Posted in Book And Curriculum Reviews

Wings Like A Dove:  The Courage Of Queen Jeanne D'Albret
By Christine Farenhorst
P&R Publishing Company
P.O. Box 817
Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865-0817
1-800-631-0094
ISBN: 0-87552-642-X
www.prpbooks.com

In 1528 Jeanne D'Albret was the firstborn daughter of Henri d'Albret, King of Navarre, and Marguerite de Valois, his Queen, and the sister of  Francois I, King of France.  Growing up in a lifestyle of privilege in the French countryside of Lonray would lead one to believe that Jeanne's life was full of joy and endless days of carefree, however that was far from the realities this young one faced.  Though blessed with a myriad of servants, tutors, chefs, etc, at her call, she was denied the very essentials of love and affection from a mother and father, and raised by a Governess instead. At the tender age of twelve, and in a move to set an alliance with Germany Jeanne was betrothed to William De La Marck,  Duke of Cleves, despite repeated protests. Although too young to fulfill the duties of marriage, her life would never be the same again. She was now the political pawn of her parents and Uncle Francois.

After three years both the political marriage of France with Germany, and the unconsumated marriage of Jeanne and William ended in annulment. Then at the age of seventeen, and in a witty display of  tactic, Jeanne convinced the King that she should marry Antoine De Bourbon, Duke of Vendome. She fell madly in love with her new husband, however it wasn't long before they had to part.  Antoine was recalled to military service in Paris, and their relationship was forced to be developed through the use of letter writing.

We then see Princess Jeanne grow into womanhood where she begins to take initiative against the religious intolerance of her day. No more a child, but now a mother, Jeanne takes matters into her own hands as she boldly stands with the Huguenots despite her husband's cowardice and inability to embrace faith. In the face of tragedy and endless innocent murders, this Princess, now a Queen, makes her mark on history and stands for truth and justice.  I love these quotes from Wings Like A Dove regarding some of the accomplishments of Queen Jeanne D'Albret :

"Jeanne passed laws to protect the ministers who faithfully preached the gospel in her kingdom.  She abolished public processions and took images out of churches.  Where the majority of her inhabitants in her cities were Protestant, the cathedrals were given to them for their use; where the inhabitants were equally divided, the two faiths [Catholic and Protestant] shared the church buildings.  Monasteries were converted to schools; colleges were founded for higher education; the Bible was translated into Basque dialects; and ministers from Geneva continued to preach the gospel." [pg. 198] "During her reign, Bearn and the surrounding districts flourished.  Good husbandry, encouragement of the arts, and fair law all formed a huge contrast to the disorder, violence, and poverty in other countries.  No beggar was seen by the wayside, and no child was permitted to grow up without an education." [pg. 199] 

I cannot tell you what a joy it was to read this book.  I was captivated by the realism and felt as if I was transported to the time of the Reformation, and could see life through this courageous woman's eyes.  I saw her quest for truth and felt her longing for pure love. Christine Farenhorst has brought history alive through Wings Like A Dove, and I can't wait to read the other book(s) in this series, titled Chosen Daughters. It is refreshing to see a series which highlights the lives of ordinary women doing extraordinary things for God. What an inspiration for our young ladies!

Review by Kelly , The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC.