Loyal in Love: Henrietta Maria, Wife of Charles I (A Queens of England Novel)

The daughter of Henry IV of France, Princess Henrietta Maria, becomes a pawn in a political strategy to stabilize relations between two countries when her father marries her to Charles I of England. Sent abroad, she finds herself living in a Protestant country that views her own faith—Catholicism—with deep suspicion.

Yet her new husband is a man of principle and integrity, and Henrietta and Charles fall deeply in love. Henrietta is passionate about her faith, however, and soon politically powerful people, namely Oliver Cromwell and his Puritans, turn her loyalty to her religion into a focal point for civil war. As the royal couple watch the fall of Thomas Wentworth, first Earl of Strafford, the rise of Puritanism, and Englishmen fight Englishmen, they are undeterred in their dedication to each other and in their belief in the divine rights of king and queen—even as spies lurk in their very own household.

Loyal in Love offers an inside look at an unforgettable time in England’s history and at the life of a queen whose story of devotion and bravery has gone untold for too long.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

THE ROAD THAT LED TO REGICIDE...

By Lawyeraau - March 10, 2008

This is the first volume in the Queens of England series of books by Jean Plaidy, who is also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt. It is a well written work of historical fiction that tells the story of the daughter of King Henry IV of France, Henrietta Maria, who went on to marry King Charles I of England.

Henrietta Maria, a Catholic, found herself married to Charles, a Protestant, living in a Protestant country, among a Protestant people. The English, at the time, viewed Catholics with deep suspicion, as the excesses of the Catholic Queen Mary, "Bloody Mary", the daughter of Henry VIII, were still not forgotten. A fervent Catholic, however, Henrietta would not put aside her religion, nor was she particularly discreet about her devotion to Catholicism and, as such, was never fully accepted by the English people.

Henrietta Maria was an impetuous and pretty, young woman, fond of musical revels, fashionable clothes, and gossip. Her husband, Charles, a... read more

Love lost

By M. Hudgens "mhleigh" - August 20, 2008

Princess Henrietta Maria of France is arranged a marriage with Charles I of England. It is a match fraught with difficulties because England is by this point staunchly Protestant and Henrietta is dedicated to Catholicism. A marriage treaty is created which both sides have to know will never be enforced (including that Henrietta will have sole charge of the religious instruction of any offspring until they reach the age of 13). Henrietta goes to England believing the country to be open to her raising her children to be Catholics, but in fact the people and the leaders would never allow heirs to the throne to be taught contrary to the Church of England. Despite their differences, however, Henrietta and Charles fall very deeply in love and relish in their private lives together. They are unprepared for the change in feeling that is sweeping the nation, and seem to run headstrong towards disaster.

Quote: "'Oh Charles,' I cried, 'I have destroyed your plan! I, who would... read more

Good enough to spend a few afternoons with

By K. Leask "book queen" - May 12, 2008

I really love Jean Plaidy and her novels, and am so happy Three Rivers Press continues to re-publish one after another. This one, though not my favorite, is interesting and moving. Pick it up if your bored this summer, and the rest of Jean Plaidy's books.