The Wives of Henry VIII – Antonia Fraser
My latest reading endeavor was The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser. It’s a comprehensive biography of each of the six queens of this many-married monarch and a good read. This is a great starting point for anyone curious about Tudor history. Fraser does not devote too much effort to Henry VIII, just his relationship with the wives. The biographies also aren’t exhaustive; putting six biographies into one book was ambitious enough.
The Red Queen – Philippa Gregory
Rounding out the Cousins’ War series, I just finished The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory. This novel focuses on Lady Margaret Beaufort, heiress to the Beaufort family and fortune and mother to Henry VII. I enjoyed the Cousins’ War series, and this book was no exception.
The Life of Elizabeth I- Alison Weir
I’m almost to my goal to finish the Tudor Book Blog challenge! My 18th read was The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir. Overall, I liked it, though it did seem to be a bit long at times (it is, after all, almost 500 pages). It’s a complete, in-depth look in to the woman under the crown and the person behind the throne.
1536: The Year That Changed Henry VIII – Suzannah Lipscomb
My goal-meeting book for the Tudor Book Blog Challenge was 1536: The Year That Changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb. I enjoyed this snapshot of a tumultuous year in the reign of the famous Tudor king. Its supposed to be written for the general public, but I would recommend having a decent knowledge of the Tudor Era before reading this. Because it focuses on just one year, it is quite detailed. She also considers whether this year is the year in which Henry VIII became known as a tyrant king.
Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the Wars of the Roses – Sarah Gristwood
I recently finished Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the Wars of the Roses by Sarah Gristwood. Gristwood profiles Marguerite of Anjou, Cecily Neville, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, Margaret of Burgundy, Anne Neville, and Elizabeth of York. As with some of the other compilation-style biographies, this book is not a full biography of each woman; more of a summary of how her life fit into the larger era known as the Wars of the Roses. I enjoyed this overview of the major female players during this time.
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