The Lady of Misrule

I saw her file it away: a good Catholic girl come to supervise her in her detention. Every girl in England, now, under the circumstances, made sure to be a good Catholic girl. Except her, of course. And, if only she knew it, me.

Escorting 'nine days queen' Lady Jane Grey across the Tower of London from throne room into imprisonment is Elizabeth Tilney, who surprised even herself by volunteering for the job. All Elizabeth knows is she's keen to be away from home, she could do with some breathing space. And anyway, it won't be for long: everyone knows Jane will go free as soon as the victorious new queen is crowned. Which is a good thing because the two sixteen-year-olds, cooped up together in a room in the Gentleman Gaoler's house, couldn't be less compatible. Protestant Jane is an icily self-composed idealist, and catholic Elizabeth is... well, anything but.

They are united though by their disdain for the seventeen-year-old to whom Jane has recently been married off: petulant, noisily-aggrieved Guildford Dudley, held prisoner in a neighbouring tower and keen to pursue his prerogative of a daily walk with his wife.

As Jane's captivity extends into the increasingly turbulent last months of 1553, the two girls learn to live with each other, but Elizabeth finds herself drawn into the difficult relationship between the newlyweds. And when, at the turn of the year, events take an unexpected and dangerous direction, her newfound loyalties are put to the test.

“The narrator is a teenage girl, Elizabeth, a companion to Lady Jane Grey, who awaits her fate in the Tower of London after her failed coup. Elizabeth is a recognisable teenager; infuriating, hormonal and full of contradictions. What Dunn loses by forgoing sham authenticity, she gains in the fizz and wit of Elizabeth's voice. A fresh and enthralling take on a well-known tale”

Praise for Suzannah Dunn

'this delightful novel stands out from the mob . . . Dunn lights up one of history's forgotten corners' - Kate Saunders

I loved this powerful book and can't recommend highly enough - Martina Cole

Dunn skilfully transports the reader to the oppressive atmosphere of Wolf Hall, seat of the Seymour family in Tudor England, and the heavy-handedness with which men treat their womenfolk - The Lady

A remarkable writer, a lyricist of ordinary life and ordinary people transfigured by extreme emotions - Daily Telegraph

I often abandon historical novels nowadays but I really could not put this one down - Alison Weir

Launched in 1990 with her debut novel, Darker Days Than Usual,Suzannah Dunn wrote a further 5 critically acclaimed contemporary novels, and a short story collection, published by Flamingo, before writing her first historical novel, The Queen of Subtleties, which was published in 2004. She has since written a further four bestselling historical novels, The Sixth Wife, The Queen's Sorrow, The Confession of Katherine Howard (a Richard & Judy pick in 2011) and The May Bride.

Elizabeth Tilney surprised even herself by volunteering for the job of companion to Lady Jane Grey, who has been imprisoned in the Tower of London after only nine days as queen. All Elizabeth knows is she's keen to be away from home, she could do with some breathing space. And anyway, it won't be for long: everyone knows Jane Grey will go free as soon as the victorious new queen is crowned. The two sixteen-year-old, however, couldn't be less compatible. Protestant Jane is an icily self-composed idealist, and catholic Elizabeth is . . . well, anything but. They are only united by their disdain for Jane's seventeen-year-old husband, Guildford Dudley, kept prisoner in a neighbouring tower. As Jane's captivity extends into the increasingly turbulent last months of 1553, the two girls learn to live with each other with mutual respect and liking. But Elizabeth finds herself drawn into the difficult relationship between the newlyweds, and when events take an unexpected and dangerous direction, her newfound loyalties are tested to breaking point.

I saw her file it away: a good Catholic girl come to supervise her in her detention. Every girl in England, now, under the circumstances, made sure to be a good Catholic girl. Except her, of course. And, if only she knew it, me. Escorting 'nine days queen' Lady Jane Grey across the Tower of London from throne room into imprisonment is Elizabeth Tilney, who surprised even herself by volunteering for the job. All Elizabeth knows is she's keen to be away from home, she could do with some breathing space. And anyway, it won't be for long: everyone knows Jane will go free as soon as the victorious new queen is crowned. Which is a good thing because the two sixteen-year-olds, cooped up together in a room in the Gentleman Gaoler's house, couldn't be less compatible. Protestant Jane is an icily self-composed idealist, and catholic Elizabeth is... well, anything but. They are united though by their disdain for the seventeen-year-old to whom Jane has recently been married off: petulant, noisily-aggrieved Guildford Dudley, held prisoner in a neighbouring tower and keen to pursue his prerogative of a daily walk with his wife.As Jane's captivity extends into the increasingly turbulent last months of 1553, the two girls learn to live with each other, but Elizabeth finds herself drawn into the difficult relationship between the newlyweds. And when, at the turn of the year, events take an unexpected and dangerous direction, her newfound loyalties are put to the test.

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