The Tapestry

Nancy Bilyeau

Joanna Stafford 3

Joanna Stafford is the daughter of Sir Richard Stafford and related to the late Duke of Buckingham, courtier of Henry VIII and executed for treason. Her mother was lady in waiing to Katherine of Aragon, Henry's first Queen.
In the first novel, The Crown Joanna has joined a nunnery in Dartford and meets Geoffry Scovill who rescues her from a sticky situation in Spittlefields.
In The Tapestry, she is no longer a novice nun but Mistress Stafford, tapestry maker.
She gets involved with the court of Henry the eighth when the king asks for a tapestry. At court she meets some important people including Katherine Howard, who is poised to become Henryès fifth wife; and Hans Holbein, court painter. She is also reaquainted with Bishop Stephen Gardener and Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, and Katherine's uncle. Joanna gets embroiled in court intrigue, which leads her into situations that endanger her life.
My favorite part of the book is where Holbein talks about Martin Luther and the Peasant's War while bound for Belgium.
There was really nothing to dislike about the book, but there were a few parts that were a little frustrating, in that it seemed to be pointing to an end that I did not want.
Anyone who likes historical fiction would be entertained by this book, or indeed anyone who is or has been in a convent would also find this a good read.
The author handled setting very well, especially the chapters in London, and brings you into the story through both setting and characters.
The plot was enough to keep me turning pages, mainly to see if Joanna would find her love at the end. So as not to give the ending away, I will just say that it took three books, but I was completely satisfied.
If I were to give the book/series a theme I would have to say it would be “If you wait long enough you will get your heart's desire.” Despite many twists and turns, in the plot, and in Joanna's own mind.
One thing I noticed from the author's note: Nancy Bilyeau says that the 3rd Duke of Buckingham was Henry Stafford. When my research says Henry was the 2nd Duke and father of Edward, the man actually executed by King Henry for treason.