Philippa Gregory’s latest historical novel Dawnlands uncovers the little-known story of Queen Mary of Modena, King James II’s second wife. It is 1685 and England is on the brink of a renewed civil war against the Stuart kings with many families bitterly divided. Navigating this world are Alinor, coaxed by the manipulative Livia to save Queen Mary from the coming siege; Ned Ferryman, who returns from America with his Pokanoket servant to join the uprising against roman catholic King James; and Livia, summoned by Queen Mary to a terrified court. Gregory is the author of novels including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen.
