A SPECTACLE FIT FOR A PRINCESS
In LACHLAN'S BRIDE, the love story of Lady Francine
Walsingham and Laird Lachlan MacRath is woven around the historic journey of
Princess Margaret Tudor on her way to wed the Scottish king, James IV. Margaret
was the eldest daughter of Henry VII. The contract for her marriage brought
with it the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, a cause of great rejoicing among the
common people of both England and Scotland. The two countries had waged war
against each other for centuries. (Does anyone remember Braveheart?)
Margaret's journey began at her grandmother's palace in
Northhamptonshire and ended in Edinburgh. Along the way, every village, town,
and city staged a celebration to entertain the princess and her large retinue
of noblemen and their ladies.
In late medieval times, royal celebrations became magnificent
spectacles of wealth. Kings and queens throughout Europe staged splendid
pageants. The sovereigns of France took the lead in this theater of power. But
the English king, Henry VII, also knew the importance of putting on a good
show.
These royal entertainments required supervising designers,
artists, sculptors, actors and singers. (Think of a Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast and you'll get the
idea.) A Master of the Revels would oversee the themes, sets, music, and
verses. The pageants were often enacted by members of the court, dressed in
costumes called disguises. The purpose of the spectacle was twofold. First, to
entertain the members of the court. Second, to display the wealth and power of
the royal family.
Enormous pageant cars were wheeled into the banqueting hall,
carrying lords and ladies costumed in classical dress and portraying the heroes
of Greece and Rome. The entire pantheon of gods and goddesses shimmered in cloth
of gold adorned with sparkling jewels, to the amazement and delight of the
court.
In LACHLAN'S BRIDE, Lady Francine Walsingham joins Charles
Burby, the Master of the Revels, in creating marvelous spectacles at every stop
along the way from Collyweston Palace to Holyroodhouse. An archery contest to
honor the legend of Robin Hood near Nottingham, a gladiator match at the old
Roman fort of Doncaster, an evening boat parade on the River Tyne, and a joust
and tournament between the English and Scottish knights are some of the
pageants presented in honor of Princess Margaret, the future Queen of Scotland.
I'm presently working
on the third book of the Highland Lairds
Trilogy, with the tentative title of KEIR'S STORY. I'm looking forward with
excitement to the release of LACHLAN'S BRIDE, an Avon Impulse, on April 30th.
Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your
readers. I can be found at the following places:
Twitter@kathleensbooks
Blurb ~*~
He is
Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…
Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.
When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.
Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.
When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.
Buy Links ~*~
Author Info ~*~
KATHLEEN HARRINGTON, winner of the Colorado Romance
Writers’ Award of Excellence, has touched the hearts of readers across the country
with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical
romances have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA, The
Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the Virginia Romance Writers’ HOLT
Medallion, and the Phoenix Desert Rose Golden Quill. Her fabulous heroes have
garnered the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. She lives in Southern
California.
Great Guest Post! Thank you for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Illustrious Illusions, for featuring my latest release, LACHLAN'S BRIDE on your lovely blogsite!
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