AUTHOR’S NOTE
As Ovid once said, “a new idea is delicate.” The idea for this story has been in my mind for several years and has many sources for its inspiration. During my college years at San Jose State, I focused a lot on the War of the Roses in fifteenth-century England. I read many if not most of the histories written by contemporaries of the time and often took notes when discovering something interesting. The Kingfountain series is loosely based on the events of 1485 following Richard III’s ascension to the throne of England. In preparation for writing, I watched several versions of Shakespeare’s play and reread many of the histories I studied in college to help provide some of the details.
One of the tiny details that I stumbled across in college regards Ankarette. In the sources, there is mention of a woman who sailed to Calais to persuade Edward IV’s brother George, Duke of Clarence, to rejoin his brother’s side and help him reclaim his lost crown. This girl is never named, but she is given credit by the chronicler for Edward’s success. I was curious about who this woman was and came to suspect that she was probably part of the Earl of Warwick’s household. Warwick was George’s father-in-law. She is never mentioned again, but I wrote a note about her in a spiral notebook, which I still have today.
Following the life story of the Duke of Clarence further, I discovered that after his wife died giving birth, he accused the midwife of poisoning her and wanting to murder him. This woman did have a name—Ankarette Twynneowe. George had her arrested, illegally tried, and executed for murder, which he did without the approval of his brother, King Edward IV. It was this act of judicial murder that likely led to George’s own execution. As Shakespeare puts it, he was drowned in a barrel of malmsey wine.
What if, I thought, George was telling the truth?
The persona of the queen’s poisoner started to come together in my mind based on the historical person and some unrelated facts I tied in. The cast of this novel is primarily based on real people in history who participated in real events. What would have happened if Richard III had won the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485, instead of losing to Henry Tudor? Richard III has been in the news lately—his bones have been discovered in England, and he finally has been given a proper burial.
Now a quick word on the Fountain. As I did the research for this book, I continued to stumble across references to fountains and water as I developed the magic system of this world. I read Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett, who has always inspired me. It’s the story of a young boy who softens the hard heart of his grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. The name Fauntleroy can be translated as “Kingfountain.” In Shakespeare’s play Richard III, the condemned George of Clarence has a nightmare in which he’s fallen overboard a ship. While drowning, he sees the magnificent treasures of the deep. The constable of the Tower of London, who is talking to him, is surprised he had the presence of mind to note the treasures while drowning. As I looked through other events of history, including the tales of the Mabinogion in Wales, I saw other references to the Fountain in there too. All these pieces helped come together.
Last but certainly not least, I was inspired for this book by E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. I’d often thought it very moving and inspiring how Wilbur and Charlotte became so close.
I’ve never written a book from the perspective of a young boy. I based the character of Owen on my youngest son. Many of his antics and traits were leveraged for Owen, including his penchant for reading at a young age and knocking down tiles. And yes, he does have a streak of white in his hair.
In the second book of the Kingfountain Trilogy, you will find that seven years have passed and the world has changed. I hope you continue to enjoy Owen’s and Elysabeth Victoria Mortimer’s adventures in The Thief’s Daughter.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I told a few people about this story before actually sitting down to write it. One was my daughter Isabelle, and I could see by the look in her eyes that she thought it was special. So thanks, Isabelle, for listening to my brainstorms and talking through them with me. I’d also like to extend my gratitude and thanks to the folks at 47North for their amazing partnership and support. And to my loyal cohort of early readers for their input, enthusiasm, and encouragement, I offer my continued thanks (and freebies!): Gina, Emily, Karen, Robin, Shannon, and Sunil.
And also to my fantastic editors—Jason Kirk and Angela Polidoro—whose early input and direction helped a palsied crew quit trembling!