The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham

If, like me, the little bit of history that you have read about Eleanor Cobham, does not show her in a great light. She comes over as greedy, always wanting more and more. More jewels, more money, more clothes and the best of palaces in which to live. In other books she seems to use Gloucester, who is also understood to be like her, to claw their way to the throne itself. This story is a love story. She came from an aristocratic family and fell in love with Humphrey, but I believe, she also saw him as a way to the very top. Did she try to find out her future? Probably, but I don't believe she plotted treason and the death of the King. I believe this story that maybe she was the scapegoat of Cardinal Beaufort to rid himself of Humphrey and he succeeded. I have always wanted to visit Beaumaris because of Princess Joanna, wife of Llewellyn Fawr and maybe Ellen de Monfort, wife of Llewellyn the Last Leader who were laid to rest at Llanfaes. It is sad Eleanor's resting place could not be found. A good read, well researched and perhaps this book gives Eleanor a voice down through the mists of time.

I'm reading this book for the second time, being interested in the period and in this particular story for my own nefarious purposes. And I'm impressed by the author's meticulous research and the skilful way in which he weaves this into the narrative. To be honest, my personal preference is never for books written in the first person, for the simple reason that the story can only ever be told from one person's viewpoint. Of course, you could argue that the book takes the form of a diary which has to be in the first person, otherwise it wouldn't be a diary, would it? OK then, I'll concede the point but it also worried me slightly, given the diarist is being held prisoner and kept desperately short of writing materials, that she uses up her precious resources on descriptive passages and her plans for escape. Other than these two (albeit slight) niggles, the book reads well and the little-known story of treason which underpins the diary is well worth the download. Recommended.

I've long been aware of Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester and was keen to learn more. This novel has definitely helped me to do so. It tells the story of Eleanor's life, but gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether she deserved leniency or the degree of censure she received.It also gives further insights into the power plays going on during the early years of Henry VI's majority, between Church and State to obtain control of the King.In an interesting parting statement, to his summary of the background material, Riches points out that Eleanor's case brought about changes in the law, so that all cases of suspected treason were tried by a jury of peers. This in turn provided Henry VIII with the 'opportunity' needed to rid himself of Ann Boleyn.My only slight disappointment was that the ending of the novel arrived much sooner than I had anticipated and felt a little rushed

Sweet, tragic prose. Made me cry. Very harsh times they lived in. Enjoyable read. Read a few times now. Worth a read

Eleanor Cobham was the wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, uncle and heir to Henry VI in the mid 15th century. This is Eleanor's diary of her life, starting out as a lady in waiting to Humphrey's previous wife, becoming his mistress, and then his wife. Eleanor looked to be set for life until she dabbled in predictions as to whether Henry VI would die and she would become Queen. Drama and disaster followed, and Eleanor ended up divorced and imprisoned for life in remote castles in England until her death. A moving account of the life of a woman who was perhaps foolish than evil.

Have just finished reading The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham which covers a time period in English history that I'm not familiar with.It is written from the viewpoint of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester who was put on trial for witchcraft and treason against Henry VI as a way of attacking her husband, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester.The story switches between the past and present as Eleanor writes a diary, hiding it from view and coming to terms with the past as she puts it on the page.The book flows and I found it hard to put down. There are also so me incredibly moving sequences towards the end, such as the horror of knowing her friends will be executed for treason in order to "prove" her guilt by association. The very last chapter where Eleanor sits with the old priest had me in tears.It's been years since a book made me cry, the last time being Edith Pargeters "Heaven tree" trilogy. The story of Eleanor Cobham is a powerful story that will stay with me for ages.

Despite being an interesting read, I was disappointed that it lacked a feminine touch. Clearly a woman`s story. told in the `first person`. It lacks the little nuances and emotional depths one would expect from a woman experiencing the life changing events that brutally tore her from the man she loved. Her family and the lifestyle she enjoyed, loneliness & heartache were her constant companions in her various prisons. But there is no real plausible emotional out pouring, I`m afraid the whole sorry tale lacks feminine pathos or rhetoric beauty, a good story, adequately told but for me, lacking a woman`s touch.

I have read a number of Tonys books and enjoyed them. This one not so much. There is far too much tell and not enough show or action. Non stop exposition made it a tad boring. Shame as Eleanors story is fadci ating.