Alice Perrers: A Fine Rival to Oonaugh O'Dwyer

Overview and Issue

Article comparing author's impressions of Oonaugh O'Dwyer and Alice Perrers, both mistresses to powerful men.
WG116

The author begins by stating that she does not like Oonaugh O'Dwyer nor did she like Alice Perrers before writing her book The King’s Concubine. Both Oonagh and Alice were ambitious, grasping, immoral women, in a period in history when women were subservient to men, and it was their ambition that drove them to take actions that demand harsh judgement. There were several aspects of Alice Perrers's character, however, that set her apart from Oonaugh O'Dwyer. Alice was honest and discreet about her relationship with Edward III. She was never a spy and stayed with Edward through the end of his life, in spite of his ill-health and increasing dementia. Oonaugh showed no such characteristics in her dealings with Cormac O'Conner, Phelim O'LiamRoe or Lymond. She showed heartlessness and, in some cases, outright cruelty. Finally, Alice Perrers was able to survive the death of Edward III and was a moderately wealthy woman at the time of her death in 1400. Oonaugh is unlikable because Dorothy Dunnett intended her to be so. Ms. O'Brien was able to give Alice her own voice so that readers are able to understand her, even if not always approving of her actions.

19th-century representation of Alice Perrers stripping the rings from Edward’s fingers. She looks suitably devious and thoroughly worthy of her black reputation. Image credit: Unknown.
Full page miniatures of Edward III and Henry, Duke of Lancaster, of the Order of the Garter, each wearing a blue Garter mantle over plate armour and surcoat displaying their arms. A framed tablet displays painted arms of successors in their Garter stalls at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. © British Library Board: Stowe 594 ff . 7v-8.
Philippa of Hainault at her coronation in 1330 in Westminster Abbey.