Spotlight
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, the Winterqueen, by Gerard van Honthorst, 1642
A special love
The Calvinist Netherlands in the Golden Age.
Him: an African prince, former slave, with a degree in theology. Her: Elisabeth of Bohemia, known as the Winter Queen because she and her husband were dethroned after only one season of ruling. She’s a widow and mother of 13; he is a bachelor. Both are middle aged.
They meet in The Hague, fall in love, get married and have a child. They keep the utmost secrecy, because publicity would create a diplomatic uproar. Impossible, since Elisabeth aspires to win the throne back for her son.
A wonderful love story set at a time of religious disputes and revolts against the rulers in several European countries. The writer is a careful researcher of historical sources and also includes political and diplomatic intrigues in her book.
Trivia: Also published as Astraea. This story finds its sequel in the novel The Pretender, set in London and on the Isle of Barbados.
Previous spotlight Archive
Rembrandt, self portraitMaster of light
Pieter Blaeu, son of the succesful publisher of maps, globes and books, is a young and light hearted lad.He aspires to become an art expert, writer, and translator. His father’s business does not appeal to him very much.
His interests are wider than just sales and commerce. He wants to know about society, social life, politics, arts and especially about artists. Mainly Rembrandt (1606-1669) captures his attention.
Read more.. (0 comment(s))
Cover of the book ''Equator' by Miguel Sousa Tavares.Portugal under fire
The Portugese bachelor Luis Bernardo Valença has enough money to enjoy life comfortably. This ends abruptly when the king asks him to become the governor of one of Portugal´s colonies: the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe off the west coast of Africa.His assignment is to end the rumours about slavery on the cocoa and coffee plantations. The trade may be seriously affected by continuing criticism on this practice. Especially in England, an influential player in global trading, public outrage has reached a peak.
Read more.. (0 comment(s))
In Dutch / In het Nederlands
Bezoek www.historische-romans.nl voor een overzicht van Nederlandse romans.
Highest rating
The Thousand Autumns of Jacbob de ZoetDavid Mitchell, 2010
The Cloister and the Hearth
Charles Reade, 1861
The Lost Diaries of Frans Hals
Michael Kernan, 1994
The Man Who Found the Missing Link
Pat Shipman, 2001
The Winter Queen
Jane Stevenson, 2001
Recent publications
