Cecily Bonville-Grey - Marchioness of Dorset The life and times of Cecily Bonville-Grey - Marchioness of Dorset by Sarah Hodder.
There is an old Chinese proverb: 'May you live in interesting times'. Cecily Bonville-Grey certainly lived in interesting times. She lived through several different reigns, including the contentious one of Richard III, and she moved in court circles, because her uncle was the Kingmaker, the Earl of Warwick, and her stepfather was Lord Hastings. She married the son of Queen Elizabeth Woodville from her first marriage, Thomas Grey. Cecily was also lucky enough to have her own inheritance, which was quite large.
Much of Cecily's life was difficult, unfortunately. Her father died when she was very young, and Richard III suddenly had her stepfather executed in a seemingly strange fit of temper. Cecily was fond of him so that would have upset her terribly. Her first husband was a philanderer, according to reports at the time, and her second marriage to a much younger man seems to have not worked out.
It is hard to tell what Cecily was like, because there are few details about her personality, but we can tell that she was pious, kind to her tenants and loving towards her family. She was incredibly artistic, as well, designing a magnificent north aisle for the Church of Ottery St Mary in Devon . Sarah Hodder makes the period come to life with vivid and colourful details about ceremonies, pageants and the medieval way of life. I enjoyed learning about Cecily, and reading more about her relatives. I look forward to reading more of Sarah Hodder's books.
I received this free book from Chronos Books in return for an honest review.
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