The Lost Queen

by Norah Lofts

Book Overview

"Princesses are born to be exiled. What is the alternative? Spinsterhood?" Thus the future of Caroline Matilda, youngest sister of George III, was settled - marriage to the nearly insane Prince of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385067593
• ISBN13: 9780385067591
• Release Date: January 1969
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

DAZZLING...A SPELLBINDING WORK OF HISTORICAL FICTION...

This is a well-written work of historical fiction that will keep the reader riveted to its pages until the very end. It tells the story of Princess Caroline Mathilde of England, sister to King George III. At the age of fifteen she was wed to young King Christian VII, who eventually became known as the mad king of Denmark. Temperamental, high strung, and given to strange outbursts, his predilection for strange behavior was known early on, but despite this, the two kingdoms would still see these two wed, as the unification of England and Denmark was paramount to individual happiness. King Christian VII developed a peculiar aversion to his wife and, consequently had conjugal relations with her only once, which propitiously resulted in the birth of a son nine months later. Alone in a foreign country, whose language she was only beginning to learn, and estranged from a King surrounded by sycophants, the young Queen gravitated to the one person who treated her as a person in her own right, the King's physician, Johann Struensee. An advocate of the philosophy of Enlightenment that was overtaking Europe, Struensee had many ideas that were introduced as reforms in Denmark, through his influence with the King, who by now was easily led. These reforms were to make many enemies for him, as they upset the established feudal system that still existed in eighteenth century Denmark at the time. As he gained power through his influence, resentment against him grew within those circles that had formerly been close to the King. Unaware of the growing animosity against him, Struensee and the Queen became close intimates, bound by shared ideas and interests. Struensee's relationship with the Queen, who was lonely and starved for affection, eventually transgressed the bounds set by propriety. Now lovers in fact, their relationship became grist for the rumor mill. As gossip and innuendo about their relationship swirled across royal circles in Europe, it ultimately became the focal point for a political coup that saw them both arrested and charged with treason. What ultimately happened to each of them was tragic. This is a richly atmospheric work of historical fiction, filled with political intrigue, historical personages and events, as well as a bittersweet and poignant romance that was to have so many personal and political ramifications. It is a well told story that will hold the reader in its thrall until the very last page is turned.

DAZZLING...A SPELLBINDING WORK OF HISTORICAL FICTION...

This is a well-written work of historical fiction that will keep the reader riveted to its pages until the very end. It tells the story of Princess Caroline Mathilde of England, sister to King George III. At the age of fifteen she was wed to young King Christian VII, who eventually became known as the mad king of Denmark. Temperamental, high strung, and given to strange outbursts, his predilection for strange behavior was known early on, but despite this, the two kingdoms would still see these two wed, as the unification of England and Denmark was paramount to individual happiness. King Christian VII developed a peculiar aversion to his wife and, consequently had conjugal relations with her only once, which propitiously resulted in the birth of a son nine months later. Alone in a foreign country, whose language she was only beginning to learn, and estranged from a King surrounded by sycophants, the young Queen gravitated to the one person who treated her as a person in her own right, the King's physician, Johann Struensee.An advocate of the philosophy of Enlightenment that was overtaking Europe, Struensee had many ideas that were introduced as reforms in Denmark, through his influence with the King, who by now was easily led. These reforms were to make many enemies for him, as they upset the established feudal system that still existed in eighteenth century Denmark at the time. As he gained power through his influence, resentment against him grew within those circles that had formerly been close to the King. Unaware of the growing animosity against him, Struensee and the Queen became close intimates, bound by shared ideas and interests.Struensee's relationship with the Queen, who was lonely and starved for affection, eventually transgressed the bounds set by propriety. Now lovers in fact, their relationship became grist for the rumor mill. As gossip and innuendo about their relationship swirled across royal circles in Europe, it ultimately became the focal point for a political coup that saw them both arrested and charged with treason. What ultimately happened to each of them was tragic.This is a richly atmospheric work of historical fiction, filled with political intrigue, historical personages and events, as well as a bittersweet and poignant romance that was to have so many personal and political ramifications. It is a well told story that will hold the reader in its thrall until the very last page is turned.

Hardships of an English Princess

An emotional telling of the story of Princess Caroline of England. Sister to King George III, she, like most royal daughters of that time, was forced to leave home and marry the King of Denmark. Unfortunately, Christian of Denmark was insane as a result of contracting syphillis. Her life with him was almost torture and before long she fell in love with the court physician who wanted to rule Denmark more along the lines of the English. Of course, it ends disasterously. Lofts does a very good job of conveying the feelings of the main characters and the reader develops an emotional attachment to their very sad lives. Only one complaint, I wish the author would have given a brief epilogue about the characters, especially the children of Caroline. I wondered what happened to her son and daughter.

Great Book! True Story!

This book is a true story about an English princess who was married to a mad king of Denmark. Like Mary of Scots she became involved in a high profile affair, producing a child. This book is well researched, emotionally moving, and written with a nearly extinct flare. A very good read!

Beautiful, Romantic, Facinating

This book is a story about an English princess who was married to a mad king of Denmark. Like Mary of Scots she became involved in a high profile affair. This book is well researched, emotionally moving, and written with a nearly extinct flare. A very good read!