Oh Those Tudors
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Scandals are no stranger to Royal families. The “Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor" is a fact based historical record of the early relationship between Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth Tudor, following the death of King Henry VIII. Norton is a British historian who specializes in the Queens of England and the Tudor period. Seymour was married to Queen Katherine, the step-mother of young Elizabeth. His inappropriate advances toward Elizabeth have been referenced throughout history. In spite of this, Elizabeth maintains the moniker, “the Virgin Queen.” Norton’s prose reads more like fiction, than a well-researched biography.
Gregory’s latest fictionalized biography features Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. Succeeding five women, two beheaded, one dead from childbirth complications & two banished from Court, was more than daunting, and often- times terrifying. When the aged, obese, & sickly king set his sights on Katherine, she had a lover, Thomas Seymour. But under pain of death, Henry can’t be refused. Gregory succeeds as she always does in her latest Tudor tale.
What if Elizabeth I married and had a daughter? In this alternate historical mystery romance, Anderson marries Phillip of Spain to Elizabeth and together they have a daughter Anne Isabella. As she grows into womanhood Anabel becomes a political pawn across Europe as alliances shift and Phillip need to provide Spain its own heir. The beauty of alternative history is the reader doesn’t know the end game. Anderson takes full advantage & provides a very entertaining read.
Margaret Douglas, the Countess of Lennox, was the daughter of Queen Mary Tudor and the Earl of Lennox. She was the granddaughter of Henry VII, the niece of Henry VIII, cousin of Mary I and Elizabeth I. She was also the mother-in-law of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the grandmother of James I. At one point, she was the heiress to the English throne. Through meticulous research, Weir examines the life of a largely forgotten, royal woman. In spite of all the intrigue, and multiple times spent in the Tower, Margaret managed to die of natural causes; no small feat for a woman who shared both Tudor and Stuart blood.
The second book in the Spymaster Chronicles can be read as a stand-alone story. Unlike other Tudor books, Gortner focuses on the sibling rivalry between Queen Mary & Princess Elizabeth. In this historical mystery, the main character, Presscott, is recruited to protect Elizabeth, and at the same time spy for Queen Mary. As a double agent, he has his hands full trying to protect the young Elizabeth while pretending to serve Mary. Gortner brings this period in English history come alive with well-crafted characters, suspense, mystery & adventure.
O’Brien brings another forgotten queen of 15th century England to life: Catherine de Valois, Princess of France. Married to King Henry V, who died early in the unhappy marriage, young Queen Anne fell in love with Owen Tudor. Together they launched a dynasty. Anne O'Brien does a good job of combining the historical facts and the romantic element of the story of one of England’s most unknown but fascinating Queens.
In this dramatic conclusion of her Cousins’ War series, Gregory presents Margaret Pole, a Plantagenet whose family was defeated by the Tudors. Pole’s narrations chronicle Henry VIII’s rise to power, his descent into madness and her struggles as she tries to protect her family and herself, from political and religious upheaval. Historical fiction fans will devour this final installment from Gregory and learn the secret of the King’ Curse.
Porter avoids the oft-told tale of the rivalry between Mary Queen of Scots & Queen Elizabeth I, and rather focuses on the Scottish side of the story. Here the readers see the lineage of Mary, and her right to regard herself as a successor to the throne of England. While poor Mary loses her head, her son becomes James I of England. This very readable non-fiction will be enjoyed by Tudor fans.
The tumult of 15th century England was fraught with wars of succession between the Yorks, the Tudors and the Lancastrians. The chaos which ensued as elite families battled to claim the throne enabled the Tudors to rise to power. The Tudor grip was tenuous at best as they were always threatened by the more popular House of York. The resulting annihilation of the Yorks brings another stain to the power hungry Tudors. British history buffs will enjoy Jones’ readable and well researched narrative.
Winner of the Mann Booker prize, this is the second book in the “Cromwell” Trilogy. Coming on the heels of the wildly successful, Wolf Hall, which was made into a TV movie, this is the story of the trial and demise of Anne Boleyn. Always ready to do Henry VIII’s biding, Cromwell oversees the trial while he grooms young Jane Seymour to become Henry’s next Bride. Mantel showcases great palace intrigue with deadly consequences.
History Books tell us that the War of the Roses ended in 1485. But did it? Seward sheds new light on the York claimants to the Throne during the reigns of Henry VII and the Henry VIII. Fans will enjoy this fresh perspective.
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