History often provides the very best fodder for engaging, enjoyable plotlines and that is certainly the case with The Governess, the first historical novel from a prolific author who had previously written lighter, more romantic fare. Reinventing her writer self after 18 novels, Wendy Holden has placed herself in a fabulous new spot and the reading public will applaud her move.
Wendy Holden
One couldn’t make up a better story than that of the real-life Scottish teacher Marion Crawford, or “Crawfie” as she was known to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret of York when she joined the royal household as governess in 1932. The future Queen and her sister were just six and almost two. Crawfie was to remain an integral part of the royal family’s personal lives for 16 years, only retiring after Elizabeth’s marriage to Prince Philip in 1947.
Determined that the ‘girls’ be exposed to everyday life outside the Palace walls, she insisted on shopping outings to Woolworths, museum visits, riding the Tube and the bus and participation in the Girl Guides/Brownies. She was a progressive educator who understood that to ultimately lead her people, Elizabeth had to know and understand them.
Dedicated to her charges, whom she considered like daughters, she was their teacher, playmate, companion and confidante through the multiple crises the family was forced to navigate both privately and publicly. First there was the shock abdication in 1936 of Edward VIII and his younger brother Bertie’s reluctant acceptance of the throne. Then came the War, the Blitz and the bombing of the Palace, coinciding with Elizabeth’s reaching womanhood and ultimately wanting to serve in the War effort.
On retirement, with the encouragement of her husband, Marion made a massive mistake. She penned a memoir called The Little Princesses which, though in no way critical, lifted the confidential veil of life with the family. The Royals saw it as a betrayal and never spoke with her again, attended her funeral or even sent flowers.
Wendy Holden believes that Crawfie’s punishment was harsh and that the time has come for her significant part in royal history to be highlighted and lauded. Her story may be told in the guise of fiction but the facts of Marion Crawford’s life and work have been researched impeccably, giving The Governess an authentic feel and legitimacy that will be welcomed by all those curious to understand the contributing influences for the Queen becoming the strong, steadfast and understanding monarch that she is almost universally now recognised to be.
—The Governess by Wendy Holden (Allen & Unwin) is out now.
The Governess
The Governess tells the story of Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford, the progressive young working-class woman who, as royal governess for seventeen years, lived on the most intimate terms with Princess Margaret and the future Queen Elizabeth II.
The castles and palaces may have housed a family frozen in time, but outside poverty and unemployment were breeding unrest in 1930s Britain, with Hitler's ascent looming. If royalty was to survive, it must draw closer to the people. And so Marion took the princesses on tubes and buses, swimming at public baths, Christmas shopping at Woolworth's...
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Comments
October 20, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Have just finished The Governess and really found the book a terrific read.
Well written and most informative and interesting
Have read several other books by Wendy and will be keenly waiting for her next novel