Unicorn Publishing Group
Paperback, 320 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical
Synopsis
When the 15-year-old Lady Anne Clifford’s father died in 1605, she was his sole surviving child and expecting to inherit the Cliffords’ great northern estates. But the Earl of Cumberland leaves a will which ignores an ancient law and bequeaths the lands to his brother, in the belief that a prophecy by his great-grandfather will eventually come true and
return the estates to Anne. She and her mother vow to contest the will.
Anne spends the next three decades battling for what she believes is rightfully hers. She risks everything by opposing her beloved husband, her family and friends, the nobility, the law courts, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the King. She steadfastly (and treasonably) refuses to accept the King’s decision, whatever the consequences, but is defeated and left with the prophecy as her only hope.
Widowed at thirty-four, she survives an anxious period alone with her two young daughters before surprising everyone with an ill-judged second marriage which gives her access to the highest in the land. But the Civil War destroys that power and confines the 52-year-old Anne to a grand palace in London for six years. Still convinced of her rights, will she ever attain “ye landes of mine inheritance”?
My Thoughts
In her outstanding debut novel, Christine Raafat has brought a woman out of 17th century obscurity into the light of present day. The Will to Succeed is a fascinating tale based on the true story of Lady Anne Clifford’s battle to regain her inheritance after her father changed his will, for no other reason than a family prophecy, and virtually disinherited her. What followed was a battle of wills which pitted Anne against, what probably seemed to her at the time, the whole world. Except for her mother and a few other supporters, Anne fought a branch of her own family, her husband and his family and friends, the Church and even King James I, to regain what was rightfully hers by law. Her plight was common knowledge and everyone had an opinion as to what she should do. A weaker woman would have bowed to pressure and relinquished her claim, especially when it threatened her marriage and the relationship with her child, but not Anne.
I found it very interesting that despite this being an age where women were supposed to defer to their husbands in all matters and had very little rights, the situation could not be resolved satisfactorily without Anne's agreement. The frustration was palpable every time Anne refused to give up her claim to her father's northern estates.
Christine Raafat has written a captivating story around the rights of women and the complex laws of inheritance. Her portrayal of Lady Anne Clifford ensures that this historical figure will no longer be a forgotten part of history, but will be remembered as the strong, tenacious and intelligent woman that she undoubtedly was.
Those readers who have a penchant for historical fiction with strong female protagonists will certainly enjoy this novel. I did.
Available from Amazon
About the Author
Christine Raafat grew up in the Eden Valley, in what was then Westmorland. An early fascination with Ancient Egypt led to an ambition to be an archaeologist; instead she became a Clinical Psychologist and married an Egyptian Psychiatrist. Twins were born two years later. She lived in East Sussex for over 20 years, working with children and families and published Parenting Skills in 1995. Widowed and then retired, she took up painting and returned to Cumbria, but was later seduced by the fascination of words and published several magazine articles of local interest. The Will to Succeed is her first novel, taking us back from the court of James I to the Eden Valley.
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This does sound interesting. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA little known bit of history well worth reading about!
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