The Mortimer Affair: Joan de Joinville’s Story
A marriage is arranged between Joan de Joinville, a young and wealthy heiress, and Roger, a member of the powerful Mortimer family. Unusually, the marriage begins well and twelve children are born.
However, Roger’s wilful ambitions result in a fallout with his king, Edward II. He leads a failed rebellion and ends up in the Tower, leaving Joan and his vulnerable family to the mercy of his enemies, who deprive Joan of her wealth and her status. Escaping to Spain, Roger soon becomes a favourite of Queen Isabella, returning to England loyal to her ambitions and neglectful of Joan, who suffers many years of isolation and humiliation as she tries to ensure the wellbeing of her children.
Joan’s sad history continues as Roger’s unbridled ambitions lead him into acts of blatant depravity and cruelty, eventually delivering him to a place in history which he would not have chosen.
All this is chronicled, sometimes in Joan’s own words, but always in the same detached tone, almost seeming to amount to indifference to the violent and tragic events which overtake so many of the wider cast of characters in this harsh drama.
Although this novel is in danger of failing to connect with its readers, it is a diligent account of a rather nasty piece of history. It tells us, concisely, who does what to whom and why as well as where. For this reason, it should find a welcome home on a great many bookshelves.
