Roberta Gellis (1927–2016)
Author of This Scepter'd Isle
About the Author
Disambiguation Notice:
aka Max Daniels, Leah Jacobs and Priscilla Hamilton
Image credit: robertagellis.com
Series
Works by Roberta Gellis
Madame Leonie 3 copies
Rarer Than a White Crow 1 copy
Associated Works
Mapping the World of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Exploration of the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time (2005) — Contributor — 338 copies, 6 reviews
Murder by Magic: Twenty Tales of Crime and the Supernatural (2004) — Contributor — 266 copies, 4 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Gellis, Roberta
- Legal name
- Gellis, Roberta Leah Jacobs
- Other names
- Jacobs, Leah
Daniels, Max
Hamilton, Priscilla - Birthdate
- 1927-09-27
- Date of death
- 2016-05-06
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Hunter College, City University of New York (BS|1947|Chemistry)
Brooklyn Polytechnic University (MS|1952|Biochemistry) - Occupations
- research chemist
freelance editor
novelist
historical novelist - Organizations
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
- Awards and honors
- Romance Writers of America (Golden Treasure, 1986)
RT Career Acheivement Award - Short biography
- According to her web site, Roberta Gellis has a master's degree in biochemistry and another in medieval literature, and a peculiar working history: ten years as a research chemist, many years as a free-lance editor of scientific manuscripts, and 40 years as a writer. She has ventured into numerous literary genres, including romantic suspense, both historical and contemporary; science fiction; and fantasy. She has been married to her husband Charles for more than 50 years and the couple have one son, Mark, and a granddaughter called Elizabeth.
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA
- Places of residence
- Roslyn Heights, New York, USA
Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Flushing, Michigan, USA - Place of death
- Flushing, Michigan, USA
- Burial location
- Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan, USA
- Map Location
- New York, USA
- Disambiguation notice
- aka Max Daniels, Leah Jacobs and Priscilla Hamilton
Members
Reviews
Third in the Stephen trilogy of historical romances. These are set during ‘The Anarchy’ - the earlier English Civil War during the reign of King Stephen, not the War of the Roses or the later period commonly known as the English Civil War. They are also pretty true to period, so make uncomfortable reading with the general brutality and treatment of women and the lower classes, especially the non-free serfs. If you are expecting a book that panders to twentieth century sensibilities show more especially relating to romance, these are books you should not read.
These books cover three marriages in an age where the modern concept of romantic love was largely unknown or the province of the troubadours. Marriages were made to cement alliances, consolidate property or for the man’s gain. Women had very little to say in who they would marry - that was arranged by their parents with the approval of their overlord. Frequently the first time bride and groom met was at the altar. Often there was a significant age difference; the wife may well be the second or third wife, earlier wives dying from disease or in child birth. Women were also chattels; initially of their father or male guardian, after marriage, of their husband. Their lives and property were literally in their male relative’s hands; they were expected to obey and were subject to physical brutality if they did not. The marriage bed was the same - once wed, they could not deny the use of their body - at that time, the concept of marital rape was not thought of; rape was when a man took a woman by force that he was not married to.
In the 1st and 3rd books, the story starts (more or less) with the woman being married to the man with no choice in the matter and little notice. The second book the woman was sufficiently indulged by her father that his choice of husband was approved by her. Either way, the stories are about husband and wife getting to know each other and making accommodation to end with a good marriage, if not what we would consider a good marriage by today’s standards.
The 3 books are sequential and although they are self-contained, the later books reference characters in the earlier books, especially in relation to the political background and family alliances, so it is best to read them in order. All 3 deal with the misunderstandings inherent when 2 people don’t know each other at all and how they are resolved to come to a liveable, if not amicable, living arrangement.
Recommended for their open-eyed historiocity, and sparing application of modern romance tropes. Be warned that if you are expecting a sanitised view of medieval life, you won’t be getting it - these knights in shining armour stink to high heaven, beat their womenfolk, servants and serfs, indulge in non-consensual sex at best, rape at worst, pillage their enemies property and generally behave like misogynist pigs. show less
These books cover three marriages in an age where the modern concept of romantic love was largely unknown or the province of the troubadours. Marriages were made to cement alliances, consolidate property or for the man’s gain. Women had very little to say in who they would marry - that was arranged by their parents with the approval of their overlord. Frequently the first time bride and groom met was at the altar. Often there was a significant age difference; the wife may well be the second or third wife, earlier wives dying from disease or in child birth. Women were also chattels; initially of their father or male guardian, after marriage, of their husband. Their lives and property were literally in their male relative’s hands; they were expected to obey and were subject to physical brutality if they did not. The marriage bed was the same - once wed, they could not deny the use of their body - at that time, the concept of marital rape was not thought of; rape was when a man took a woman by force that he was not married to.
In the 1st and 3rd books, the story starts (more or less) with the woman being married to the man with no choice in the matter and little notice. The second book the woman was sufficiently indulged by her father that his choice of husband was approved by her. Either way, the stories are about husband and wife getting to know each other and making accommodation to end with a good marriage, if not what we would consider a good marriage by today’s standards.
The 3 books are sequential and although they are self-contained, the later books reference characters in the earlier books, especially in relation to the political background and family alliances, so it is best to read them in order. All 3 deal with the misunderstandings inherent when 2 people don’t know each other at all and how they are resolved to come to a liveable, if not amicable, living arrangement.
Recommended for their open-eyed historiocity, and sparing application of modern romance tropes. Be warned that if you are expecting a sanitised view of medieval life, you won’t be getting it - these knights in shining armour stink to high heaven, beat their womenfolk, servants and serfs, indulge in non-consensual sex at best, rape at worst, pillage their enemies property and generally behave like misogynist pigs. show less
Well, this one left me with cold shudders and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. A load of "eeeewwww" remains. Never would I have expected warm n'fuzzy Mercedes Lackey to present (borderline ?) child sexual abuse as a desirable thing. In this tale, young Elizabeth Tudor's Bright Court elvish protector, friendly Lord Denno, deflowers her on the night of their first "date" away from Court, during a party Underhill. This is okay, the characters think, since he can disappear into Faerie in show more a moment and never be caught defiling her honour. Shortly after this encounter, Elizabeth is puzzled by her stepmother, Queen Catherine Parr's, morning sickness. The sticking point here for me, I think, is that I cannot think this version of a young, naive teenage Elizabeth could hafve given fully-informed consent to having a physical relationship. This series is full of treacly sentimentality about the sacred nature of childhood, but horny old men may lie in wait just outside its gates, pricks at the ready? Especially in a culture that valued a woman's virginity as much as the medieval English did? A world of yuck, sez I! If a girl of 14 was my daughter, I'd hope that her sexual awakening would occur in a nice orderly progression from kissing and hand holding and a chance to think about it all, to smooching and petting and then some information about birth control, veneral disease, heartbreak, and possible social repercussions before proceeding to a "fully sated" state of contentment. I am not one of those who would hate to believe the Virgin Queen ever managed to have herself some fun. I'd have liked this story just fine for a slightly older and wiser, less childish Lady Elizabeth. show less
I read this book when it first came out and have reread it multiple times. I love the well-researched setting and insights into historical figures. The main characters are well-written and realistically portrayed for their times. The author did a skillful job weaving fact and fiction, creating a story that has kept me coming back to it year after year.
Alinor is the sixteen-year-old heiress of the vast lands of the Sire of Roselynde. She is bold, beautiful, confident, and unwilling to cede show more her rights to any man. After her parents' deaths when she was a child, her grandparents (The Sword and the Swan) raised her. Lord Rannulf taught her how to care for the land and lead those under her, while Lady Catherine guided her in caring for the people. When Lord Rannulf dies (after an incredibly long life for the period), Alinor is unmarried and, therefore, a rich prize for any man who can take her. Her situation comes to the attention of Queen Alinor, who ensures that Alinor becomes a ward of King Richard, a method of protecting her. The book opens as the Queen arrives to visit Alinor and Roselynde, and the opening scenes are vividly described. Here, Alinor learns the Queen's right-hand man, Sir Simon, will become her warden to protect her and her lands in the King's name.
Simon is a knight who has been the Queen's man for many years and fulfilled many roles. He is a king's justiciar, as a younger man, he spent time as Prince Richard's shield bearer (protector) and most recently was the one sent to release the Queen from the confinement imposed by the late King Henry II. He is an experienced warrior in his forties and well-versed in Court intrigues and behaviors.
I loved the first encounter between Alinor and Simon. He is struck dumb by her beauty, while Alinor looks at him as the Queen's man. But Fate, and the Queen, have a twist in store for them. The Queen is unwilling to leave Alinor unprotected and must ensure the King receives the funds earned from Roselynde's lands, so she assigns Simon to be Alinor's warden. Simon is not exactly happy about this assignment, believing it to be more punishment than reward. Alinor is angry and worried that Simon will strip her lands to help the King. He has no idea how deeply involved she is in managing everything to do with her properties, and his investigations do nothing to make him believe that everything is okay. I always laugh at his reaction to "my lady's book" and the disaster he thinks it holds. The confrontation with Alinor is hilarious and eye-opening for Simon, and it is also the beginning of the volatile relationship between them.
The chemistry between Simon and Alinor is undeniable, but they are also trapped in the reality of their time. As an heiress and King's ward, Alinor is a pawn awaiting her turn to be given in a marriage that will add to someone's power. Simon is not a noble and has no real wealth or power of his own. But Alinor is determined to have the man she wants and will do whatever is necessary to make it happen.
The action moves from Roselynde to the King's Court, where Alinor works her wiles to get what she wants. Going from an active life to being a court member is a recipe for disaster, and she draws her share of unwanted attention. Alinor is quick-witted, and I loved how she used those wits to change her situation. The scenes of her work with the Queen were great, and her stolen moments with Simon showed their longing to be together. There's a bit of miscommunication when Simon's honor runs up against Alinor's misunderstanding of something the Queen says. I loved seeing Alinor's satisfaction with her work and the difference it made to her time at court.
Significant changes are ahead when King Richard announces his plans to go on Crusade. The politics involved were fascinating, both in what it meant for the Crusaders and those left in England. After some political wrangling, Simon commits to going with Richard, and Alinor accompanies the Queen, who will collect Richard's bride-to-be and deliver her for the wedding. The trip's details were fascinating and gave a vivid picture of the conditions and activities. The Queen and her party, including Alinor, follow Richard to the Holy Land.
The ins and outs of the fighting and the royals' personalities created many edge-of-the-seat situations. Simon and Alinor possess a dangerous secret that puts them both at risk. Through it all, their love never falters, nor does their determination to find a way to marry. Though they get their wish, the circumstances are less than ideal and make for an awkward wedding ceremony.
Even with their long-desired arrival back in England, their troubles are still ongoing. Unaware of her marriage, others have plans to cement alliances using Alinor, and her resistance is not well-received. The consequences put both her and Simon in danger. I loved Simon's solution, and seeing his plan carried out was great fun.
I love the characters in this book. Alinor has an unusual, but not unheard of, upbringing, which frequently puts her at odds with those around her. She is strong-willed and stubborn, sometimes getting her in hot water with authority figures. She can be manipulative in pursuit of her goals, but always with the best intentions. I loved her clear vision regarding other characters and their personalities, motives, and failings. There were plenty of scenes of Alinor's interactions with people, some impressive in their forcefulness.
Simon is written accurately for a man of his time, which can make things a little uncomfortable for modern sensitivities. Overall, though, he is a man whose honor is a huge part of who he is. As much as he desires Alinor, he refuses to do anything underhanded to gain her hand in marriage. His interactions with Alinor can be sweet or explosive, as she frequently tries his patience. He is an experienced knight who relates well to Alinor's vassals and castellans and quickly earns their respect. He is respected by King Richard and the Queen also, which pays off for him in the end. show less
Alinor is the sixteen-year-old heiress of the vast lands of the Sire of Roselynde. She is bold, beautiful, confident, and unwilling to cede show more her rights to any man. After her parents' deaths when she was a child, her grandparents (The Sword and the Swan) raised her. Lord Rannulf taught her how to care for the land and lead those under her, while Lady Catherine guided her in caring for the people. When Lord Rannulf dies (after an incredibly long life for the period), Alinor is unmarried and, therefore, a rich prize for any man who can take her. Her situation comes to the attention of Queen Alinor, who ensures that Alinor becomes a ward of King Richard, a method of protecting her. The book opens as the Queen arrives to visit Alinor and Roselynde, and the opening scenes are vividly described. Here, Alinor learns the Queen's right-hand man, Sir Simon, will become her warden to protect her and her lands in the King's name.
Simon is a knight who has been the Queen's man for many years and fulfilled many roles. He is a king's justiciar, as a younger man, he spent time as Prince Richard's shield bearer (protector) and most recently was the one sent to release the Queen from the confinement imposed by the late King Henry II. He is an experienced warrior in his forties and well-versed in Court intrigues and behaviors.
I loved the first encounter between Alinor and Simon. He is struck dumb by her beauty, while Alinor looks at him as the Queen's man. But Fate, and the Queen, have a twist in store for them. The Queen is unwilling to leave Alinor unprotected and must ensure the King receives the funds earned from Roselynde's lands, so she assigns Simon to be Alinor's warden. Simon is not exactly happy about this assignment, believing it to be more punishment than reward. Alinor is angry and worried that Simon will strip her lands to help the King. He has no idea how deeply involved she is in managing everything to do with her properties, and his investigations do nothing to make him believe that everything is okay. I always laugh at his reaction to "my lady's book" and the disaster he thinks it holds. The confrontation with Alinor is hilarious and eye-opening for Simon, and it is also the beginning of the volatile relationship between them.
The chemistry between Simon and Alinor is undeniable, but they are also trapped in the reality of their time. As an heiress and King's ward, Alinor is a pawn awaiting her turn to be given in a marriage that will add to someone's power. Simon is not a noble and has no real wealth or power of his own. But Alinor is determined to have the man she wants and will do whatever is necessary to make it happen.
The action moves from Roselynde to the King's Court, where Alinor works her wiles to get what she wants. Going from an active life to being a court member is a recipe for disaster, and she draws her share of unwanted attention. Alinor is quick-witted, and I loved how she used those wits to change her situation. The scenes of her work with the Queen were great, and her stolen moments with Simon showed their longing to be together. There's a bit of miscommunication when Simon's honor runs up against Alinor's misunderstanding of something the Queen says. I loved seeing Alinor's satisfaction with her work and the difference it made to her time at court.
Significant changes are ahead when King Richard announces his plans to go on Crusade. The politics involved were fascinating, both in what it meant for the Crusaders and those left in England. After some political wrangling, Simon commits to going with Richard, and Alinor accompanies the Queen, who will collect Richard's bride-to-be and deliver her for the wedding. The trip's details were fascinating and gave a vivid picture of the conditions and activities. The Queen and her party, including Alinor, follow Richard to the Holy Land.
The ins and outs of the fighting and the royals' personalities created many edge-of-the-seat situations. Simon and Alinor possess a dangerous secret that puts them both at risk. Through it all, their love never falters, nor does their determination to find a way to marry. Though they get their wish, the circumstances are less than ideal and make for an awkward wedding ceremony.
Even with their long-desired arrival back in England, their troubles are still ongoing. Unaware of her marriage, others have plans to cement alliances using Alinor, and her resistance is not well-received. The consequences put both her and Simon in danger. I loved Simon's solution, and seeing his plan carried out was great fun.
I love the characters in this book. Alinor has an unusual, but not unheard of, upbringing, which frequently puts her at odds with those around her. She is strong-willed and stubborn, sometimes getting her in hot water with authority figures. She can be manipulative in pursuit of her goals, but always with the best intentions. I loved her clear vision regarding other characters and their personalities, motives, and failings. There were plenty of scenes of Alinor's interactions with people, some impressive in their forcefulness.
Simon is written accurately for a man of his time, which can make things a little uncomfortable for modern sensitivities. Overall, though, he is a man whose honor is a huge part of who he is. As much as he desires Alinor, he refuses to do anything underhanded to gain her hand in marriage. His interactions with Alinor can be sweet or explosive, as she frequently tries his patience. He is an experienced knight who relates well to Alinor's vassals and castellans and quickly earns their respect. He is respected by King Richard and the Queen also, which pays off for him in the end. show less
Hmmm. Well-written, excellent illustration of royal and religious politics in Stephen's reign, interesting characters (a whore (self-described, many times) and a knight of the bishop's), a complex mystery...and it just didn't grab me. I read it, I wanted to finish it and find out what happened...but other books kept being more interesting, so it took me over a month to read. I think I would like to read more in the series - Magdalene and Bell are clearly going to have more adventures, even show more leaving aside the development of their relationship - but I don't feel any interest in rereading this one. show less
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- Rating
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- 103
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