To George, who for a whole year tolerated having to play second fiddle to John of Lancaster, but knows that he always remains my hero.




ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


All my thanks to my agent, Jane Judd, whose love of history is as strong as my own. Her support and encouragement for me and the courageous women of the Middle Ages continues to be invaluable.

To Sally Williamson at MIRA whose empathy with what I wish to say about my characters is beyond price. To her and to all the staff at MIRA, without whose advice and professional commitment the real Katherine Swynford would never have emerged from the mists of the past.

To Helen Bowden and all at Orphans Press, without whom my website would not exist and who create professional masterpieces out of the rough drafts of genealogy and maps I push in their direction.




‘…he [John, Duke of Lancaster] was blinded by desire, fearing neither God nor shame amongst men.’