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Shadows of the Crown #10
Mary of Carisbrooke
The only loves Mary had known were the affection she bore her father and the passion she felt for the lovely Isle of Wight. But young Mary's quiet, protected life soon changed as she was thrust into the raging core of civil war. When Cavalier King Charles fled to her remote isle from Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans, expecting to find Carisbrooke Castle a refuge from the Roundheads, he ran straight into the arms of betrayal ... and into the depths of Mary's unawakened young heart. Almost overnight, this charming servant girl becomes a woman, more beautiful than ever, made confident, seductive, and wise by love. Almost overnight, she stood at the center of the intrigues, dangers, and high passions surrounding this controversial Stuart and his dynasty ...
The moving, tragic story of Charles I, the last absolute monarch of England, during his imprisonment in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Richly drawn and inspired by the New York Times bestselling author's own experience living on the Isle of Wight, this dramatic retelling brings to life the cavalier king whom Cromwell deposed. But even more fascinating than the account of royal hopes and misfortunes is the tale of a charming servant girl who is as romantic and tender in love as she is bold and resourceful in plotting the king's escape.
The moving, tragic story of Charles I, the last absolute monarch of England, during his imprisonment in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Richly drawn and inspired by the New York Times bestselling author's own experience living on the Isle of Wight, this dramatic retelling brings to life the cavalier king whom Cromwell deposed. But even more fascinating than the account of royal hopes and misfortunes is the tale of a charming servant girl who is as romantic and tender in love as she is bold and resourceful in plotting the king's escape.
330 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
12 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Campbell Barnes
35 books174 followersMargaret Campbell Wood was born on 17 February 1891 in Rotherfield, Sussex, England, UK. She was the youngest of ten children, who had a happy childhood in the Sussex country side. She was eventually educated at small private schools in Paris and London.
She married Peter Barnes in 1917,( a furniture salesman), and the couple had two sons, Michael and John. Michael, a Royal Armoured Corps Lieutenant, was killed during WW II.
She died on 1 April 1962 in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.
Her books are historical novels, called Shadows of the Crown, that follow the history of the English Crown. The majority of her books were written between the 1940's and 1950's. Her last and posthumous novel Lady on the Coin was finished by the novelist Hebe Elsna
Over two million copies of Margaret's historical novels have been sold worldwide.
She married Peter Barnes in 1917,( a furniture salesman), and the couple had two sons, Michael and John. Michael, a Royal Armoured Corps Lieutenant, was killed during WW II.
She died on 1 April 1962 in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.
Her books are historical novels, called Shadows of the Crown, that follow the history of the English Crown. The majority of her books were written between the 1940's and 1950's. Her last and posthumous novel Lady on the Coin was finished by the novelist Hebe Elsna
Over two million copies of Margaret's historical novels have been sold worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 16, 2011
This story was as much a coming of age story as it was a tale of Charles I while at Carisbrooke Castle. Our main character is Mary, who has lived at the Castle her entire life and can never imagine living anywhere else. The Isle is her life. When Charles I and his entourage show up there looking to hide out she is quickly enveloped in a life very different from what she is used to – a world of intrigue, daring-do, and political machinations. We get to see Mary grow from a very naïve young girl to a young woman who knows what she wants and can take matters into her own hands. I didn’t think I was going to like Mary at the beginning of the novel but she grew on me. I think once we got past the super naïve girl I began to enjoy her more. During the story she experiences her first taste of falling in love and her first heartbreak. These scenes were very sweet and developed in a believable manner.
I had never read about King Charles I before this book and I really didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that he was eventually executed. The end portion of his reign is covered in this novel – from the time of his escape to Carisbrooke to his execution. I would have liked to have been given a little bit more background for context purposes to know what led to the divisions between the King and Oliver Cromwell. It was sort of that he just showed up there and you were thrown into it. In terms of the King as a character, he was more of a passive character. All of the other book characters are working to save/rescue him and have conversations about him, but his active role in the novel is rather small. This book was written with a sympathetic view of the King in mind.
This wasn’t a very heavy novel but it was full of intrigue and plots of escape that made it a fun read.
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
I had never read about King Charles I before this book and I really didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that he was eventually executed. The end portion of his reign is covered in this novel – from the time of his escape to Carisbrooke to his execution. I would have liked to have been given a little bit more background for context purposes to know what led to the divisions between the King and Oliver Cromwell. It was sort of that he just showed up there and you were thrown into it. In terms of the King as a character, he was more of a passive character. All of the other book characters are working to save/rescue him and have conversations about him, but his active role in the novel is rather small. This book was written with a sympathetic view of the King in mind.
This wasn’t a very heavy novel but it was full of intrigue and plots of escape that made it a fun read.
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
May 3, 2011
3.5 stars. Review to come...
May 7, 2019
Mary is a young woman living in her castle on the Isle if Wight when the exiled King, Charles Stuart, comes to live there. Her life is turned upside down and the political story unfolds.
I like historical fiction-I always learn something and it’s fun to fact check in Wikipedia after.
This book was just ok though-some parts good, some parts my eyes rolled out of my head. My biggest beef was the main character. Her name was Mary and I have never read such a stereotypical “Mary Sue” in my life. She had a character arc and there was growth so that was good but the growth wasn’t enough to turn her into a fully fleshed out, three dimensional person. And oh, the misogyny! It’s one thing to describe and be true to how women were treated in that time period. It’s another thing entirely to participate in it as the author. The line that stuck in my mind was something to the effect of “Mary, like all women was more concerned with the story than the facts of the matter” Yikes.
The love story was also a mixed bag for me. Honestly the guy she ends up with could probably do better than her.
I like historical fiction-I always learn something and it’s fun to fact check in Wikipedia after.
This book was just ok though-some parts good, some parts my eyes rolled out of my head. My biggest beef was the main character. Her name was Mary and I have never read such a stereotypical “Mary Sue” in my life. She had a character arc and there was growth so that was good but the growth wasn’t enough to turn her into a fully fleshed out, three dimensional person. And oh, the misogyny! It’s one thing to describe and be true to how women were treated in that time period. It’s another thing entirely to participate in it as the author. The line that stuck in my mind was something to the effect of “Mary, like all women was more concerned with the story than the facts of the matter” Yikes.
The love story was also a mixed bag for me. Honestly the guy she ends up with could probably do better than her.
January 2, 2018
I marked this as "read" but I didn't make it very far. The writing was so long winded and boring. I found myself skimming pages and finally just couldn't pick it up again. I love historical fiction but the main character came off as weak with no hope of redemption. Spoiler alert: The king dies anyways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2020
I enjoyed this little slice of history with a coming of age story weaved through. It is quite slow paced though.
August 7, 2011
Originally reviewed for luxuryreading.com.
In 1647 Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland, being imprisoned by the Cromwellian Parliament in hopes of forcing the king into reforms, escaped to the Isle of Wight. Having fond memories of this traditionally royalist island and believing he could find safety there, he brought the turmoil of the mainland to the doorstep of a group of people who were much sheltered from the goings on in London and abroad. While he was mistaken that escape could be found there and was subsequently imprisoned once again by Parliament in Carisbrooke Castle, he did in fact find a loyal group determined to see the king come back into his divine rule. One such person was Mary of Carisbrooke.
Mary, barely seventeen, had always loved her sleepy, happy island life and never dreamed of leaving it as so many of her friends had. She was quite content to work alongside her aunt and under the close, loving attentions of her father at Carisbrooke Castle. When the king first appeared, she was shy but kind and honest and soon endeared herself to the new mainland men that followed in the king’s train as she had to those who already knew her well.
When her aunt became the King’s Laundress and she, in turn, her assistant, she found herself in a particular position to assist the king and his cause in a way unthought of before. As the intrigue, danger and drama that could only be found in the turmoil of a country’s civil war unfurled around her, she learned to use her given gifts of bravery, loyalty, insight and natural benevolence to attempt to change the outcome of history. At the same time, she learned about first love, first loss and what it really meant to live.
Beginning this book, I didn’t know much about the history behind its events other than the eventual downfall of King Charles I. From the beautiful cover and description, I had a mental image of our heroine to be about twelve years old. Upon reading that she was seventeen I had to change my initial mindset of a young girl ahead of her time to a young woman coming into her own. While the story is well written I found that it dragged through the middle, often bogged down with the numerous plots to help the king escape. Spending so much time concentrating on Mary’s devotion and assistance to her king I was disappointed when the final outcome of Charles’ death is told to us through a third party. It seemed to be dealt with swiftly and then to continue on to the beginning of the rise of Charles’ son, the eventual King Charles II.
The side plot of Mary’s first love and heartache also seemed to be dealt with as an afterthought so that I couldn’t feel endeared to her budding knowledge of what it means to grow up and become a woman. With this being said, I did find Mary to be an endearing character and enjoyed learning of this important point in history from an unlikely source. Mary of Carisbrooke is definitely worth a read for lovers of historical fiction, but readers who are just branching out into the genre might want to start somewhere else.
In 1647 Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland, being imprisoned by the Cromwellian Parliament in hopes of forcing the king into reforms, escaped to the Isle of Wight. Having fond memories of this traditionally royalist island and believing he could find safety there, he brought the turmoil of the mainland to the doorstep of a group of people who were much sheltered from the goings on in London and abroad. While he was mistaken that escape could be found there and was subsequently imprisoned once again by Parliament in Carisbrooke Castle, he did in fact find a loyal group determined to see the king come back into his divine rule. One such person was Mary of Carisbrooke.
Mary, barely seventeen, had always loved her sleepy, happy island life and never dreamed of leaving it as so many of her friends had. She was quite content to work alongside her aunt and under the close, loving attentions of her father at Carisbrooke Castle. When the king first appeared, she was shy but kind and honest and soon endeared herself to the new mainland men that followed in the king’s train as she had to those who already knew her well.
When her aunt became the King’s Laundress and she, in turn, her assistant, she found herself in a particular position to assist the king and his cause in a way unthought of before. As the intrigue, danger and drama that could only be found in the turmoil of a country’s civil war unfurled around her, she learned to use her given gifts of bravery, loyalty, insight and natural benevolence to attempt to change the outcome of history. At the same time, she learned about first love, first loss and what it really meant to live.
Beginning this book, I didn’t know much about the history behind its events other than the eventual downfall of King Charles I. From the beautiful cover and description, I had a mental image of our heroine to be about twelve years old. Upon reading that she was seventeen I had to change my initial mindset of a young girl ahead of her time to a young woman coming into her own. While the story is well written I found that it dragged through the middle, often bogged down with the numerous plots to help the king escape. Spending so much time concentrating on Mary’s devotion and assistance to her king I was disappointed when the final outcome of Charles’ death is told to us through a third party. It seemed to be dealt with swiftly and then to continue on to the beginning of the rise of Charles’ son, the eventual King Charles II.
The side plot of Mary’s first love and heartache also seemed to be dealt with as an afterthought so that I couldn’t feel endeared to her budding knowledge of what it means to grow up and become a woman. With this being said, I did find Mary to be an endearing character and enjoyed learning of this important point in history from an unlikely source. Mary of Carisbrooke is definitely worth a read for lovers of historical fiction, but readers who are just branching out into the genre might want to start somewhere else.
April 27, 2011
If a king were in danger, what would you do to help him? Mary of Carisbrooke, a book by Margaret Campbell Barnes, addresses this question, and in quite an entertaining way. This book is a wonderful historical fiction with a touch of romance.
Mary is a quiet girl working in a castle when her king, Charles I of England, is brought there and imprisoned. Her character is memorable, fully fleshed out with a history, hopes, dreams, love and disappointment. She is so innocent but yet courageous, admirable for the actions she takes in the name of doing what she thinks is right. Some tragic things happen to Mary, and I kept turning pages to find out how she would get through them. Her first love comes into the picture and is developed with a surprising twist. Something unexpected happens.
The writing flows with elegance as the story unfolds. The setting of a mysterious castle is the perfect place for the themes of misfortune, courage, and hope to come about. Some things are universal, some human characters seen throughout the ages, and the author shows this while expertly holding on to the world of the seventeenth century. The characters are relatable. Sides are chosen. Some die for it. Others have their happy endings. Mary’s fate is surprising and pleasing.
Readers who know the history of Charles I of England know if the escape attempts are successful or not, but even with this knowledge, there is still great suspense in the story. What happens to those who help the king? Charles’s character is written well, giving a glimpse into his human side and inspiring a great empathy for him and his family.
With an intelligent and clear writing style, the story is timeless, a recommended read for fans of historical fiction with a dash of romance.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Mary is a quiet girl working in a castle when her king, Charles I of England, is brought there and imprisoned. Her character is memorable, fully fleshed out with a history, hopes, dreams, love and disappointment. She is so innocent but yet courageous, admirable for the actions she takes in the name of doing what she thinks is right. Some tragic things happen to Mary, and I kept turning pages to find out how she would get through them. Her first love comes into the picture and is developed with a surprising twist. Something unexpected happens.
The writing flows with elegance as the story unfolds. The setting of a mysterious castle is the perfect place for the themes of misfortune, courage, and hope to come about. Some things are universal, some human characters seen throughout the ages, and the author shows this while expertly holding on to the world of the seventeenth century. The characters are relatable. Sides are chosen. Some die for it. Others have their happy endings. Mary’s fate is surprising and pleasing.
Readers who know the history of Charles I of England know if the escape attempts are successful or not, but even with this knowledge, there is still great suspense in the story. What happens to those who help the king? Charles’s character is written well, giving a glimpse into his human side and inspiring a great empathy for him and his family.
With an intelligent and clear writing style, the story is timeless, a recommended read for fans of historical fiction with a dash of romance.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
October 16, 2011
Check out my full 4 JEWEL review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
Margaret Campbell Barnes has always been a favorite author for me in the historical fiction genre. She had the ability to bring her fictional characters alive as well as making the real historical figures more human and accessible. Her stories do what historical fiction is designed to do: educate and entertain. Mary of Carisbrooke was no exception.
This was a very charming story about an unremarkable girl who would get a chance to serve her king in an unusual capacity. While she began as a simple servant, she ends up being a trusted ally and basically, a spy. I couldn't help but be charmed by Mary. She was loyal to a fault and wanted to believe the best in everyone. When King Charles comes to the Isle of Wight to hide from Cromwell and those who wish him harm, Mary has no idea that she will become a true friend to the kind monarch.
Full of twists and turns, romance and adventure, this book was a pleasure to read. I definitely learned quite a bit about Charles I, even going so far as to look him up on the Internet after finishing the book. The author painted a sad and beautiful tale about a doomed man and those around him. While Mary was the central character, the supporting cast was very well written. It was easy to get lost in this story for a few hours. I definitely recommend it to any fans of a good tale with historical facts and events as a foundation.
Margaret Campbell Barnes has always been a favorite author for me in the historical fiction genre. She had the ability to bring her fictional characters alive as well as making the real historical figures more human and accessible. Her stories do what historical fiction is designed to do: educate and entertain. Mary of Carisbrooke was no exception.
This was a very charming story about an unremarkable girl who would get a chance to serve her king in an unusual capacity. While she began as a simple servant, she ends up being a trusted ally and basically, a spy. I couldn't help but be charmed by Mary. She was loyal to a fault and wanted to believe the best in everyone. When King Charles comes to the Isle of Wight to hide from Cromwell and those who wish him harm, Mary has no idea that she will become a true friend to the kind monarch.
Full of twists and turns, romance and adventure, this book was a pleasure to read. I definitely learned quite a bit about Charles I, even going so far as to look him up on the Internet after finishing the book. The author painted a sad and beautiful tale about a doomed man and those around him. While Mary was the central character, the supporting cast was very well written. It was easy to get lost in this story for a few hours. I definitely recommend it to any fans of a good tale with historical facts and events as a foundation.
June 17, 2011
Mary Floyd was an ordinary girl living through extraordinary times. Her father was the Sergeant of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wright. When Charles I fled England after losing the English Civil War and took refuge at Carisbrooke Castle, Mary found herself the assistant laundress to the King.
Sadly Charles’ refuge shortly turned into a prison and Mary decided to help out her King as much as she could. Through the intrigue, Mary tried to spurn the affections of the evil Rolph, and also found her heart swept away by a gallant courtier. Will Mary find true love, and will she stay true to her King?
I really enjoyed Mary of Carisbrooke. Besides being a gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat, I loved Mary. She was a quiet, honest, and pure girl who only wanted to do what was right. She wasn’t seeking fame and fortune, but tried to help a soul in need in any way that she could.
I love to read books about kings, queens, and other “gentry,” but I found it surprisingly refreshing to read about a regular girl. Mary isn’t the poorest of the poor being the daughter of the sergeant and niece of housekeeper, but she performs in the capacity of an upper servant. Her story shows that you don’t have to be among the elite to do great things.
Overall, if you love historical fiction, you will love this beautifully written novel with a unique heroine.
Sadly Charles’ refuge shortly turned into a prison and Mary decided to help out her King as much as she could. Through the intrigue, Mary tried to spurn the affections of the evil Rolph, and also found her heart swept away by a gallant courtier. Will Mary find true love, and will she stay true to her King?
I really enjoyed Mary of Carisbrooke. Besides being a gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat, I loved Mary. She was a quiet, honest, and pure girl who only wanted to do what was right. She wasn’t seeking fame and fortune, but tried to help a soul in need in any way that she could.
I love to read books about kings, queens, and other “gentry,” but I found it surprisingly refreshing to read about a regular girl. Mary isn’t the poorest of the poor being the daughter of the sergeant and niece of housekeeper, but she performs in the capacity of an upper servant. Her story shows that you don’t have to be among the elite to do great things.
Overall, if you love historical fiction, you will love this beautifully written novel with a unique heroine.
April 25, 2011
Mary of Carisbrooke is a young lady living on a quiet island off the coast of England. She suddenly finds her world turned upside down when on the run King Charles I comes to the Isle of Wight seeking asylum. He finds prison instead. Held in Carisbrooke castle almost until his execution, the king finds in Mary a loyal subject willing to risk it all to help him.
Mary is a charming character; full of sweetness, naivetee and strength. She has the ability to make anyone and everyone feel needed and welcome. She is also so sweet as to seem simple-minded but she is much smarter than most give her credit for; except for some of the king's loyalists. They recognize Mary's usefulness and they use it with her willing consent.
This is a captivating story. I enjoyed living in Mary's life - I am not all that familiar with the time period in this book. I have read more from the Restoration than I have about Charles I. The storytelling is good and the characters both real and made up mix in well together. I will say it was a book I could put down and pick back up again. It was not as compelling a read as other historical novels I have reviewed in the past. That doesn't take away from the tale of a sweet girl and her loyalty to her king.
Mary is a charming character; full of sweetness, naivetee and strength. She has the ability to make anyone and everyone feel needed and welcome. She is also so sweet as to seem simple-minded but she is much smarter than most give her credit for; except for some of the king's loyalists. They recognize Mary's usefulness and they use it with her willing consent.
This is a captivating story. I enjoyed living in Mary's life - I am not all that familiar with the time period in this book. I have read more from the Restoration than I have about Charles I. The storytelling is good and the characters both real and made up mix in well together. I will say it was a book I could put down and pick back up again. It was not as compelling a read as other historical novels I have reviewed in the past. That doesn't take away from the tale of a sweet girl and her loyalty to her king.
May 16, 2011
MARY OF CARISBROOKE:THE GIRL WHO WOULD NOT BETRAY HER KING by Margaret Campbell Barnes is an interesting historical fiction set during King Charles I in England. It captures the pageantry of the middle ages,the King Charles era.It is a reprint from 1956. It has deceit, betrayal, romance,royal hopes,misfortune,the tale of Wight,an island,the castle of Carisbrooke,people who stay true to their king,and try to save King Charles I. Mary of Carisbrooke is a tale of a young girl,Mary,who refuses to betray her king,who finds love amid treachery and betrayal and stays true to herself.It shows how fate can change things in a moment.It is rich in detail and is beautifully written.A great story of power,sacrifice,deceit,betrayal,a king and his children,and the betrayal of friend and foe. A must read for any and all historical fans. This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at Sourcebooks Landmark,an imprint of Sourcebooks,Inc.h
November 7, 2011
Mary of Carisbrooke is one of those novels that will transport you to the location of the novel and make you never want to leave. From the very beginning there is a compelling edge to the story, with each character being unraveled with precision and great detail. Margaret Barnes has created a compelling novel that will stay with you long after finish the last page....
Read the full review on my blog:
http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-mary-of-carisbrooke-by.html
Read the full review on my blog:
http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-mary-of-carisbrooke-by.html
November 6, 2015
I am marking this as "read" only because I read enough (over 100 pages) to know I didn't want to finish it. I really tried liking it but I just couldn't take the way the author villainized every Cromwellian and wrote all the Royalists as virtuous heroes. The main character was sappy and feeble, and I kept waiting for her character to grow stronger, but after 100 pages I just gave up. The best thing about this book was that it sent me to wikipedia to learn more about that place and time period.
March 16, 2016
When King Charles I arrives on Wight Island hoping for further escape from the Roundheads, the peace of the island is suddenly shattered. Mary, born and raised there finds herself secretly carrying letters for the king. In the midst of all this, Mary finds love.
Published in 1955, this novel was three times better than I thought it would be.
Published in 1955, this novel was three times better than I thought it would be.
November 10, 2011
First published in 1956, has stood the test of time quite well. A good read, this era of British history is not as well-covered by novelists as e.g. The Tudors, so it's a welcome change to read something different. The book has a strangely innocent tone, perhaps because graphic lve scenes and grisly scenes are largely absent.
January 5, 2014
The King of England, Charles Stuart, has arrived on the Isle of Wight, seeking asylum and escape from the armies of Cromwell. Our narrator, Mary Floyd, is a young servant girl working at Carisbrooke castle and she soon becomes involved in the intrigues of the political turmoil enclosing on her rather normal life.
October 11, 2013
A decent book. It wasn't my favorite of Barnes's books, but it was fairly interesting and I liked Mary as a character.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews