The King's Witch

Historian Borman tells a compelling story of the young noblewoman Frances Gorges and her service to Elizabeth I and then James I of England's daughter, Elizabeth. Spanning from March 1603 to January 1606, the book depicts court life and the plot to assassinate the king. Frances has the gift of healing and understands herbal remedies, which endears her to James's wife, Queen Anne. Those abilities arouse the suspicions of the king and his courtiers, who believe Frances is a witch. Borman balances a wealth of characters—the numerous courtiers, Frances's family members, the royal staff—and locations without overwhelming readers. Frances's character is the most developed, though others, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth, and the assassination conspirators, are well crafted, too. Readers also get a sense of Stuart England through the seamless incorporation of vocabulary and descriptions of clothing, environment, and culture, especially the tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism and the fear of perceived witchcraft. Themes of loyalty, love, misogyny, and fear are also well delineated. The love story between Frances and another historical figure, Thomas Wintour, is cloying at times, but it is still realistic and enthralling.