The Pretender by Jo Harkin Summary, Characters and Themes
The Pretender by Jo Harkin is a historical novel set during the tumultuous period of the late 15th century in England. The story follows John Collan, a young boy raised on a rural farm, who is thrust into the complex world of power, deceit, and personal discovery.
As John learns of his true identity as the heir to the Earl of Warwick’s title, he struggles with the realization that his life has been built on lies. The narrative delves into themes of family, identity, and the pressures of destiny, as John grapples with the expectations of his birthright and his own desires for a simpler life. Throughout the novel, John must navigate the complex politics of the court, the consequences of his noble lineage, and the betrayal that defines his existence.
Summary
The novel begins with John Collan, a young boy living on a farm in rural England in the 1480s. John’s life, shaped by his father Will’s recent prosperity and the death of his mother, is complicated by the presence of his father’s dairymaid, Jennott.
Though John is expected to take on the responsibilities of the farm, he dreams of a different future. His longing for something beyond the farm is highlighted by his fascination with learning and an escape from the world of manual labor.
John’s internal conflict intensifies when his older brother, Tom, who had once been a source of support and companionship, leaves the farm. Tom’s departure underscores John’s isolation, and he is left to contend with the daily struggles of farm life and a growing desire for more than the life he’s been given.
This is symbolized early in the narrative when John, frustrated by a goat that has become a source of irritation, plans to defeat it using a strategy based on ancient Roman military tactics. The goat, representing the forces in John’s life that frustrate him, becomes a metaphor for his larger desire to control his environment and stand up for himself.
The rural community in which John lives is full of gossip, particularly surrounding his father’s newfound wealth. Rumors suggest that Will Collan may have made a pact with a fairy to acquire his land and livestock.
These rumors, though unfounded, highlight the sense of mystery and wonder that surrounds the Collan family. John finds comfort in small tokens of mystery, such as a flint arrowhead he discovers in the fields.
This arrowhead serves as a reminder of his desire to uncover something greater than the ordinary life surrounding him.
As John matures, his concerns expand to include the political turmoil of the period. The death of King Edward and the uncertain fate of the two young princes in the Tower of London create an atmosphere of instability and fear.
John imagines himself as a ruler, contemplating the nature of power and the consequences of vengeance. His dreams of becoming a scholar, however, clash with the expectations of his father, who has other plans for him.
In addition to his dreams of scholarship, John’s relationship with Jennott evolves. Despite her status as a woman in a time when such figures were often disregarded, Jennott becomes an important mentor to John, offering him life advice and guidance.
However, Jennott’s departure to marry Thomas Urry signals a turning point for John. He is left to navigate his emotions and the growing realization that change is inevitable, a theme that will continue to influence his development throughout the novel.
At this point, John’s life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that his father plans to send him to Oxford to pursue an education. John is shocked, confused, and unsure of what to make of this sudden opportunity.
His father’s decision is further complicated by the involvement of a mysterious benefactor who promises to fund John’s education. As John adjusts to this new reality, he begins to confront the truth about his lineage.
It is revealed that John, now known as Lambert, is actually the rightful heir to the title of Earl of Warwick. His true father, the Duke of Clarence, had sent him away to live as a commoner to protect him from the dangerous political schemes of the time.
This revelation leaves Lambert feeling lost and betrayed. His life, once grounded in the simple pleasures of the farm, is now entangled in the complexities of court politics and royal intrigue.
He is sent to Oxford to be educated, where he is tutored by the distant and sometimes cruel Maister Richard. Lambert’s education is marred by his deep discomfort with the world he is being groomed to enter.
He begins to understand the political machinations around him, and he is caught in a web of power struggles, particularly concerning the throne. The deaths of various royal figures, including King Richard and his nephews, fuel the instability of the time.
Despite his growing awareness of the power dynamics at play, Lambert struggles with his role as a pawn in the schemes of others. He becomes increasingly frustrated with the manipulation he faces, both from Maister Richard and the nobleman who arranged his education.
Lambert, unlike the other students at Oxford, finds solace in books and dreams of escaping the burdens of his noble heritage. He does not desire power or the crown and resents the role others want him to play in the dangerous political games of the nobles.
As Lambert’s time at Oxford progresses, he is faced with the brutal realities of court politics. He is drawn deeper into the intrigues surrounding the throne, particularly as Henry Tudor begins his campaign for the crown.
Lambert realizes that his identity is tied to the throne he does not want, and he must decide whether to embrace his birthright or reject it altogether. His growing sense of agency and self-awareness pushes him to question his destiny, but the forces around him continue to shape his future.
Ultimately, Lambert’s journey is one of self-discovery and realization. He grapples with the conflict between his desires for a simpler life and the political responsibilities thrust upon him.
His inner turmoil is marked by his rejection of power and his struggle to break free from the expectations placed on him due to his birth. Through the lens of Lambert’s experiences, The Pretender explores themes of identity, the consequences of power, and the struggle for autonomy in a world defined by manipulation and control.
Lambert’s search for meaning beyond the politics of his time reflects the universal human desire for self-determination, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
Characters
John Collan / Lambert Simnel
John Collan, later known as Lambert Simnel, is the central figure of The Pretender. At the story’s outset, John is a young boy living on a rural farm, torn between the expectations of his family and his desires for a different life.
Raised in a simple environment, his world is one of hard work and rustic living. However, when the truth of his identity as the rightful Earl of Warwick is revealed, he is thrust into the complex world of politics, betrayal, and royal intrigue.
This revelation forces John, now Lambert, to grapple with the sudden weight of his noble heritage, a legacy of power he never sought or understood. His early life as John was shaped by a sense of frustration and the struggle for personal autonomy, and his transition into Lambert is marked by confusion and betrayal.
Throughout the story, Lambert wrestles with his identity—torn between the common life he knew and the royal destiny thrust upon him. His time at Oxford, a place where he was supposed to find knowledge and purpose, becomes a battlefield of conflicting emotions.
Lambert’s relationship with authority figures, particularly his cruel tutor, Maister Richard, reveals his discomfort with the manipulative systems around him. Although he is being groomed for power, Lambert desires escape from the constraints of his birthright.
He dreams of a simpler life, free from the expectations of both royalty and the treacherous political games of the court. As the story unfolds, Lambert finds himself more deeply entwined in the dangerous dance of political power, realizing that his true identity has become a weapon for others’ ambitions.
His internal struggle between duty and personal desire is central to his character, culminating in a final confrontation with the reality of his heritage. Ultimately, Lambert’s journey is a tragic one, as he is caught in a web of deception, unable to break free from the destiny others have carved for him.
Will Collan
Will Collan, John’s father, is a character whose motivations remain a mystery for much of the story. A prosperous farmer, Will’s success in the village has raised suspicions, with rumors circulating about a possible pact with supernatural forces that helped him acquire his wealth.
Despite these rumors, Will denies any involvement with mystical entities, and his character remains firmly rooted in the earthly concerns of farming and family life. Will is a complex figure, a man who desires to maintain his family’s well-being, yet his decisions often leave his son, John, feeling isolated and uncertain.
Will’s decision to send John to Oxford, a place of education and potential greatness, is a turning point in the story. However, this decision is surrounded by ambiguity, leaving John confused about his father’s true intentions.
Will’s actions throughout the narrative create a sense of tension between the rural life John knows and the new world of scholarship and power being thrust upon him. While he is a loving father, Will’s inability to provide clarity about John’s future or motivations contributes to John’s feelings of displacement.
Will’s role as a father is one of providing material stability but not emotional guidance, leaving John to navigate his future largely on his own.
Jennott
Jennott is the dairymaid and caretaker who plays a pivotal role in John’s upbringing. Serving as both a maternal figure and a mentor, Jennott offers John much-needed advice and guidance.
Her departure to marry Thomas Urry marks a significant emotional turning point for John. He finds solace in her wisdom, and her absence leaves him to confront the reality of change and loss.
Jennott’s practical wisdom about life and love stands in contrast to the more abstract and theoretical knowledge John seeks, particularly as he begins to dream of becoming a scholar. Although her role in the story is not large, her influence on John’s emotional development is profound.
Her decision to leave serves as a catalyst for John to reevaluate his future and the uncertain path he is about to take. Jennott’s departure symbolizes the end of John’s childhood, forcing him to face the complexities of adult life alone.
Joan
Joan is a fascinating and enigmatic character in The Pretender, whose rebellious and unpredictable nature adds both complexity and intrigue to the narrative. Joan is often portrayed as a figure of defiance, someone who rejects the norms of the court and embraces a more unconventional way of living.
Her wit and intelligence make her a unique presence, but her actions—such as poisoning Sir William with mushrooms—introduce a darker side to her character. Joan’s relationship with Edward, the heir to the throne, grows increasingly complex as they share academic lessons and personal moments.
Her cryptic comments and unpredictable behavior suggest that she is more than just a witty woman; she is a person with hidden motives and a deeper understanding of the power dynamics at play in the court. Joan’s role in shaping Edward’s future is ambiguous, as she offers both guidance and confusion, sometimes pushing him toward dangerous paths.
Her relationship with him blurs the lines between intellectual mentorship and emotional manipulation, making her one of the more morally complex characters in the story. Joan’s coldness toward Edward, combined with her manipulations and eerie actions, such as storing whiskey in the chapel, showcases her as a figure who operates outside conventional norms, making her both a compelling and unsettling presence in the political landscape of the court.
Edward
Edward, the heir to the throne and a central figure in the story, is a young man burdened with the weight of his royal destiny. As the kingdom prepares for his eventual coronation, Edward’s internal struggles reveal the tension between duty and personal desire.
Edward is caught in the web of political intrigue that surrounds the court, with numerous figures seeking to influence his decisions and shape his future. His relationship with Joan, marked by her cryptic advice and cold demeanor, adds to his confusion as he navigates the expectations of the court and the growing opposition to his father’s reign.
Edward’s character is defined by his uncertainty and the emotional complexity of his role as a future ruler. He is aware of the political tension surrounding him, particularly as news of rebellion and betrayal circulates through the court.
Edward’s internal conflict stems from his fear of becoming like his father, Clarence, a man whose actions were shaped by political ambition and personal ambition rather than genuine compassion. His struggles with his identity and his evolving feelings for Joan reflect the emotional and psychological toll that his position as heir to the throne has on him.
As the story progresses, Edward’s journey becomes one of self-discovery, where he must come to terms with the responsibilities and sacrifices required of him as the future king of England.
Themes
Identity and Self-Discovery
The theme of identity is central to the narrative of The Pretender as the protagonist, John Collan, embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery that challenges everything he believes about his origins and place in the world. Early on, John is introduced to the reader as a young boy torn between the expectations of his rural life as a farmer’s son and the burgeoning possibility of a future beyond that, one filled with education and intellectual pursuits.
However, this notion of self is violently disrupted when John learns of his true heritage—that he is, in fact, the rightful heir to the Earl of Warwick title, born into nobility under a false identity.
This revelation forces John to confront the dissonance between the person he thought he was and the individual he is now expected to become. The man he was raised as, John Collan, is now a mere shadow of the true, noble identity he is thrust into.
The emotional turmoil that follows his discovery—ranging from confusion and betrayal to feelings of abandonment and isolation—reflects the pain of having one’s identity suddenly shattered by forces beyond personal control. John’s evolving sense of self is not only shaped by his newfound noble status but also by the oppressive expectations that come with it.
His internal conflict escalates as he struggles to reconcile the life of a scholar and a potential ruler with his desire for simplicity and independence, far from the political machinations that threaten to define him.
The complexity of identity also surfaces in Lambert’s (formerly John’s) relationships with others, such as Maister Richard, his mentor at Oxford, and his family back home. These relationships, particularly those with people who view him through the lens of his new status, force him to constantly reassess who he is, especially as he grapples with his role in the larger political narrative.
Ultimately, The Pretender highlights the devastating impact of living a life not entirely one’s own—caught between the expectations of others and a longing for personal freedom, John’s journey is marked by a search for a true identity amidst an environment of deceit, manipulation, and shifting allegiances.
Power and Its Corrupting Influence
Power, as both a personal and political force, is explored in The Pretender through the experiences of John as he is pulled into a world of court politics and royal intrigue. From the moment John learns of his noble birth, he is thrust into the dangerous realm of power struggles that go beyond the confines of his simple rural upbringing.
The tension between personal desires and the demands of power is evident as John, now Lambert, is groomed for a life of political significance, whether he desires it or not.
The narrative emphasizes how power can corrupt those who wield it and those who are subjected to it. Lambert’s education at Oxford, under the tutelage of Maister Richard, exposes him to the ruthlessness of those who seek to control the throne and maintain their status at any cost.
His education becomes less about the pursuit of knowledge and more about the manipulation of individuals for political gain. Through Lambert’s observations, we see how power becomes a tool for betrayal and manipulation—where people are nothing more than pawns in a game played by the powerful.
Lambert’s awareness of these machinations grows as he realizes how little agency he has in shaping his own destiny. His role as a potential heir to the throne is not one he sought, but one imposed upon him by the very forces he wishes to escape.
This theme is further exemplified through the characters who manipulate Lambert for their own purposes. Maister Richard, who is supposed to be his mentor, becomes a symbol of the disillusionment that power brings, as he uses Lambert as a pawn in his own quest for influence.
The brutal reality of power dynamics is explored through Lambert’s increasing frustration and helplessness as he becomes more entrenched in a world where he has no control over his future, where his potential ascension to the throne is no more than a tool for others to secure their own positions. The Pretender portrays the corrosive nature of power, showing how it strips away personal freedom and transforms individuals into instruments of larger, often destructive, ambitions.
Betrayal and Loyalty
Throughout The Pretender, betrayal and loyalty emerge as powerful forces that shape the characters’ motivations and actions. From the outset, John’s life is marked by deception, with his true identity hidden away for the sake of his safety.
His adoptive father, Will Collan, keeps the secret of his noble heritage, not out of malice, but out of a desire to protect him from the political dangers that would inevitably arise if his true lineage were revealed. However, this act of loyalty to John’s safety ultimately results in a betrayal of John’s personal sense of truth and identity.
As John matures and learns of the deception, he is left with a profound sense of betrayal not only from those around him but also from himself, as he grapples with the role he has unknowingly played in a lie that has shaped his entire life.
The theme of betrayal deepens as Lambert enters the world of politics and court intrigues, where loyalty is frequently tested. The people who should have been his allies, including his mentor Maister Richard, reveal themselves to be motivated by their own ambitions rather than any genuine desire to help him.
The duplicity of the nobles who surround him, particularly those who seek to use him as a pawn in their own schemes, further fuels Lambert’s growing cynicism and sense of isolation. His sense of loyalty to his true identity, once a defining aspect of who he was, becomes increasingly fractured as he learns that the very people who claim to be loyal to him are, in fact, merely exploiting him.
This betrayal is not limited to Lambert’s external relationships but extends to his internal conflict. As he questions the intentions of those around him, he also grapples with the notion of loyalty to himself and his ideals.
His rejection of the life laid out for him by others—particularly the idea of becoming a ruler or playing a part in the deadly games of the court—reflects his desire to be loyal to his own values and dreams. Yet, the political world he inhabits does not allow for such loyalty, and every decision he makes is complicated by the ever-present reality of betrayal.
In The Pretender, loyalty and betrayal are two sides of the same coin, with each shaping the protagonist’s journey and ultimately leading to a search for self-redemption amidst the ruins of broken trust.
The Struggle Between Fate and Free Will
In The Pretender, the tension between fate and free will is explored through John’s (Lambert’s) evolving understanding of his role in the world. From the moment he learns of his true identity as the heir to the Earl of Warwick, John is faced with a future not of his choosing.
His path seems determined by the circumstances of his birth and the expectations placed upon him by those who see him as a means to an end in the political struggles of the time. Despite his discomfort with this new reality, John is pushed toward a future shaped by forces beyond his control, and his dreams of escaping this destiny become increasingly futile.
The narrative showcases how John’s journey is shaped by external forces, particularly the political turmoil surrounding the English throne. The manipulation of his identity and the intentions of those who groom him for a life of power reflect the ways in which fate can be forced upon an individual.
However, John’s resistance to this fate, his desire to forge a different future, and his internal struggles with the expectations placed upon him demonstrate the complex interplay between destiny and personal agency. His ultimate rejection of the role he is being prepared for—his unwillingness to become a tool for political power—is a powerful act of defiance against the fate that has been thrust upon him.
This struggle is further highlighted by the moments where John considers the possibility of shaping his own future. While the forces around him seem insurmountable, his dreams of a life outside of the political sphere—whether as a scholar or as someone free from the constraints of noble heritage—represent his desire to break free from the chains of destiny.
Ultimately, The Pretender portrays the deep conflict between a person’s inherent desire for free will and the overwhelming weight of fate that seeks to define them. The tension between these forces leads to a poignant exploration of self-determination in a world dominated by political intrigue and inherited responsibilities.