Queen Of Misfortune is the fictional story of Lady Jane Grey as told by her beloved tutor, John Aylmer. At the time of her execution a stranger is recorded to have assisted her when, blind folded, she lost her way upon the scaffold. Was it the same 'stranger' who was also recorded to have visited her when she was imprisoned in the Tower? Little is known of this unfortunate girl who was beheaded for treason in the 16th Century. She was only 16. She is omitted from the list of monarchs but was actually queen for nine days. Following extensive research Peter Carroll attempted to put this to rights in this story filled with love and passion. It follows John Aylmer's close relationship with Jane as her tutor and later, as she grows up, her lover. It shows how the Duke of Northumberland uses her as a pawn in a devious plan to dupe her into reluctantly accepting the throne against her better judgment, and the torment she suffers in consequence culminating in her early death and that of Guildford Dudley, the husband she was forced to marry. Her strict upbringing and the abuse given by her parents at her home in Bradgate is also cause for concern for John Aylmer and her nurse, Mary Ellen. Starting and ending with the execution in the Tower and the belief she was buried at Bradgate, John Aylmer revives his cherished memories... Peter Carroll has written several short stories, poems and many articles on variable subjects for newspapers and Magazines, his favorite subject being history. Queen of Misfortune is his first novel, a fiction piece which involved intensive research and took three years to complete. Born in Barnet, England in July 1933 and with a standard education, he was called up into the RAF in 1951 and served five years as a medic. Since then, until his retirement, he has mainly been involved in accounting and running his own business with his son. Like a cat with nine lives he has survived an air crash, a lift fall and a serious aortic aneurysm and thanks his Karma faith for that. He now lives in beautiful Torbay in South Devon, has been married to Daphne for over fifty years, and they have two children and four grandchildren.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By evenstar
Format:Hardcover
Queen Of Misfortune
This book had me gripped from the beginning. The author has a true gift in making the characters in the book come to life, and therefore enabling me to feel empathy for them. When reading this book I was transported back through time to the 16th century and found it very hard to put down. All in all it is a very enjoyable, thought provoking book. I would recommend it to everyone as not only is it a good read, it is very informative of how it was to live in those days. Brilliant!!
This book had me gripped from the beginning. The author has a true gift in making the characters in the book come to life, and therefore enabling me to feel empathy for them. When reading this book I was transported back through time to the 16th century and found it very hard to put down. All in all it is a very enjoyable, thought provoking book. I would recommend it to everyone as not only is it a good read, it is very informative of how it was to live in those days. Brilliant!!
By Clare
Format:Hardcover
A sensitive story based on fact but written from the perspective of the one who loved Lady Jane. An insightful view of how religion and politics could shape a young girls life. Different circumstances would certainly have led her down a different path although the knowledge and spiritual development of this young girl was far greater than many girls of her age. Peter Carroll weaves his beliefs of Karma and true love into this story giving it hope and tenderness. A very enjoyable read!
By Nutty
Format:Hardcover
Although some of this book was fiction the majority is fact from research carried out by the writer on the life of Lady Jane Grey and was an enormous task. To take the small `embers' of Jane's known life story and from `feelings' gained when visiting her childhood home at Bradgate Park and then to use his imaginary powers to write so much and with such feeling is a feat achieved with my great admiration and so convincing too with all its twists and turns.
At first when I started to read the book I admit I had difficulty in `getting into it', when I did eventually I found it fascinating, it was as if the writer was actually John Aylmer and it was he who was in love with Jane, she completely took over his life.
The book had everything, from murder, treachery, intrigue and of course romance. Her miserable early life and the contempt of her parents towards her was just dreadful. The way the author conveyed her life of a controlled miserable existence and not as it should have been for a young girl was very well done and had great feeling.
I must admit that John Aylmer's affair with Lady Mary Sidney came as a shock and from my feelings of his character I could not accept this part of the book, with him being a `man of the cloth'. I accepted his `laying' with Jane at her end, because of the trauma of the situation and her lack of security and need of self assurance, even though she was only 16 years of age and him being much older. I did find it this part hard to believe but understand storylines of this mode are a must for publication.
At first when I started to read the book I admit I had difficulty in `getting into it', when I did eventually I found it fascinating, it was as if the writer was actually John Aylmer and it was he who was in love with Jane, she completely took over his life.
The book had everything, from murder, treachery, intrigue and of course romance. Her miserable early life and the contempt of her parents towards her was just dreadful. The way the author conveyed her life of a controlled miserable existence and not as it should have been for a young girl was very well done and had great feeling.
I must admit that John Aylmer's affair with Lady Mary Sidney came as a shock and from my feelings of his character I could not accept this part of the book, with him being a `man of the cloth'. I accepted his `laying' with Jane at her end, because of the trauma of the situation and her lack of security and need of self assurance, even though she was only 16 years of age and him being much older. I did find it this part hard to believe but understand storylines of this mode are a must for publication.
By Sue
Format:Hardcover
An interesting look at a little known period of British history, written from the point of view of Lady Jane's tutor, a bystander to the events unfolding around him. A thought-provoking and interesting book which both informed and entertained. Much enjoyed.
By Heather
Format:Hardcover
Peter Carroll has written so respectfully to the memory of Lady Jane Grey.
The intrigue which is the key to this book displays the power struggle and interference which overtook individuals and the church. The ramifications were not thought through, certainly not necessarily for the good of the country; as true then as today, in some respects.
Peter Carroll's research fully displays the academic heights Jane rose to, due in part to her unhappy abusive childhood.
These achievements would have made her far more of a suitable candidate to take on the role of Queen for longer than her nine days, if it had even been her wish.
Queen Katherine contributed and in no uncertain terms initially quenched and acknowledged her thirst for knowledge.
John Aylmer through his tutorial skills, contacts, personal admiration and passion continued 'feeding' her,above and beyond the call of duty through her short life.
If only .... Jane hadn't been made Queen, the true love and admiration, mutually shared between Queen Jane and John Aylmer, ...a very different outcome? Then we wouldn't have had the opportunity to experience Peter Carroll's pathos and read this book!
The intrigue which is the key to this book displays the power struggle and interference which overtook individuals and the church. The ramifications were not thought through, certainly not necessarily for the good of the country; as true then as today, in some respects.
Peter Carroll's research fully displays the academic heights Jane rose to, due in part to her unhappy abusive childhood.
These achievements would have made her far more of a suitable candidate to take on the role of Queen for longer than her nine days, if it had even been her wish.
Queen Katherine contributed and in no uncertain terms initially quenched and acknowledged her thirst for knowledge.
John Aylmer through his tutorial skills, contacts, personal admiration and passion continued 'feeding' her,above and beyond the call of duty through her short life.
If only .... Jane hadn't been made Queen, the true love and admiration, mutually shared between Queen Jane and John Aylmer, ...a very different outcome? Then we wouldn't have had the opportunity to experience Peter Carroll's pathos and read this book!
By Jane
Format:Hardcover
This is a delightful book giving a valuable insight into a little known and often forgotten period in the history of the British monarchy. The background has been carefully researched, clearly illustrating the Author's fascination for his subject and allowing him to weave a story of tenderness, passion and loyalty, and the treachery and betrayal which led to the realisation of a truly impossible love.
My curiosity for the story of Lady Jane Grey has been now been satisfied and the sensitive writing and sadness portrayed in this novel, makes it a gentle read with a careful and thoughtful conclusion.
My curiosity for the story of Lady Jane Grey has been now been satisfied and the sensitive writing and sadness portrayed in this novel, makes it a gentle read with a careful and thoughtful conclusion.
By Sandpiper
Format:Hardcover
I had the distinct privilege, besides the author and his editor, to be the first to read "Queen of Misfortune," and I have to admit I was not prepared for the deep emotions that came with reading Peter Carroll's novel. Not only is Carroll's excellent writing style absolutely captivating, but he also manages to convey with ease the intense feelings of love, joy, pain, and grief.
As the sub-title ("Life is but a rehearsal for our everlasting love, my dear Lady Jane Grey") indicates, "Queen of Misfortune" is not merely a Lady Jane Grey Novel; it is a story of true and unconditional love with almost Shakespearean dimensions. "Romeo and Juliet" comes to mind.
There is little recorded history of Lady Jane Grey who, against her will, was declared Queen of England for a short nine days. After all, she was executed at the very young age of sixteen as ordered by Queen Mary I, also known as "Bloody Mary." It also seems that any records of her life such as pictures and letters were methodically destroyed shortly after her death. All portraits of her, available these days, were painted decades and centuries after her demise.
More is known about her beloved tutor, John Aylmer, who studied at Queen's College in Cambridge and in 1549 became tutor to the 12-year old Lady Jane Grey. She found in him the opposite to her strict and abusive parents. He, some say, fell in love with her. In 1576, long after Jane's death, he was consecrated Bishop of London, and while in that position he made himself notorious through his harsh treatment of Roman Catholics. The question comes to mind whether or not his actions were meant as a revenge for Jane's death. Queen Mary I was Catholic and she offered to spare Jane's life if Jane had converted to Catholicism, which, ultimately, she denied.... Read more ›
As the sub-title ("Life is but a rehearsal for our everlasting love, my dear Lady Jane Grey") indicates, "Queen of Misfortune" is not merely a Lady Jane Grey Novel; it is a story of true and unconditional love with almost Shakespearean dimensions. "Romeo and Juliet" comes to mind.
There is little recorded history of Lady Jane Grey who, against her will, was declared Queen of England for a short nine days. After all, she was executed at the very young age of sixteen as ordered by Queen Mary I, also known as "Bloody Mary." It also seems that any records of her life such as pictures and letters were methodically destroyed shortly after her death. All portraits of her, available these days, were painted decades and centuries after her demise.
More is known about her beloved tutor, John Aylmer, who studied at Queen's College in Cambridge and in 1549 became tutor to the 12-year old Lady Jane Grey. She found in him the opposite to her strict and abusive parents. He, some say, fell in love with her. In 1576, long after Jane's death, he was consecrated Bishop of London, and while in that position he made himself notorious through his harsh treatment of Roman Catholics. The question comes to mind whether or not his actions were meant as a revenge for Jane's death. Queen Mary I was Catholic and she offered to spare Jane's life if Jane had converted to Catholicism, which, ultimately, she denied.... Read more ›
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