JENN McKINLAY: I'm thrilled to have Paige Shelton, one of my plot group pals and a Book Talk member, here with us today! Paige writes two of my very favorite series--the Mary Higgins Clark Award nominated Alaska Wild series and the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries. You can't go wrong with either one of these as you'll see in her post below, Paige loves her research and she's very good at it!
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PAIGE SHELTON: The Poison Pen, the ninth book in my Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series, published last week. The story begins with the main character, Delaney, mourning the death of the queen. Shortly thereafter, she is thrown into the middle of a murder whose suspects just might have ties to the royal family.
Though it’s a murder mystery series and those are, of course, all about finding killers, writing these books has not only allowed me to fictionally do away with some bad guys, but it has also given me a surprising and enjoyable education in Scottish and English history. This time I dug into some of the drama around King Edward VIII’s abdication.
Edward VIII - Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (seriously, that was his name) abdicated the throne in early December 1936, after having been king for just under a year. It’s widely thought that he “gave up the throne for love,” but my research uncovered things that made me think there was a little more to the story (isn’t there always?). I suspect some people just aren’t cut out for the royal life. We’ve seen some of that recently, of course. I don’t think Edward liked the job. He wasn’t about the traditions and protocols that might have been expected of him. Maybe it was love, but maybe love was just a convenient way out. I’m simplifying, of course, but I really don’t think he enjoyed being king.
I wondered what might have happened to the royal succession if he hadn’t abdicated. If Edward had remained on the throne and never fathered any “legitimate” (I’m using that word on purpose because it hints at a twist in the The Poison Pen) children, Elizabeth II would have been queen anyway. Her father became king when Edward abdicated, but he died before Edward, making Elizabeth II the next one in line. But if Edward had remained on the throne and had fathered children, everything would be different. It’s hard to imagine.
Though it seems the family was close, once Edward left his royal life, he lived in virtual exile in France. It is said that Queen Elizabeth II did visit him when he was on his deathbed. He is buried in royal ground, which would not have happened if the queen had objected. Again, as we’ve seen recently, even royal families have their share of dysfunction.
Abdication isn’t all that uncommon in other monarchies. For example, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated after back surgery complications; Emperor Akihito of Japan, for health reasons; and King Juan Carlos of Spain for “personal reasons.” Those sorts of abdications aren’t usually followed by exile though. Abdication has been going on for a long time, back as far as 318 BC from what I discovered.
I don’t use most of the research I do for my books – there’s not enough room or it doesn’t fit. There was one thing I tried hard to include in The Poison Pen, but I couldn’t make it work. On July 10, 1296, King of Scots, John Balliol abdicated. Nicknamed Toom Tabard by his subjects, which means “empty coat,” he was not well-liked and thought to be ineffective. Additionally, Robert the Bruce disliked him so much (they were rivals for the throne, so there is that) that Bruce joined the English forces to fight against the Scottish king. The defeat meant that abdication was probably the only choice for King John. Oh, the drama that must have stirred up.
Thanks to Jenn McKinlay and all the Jungle Reds for inviting me to post today. And thanks to all the readers. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
So, what do you think about the abdication, Reds and Readers? Do you ever wonder how things would have turned out if Edward hadn't declined the throne?
Paige Shelton is the New York Times Bestselling author of the Farmers' Market, Country Cooking School, Dangerous Type, and Scottish Bookshop, and Alaska Wild mysteries. She's lived lots of places but currently resides in Arizona. Find out more at www.paigeshelton.com
Congratulations, Paige, on your newest book. Truthfully, I've not wondered about abdications, but they do seem to have made a significant impact on lines of succession for kings or queens. I think you're right in your conclusion that some folks simply aren't cut out for the royal life . . . .
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Especially when they're just born into it, right?
DeleteExactly, Joan! Some people just aren't good fits. I think I would like the perks, but not the work. Thank you!
DeleteAbove Anonymous comment is from me, Paige. Sorry. I'll sign in better.
DeleteHi Paige! I didn't know about any of those other abdications. For Edward, I seem to remember he might have looked upon Hitler and the Nazis with more favor than some - throw that into the mix of "what if he'd stayed" and it complicates things even more.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I haven't yet read this series of yours, although I'm a big fan of the Alaska books. Will we see you at Malice?
That was my first thought too, Edith. There's quite a bit of evidence that Edward (or David as he was known in the family) was a Nazi sympathizer. Good thing he decided to go.
DeleteIt's truly horrifying to see the famous people who were sympathietic to the Nazis back in the day. Horrifying!
DeleteYes, both Edward and Wallis (maybe even more than Edward) seemed to lean toward the dark side. Ick and ew. I'm glad he stepped away. Thanks, Edith!
DeleteAbove anonymous comment is from me, Paige. Sorry. I'll sign in better from here on . . .
DeleteHi, Paige. Fun to hear about the abdication of King John of Scotland--I didn't know about him. I am greatly relieved that Edward VIII abdicated since (as Edith says) he and his American wife had strong Nazi sympathies and might have made peace with Hitler. Since I'm a great fan of alternate history novels, I've read several in which Britain became a fascist dictatorship after WWII ended. One excellent three-book series dealing with this is Jo Walton's "Small Change"; the first book is FARTHING.
ReplyDeleteThat series was amazing!
DeleteAnother interesting alternate history novel involving the same time period is The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. The premise is that Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathizer, wins the 1940 US presidential election. It was my favorite book the year I read it, even though I thought the ending was too neat and clean.
DeleteOh, I'll have to look for that. Wasn't the series The Man in the High Tower an alternate history pondering the world if Hitler had won?
DeleteI will look for "Small Change." Sound intriguing. History can be so ugly, but hopefully we learn so we don't repeat. I do like alternate looks though. Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations, Paige. I love all the research that authors do in order to include history lessons in our entertainment. I confess that Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series has been the main source for almost everything I know about the British Royal family during that time. I know that the parties and capers are fiction (delightful!) but the people and their personalities and foibles are real. I look forward to The Poison Pen.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrific, Judy! You'll love it.
DeleteSame, Judy! I love Rhys's books so much. Thank you!
DeleteWelcome Paige! This is fascinating research, can't wait to read what you did with it!
ReplyDeletePaige, I'm so excited for THE POISON PEN. I've got a copy and I'm just finishing up the book I'm in the middle of so I can then dig into it. I do quite love the series so when a new book comes out, I'm always eager to read the new book.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I've ever given much thought to abdication. While I do like stories set in Ireland, Scotland and England, I don't really get all that hyped up for stuff regarding the royal family. I know there are a lot of Anglophiles here and at-large, but I'd say any bit of that for me is rather specific and involves music artists and mystery stories rather than the hoity-toity people we broke away from.
I'm not much of a royal watcher either. In fact, they kind of bug me. I'm just not a pomp and circumstance sort of gal.
DeleteThanks, Jay. Same. However, even through some of the hard times, I enjoyed Elizabeth II. She was just always there, until she wasn't of course.
Delete"Toom Tabard" is a useful name to remember, isn't it? That's an almost Shakespearean insult.
ReplyDeletePaige, you've given me food for thought here. Edward was a known womanizer, and until Wallis Simpson would have, er, sown seed quite freely. Which makes me now wonder if he knew he could not sire an heir, and if that weighed in his decisions.
Although it's not my only criteria for choosing a book or series, I very much enjoy learning new things via fiction. I've learned much more about historical events by reading well-researched stories than I ever did in school, where it was dry and boring, and usually presented in a disjointed fashion. So thanks to all the authors who dive deeply into the past to bring it to life so vividly.
I believe there are books that allege Edward was gay and was being blackmailed by the Nazis. The UK solution by the precursor to the OAS was to force his abdication and exile to France.
DeleteI've always felt that history textbooks should be written like novels.
DeleteThanks, Karen! Yes, rumors flew - I might have tried to use some of them - well, twist them a little - for the book. ;)
DeleteSO agree, Jenn! It would be SO different! And so much more effective. Even if you just watched movies!
DeleteCongratulations, Paige! What fun research. I have read lots of historical fiction that centers on the British royals (Sharon Kay Penman comes to mind), so I am eager to read your mystery.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on The Poison Pen. That abdication has always interested me: all the "what ifs," including Edward's sympathies with Nazis mentioned above. I was amazed to learn abdication goes back as far as 312 BC. I'm curious to know who and where. And why, of course.
ReplyDeletePAIGE: Congratulations on the newest Scottish bookshop mystery. Poison Pen is on my TBR pile at home waiting for my return from an extended trip to Seattle LCC & Vancouver BC.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the news earlier this year about the abdication of Denmark's Queen, and noted how unusual that was. Health reasons make sense.
As for King Edward & Wallis Simpson, I am glad that his early departure paved the way for QEIi's eventual 70+ year reign. I live in Canada and she was my queen for most of my life. I also swore an oath of allegiance & the work I did for the Canadian Federal government was for the Crown.
The biggest thing regarding Edward for me is the thing Edith brought up: he was a Nazi sympathizer. Think about THAT twist on history!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding. Talk about dodging a bullet.
DeleteDefinitely "dodging a bullet". And I recall stories about Edward having NO sympathy for his baby brother John, who was born with severe disabilities.
DeleteDiana
Right. It could have been quite horrible. Thanks, Liz.
DeleteCongratulations, Paige! I'm a big fan of your Alaska Wild series and now I will be adding this series to my list. love thinking about 'what ifs' but in the case of Edward staying on it would be hard to imagine. I feel that things turned out exactly as they should, which is not always the case, as we know well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteYea! I love this series and I'm excited for the next one. I just finished the latest int the Alaska Wild series and I have so many questions. So many!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope at least some questions will be answered later this year.
DeleteCongratulations, Paige! What a wonderful premise. I'm looking forward to catching up with this series.
ReplyDeleteEdward VIII? Hum. I think modern history has shown that American divorcees and the British monarchy change things up significantly. I remember stories of David and Wallis in the 1960s and 1970s. It looked to me like they were having a grand time. I think you're right. David was not interested in being king. He was much too free-spirited.
I am Canadian and very familiar with Edward and Mrs. Simpson. Glad he abdicated, she would not have been able to be queen and was homely as a hedge fence. Queen Elizabeth II was a lovely queen and her dad and mum did well, so feel it all worked out well in the end.
ReplyDeleteSo true Anonymous. I lived in Coronado, CA where her then (at the time) Naval officer husband was stationed and supposedly where she met Edward at the Hotel Del Coronado.
DeleteI can't imagine being part of the royal family today with the spotlight on your every move and word. But I think QEII did a brilliant job over the years. She is really to be commended.
Congrats Paige!
PAIGE: Congratulations on your publication and I look forward to reading THE POISON PEN! It was lovely meeting you at Bouchercon in San Diego last summer. And Welcome to JRW today.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I do not want to think about what if Edward VIII had not abdicated. He sounds like a sketchy character to me, based on many things I have learned about him. Even before he met Walrus. IMHO, George VI was a better person and a kinder person than his brother was.
Diana
Hi Paige! Always so lovely to have you here! And I can't wait to read the new book. The most I know about Edward (David) is from reading Rhys's Georgie books. From these, and other accounts I've read, he seems to have been a rather weak character, prone to being influenced not only by 'that woman" but by those with fascist leanings. It's probably a very good thing he chose Wallis over his country.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I can't even imagine.
DeleteWell, abdication isn't necessarily a cop-out (except of course in Edward's case, it definitely was). It can be a matter of of retirement. A long line of Dutch queens have retired at an appropriate age, following a long reign, allowing the next in line to step into the job before they reach retirement age themselves (and I have to say I wish our good Queen Elizabeth had done so, but her sense of duty was far too strong for that).
ReplyDeleteI've just finished reading The Crown in Crisis, by Alexander Larman, an in depth account of Edward's abdication and all the events leading up to it. It's massively researched, based on letters, speeches, diaries, etc of all the high-up people that surrounded Edward and advised him (for good or ill) and supported or vilified him. The author is NOT sympathetic to Edward. And let's call it what it was: not, "giving up the throne for the woman he loved.... blah blah," but, as a Guardian review said, "...Abandoning his country for the woman he was obsessed with."
Seems like a lot of that was the cover story. Recent documents released allege Edward was gay and being blackmailed by the Nazis. The pre OAS solution was to force his abdication, marriage , the excuse and his exile.
DeleteThanks, Susan! I did read part of that. Honestly, I didn't find much of anything anywhere that was sympathetic to Edward.
DeleteHonestly, from everything I know of his life prior to his ascension to the throne, Edward VIII was not cut out to be a particularly competent or attentive king. More interesting than "if he had any children," to my mind, is the question, given his later sympathies, "What would England's response have been to Hitler's invasion of Poland if Edward had still been king?" He still had quite a bit of his youthful vitality and good looks in 1939; he was a veteran of the Great War, he would have still been a new king for a new generation - it's not hard to imagine him swaying popular sentiment against engaging with the Third Reich.
ReplyDeleteOops - hat trip to Edith and Liz Milliron, who mentioned Edwards fascist sympathies above!
DeleteI agree that Edward probably was simply not cut out to be king. He never enjoyed the protocols and restrictions, and I believe that Wallis Simpson was an opportunist with whom he was infatuated, who his family disliked intensely, and who was more than happy for him to leave the throne behind (although she continued to indulge delusions of royal grandeur for the rest of her life). I also believe that his well-documented fascist tendencies and Nazi sympathies led many in the British government to be happy to see the back of him. I think that’s what was behind his exile, more than the fact of his abdication - the “firm,” as they call it these days, not necessarily the family.
ReplyDeleteI think Edward spent very little time being King, that is tending to matters of state. Had he not abdicated I'm afraid he would have been allied with Germany. What a mess that could have been.
ReplyDeleteHi Paige! So nice to see you here on the JRW blog! I am very early on in your Scottish Bookshop Mystery series so really need to catch up.
ReplyDeleteAs for abdication, I think in the case of Edward VIII, everyone was the better for him abdicating. I don’t think he honestly wanted the responsibility of being King and Mrs. Simpson was a convenient excuse. Not that he didn’t love her, but I think it worked out the best way it could have. Now I need to catch up! (I’m up to date on the Alaska Wild books so don’t think I have been dilly dallying!) — Pat S
Thanks, Pat S! Much, much appreciated.
DeleteI learned about this part of English history thanks to Rhys's Royal Spyness series. I hadn't considered other reasons, but I could see them being part of his decision.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! You can't beat Rhys's books. They are fantastic!
DeleteWhere did the title of the book originate? I have read the book and my question remains unanswered.
ReplyDeleteIs this the last book in the series?
Thanks Anon! Actually, my publisher came up with the title. No, not the last. There will be at least one more next year - "Written in Stone." The history I added to that one is about The Picts. :)
DeleteGood thing Edward abdicated.I like to think Churchill would have walloped Edward if he was a fascist sympathizing king :) Now that could be fun to write/read.
ReplyDeleteAgree! Thanks, Jenn!
DeletePaige, what interesting research and supposition concerning Edward. I think you're right that he wasn't made for the serious commitment being King demanded. I love your Alaska Wild series, but I haven't been able to read Lost Hours yet. After my son was murdered last May, I haven't been able to read fiction, but I have that book waiting for when I can. Your Scottish Bookshop mysteries are wonderful, too, but, alas, I'm behind in them. I'm going on a trip soon, and I'll be packing a few books, just in case, including Lost Hours.
ReplyDeleteSorry, the above comments are from me, Kathy Boone Reel.
DeleteOh boy, Kathy. I'm so sorry. Sending you peace and love.
DeleteOh, my mom used to talk about how she remembered the abdication from when she was a little girl. They all thought it was swoony and "for love" of Wallis Simpson. (WHAT a character!) Little did they know! Yes, agreed, it would have been a mess if he had become king.
ReplyDeleteRight! It was all about the "love" back then. Thanks, Hank!
DeleteJust finished it. Loved it.
ReplyDelete