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The Queen's Fool

Pages
512
Published
2004
Language
English

Synopsis

In 1548, a Marrano girl named Hannah flees the Inquisition in Spain and finds refuge in England, where her gift of prophecy and wit make her the perfect candidate for a dangerous role: a jester at the royal court. As the Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth vie for power, both women seek to use Hannah as a spy, and the girl caught between them becomes a pawn in a deadly game of court intrigue. Philippa Gregory's The Queen's Fool is a richly researched historical novel set during one of the most volatile periods in English history, and it has been a bestseller since its 2003 debut.

About the author

P
Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory was born on 9 January 1954 in Nairobi, Kenya, the second daughter of Elaine (Wedd) and Arthur Percy Gregory, a radio operator and navigator for East African Airways. When she was two years old, her family moved to England. She was a "rebel" at school, but managed to attend the University of Sussex. She worked in BBC radio for two years before attending the University of Edinburgh, where she earned her doctorate in 18th-century literature, and she was named Alumna of the Year 200...

Characters

Hannah GreenProtagonist

A fourteen-year-old Jewish refugee from Spain with the gift of Sight, who becomes a holy fool and spy at the Tudor court.

HannahProtagonist

A Marrano girl from Spain who flees the Inquisition and becomes a jester at the English court, where her gift of prophecy makes her a valuable tool for both Mary and Elizabeth.

John DeeSupporting

A scholar and mathematician who recognizes Hannah's gift and helps her navigate the royal court.

Queen Elizabeth ISupporting

The future Queen of England who also employs Hannah as a fool, drawing her into the dangerous intrigues of the royal family.

Robert DudleySupporting

The charismatic son of King Edward's protector who adopts Hannah and brings her to the royal court.

All characters in The Queen's Fool
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