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The Friarsgate Inheritance #3
Philippa (Friarsgate Inheritance, Book 3) (Signet Eclipse) by Small, Bertrice(December 5, 2006) Mass Market Paperback
In the third Friarsgate Inheritance novel, New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small takes us back to the sensuality, drama, and intrigue of King Henry's sixteenth-century court to tell the story of the daughter of one of her most beloved characters. The eldest child of Rosamund Bolton and heiress to the Friarsgate manor, Philippa Meredith is devastated when she discovers that the man she sought to marry has rebuffed her. But it is this sudden change of fortune that sweeps the spirited beauty back to her place in the court of Queen Katherine of Aragon--and into the arms of Crispin St. Clair, the Earl of Witton. But when Philippa stumbles onto a plot to assassinate King Henry VIII, their very love is tested as they attempt to unmask those who are plotting to tear the royal court asunder. Contains mature themes.
Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1979
48 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
233 books1,119 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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September 16, 2015I am page 44 and I just can't get into this romance. I love traditional regencies but, so far, Philippa comes across as shallow and superficial. There is nothing to recommend her.
December 20, 2009
I always enjoy Bertrice Small's books and own quite a few of them. The book I read before this one...not by Bertrice Small....was very emotional and a strong book....So this was perfect for me to read right now. I loved Rosamund and I've read Until You, but I had not found Phillippa until now. Wonderful, light, enjoyable.
May 24, 2012
Beatrice Small is amazing, I cannot describe her in any words, she is beyond anything in this world. Her words are magic & I adore all of her books, the tales of kings & queens of yore. You feel like your there, in the presence of the exalted highnesses of long ago. You feel for the heroine's and their male counterparts. I love her !!!!
November 6, 2019
This book was real slow and didn't have a whole lot of pay off. This book had very little romance and instead focused on the politics and court proceedings that made the marriage possible. While I enjoyed Lord Cambridge's character and effort to make Philippa happy, it wasn't enough to make up for the lacking and awkward chemistry between Philippa and Crispin.
June 3, 2020
This book brings you into all the intricacies of King Henry's court. I did not enjoy Philippa as much as I did Rosamund. In much of the book she seems like a spoiled brat. At court she vacillates between being vindictive and overly pious. She has her moments and Crispin seems to understand her, mostly.
August 26, 2011
Really good story and I enjoyed it alot. In the beginning I was sick of Philippa's whining about court. She was so spoiled! But I enjoyed the story line alot. Can't wait to read the last book now.
July 26, 2018
I have enjoyed reading her books in the past. This just didn't compare to her older books like The Kadin or Skye O'Malley. I found this to be boring and predictable!
January 2, 2023
Great Story, Annoying Heroine
It was a fun read as expected for BS. However, for the first time I truly didn’t like our heroine, Philippa. She is so spoiled, pompous and so very much like mean girls. (Spoiler ahead) I understand it is necessary for Philippa to renounce her Friarsgate inheritance at some point for some reason in the story but in expense of Philippa character? Well, it makes our heroine look really selfish (which makes it really bad character for heroine) as for the story it was a fun read, a bit too much on historical detail on some point. One plus point is hero is very likable, a typical male during that time but very mature and reasonable. I think there is balance in H/h character that makes story a 4 for me. The steaminess is as expected for BS which is 4-5 🔥.
It was a fun read as expected for BS. However, for the first time I truly didn’t like our heroine, Philippa. She is so spoiled, pompous and so very much like mean girls. (Spoiler ahead) I understand it is necessary for Philippa to renounce her Friarsgate inheritance at some point for some reason in the story but in expense of Philippa character? Well, it makes our heroine look really selfish (which makes it really bad character for heroine) as for the story it was a fun read, a bit too much on historical detail on some point. One plus point is hero is very likable, a typical male during that time but very mature and reasonable. I think there is balance in H/h character that makes story a 4 for me. The steaminess is as expected for BS which is 4-5 🔥.
November 2, 2023
I didn't realize this was the third book in a series. I wasn't even aware this was a series at all, until then end when I suspected. It was ok. However, the storyline at times either lagged or it was rushed. The writing felt shoddy as well. And the romantic language used was overdone. I don't expect great plot twists or amazing writing with romance novels. But this one just fell flat of even that low expectation. But it was a nice little diversion from other heavier books I've been reading.
July 29, 2018
Philippa
I just love your stories and always have to the point that I save them for a few years and pull them out again. I was so sorry to hear that Bertrice Small, has passed away. I have almost all of her books. Thank you Ada G.
I just love your stories and always have to the point that I save them for a few years and pull them out again. I was so sorry to hear that Bertrice Small, has passed away. I have almost all of her books. Thank you Ada G.
February 24, 2021
Philippa
The oldest daughter of Rosalind Bolton found her life at the court of Henry VIII and Queen Katherine. After much to do, she finally convinced her mother that she did not want the
Friarsgate Inheritance. She wanted a life that revolved around the court.
The oldest daughter of Rosalind Bolton found her life at the court of Henry VIII and Queen Katherine. After much to do, she finally convinced her mother that she did not want the
Friarsgate Inheritance. She wanted a life that revolved around the court.
January 9, 2025
This is a very personal opinion, but I liked it. When I first read a book by Bertrice Small, I wasn't aware that it was part of a series. I liked it so much that I decided to add a dozen more of her books to my reading list.
April 19, 2024
I felt frustrated with Phillipa. I from her character in "Until You" I had ideas about what she would be like, and was irritated with her for the most part. Still a decent book.
wnr
August 7, 2025Own paperback version
August 31, 2025
By and1515
How could that retched boy do this to her and now she most deal with the fallout by herself.
Philippa did not wish to food for the gossip mill her pride simply couldn't take it.
She never been so embarrassed to be found behaving so badly and by the King would certainly be the end of her service to the Queen.
Now she had to face the consequences of her actions and explain her horrible behavior to her mother.
Leading to plenty of discord and many hurt feelings between the two of them before finally she would be allowed to return to the Queen service.
Her mother was more then willing to let her Uncle Thomas take up the cause of finding her a new husband.
This time her younger sister Banon would be joining her for the season so that she could why being at court made her happy.
Philippa was stubborn as her sister Banon was forever the more reasonable one who choice quickly and didn't seem to doubt that decision.
Crispin couldn't understand how his man had been outbid on the property he'd been renting or why someone would even pay that much for it.
But then he meets man who bought the land and now he was offering him a considerable windfall and all he needed to do was choice the man's family for his new wife.
She'd just won the lottery and it all started with the land her favorite Uncle had bought her.
And now she was a countess and her new husband was a young sexy man with all his teeth.
Once married they didn't have much time before they were off to The Field of the Cloth of Gold with their good King and Queen.
Never once did she ever expected such an adventure but now she was glad to be back across the pond and in her new home.
She'd warned him if wasn't back in a week she was heading north without him.
And now he was having to chase after his countess wondering why she couldn't wait for him.
How could that retched boy do this to her and now she most deal with the fallout by herself.
Philippa did not wish to food for the gossip mill her pride simply couldn't take it.
She never been so embarrassed to be found behaving so badly and by the King would certainly be the end of her service to the Queen.
Now she had to face the consequences of her actions and explain her horrible behavior to her mother.
Leading to plenty of discord and many hurt feelings between the two of them before finally she would be allowed to return to the Queen service.
Her mother was more then willing to let her Uncle Thomas take up the cause of finding her a new husband.
This time her younger sister Banon would be joining her for the season so that she could why being at court made her happy.
Philippa was stubborn as her sister Banon was forever the more reasonable one who choice quickly and didn't seem to doubt that decision.
Crispin couldn't understand how his man had been outbid on the property he'd been renting or why someone would even pay that much for it.
But then he meets man who bought the land and now he was offering him a considerable windfall and all he needed to do was choice the man's family for his new wife.
She'd just won the lottery and it all started with the land her favorite Uncle had bought her.
And now she was a countess and her new husband was a young sexy man with all his teeth.
Once married they didn't have much time before they were off to The Field of the Cloth of Gold with their good King and Queen.
Never once did she ever expected such an adventure but now she was glad to be back across the pond and in her new home.
She'd warned him if wasn't back in a week she was heading north without him.
And now he was having to chase after his countess wondering why she couldn't wait for him.
April 1, 2016
I used to read Bertrice Small when I was young and consider her and Kathleen Woodiwiss's books guilty pleasures.
I picked this up for a light read and was amazed and appalled at how rote the writing had become. It got better but the beginning of the book is VERY BADLY edited as you have a lot of repetition. Ie Character 1: We can't go to the store, it's raining. Then in the next paragraph, Character 1 or Character 2, says: "It's too wet to go to the store, it's raining" with no reference to that it was just said!
But even bad editing aside, there's just not the same kind of story telling magic that I've grown to associate with her. Everything was too perfect and mild.
The most interesting character was the young sister, "Bessie" who is set up as the obvious focus of the next book in this series. I'm not familiar with the other books but looking at the "other books by" page in the book, I see that Philippa is the 3rd book in the "Friarsgate" series.
I've a box of Bertrice's books (Long Live Skye O'Malley and her clan) and Kathleen's... I will not be adding this book to the pile.
It was a light read and a story I hadn't yet read yet but I've no interest in reading it again and I would recommend that people read "Skye O'Malley" and the sequels instead of this one.
Giving 3 stars instead of 2 because I didn't hate or dislike this book, just found it nowhere as good as her earlier books.
I picked this up for a light read and was amazed and appalled at how rote the writing had become. It got better but the beginning of the book is VERY BADLY edited as you have a lot of repetition. Ie Character 1: We can't go to the store, it's raining. Then in the next paragraph, Character 1 or Character 2, says: "It's too wet to go to the store, it's raining" with no reference to that it was just said!
But even bad editing aside, there's just not the same kind of story telling magic that I've grown to associate with her. Everything was too perfect and mild.
The most interesting character was the young sister, "Bessie" who is set up as the obvious focus of the next book in this series. I'm not familiar with the other books but looking at the "other books by" page in the book, I see that Philippa is the 3rd book in the "Friarsgate" series.
I've a box of Bertrice's books (Long Live Skye O'Malley and her clan) and Kathleen's... I will not be adding this book to the pile.
It was a light read and a story I hadn't yet read yet but I've no interest in reading it again and I would recommend that people read "Skye O'Malley" and the sequels instead of this one.
Giving 3 stars instead of 2 because I didn't hate or dislike this book, just found it nowhere as good as her earlier books.
August 21, 2015
Yes, I enjoy historical fiction but I didn't really intend to read this since I detected the not so far off moans of a real bodice ripper. It was my period, though, the good old Tudors, the Field of Cloth of Gold, and Katherine's apparent barrenness so I read it.
I liked the detail, although did we have to hear about each meal? There was certainly a lot of ham being consumed and not nearly as much beef as I would have imagined. Describing the clothes was probably a good idea since it made us able to see the people more clearly. The cover is very helpful, too. What does an author do about conversation when there is such a difference between how people talked then and how we do now? Small has gone the middle way, using phrases that have an archaic ring (God's foot!)but otherwise using standard English. There were a few times when modern colloquialisms crept in but not jarringly so.
Interestingly, the feeling of imminent bodice ripping did not turn into action, although the post wedding sex certainly became intense. As for the bathing, I'm not sure why there was such stress put on it and i don't think Friarsgate would have been a likely place to learn the joys of a good relaxing soak. A lot of independent minded females in that family, too, although with the lack of male family it would be quite possible.
Enjoyed this.
I liked the detail, although did we have to hear about each meal? There was certainly a lot of ham being consumed and not nearly as much beef as I would have imagined. Describing the clothes was probably a good idea since it made us able to see the people more clearly. The cover is very helpful, too. What does an author do about conversation when there is such a difference between how people talked then and how we do now? Small has gone the middle way, using phrases that have an archaic ring (God's foot!)but otherwise using standard English. There were a few times when modern colloquialisms crept in but not jarringly so.
Interestingly, the feeling of imminent bodice ripping did not turn into action, although the post wedding sex certainly became intense. As for the bathing, I'm not sure why there was such stress put on it and i don't think Friarsgate would have been a likely place to learn the joys of a good relaxing soak. A lot of independent minded females in that family, too, although with the lack of male family it would be quite possible.
Enjoyed this.
July 25, 2015
Three books by Katherine Talbot arrived in the mail today, sent to my daughter by her paternal grandfather. I was confused until I read the enclosed letter, which made me realize that these were books of family lore, books I had only heard of, but had never seen. These are the books which, according to my husband, were written by his cousin when she was only 12 years old. I never really understood why a 12 year old was working for an editor, but I thought maybe unpaid internships in the late 70's in NYC were just the thing for precocious pre-teens.
She was actually 16 when she was working for the editor and signed the contract to produce these books. She had already graduated and been accepted to Harvard, but her parents felt she was too young, so she took a year off and started at 17. The first book was written when she was a freshman, and the second in sophomore and junior years, and the third when she took a year off from university before law school.
I haven't read them, but my understanding is she felt they were formulaic enough that anyone could write them. At least this is part of the story my husband tells, but his details are often not quite correct. In any event, when I do read them as I'm sure I must, I will report back.
She was actually 16 when she was working for the editor and signed the contract to produce these books. She had already graduated and been accepted to Harvard, but her parents felt she was too young, so she took a year off and started at 17. The first book was written when she was a freshman, and the second in sophomore and junior years, and the third when she took a year off from university before law school.
I haven't read them, but my understanding is she felt they were formulaic enough that anyone could write them. At least this is part of the story my husband tells, but his details are often not quite correct. In any event, when I do read them as I'm sure I must, I will report back.
March 9, 2022
I love these books by this author
I love all of Bertrice Small books I am trying to replace the books that got destroyed please help me do you understand me
I love all of Bertrice Small books I am trying to replace the books that got destroyed please help me do you understand me
February 15, 2016
The story of the daughter of one of her most beloved characters.The eldest child of Rosamund Bolton and heiress to the Friarsgate manor, Philippa Meredith is devastated when she discovers that the man she sought to marry has rebuffed her. But it is this sudden change of fortune that sweeps the spirited beauty back to her place in the court of Queen Katherine of Aragon-and into the arms of Crispin St. Clair, the Earl of Witton. But when Philippa stumbles onto a plot to assassinate King Henry VIII, their very love is tested as they attempt to unmask those who are plotting to tear the royal court asunder.
February 3, 2015
Tried this book because I loved the author's Border Lord Series.
I couldn't finish the book; it was whiny, annoying, and soooo slow. BUT I don't think it had to do with the author; unlike the Border Lord Series which was set in Scotland with little references to England, this book is set in England.
So my conclusion is that England based romance novels just aren't as fiery in comparison to the Scotland based ones.
I couldn't finish the book; it was whiny, annoying, and soooo slow. BUT I don't think it had to do with the author; unlike the Border Lord Series which was set in Scotland with little references to England, this book is set in England.
So my conclusion is that England based romance novels just aren't as fiery in comparison to the Scotland based ones.
August 22, 2007
Yes, Beatrice Small is predictable, but she does a great job with British and French history without boring me. The characters are likeable, and in traditional Beatrice Small style, she has enough romance for the "light read."
November 29, 2008
I can't really said I read this because I quit half way through. The main character was a spoiled brat with no redeeming qualities to me. I tried to keep reading but I found myself wondering why I was wasting my time.
December 6, 2008
not as good as rosamund. not a whole lot happens.
Read
October 19, 2016Could not finish. Boring.
February 28, 2010
The book was ok average.
Want to read
October 16, 2012I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11470698
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11470698
January 5, 2013
Great book.
November 10, 2017
A great read by one of my favorite authors.
September 13, 2022
Tudor era historical romance with sizzle. While the story was good I just didn't like the main character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews