History Literature / TheVirginWidow

The Virgin Widow is a 2010 work of HistoricalFiction and RomanceNovel by Anne O'Brien, which tells the story of Anne Neville and her romance with her second husband, the future UsefulNotes/RichardIII. The story is told in the first person, entirely from Anne's point of view. Anne's life coincides with several key events of UsefulNotes/WarsOfTheRoses and many of the players of the conflict appear as characters. Anne is portrayed as a spirited and intelligent young woman who is caught up in the deadly politics of her time and who desires not to be anyone's pawn. The book leans toward the Ricardian position about Richard III, portraying him as tough but not evil and his relationship with Anne as a love affair. However, since it ends before the death of UsefulNotes/EdwardIV, it sidesteps many of the questions surrounding Richard's actions at that time.

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: Historians are split as to whether the short marriage of Anne Neville and Edward of Westminster was consummated. Margaret of Anjou opposed the match and only begrudgingly agreed to it, and it wasn't uncommon for such fraught political unions to delay consummation. So, the scenario presented in the book is plausible speculation. On the other hand, the Earl of Warwick would have wanted the marriage legally sealed as soon as possible. It's just a question of which powerful person got their way. Anne would certainly have no say in the matter.

* EasilyOverheardConversation: While in Tewkesbury Abbey, Anne happens upon Edward IV and Richard just as she is the topic of conversation, and she manages to hide and hear everything.

The Virgin Widow is a 2010 work of HistoricalFiction by Anne O'Brien, which tells the story of Anne Neville and her romance with her second husband, the future UsefulNotes/RichardIII. The story is told in the first person, entirely from Anne's point of view. Anne's life coincides with several key events of UsefulNotes/WarsOfTheRoses and many of the players of the conflict appear as characters. Anne is portrayed as a spirited and intelligent young woman who is caught up in the deadly politics of her time and who desires not to be anyone's pawn. The book leans toward the Ricardian position about Richard III, portraying him as tough but not evil and his relationship with Anne as a love affair. However, since it ends before the death of UsefulNotes/EdwardIV, it sidesteps many of the questions surrounding Richard's actions at that time.

* BewareTheQuietOnes: Richard doesn't talk much, it's as big as his brother but when he has to strike, he strikes hard and fast. [[spoiler: He stabs Edward of Lancaster in the chest when the Lancastrian prince lunges at Edward IV.]]

* TeenPregnancy: The still-in-their-teens Richard and Anne consummate their relationship before they officially marry and before a dispensation arrives from the the Pope. When she reveals she's pregnant, Richard immediately marries her and tells Edward that he has done so and why.

* TeenPregnancy: The still-in-their-teens Richard and Anne consulate their relationship before they officially marry and before a dispensation arrives from the the Pope. When she reveals she's pregnant, Richard immediately marries her and tells Edward that he has done so and why.

* PragmaticAdaptation: O'Brien gives Anne a happily ever after where she has a son with Richard and is reunited with her mother. Ending it there spares O'Brien from having to interpret the more controversial moments of Richard and Anne's lives and avoids the fact that their son predeceased them and both of them died young.

The Virgin Widow is a 2010 work of HistoricalFiction by Anne O'Brien, which tells the story of Anne Neville and her romance with her second husband, the future UsefulNotes/RichardIII. The story is told in the first person, entirely from Anne's point of view. Anne's life coincides with several key events of UsefulNotes/WarsOfTheRoses and many of the players of the conflict appear as characters. Anne is portrayed as a spirited and intelligent young woman who is caught up in the deadly politics of her time and who desires not to be anyone's pawn. The book leans toward the Ricardian position about Richard III, portraying him as tough but not evil and his relationship with Anne as a love affair. However, since it ends before the death of Edward IV, it sidesteps many of the questions surrounding Richard's actions at that time.

* PrinceCharmless: Edward of Lancaster is handsomer than Richard, but he's immature and spoiled and overly-indulged by his mother. However, there are hints that had he lived, he had the capacity to grow out of that and he does seem to have some affection for Anne. Overlaps with RoyalBrat, as Anne observes that while they are of similar age, Richard has been given real-life experience in politics and battle while Edward of Lancaster has been protected by his mother and spoiled. As a result, Richard carries himself like a grown-man, while Edward is given to tantrums, empty boasts and petty cruelty.

* PrinceCharmless: Edward of Lancaster is handsomer than Richard, but he's immature and spoiled and overly-indulged by his mother. However, there are hints that had he lived, he had the capacity to grow out of that and he does seem to have some affection for Anne.

* TheLadysFavor: After their first betrothal is broken, a heartbroken Anne and Richard are allowed a short goodbye and Anne gives him a ring. When they are reunited after her husband's death, Anne notices Richard is still wearing it, giving her hope that he still has affection for her.