Portrait Of An Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett

 

This novel, set during the time of King Henry VII's reign, focuses on the life of Meg, who is a ward of Thomas More.  More is Henry's secretary or right-hand man and one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.  But a division has begun lately as Henry seeks to put aside his first wife to marry Anne Boleyn and hopefully create a male heir.  This desire conflicts with the Catholic church and Henry is edging towards renouncing that religion.  More is a staunch Catholic and does not approve even when he knows that disagreeing with a king is a short road to trouble.

Meg has been raised in More's household since she was nine along with More's children.  He believed in educating women so she and her sisters are highly educated.  But she is now of marriage age and wonders why a marriage has not been arranged for her.  She falls in love with John Clement, who was the tutor for the girls and after a delay, they marry.

John Clement has a secret.  He was one of the Princes in the Tower who everyone suspects were killed by Richard III and should have been a king.  But to save his life, he was spirited away and raised under another name.  He is now a doctor having given up any thought of being a king.

Another famous name is Hans Holbein, an artist who fled his home country due to the Protestant Revolution.  He comes to London to make his name and is hired by More to paint the family's portrait.  But Hans falls in love with Meg, although he has left a wife and family behind him in Holland.  

Vanora Bennett has worked as a journalist as well as the author of historical novels.  Readers of this novel will learn more about the break between Catholicism and the Protestant religion and the tortures given to those accused of heresy.  They will also learn about painting and how the artist goes about his craft and the hidden messages and jokes often hidden there.  I was impressed with all the things that I would normally miss in a work of art and have a new basis on which to observe great paintings of this time period.  I'm not so sure I buy into the whole John Clement is one of the Princes in the Tower scenario but it is a possibility in a time where there was little in the way of news except gossip and where moving twenty miles away was a distance far enough to start a new life.  This book is recommended for readers of historical fiction.