What are the motifs in The Favored Child by Philippa Gregory?

Power over others is a recurring idea.The fact that one person can have power over others is a central theme of this story but also of the societal bounds of the day. There were historically riots over the cost of bread and unfairness to the workers as the poor looked for ways to change their stations in life. Though Julia and her mother don't seek to make their lives on the backs of their laborers, there is no doubt that the Laceys have done so in the past.