Historical fiction book · Curated
The White Queen
Philippa Gregory · historical fiction
Series: The Cousins' War
In 1464, widowed Lancastrian Elizabeth Woodville marries Yorkist King Edward IV in secret and steps into the Wars of the Roses as queen, mother, and survivor. Gregory’s opening Cousins’ War novel is late-medieval biographical historical fiction of a commoner queen, the Woodville rise, and the mystery of the princes in the Tower.
Why read it: A widely searched Wars of the Roses novel—the Starz-adapted gateway to fifteenth-century England, and medieval biographical fiction beyond Norman cathedrals and Viking shield walls.
About this historical novel
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory is historical fiction set around 1464–1485 in the Medieval period with key settings including England, Westminster, Sanctuary at Westminster, Tower of London. In 1464, widowed Lancastrian Elizabeth Woodville marries Yorkist King Edward IV in secret and steps into the Wars of the Roses as queen, mother, and survivor. Gregory’s opening Cousins’ War novel is late-medieval biographical historical fiction of a commoner queen, the Woodville rise, and the mystery of the princes in the Tower.
On HisFic we tag it under 4. Biographical fiction and 2. Historical romance so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include court, war, ambition, queenship, and family. A widely searched Wars of the Roses novel—the Starz-adapted gateway to fifteenth-century England, and medieval biographical fiction beyond Norman cathedrals and Viking shield walls.
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Plot summary
In 1464, widowed Lancastrian Elizabeth Woodville marries Yorkist King Edward IV in secret and steps into the Wars of the Roses as queen, mother, and survivor. Gregory’s opening Cousins’ War novel is late-medieval biographical historical fiction of a commoner queen, the Woodville rise, and the mystery of the princes in the Tower. A widely searched Wars of the Roses novel—the Starz-adapted gateway to fifteenth-century England, and medieval biographical fiction beyond Norman cathedrals and Viking shield walls.
Subgenres
Eras
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Regions & places
Britain & Ireland
England · Westminster · Sanctuary at Westminster · Tower of London
Themes
- court
- war
- ambition
- queenship
- family
Tags
bestseller · series · page-turner