively perked up when Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings entered the story. According to this author, Sir Lancelot may have been modeled on Henry, the son of Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings, and Henry II of England. Unfortunately for young Henry, who one biographer called "Lancelot come to life," he died before he could take the throne. That didn't stop the Plantagenet dynasty, as one king claimed to discover Arthur and Guinevere's graves in Glastonbury. Even Excaliber gets a mention....and this is really just the very beginning of the book. Eleanor died in 1260 but the image of Guinevere she helped make popular spread and lives on today.
Yes, I know you're waiting for me to explain what courtly love had to do with Tudor King Henry VIII chopping off Anne Boleyn's head. Nope, not telling, not that I could come even close to explaining it all without writing a much, much longer review. I mean, there are more than a few wars involved, you know, like the legendary War of the Roses. It was a deadly game, given a romantic tint by troubadours and the tapestries and artwork of the era. And, think of the imagery of "The Virgin Queen" Elizabeth. Flows right into the myths of courtly love. And, hmm, what was that supposed requirement a bride had to have to wed now King Charles? Wonder where that idea came from, hmm?
Oh, come on. Courtly love still grabs our imagination. How many stayed up into the wee hours even here in the decided non-royal United States to watch the "fairy tale" wedding? Ever read or seen a Shakespeare play? Oh, Romeo.... And, think of the movies that use it as the focus, whether the obvious, such as "Camelot" or even "Pretty Woman" and "Dirty Dancing". Courtly love, with its rigid rules and romantic obsessions, still has a hold on our imagination. This book, long though it may be, simply explains why and where that obsession came from. While not for the faint of heart given its length and depth of information, if you are interested in the period, and it spans over a thousand years now that I think about it, you'll find this a fascinating, thought provoking read. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for allowing me to wallow in the romance, blood thirsty though much of it was, and power struggles with the idea of where the heart came into play. Now, if I could just quit humming the tune of "Camelot"...
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