Book Review: What is Better than a Good Woman?: Alice Chaucer, Commoner and Yorkist Matriarch, by Michèle Schindler

Available for pre-order from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Michèle SchindlerI drew me into the amazing life of Alice Chaucer (granddaughter of poet Geoffrey Chaucer) with the news she was widowed at the age of eleven when her husband died of the flux at the Siege of Harfleur in Normandy.

Alice inherited his fortune, despite her unconsummated marriage, and married her second husband, the Earl of Salisbury. He already had a daughter confusingly named Alice, of a similar age. Sadly for them all he would die from horrific injuries when hit in the face by cannon shot when standing at a window at the Siege of Orleans. during the Hundred Years War. 

Her third husband, William de la Pole, once the 'power behind the throne', was subjected to a mock trial at sea while crossing to Calais, and executed by beheading. His body was later found on the sands near Dover, his head fixed to a (symbolic?) pole.

I was particularly interested in the chapter on  the relationship between Alice and the enigmatic Margaret of Anjou. These two powerful and influential women were said to become close companions, yet Margaret turned from patron to Alice's prisoner.

Tomb of Alice Chaucer, Duchess of Suffolk

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme. (Wikimedia Commons)

The picture of Alice which emerges from this fascinating new book is of a beautiful, intelligent woman, strong willed and quick witted, at the centre of events. Michèle Schindler has produced a well-researched and informative account of Alice's life which I am happy to recommend. 

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Michèle Schindler studied at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, reading English Studies and history with a focus on mediaeval studies. At the same time she worked as a language teacher, teaching English and German as a second language. In addition to English and German, she is fluent in French, and reads Latin. You can find Michèle on Facebook and Twitter @FLovellInfo

(A review copy of this book was kindly prtovided bt Amberley Books)