The story of Henry VIII and his six wives has passed from history into legend - taught in the cradle as a cautionary tale and remembered in adulthood as an object lesson in the dangers of marrying into royalty. The true story behind the legend, however, remains obscure to most people, whose knowledge of the affair begins and ends with the aide memoire 'Divorced, executed, died, divorce, executed, survived'. David Loades' masterly book recounts the whole sorry tale in detail from Henry's first marriage, to his brother's widow Catherine of Aragon, to more or less contented old age in the care of... View More...
The first major biography of Henry VIII least favourite wife - but the one who outlived them all. 'I like her not!' was the verdict of Henry VIII on meeting his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, for the first time. Anne could have said something similar on meeting Henry and, having been promised the most handsome prince in Europe, she was destined to be disappointed in the elderly and corpulent king. Henry also felt that Anne was not as she had been described, complaining that he had been sent a Flander's mare. Forced to proceed with their wedding for diplomatic reasons, Henry and Anne tried to mak... View More...
Henry VIII had the most controversial love life of the Tudor period, and he remains Britain's most famous king because of it. His pursuit of a male heir for his throne led him to cast aside five consecutive wives and bring about the reformation of the Catholic Church, changing the face of British history as he broke from the pope and tradition. But who were the women who were instrumental in causing this change? Why was Catherine of Aragon divorced and Anne Boleyn beheaded, and what happened to the last wife, Catherine Parr? Elizabeth Norton provides a lavishly illustrated guide to the six wiv... View More...
The scandalous true story of Mary Boleyn, infamous sister of Anne, and mistress of Henry VIII. Mary Boleyn, 'the infamous other Boleyn girl', began her court career as the mistress of the king of France. Francois I of France would later call her 'The Great Prostitute' and the slur stuck. The bete-noir of her family, Mary was married her off to a minor courtier but it was not long before she caught the eye of Henry VIII and a new affair began. Although a bright star at Henry's court, she was soon eclipsed by her highly spirited and more accomplished sister, Anne, who rapidly took her place in t... View More...
This selection of intimate letters of England s kings is sure to intrigue anyone with an interest in the personal lives of some of England s most powerful men. Intimate Letters of England s Kings starts with Henry VII (1457 1509) and ends with William IV (1765 1837), and provides the reader with an illuminating insight into the lives of these men, from Henry VIII s declaration of love to Anne Boleyn to the letter written by Charles II to his wife Catherine of Braganza.Chosen for their human appeal, these letters show the people behind the crown, allowing history to assume a remarkably human fa... View More...
