Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England – Alison Weir
Another Alison Weir biography. This one features Isabella, consort of Edward II and mother to Edward III. After her marriage collapsed, she and her {scandal} lover, Roger Mortimer, overthrew her husband and ruled in her son’s name. Overall, I found it pretty interesting, even if Alison Weir tends to get bogged down in details at times.
American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans – Eve LePlante
This biography on Anne Hutchinson was written by one of her descendants. It examines her trial and banishment and looks at her life in the context of those events. I thought the book was enjoyable and had a lot of information. It does get a bit in the weeds with the differences between Anglican and Puritan theology. I also wouldn’t have minded more details on Anne’s life overall.
Catherine of Aragon: An Intimate Life of Henry VIII’s True Wife – Amy Licence
Amy Licence’s work of Catherine of Aragon is very thorough. This is a good option if you’re looking for a deep dive into just Catherine. As with all of Henry VIII’s wives, her life story tends to be told knowing which queen comes next. Licence provides much more about Catherine’s life after 1526 (when Henry decided to leave her).
The Invasion of Virginia: 1781 – Michael Cecere
The Invasion of Virginia looks at the English invasion led by Benedict Arnold. Many books on the Revolution ignore Virginia until the Battle of Yorktown. This examines the events that led to the eventual battle and American victory. As a lover of the American Revolution and Virginia, I enjoyed it.
The Rise of the Tudors: The Family That Changed English History – Chris Skidmore
While the title may make you think that this book is about the whole Tudor dynasty, it’s really just about Henry VII. It covers so much more information about Henry VII than pretty much any other “Tudor era” book I’ve read. You’ll also get more points of view from the Brittany and French courts. This Tudor fan learned plenty of new information.
What have you been reading?
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