King Edward’s Daughters-in-Law

Other Characters

In the second half of the 14th century, two sisters from Castile came to dominate the English royal family.

Isabelle Perez

Every King or Queen of England since Henry VIII is descended from Isabelle Perez. Perhaps as significant is that it was her immediate family—the Yorkists—which challenged for the throne during the Wars of the Roses.

Constance Pedra

the-tudors Constance Pedra married another royal prince, John of Gaunt and he then spent a substantial portion of his adult life scheming to invade Castile to claim her inheritance. One of Constance’s descendants was Catherine of Aragon, who in an attempt to reincorporate the two bloodlines, married Henry VIII, as his first wife.

The determination of the english royal family to reclaim the blood line can be seen that she was first married to Henry’s older brother Arthur and when he died was married to Henry, something that the Church did not normally allow.

Illegitimate Sisters

What is incredible is that Isabelle and Constance were illegitimate daughters of Pedro of Castile. In Spanish genealogical records they are not know as “Perez” but by the name of their mother “de Padilla”

What caused such interest and a determination to share the bloodline of two illigitimate sisters?(see also The right to rule)

As the various contenders for sovereignty searched around for bloodlines which might justify their “right to rule”. A new line was discovered and promoted. The new line was said to offer a direct Matrilineal link to Mary Magdelene, whose womb was considered to be the Sangreal, via the fruit of her womb, her daughter Tamar.

It does not matter what we think of such theories today, in 1350 these theories were believed and battles fought over them.

Descent from Mohammed

Just to be sure this bloodline was said to give a second benefit, direct descent from Mohammmed. At a time when it seemed possible that the whole of Europe might fall under the rule of Islam, this was a significant consideration.

Maria De Padilla

111/ seven powerful women/the baths/1225 he Baths of Maria de Pedilla at the Alcazar in SevilleThe sisters mother, Maria Juana de Pedilla, mistress of Pedro of Castille, was the recipient of this Holy Blood. The Alcazar in Seville was built as her home and water cistern within the Alcazar is still known as “The baths of Maria Pedilla” Of course  if the line passes to Maria de Padilla the it must also pass to Eleanor Garcia de P adilla and therefore on to Ximene. . Ximene as we know is a fictional character, The Perez sisters emphatically are not.

 

The matrilineal lineage

sancha-de-lara_0 For generations the concept of a matrilineal lineage seems to hold true.

 It turns out that there are two separate descents from Mohammed, the first through Zaida of Denia This link is well known and Zaida’s lineage to Mohammed is well documented because the lineage was claimed by Frederich II Hohenstauffen.

aemelia-dalbi

What is disputed is wether Zaida is the mother of Sancha Alfonsez of Castile, some records show her mother as “Elizabeth”. The Spanish records are adamant however that Zaida was baptised and took the baptismal name of Elizabeth.

There is a break in the matrilineal decent however as it gets back to roman times , which is necessary if we are searching for Mary Magdelene and her daughter Tamar. If there is any truth it Mary Magdelene must have been known by some other name

 

 

The most dangerous woman in the world

The Treasure of Trencavel

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

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Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

Available February 2020
The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.