內容簡介
內容簡介 擅長結合歷史與小說的Philippa Gregory，以The Other Boleyn Girl《美人心機》這本書躍上國際，並改編成電影。 Cousins' War系列第二本。 The White Queen為第一本。 故事描述都鐸王朝中曾短暫攝政、亨利七世的母親、亨利八世的祖母瑪格麗特•博福特，這位玫瑰戰爭中的關鍵人物，一生傳奇浪漫，歷經四次婚姻，在爭權奪利的王朝中，隨著上帝所賦予的命運，這位國王的母親不斷創造自己的人生，這位野心勃勃又信仰虔誠的女人，有無與倫比的能量，並堅定不移地執行她的意志。 在Gregory以生動、充滿自信的口吻，全書故事流暢，對歷史事件跟人物刻劃，有極深功力，難怪她的歷史小說一本比一本暢銷，一本比一本精采。 Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales. Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation. Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize. In a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought to life the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.
