The Vow on the Heron

Plantagenet Saga #9

by Jean Plaidy

Edward the Third had come to the throne through the conniving of his mother. He was but a boy. Even so, the Queen did not want him inquiring too deeply into the death of his father, who had been brutally murdered because of her and her lover, Roger de Mortimer.
To distract Edward she allowed him to marry the lovely and gracious Philippa of Hainault, with whom he had fallen in love at first sight.
When it began to be said that Edward had a claim to the French throne, he allowed himself to be goaded into challenging the King of France. It was Robert of Artois, a consummate troublemaker, who urged Edward on, likening him to a heron, a cowardly bird.
Edward then swore on the heron that he would attack France. This vow changed the course of history, for it heralded the beginning of the Hundred Year's War.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Plantagenet, British Literature, Medieval, 14th Century

350 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vow On The Heron is another of Jean Plaidy’s novels that excited me and brought me to a world I adore learning about. I was more engaged in this book than her others because of my great fascination for the fourteenth century, the good Queen Phillipa, the ambitious John of Gaunt, who is just mentioned in this book, and the beginning of the Hundred Years War. 

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Good basic account of the reign of Edward III. Some historical gossip included , as with received historical 'truths' but overall would leave the reader with a clear overview of the salient issues. Plaidy was not a rapturous, breath-bated HF writer but turned out good, solid, fairly well crafted biographical novels that do what they say on the packet. Most of the historical limitations are due to the time of writing; a lot has been redefined - or at least left more wide open - since she wrote.

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry as dirt. Gave up around page 150.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though Edward III is one of my favorite English kings, I found this book hard to get through. Edward didn't feel much like a real person and even though his life was interesting, it wasn't all that fun to read about, I'm not exactly sure why. There were more battles in this book than most of the others and it was annoying reading about his daughters walking all over him, but it mostly felt like too many pages were devoted to the boring stuff (like the ridiculous heron) and not enough to the cool stuff (like John of Gaunt).

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been split into two books, perhaps three. What we have instead is a rush job with lots of "telling" and a lack of "showing".

For a king who reigned as long as Edward III, there’s great potential for a trilogy, especially when this author covers the lives of nearly everyone else involved during the period. Because of her need to pack everything in, events are rushed over.

It’s difficult to become engaged in this type of novel, though scenes here and there did draw me in, hence the three-star rating. It doesn't help that she invariably opts for the passive voice, so you get "the daughter of the king", rather than "the king's daughter", for example.

Add to this, we have the usual Plaidy trait of repeating info to an annoying extent, including references to events in previous books in the Plantagenet series.

On the whole, a disappointment, especially after the fantastic ending to the previous book, which led me to think real excitement lay in store in “The Vow on the Heron”.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jean Plaidy rushes through the story because she wants to stick to one king one book in this series and this king reigns for a long time. She also repeats facts or quotes she likes. She has done this before but in this book it gets annoying.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there is no vivid presentation as to the lives of people during the middle ages, the book provides for an interesting read on the events which occurred during reign of Edward III and the start of the hundred years war.

[Kiesha ~ Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. So much potential for this book; but it all felt rushed.

[Pepca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vow on the Heron depicts the reign of Edward III, starting and ending similarly in disgrace and with an impoverished country, but with a tumultuous journey in between.

Beginning as a puppet boy-king, Edward III rose from his early failures of youthful inexperience as a great military leader, often likened to his grandfather Edward I and most notably remembered for staring the Hundred Years’ War with France.

What I liked the most about his life was that he had a really good marriage and family life and was for the most part a faithful husband and a good father, which seems to be an exception more often than not when it comes to historical rulers of whichever country.

As usually with Plaidy, Vow on the Heron is written in a simple but evocative language that makes what could be a boring history rather interesting, although it could be edited a bit more meticulously.

Overall, this is a quick and easy but compelling read.

This review was first posted on my book blog, Beyond Strange New Words.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

DOES NOT AGE
No one writes historical novels as well as Jean Plaidy despite being published decades ago. Her characters unfailing leap off the pages, we care about them, good or bad, and despite her meticulous research she depicts them as real, living, breathing people. While obviously, conversations come from her imagination, she never deviates from the times and customs of the day. One of the few authors I turn to again and again.

[Yuka · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 or 4 star･･･ I like EdwardⅢ and Philippa a happy couple and family, in this way I enjoy reading the story better than 3 star in my taste but maybe not as the books I really enjoyed as rating 4 star. Good book, enjoyable, easy to read.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific riveting book on Edward III and his reign as King of England. What an intriguing family the Plantagenet's are! This book is full of political intrigue, betrayal and love. One of the best in the saga/series so far. A definite read!

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Truly shows a child's path on the thrown. Edward 3rd never quite gross up and always feels like he has something to prove. His love for his family, his blindness towards his daughters, and his quest to be better then his ancestors is all show beautify in this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty enjoyable account of Edward III's reign, even if the characterizations were a bit...simplistic would be the word, I guess. And it's likely as close to a novel on Philippa of Hainault as we'll ever get.

[Zuzana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

2018 Reading Challenge: animal in the title

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, That's a Lot of History.

This is the first Jean Plaidy novel I've read. I recently read Hilda Lewis' 'Harlot Queen' which offers greater detail of the reign of Edward II and Edward III's succession to the throne.

'The Vow on the Heron' briefly touches on the succession of Edward III and how Queen Isabella and her lover Roger de Mortimer ruled England while Edward was young. It broadly covers the reign of Edward III his marriage to Philippa of Hainault, their twelve children and their childrens' subsequent marriages and deaths as well as Edward's deterioration in old age and his relationship with Alice Perrers.

While Plaidy covers a lot of history in this novel and I'm glad I read it, it left me wanting to learn what happened after Edward III passed away, I also found it to be a bit dry for my tastes. There were interesting relationships between some the historical figures but, with the exception of Edward III and Queen Philippa, I didn't find the characterizations of these people very well drawn.

I think those of you who like your historical fiction heavy on the historical and light on the fiction would enjoy this. If you are like me and you like a little more emotion in your fiction you might like "Harlot Queen' by Hilda Lewis.

[Dar B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I AM SOOO AGITATED!!! I had written a 5 paragraph review, with only a sentence or so left to go, when my cat unplugged my laptop (my battery is bad) by rubbing her face on the plug! I hope that somebody can find this humorous, as I am yelling at and squirting that blasted feline! Dag-burn it!

Basics

I think that due to Edward III's somewhat idyllic life (compared to many other English royalty), it makes it more difficult to expound on the fiction and make it more interesting.

I think that those who like historical facts will enjoy it while those who prefer drama and excitement might not.

Not my favorite Jean Plaidy novel, but good. She is an excellent researcher and conveys the material in story fashion.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Vow on the Heron, queen of historical fiction Jean Plaidy has delivered another thoroughly enjoyable novel in her Plantagenet series, this one detailing the long and eventful reign of Edward III. Focussing equally on family matters such as the king's strong and abiding love for his Queen Philippa, the lives and loves of their children, and finally towards the end of his life his infatuation with his notorious mistress Alice Perrers, as well as on political and administrative issues like the events leadng up to the beginning of the Hundred Years' War with France, this was a well-rounded story and one of my favourite books in the series so far.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Plantagenet series, this was the one which totally captured me. Perhaps it was because of the subject matter - Edward III was a fascinating King and his long reign encompassed many a legendary event. I'm now eager to move on to the next one to see how, after his exemplary reign, the Plantagenets split into Lancaster and York and plunge the country into strife.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This covers the reign of Edward III and his queen Philippa of Hainault which covers the Hundred Years War, the Age of Chivalry, the Black Prince his eldest son, and The Black Death. He had a long reign and many children which would cause issues later with the emergence of the 2 Houses of York & Lancaster and the Wars of the Roses.

[Sara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward III (son of Edward II) and Philippa of Hainault. Parents of Edward the Black Prince and John of Gaunt. Beginning of Hundred Years War.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why do these kings have to have children that I absolutely want to shake?

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

9th in series
Edward III and Philippa and the Black Prince. Excellent!!!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another piece of the Plantaganet series.

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction about a great king, Edward III and the start of the hundred years war that took place between England and France.

[Leighah · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Sue Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable look at the reign of Edward III of England.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only the second book I've read by Jean Plaidy but I have noticed that she consistently looks for the best in people, and is forgiving or maybe just fatalistic.