THE GOLDEN YOKE

by Olive Eckerson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 30, 1961

Abundant in its background, serious in its history and concerned with its characters, this retells the story of the Yorkist brothers, Edward (IV), Richard (III) and the malcontent, Clarence, whose thwarted, mad ambitions are here the root of all the trouble. The focus is on Richard, from the time when he hurt his shoulder in a tournament at his sister's wedding, through to the end -- disputed ever since Shakespeare presented a popularly accepted accusation, with always the constant of his love for Anne, daughter of Warwick, the Kingmaker. The long years of Edward's battles for the throne, the many times Anne and her Diccon were separated and their marriage delayed, the intrigues of York and Lancaster alike, the trouble brewed by Clarence and the death penalty it earned him, and the over shadowing question of succession to the throne -- all lead to the murder of the young princes (but not by Richard's hand or even order) when their bastardy was revealed. Richard's accession and the rumors that surrounded him, Anne's death and his last battle finish the story, which is told with vivid sense of the panoply of the 15th century. For those who like their history well, but not overly, adorned and handled with careful respect.

Pub Date: Oct. 30, 1961

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1961

Categories: FICTION