The Sunne in Splendour

by Sharon Key Penman

This is another of Sharon Key Penman's excellent historical novels, this time about Richard III, the last Plantagenet King of England. Richard III is most notorious for being on watch when his nephews, "The Princes in the Tower" disappeared. It's widely presumed that they were killed to solidify Richard's claim to the throne and if you believe the Tudors, who were the next family to own the crown, Richard was responsible.

Shakespeare went with the Tudor version of events but Penman paints a much different picture of Richard. She describes a strong warrior and a capable, even reluctant monarch who was more of a victim of the political machinations surrounding him. The War of the Roses was a turbulent political time and Richard was doomed to be blamed for all of the events that surrounded him and by which he profited.

I have yet to read one of Penman's books that I didn't like and this is no exception. As usual, her research appears to be very thorough, the storytelling is first rate, and the characters really come alive. I highly recommend this one.