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Queen Anna
Some historical figures are so closely associated with the people around them that their own stories are in danger of becoming little more than a footnote. Anna of Denmark is often remembered principally as the wife of James VI of Scotland and I of England, yet hers was a remarkable life in its own right. In 'Queen Anna (Stuart Queens Trilogy)', Tony Riches places this fascinating woman firmly at the centre of the narrative, creating an intimate and compelling portrait of a young Danish princess who must learn what it truly means to wear a crown.
Anna is only fourteen when marriage takes her away from everything familiar. Leaving behind her family, her language and the Danish court she understands, she enters a country with very different customs, fierce religious divisions and a political landscape she knows little about. Riches captures her uncertainty beautifully. Anna may be a queen, surrounded by all the wealth and ceremony that comes with such a title, but she quickly discovers that this does not necessarily give her the freedom to make her own choices.
It is watching Anna grow into her role that makes this novel so absorbing. She is not presented as a young woman who immediately understands how to manoeuvre her way through court politics. She makes mistakes, places her trust in people perhaps too readily and becomes frustrated when her wishes are ignored. Experience teaches her when to speak, when to hold her tongue and, most importantly, how much can be achieved by understanding the people around her. By allowing Anna to learn these lessons gradually, Riches creates a character whose development feels wonderfully believable.
Her marriage to James is equally fascinating. There is affection between them, but theirs is also a royal union carrying enormous expectations. Their relationship changes considerably as the years pass. At times, there is genuine warmth between them, while at others the distance between them feels almost impossible to bridge. Their differing views on religion, politics and royal duty inevitably cause tension, but there are also moments when they understand each other remarkably well. It makes their marriage every bit as complicated as the political life surrounding them.
Motherhood gives the novel much of its emotional heart. Royal children are never simply sons and daughters; they represent succession, alliances and the future of a dynasty. Anna struggles with a system that places tradition and duty above the ordinary relationship between a mother and her children, and her frustration is incredibly moving. Some of the quieter moments surrounding her family carry far greater emotional weight than the grand political events taking place around them. Riches never loses sight of the fact that behind the queen is a mother who loves her children fiercely and wants something that should be very simple — the chance to know them and be part of their lives.
Religion also plays an important role throughout the story. Anna arrives in a Scotland where faith is inseparable from politics and reputation, and she soon discovers just how dangerous suspicion can become. The sections concerning accusations of witchcraft are particularly thought-provoking. Rather than using them simply to add drama, Riches explores the fear surrounding such accusations and the terrible consequences that can follow when suspicion is accepted as proof. Anna's response to what she witnesses also reveals a great deal about the woman she is becoming.
The Danish, Scottish and English courts are brought vividly to life through the smaller details of royal existence as well as the significant events taking place beyond palace walls. Clothing, food, journeys, ceremonies, household arrangements and entertainments all help create an authentic sense of time and place. The depth of research is evident, but it never feels as though Riches is simply presenting historical facts to the reader. Major events are incorporated without being allowed to take over Anna's story. The history is always present, but it is experienced through the people living it.
Anna's love of art, architecture, fashion, music and court entertainment is another fascinating aspect of the novel. These interests could easily have been treated as little more than royal extravagance, but Riches demonstrates how important they become to the identity Anna creates for herself. Her patronage offers another way to make her presence felt, and there is something immensely satisfying about watching her discover that there are many different ways for a queen to leave her mark.
No matter how many years pass, Anna's connection to Denmark remains an important part of the story. Her memories of childhood and, especially, the lessons taught by her mother stay with her. Anna's understanding of those lessons changes as she grows older, with things she heard as a girl taking on an entirely different meaning once she has experienced marriage, motherhood and royal life for herself. It creates a lovely sense of continuity and ensures that the Danish princess introduced at the beginning is never entirely lost beneath the crowns she later wears.
The supporting characters are equally memorable, with Annie Kaas being particularly delightful. Her friendship with Anna brings warmth and humour to the narrative while also giving the queen someone with whom she can simply be herself. In a court where friendship and ambition can so easily become entangled, that loyalty becomes increasingly precious. The other women surrounding Anna are also wonderfully portrayed, each bringing something different to her life and helping to create a royal household filled with real personalities rather than names lifted from the pages of history.
The pacing deserves particular praise. Covering several decades of a person's life is never easy, yet the passing years feel natural. Relationships change, earlier experiences continue to matter and Anna grows older without the narrative ever feeling as though it is simply moving from one historical event to the next. Riches also resists the temptation to make his protagonist perfect. She can be stubborn, impulsive and occasionally too trusting, but these flaws make her far more believable and ensure she remains a woman shaped by her own time.
There is a quiet sadness running beneath much of the splendour. Palaces, jewels, beautiful clothes and royal titles cannot protect Anna from disappointment, loneliness or grief. It is often the smallest moments that carry the greatest emotional weight, and Riches handles them with a wonderful restraint that makes them all the more affecting.
'Queen Anna' is a beautifully written and deeply absorbing portrayal of a woman who deserves to be remembered as far more than the wife of James VI and I. Riches gives Anna intelligence, humour, vulnerability and determination while never forgetting the restrictions placed upon women of her rank and time. The uncertain young princess who arrives at the beginning gradually grows into a queen who understands how to make her presence felt, and following that transformation makes for compelling reading.
Richly researched, wonderfully paced and full of heart, 'Queen Anna (Stuart Queens Trilogy)' is historical fiction at its finest. Tony Riches brings Anna of Denmark vividly to life, giving this often-overlooked queen the opportunity to stand at the centre of her own story. A beautifully realised and deeply moving novel.
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Tony Riches
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Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx