'An important and timely book' – Philippa Gregory'Poignant, unique and thought-provoking' – All About History' This introduces new readers, in the most accessible and colourful way, to a group of royal women who certainly deserve more public notice than they have hitherto received ' – Professor Ronald Hutton, author of The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times ...

'Hollman combines scrupulous research with spellbinding storytelling; The Queen and the Mistress will keep you turning the pages.' - Sylvia Barbara Soberton, author of Ladies-In-Waiting: The Women Who Served Anne Boleyn'A must-read for anyone interested in medieval women's or royal history.' - Catherine Hanley, author of Matilda: Empress, Queen, WarriorPhilippa of Hainault was Queen of England for...

Richard II is one of England's most notorious kings. Just a child when he came to the throne, he was thrust into instability. Even so, Richard was not a warrior king, but a man who cared for art, literature and frivolity. Women were to be found everywhere at court, and Richard lavished them with the honour of being appointed Ladies of the Garter.But troubles rumbled under this carefree surface. The men of the court were accused of being 'knights of Venus' who had '...