The Winthrop Woman, first published in 1958 and set in the early 17th century, is a bestselling novel and a follow-up to Katherine. It follows Elizabeth Winthrop, a courageous Puritan woman who finds herself at odds with her heritage and surroundings.

A real historical figure, Elizabeth married into the family of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In those times of hardship, famine, and Indian attacks, many believed that the only way to prosper was through the strong, bigoted, and theocratic government that John Winthrop favored.

Defying the government and her family, Elizabeth befriends the famous heretic Anne Hutchinson, challenges an army captain, and dares to love as her heart commanded. Through Elizabeth’s three marriages, struggles with her passionate beliefs, and countless rebellions, a powerful tale of fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph shines through.

Against a background of rigidity and conformity, she dares to befriend Anne Hutchinson at the moment of her banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; dares to challenge a determined army captain bent on the massacre of her friends, the Siwanoy Indians; and, above all, dares to love a man as her heart and her whole being commanded.

Anya Seton’s riveting historical novel portrays the fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph of the Winthrop woman, who believed in a concept of happiness transcending that of her own day.