x dismiss this message
Did you know you can edit this page?
-
Sign Into Shelfari
-
Choose something to edit
-
Save your contributions
Ursula Blanchard Series: Book 1
see page history
Description edit
In this compelling debut of her historical mystery series, Fiona Buckley introduces Ursula Blanchard, a widowed young mother who has become lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. Armed with a sharp eye, dangerous curiosity, and uncanny intelligence, Ursula pledges... To Shield the Queen ... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Ursula Blanchard: Recently Widowed, Ursula serves the Queen at court and at Cumnor Place. She is forthright, inquisitive and observant - all traits that make her, unintentionally, a clever detective. She has a daughter named Meg and is a Protestant hailing from Sussex. Her daughter Meg is under the care of Bridget Lemmon.
- Queen Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen. Elizabeth reigns after many years of upheaval in England. She has yet to choose a suitor and is still very young. As long as she has no heir of her body, conspiracies and political intrigue abound and surround her.
- Lord Robert Dudley: The Queen's favorite and the Master of the Horse. His wife, Amy Robsart, is ill. Many believe that the Queen loves Robin, the name he is often called. There are rumors that he is willing to kill his wife in order to marry the Queen. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London during Queen Mary's reign. His brother was Guilford Dudley, Lady Jane Grey, and was beheaded in 1554.
- Lady Dudley: Amy Robsart married Robert Dudley in 1550 with King Edward VI in attendance. The marriage was a love-match but according to lord Dudley, it never prospered. She appears to suffer from Breast Cancer.
- Matthew de la Roche: A wealthy Frenchman with property in Sussex. Ursula meets him during a hawking party at court. He first compliments on her horsemanship and the two are acquainted further. He is English on his maternal side. He is a Roman Catholic and may be conspiring to bring the True Faith back in England.
- Mistress Pinto: Lady Dudley's servant and close confidante. She is suspicious of anyone in Lord Dudley's employ.
- John Wilton: Manservant to Ursula's late husband Gerald and later, to her.
- Roger Brockley: A groom of Lady Dudley's.
- Fran Dale: Ursula's maid. She served a lady at court but refused to accompany her to Yorkshire. She is frequently unable to "abide" things, places, people and situations.
- Sir Anthony Forster: Treasurer of the Household for lord Dudley. He oversees the finances for Lady Dudley. Many of his relations-by-law seem to visit or find residence at Cumnor Place.
- Mrs. Owen: Her husband is a physician one the previous owner of Cumnor Place. He is elsewhere and she continues to reside there as a tenant.
- Mrs. Odingsell: Sir Anthony Forster's Sister-in-Law. She resides at Cumnor Place with her brother-in-law. She believes in a strict observance of the Sabbath.
- Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby: A holdover on the Privy Council from Queen Mary's reign. He is polite and Catholic.
- Henry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel, 9th Baron Maltravers: Another Catholic Councilman that the Queen retains from Queen Mary's reign. A widower, he has hopes of marriage with the Queen despite his twenty-five years of seniority.
- Sir William Cecil & Lady Mildred: The Secretary of State and his wife. They are responsible for getting Ursula a place at the Queen's court. They also show warm-hearted kindness to Ursula. If she were to need anything, she only need ask.
- Sir Thomas Smith: Legal advisor to Sir William Cecil. He is known for his "rough tongue". He is a Protestant.
- Lady Catherine Grey: Sister of the Nine Day Queen, the late Lady Jane Grey, Lady Catherine has managed to find a place in Queen Elizabeth's court. Nothing like her gentle and quiet sister, Lady Catherine is a schemer and seems to insult or embarrass Ursula whenever possible. She is the granddaughter of Mary Tudor, sister to the late King Henry VIII.
- Lady Katherine Knollys: The Queen's cousin on her mother's side and a presence at court. She helps Ursula settle in at court and is kind to her.
- Lady Jane Seymour: She is the cousin of the late King Edward VI by his mother also named Jane Seymour. She is young, lively and likes Ursula.
- Sir Richard Verney: Lord Dudley's Retainer.
- Arthur Robsart: The half-brother of Amy Robsart. He is a nice enough fellow.
- Thomas Blount: Cousin of Dudley's by marriage. Middle-aged and of reasonably good humor.
- Martin Bristow: A courier for lord Dudley.
- Bishop de Quadra: The Ambassador from Spain
- Kat Ashley: She oversees the ladies at Court in an effort to maintain decorum and propriety.
- Peter Holme: A servant to Richard Verney
- Mr. Hyde: Sir Anthony Forster's Brother-in-Law.
- Bowes: A versatile servant of Sir Anthony Forster. Ursula considers him a decent man.
- Uncle Herbert: Ursala's Uncle.
Setting & Locations edit
First Sentence edit
John Wilton was a small man, knotted and wiry, with short, dusty brown hair which stuck up in spikes.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1 of 10 in Ursula Blanchard Series. (standard series)
Followed by The Doublet Affair.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Fiona Buckley (Author)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 823.914
Subjects edit
Popular Tags
We’re hiding the errata, movie connections, books that influenced this book, books influenced by this book, books that cite this book and books cited by this book sections. If you would like to add content to them, you must first make them visible.
