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Shvoong Home>Books>Novels & Novellas>The Pleasure Palace Review

The Pleasure Palace

Book Review   by:Jlyn81     Original Author: Kate Emerson
  • Summary rating: 1 stars (1 Ratings)
  • Visits : 32
  • words:900 
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 Kate Emerson brings to life the story of Jane Popyncourt in her first book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series. What I love about this author is that she provided a family tree of the English, French and Spanish royal family. Also a who's who of the real historical figures at the back of the book.

At the age of 8, Jane (originally Jeanne) leaves suddenly with her mother (of the same name) when King Charles VIII of France suddenly dies. Her mother is secretive about the departure. Their destination is England to the court of King Henry VII. Her mom's twin brother Sir Rowland Velville is already established in King Henry VII's court.  


Upon arriving in England, Jane and her mother have an immediate attendance with King Henry VII. He makes a strange comment about Jane's grandmother but Jane thinks nothing of it. He decides that Jane will join his daughters at Eltham to conduct daily conversations in French. As for her mother, she would join Queen Elizabeth of York's household.


Jane becomes friends with the children of honor at Eltham, especially with both of the princesses. While the court were on progress, word has gone out to Jane that her mother died suddenly and buried at Collyweston. As an orphan, she was King Henry VII's ward. Jane would eventually become a maid of honor in Princess Mary's household.


As she got older, she received a pension (but not enough to attract a possibly suitor). She did attract Charles Brandon (one of King Henry VIII's companions) but it would eventually come to nothing. She helps Harry Guildford to create masques, which were a big part of entertainment during King Henry VIII's reign.


Jane would meet her first love, Louis d' Orleans when King Henry VIII went to war with France and came back with French prisoners of war. He had a few attendants with him during his stay in England until his ransom was paid. One turned out to be an old friend of Jane's (Guy Dunois). During his stay in the English court, Jane would become his mistress. Well, the court despised the French, especially Queen Catherine so it was frowned upon when word got out that Jane was Louis' mistress.


Still, even though she enjoyed Louis' company, the mystery surrounding her mother's death and their sudden departure bothered Jane. There were very few people that she could talk to and those she did manage to talk to, they were unable to provide any other information. Only Mother Guildford seemed to recall some things but even her story seemed fishy. Jane's only hope was to talk to her uncle but he was sent to Wales.


The mystery around Jane continued when Princess Mary was to marry King Louis XII of France. King Louis XIII only scratched Jane's name off Princess Mary's (or rather, Queen Mary) attendant list and commenting that she should be burned. He might have confused her with her mother but why would he say such a thing. Louis d' Orleans would returned to France with Queen Mary (after his ransom has been paid) but by then, Jane didn't care much about him.


She would become Queen Catherine's maid of honor since she was not allowed to return to France. During her time in Queen Catherine's household, Jane would become a tiring maid to another maid of honor, Bessie Blount, who has caught the king's eye. When a sudden accident occurs, Jane travels to Princess Mary, (by then has married Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk) during her recovery. She took the time to finally meet with her uncle who gives interesting news about her past.


Not much is known of the real Jane Popyncourt but through the imagination and research by Kate Emerson, she provides an interesting story full of mystery, court life, masques, banquets, holiday traditions and love. 
Published: May 28, 2011   
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