The Last Wife of Henry VIII

Wives of King Henry VIII

by Carolly Erickson

Courageous, attractive, romantic, intelligent, Catherine Parr became the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Her story, as Carolly Erickson re-creates it, is page-turning drama: from the splendors of the Field of the Cloth of Gold to the gory last years of the outsize King Henry, when heads rolled and England trembled, Catherine bestrode her destiny and survived to marry her true love.

Catherine Parr attracted the king’s lust and, though much in love with the handsome Thomas Seymour, was thrown into the intrigue-filled snake pit of the royal court. While victims of the king’s wrath suffered torture and execution, Catherine persevered—until, at last, she came within the orbit of the royal fury. King Henry toyed with her, first ordering her arrested, then granting her clemency. She managed to evade execution, but she knew that the king had his wandering eye fixed on wife number seven.

She was spared by his death and married the attractive but dangerously unbalanced Seymour. Her triumph was shadowed by rivalry with the young Princess Elizabeth, whose lands and influence the lecherous Seymour coveted. Catherine won the contest, but at great cost.

In The Last Wife of Henry VIII, critically acclaimed author Carolly Erickson brings this dramatic story of survival and redemption to life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Tudor Period, British Literature, Royalty, Romance

326 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 1980

About the author

Distinguished historian Carolly Erickson is the author of The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, The First Elizabeth, Great Catherine, Alexandra and many other prize-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. She lives in Hawaii.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/caroll...

Reviews

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very, very bland.

Somehow Erickson made the Tudors boring, which I didn't think was possible.

[Gracee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ROYALLY irritating. Carolly Erickson is a "distinguised historian turned popular novelist" - I would have hoped the simple task of getting the right order and personage of Catherine Parr's multiple marriages could have been achieved. The lack of getting even these basic facts straight really bothered me in the beginning of the book. However, trying to keep in mind that it is simply a work of fiction helped me read through it for the most part. The truth could have been stranger, and more entertaining than fiction.

I would have given it 4 stars (and I think that is being very generous) IF the author had kept at least the outline of the historical facts correct. Not to mention the complete void of any mention of Lady Jane Grey. So, minus one star for lack of facts and minus a star for lack of the "9 Day Queen"

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was absolute rubbish. I found myself tutting out loud whenever I came across a historical inaccuracy (which was depressingly often) and I actually threw the book across the room when I read that Catherine was sleeping with Thomas Seymour whilst married to the King. WTF. ?!?!?!?!?! WHY would she do that? Didn't she JUST warn Katherine Howard a couple of chapters ago that she was an utter idiot for sleeping with someone when married to Henry?!?!

I skimmed the last 3 or 4 chapters of this book because I just wanted it to end. None of the characters were likeable at all and I never felt connected with them. The author rushed over events too quickly, as if she had a word limit for each event; for example in one chapter we went from Henry being happily married to Anne Boleyn, and the next it's the Pilgrimage of Grace, briefly explaining "He [Henry VIII] just hasn't been the same since Anne Boleyn was executed" or something to that effect. Um... Sure. Not like it was a major scandal to the whole of Europe at the time. Hang on, wasn't her brother also executed? For incest? Really?! Well fancy that. And four other men were executed for adultery too?! Golly. Why didn't you say?

As for the whole Anne Bourchier scandal, Katherine's brother didn't just shrug it off like it was no biggie, he wanted her executed for her adultery, which was the punishment in those days. She escaped punishment because Katherine persuaded her brother not to. And I'm guessing the only reason Anne Bourchier died from being tortured for heresy in the 1540's (she actually died in 1571) was so Ms Erickson did not have to go through the labourous task of creating a place for Anne Askew.

And the way Erickson portrayed Catherine's relationship with Princess Elizabeth was disgraceful. As was Katherine Howard's execution, where Lady Rochford gabbled insanely and stripped herself naked. Yup. Good inventing there... Well done.

Another thing that irked me was how the author kept claiming Katherine was descended from royalty through her mother. It was actually through her father, who was descended from John of Gaunt, the son of Edward III.

This book was awful, from the characters to the appalling historical inaccuracies. I will definately be steering clear of anymore of Ms Erickson's works.

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Carolly Erickson books. Although like all of her works, she took many historical liberties to enrich the story; it worked. The novel is rich with imagery, emotional context, and personifications.

Yes, some of the timelines and facts are a bit off and the readers whom read history book on the Tudor times will notice these instantly but hey, so did "The Tudors" on TV and you still watched that! In fact, this books reads sort of like an over-dramatic episode of The Tudors focusing on Cathering Parr and her obsessive love with Thomas Seymour (another dirtbag who got the ladies. Ew).

Interesting, vivid, and entertaining. A delicious bite of historical entertainment.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson was well written, very descriptive and educational. I was very engaged in the characters and had the feeling that I was present during those most difficult years.
This is the first novel I have read by this author but not my last.

[Rachele · Rating 3 out of 5]

È stato molto interessante leggere la storia, anche se molto romanzata, dell'ultima moglie del re Enrico VIII (in pratica quello che cambiava le mogli come se fossero calzini 🙈) , proprio perché non molto nota e studiata. Solo la parte finale del libro non mi è piaciuta..tanto furba a gabbare il vecchio re, ma completamente inutile e senza flemma con il suo amato Tom, che la infinocchia da dritto e da rovescio! E poi la sua morte è proprio brutta

[Vixxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much but when I got to the end of the book . I wished their was more to the story like maybe another book where the ending left off at . I will be reading more books by this author in the future . I am happy someone decided to write more about the last wife of king henry the 8th because their is not a lot known about her . I would love to read more books about her because she was able to live and be queen of England while being married to king henry the 8th . She helped so many people that did not have any food or money or was sick with the plague . She also stand up for what she believed in even if cost her life . She was and still is wonderful woman that more people she know about her and her life . This is the best book I have readed so far this year by far .

[Gaijinmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, it was just OK. 4 of 5 stars here on Goodreads, and that is being very generous.
On the positive side, it was interesting to hear the "voice" of the Tudor wife who survived.
She seems to get much less attention than, say, Anne Boleyn or Catherine of Aragon, and her story is a prime example of how an intelligent woman survives in a society where she has no power over her own life.

The biggest negative for me, however, was the fact that I just don't like the author's writing style.
With such a fascinating plot already written in history, it's a pity the story wasn't told with more skill.
Just my two yen...worth slightly less than two cents by today's exchange rate!

[Nancy Mulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, well-researched look at the last wife of Henry VIII, Catherine Parr. She survived him, but not for long. She died in childrbirth at the advanced age of 37.

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Parr's mother is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. Her life intersects with Henry's in various ways like this through the years. She loves, marries, mourns, and just generally lives her life until Henry beheads wife number five, Catherine Howard. It isn't long before Henry's avaricious gaze falls on her as wife number six.

I think I was expecting something a little meatier. There is so much drama in that whole period, juicy material shouldn't be hard to find. This story of Catherine Parr's life felt rushed through her early years. Once Henry started courting her, I expected the pace to slow down and linger over all that. But it still felt rushed. This mostly felt like an overview of her life. Give me details when it comes to those infamous Tudors!

The writing was okay. It felt a little simplified and in parts it felt a little cheesy, like the author was trying too hard. I can see that she could be a good author, but I think that will come as she publishes more novels. It looks like this was only her second.

I did enjoy reading about Henry's last queen. It sounds like she had an interesting life. I didn't know much about her before this. I'll probably try to find a different book that tells her story in a little more detail. But this was a decent book and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is Tudor-crazy.

[Empress5150 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems lately that respected historians, previously noted for their excellent non-fictional accounts of various important figures, have taken to writing historical fiction about these same subjects.

I've read many books by Erickson about The Tudors. She also wrote an excellent accounting of the life of Marie Antoinette; "To The Scaffold".

Now, she's turned to historical fiction and, although the work was relatively engaging and I made my way through it quickly, it simply was not as enjoyable to me as her other books.

But, I got a bit tired of the bodice-busting writing style; I almost felt like I was reading Barbara Cartland.

I know a lot about Catherine Parr (the last wife of Henry VIII) and her story is somewhat sad and tragic, even the non-fictionalized version. But, this telling was a bit over the top and the ending, well, all I can say is PULEEZE!

I'm fairly sure these fine historians turned historical fiction writers are so doing to both jump onto the Tudor fever bandwagon the show "The Tudors" has brought into town. I've noticed republishings of books about The Tudors written decades ago. They are also, likely trying to compete with those writers who have become known for their historical fiction accounts of these subjects (Phillippa Gregory comes to mind).

Anyway, this book is sort of Tudor mind candy. I'm glad I only paid $6 for it (hardcover) in the bargain bin at B&N!

[The Book Maven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy crap, thus far I am completely unimpressed with this book. My first and actually, only beef with it is that it is historically inaccurate. It portrays Catharine as a teenage girl who marries a young man after she begs the king to intercede and prevent her family from marrying her to the young man's grandfather. Um, that is TOTAL POPPYCOCK. In real life, Parr's first husband was, in fact, a very elderly man, the grandfather that she does not marry in the book. Why would the author deviate so blatantly? Yeah, she was 17 and had to marry a grandpa. That's how it worked! What the heck?!? Why make something SO inaccurate?!?

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Catherine Parr was the 6th and last wive of Henry VIII and the wife I knew least off, hence my interest in reading this book.

The overall story is told well and keeps you involved, however, the many historical errors made it a frustrating read at times.

Not sure I will actively hunt other books by this author.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at http://books-n-music.blogspot.com/201.... This was the 13th Literary Wives read (find us on FB). . I believe I am the only hosting blogger who truly enjoyed this one. I felt as if I truly learned what it might be like to live as a woman/wife in 16th Century Tudor England, and that's what I always want in a historical fiction novel! I really respected and liked Catherine Parr, though I was disappointed that she had an adulterous affair. Though if you check our reviews some of the other bloggers felt this was not historically accurate. I guess I don't know enough about that time period or this person to argue the point. (Ignorance is bliss? lol) I felt Erickson put me right their in Tudor England, and that is what I expect historical fiction to do, above all else!

[MargeryK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I read a Rose Tremain book, about the Lutenist of the King of Denmark. The brother of an earlier King of Denmark is referred to a couple of times in this book and I really enjoy it when I can join the dots in different books.

Despite enjoying the genre and the period, the only Tudor books I've read have been Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies. Both of which are simply stunning. Knowing the Carolly Erickson had a hard act to follow, I didn't give her much hope. However, I enjoyed reading this book, especially as it fills in the story where Bring up the Bodies leaves off.

I thought the characters were well-drawn and the sense of place was well-established. The story arc was plotted well so that I didn't lose interest and I did feel a sense of empathy with Cat Parr. Towards the end of the book I did feel that the second half of the book could have been just as easily called 'The Tale of Tom Seymour', as it was his schemes and motives that kept my interest. EDITED TO ADD, having perused Wikipedia I now see that the author has taken major liberties with the sequencing of events in her novel and that they do not follow the historical record. I still enjoyed the read though.

I'll be recommending this to my bookclubbers in Nethertown.

[Abc · Rating 3 out of 5]

È stata una lettura piacevole, anche se l'aspetto storico si perde un po' nel grande lavoro di fantasia dell'autrice, al punto che non saprei se definirlo un romanzo storico o un romance.
Tuttavia è bello trascorrere qualche ora in un'epoca lontana, alla corte di Enrico VIII. Ovviamente sappiamo tutti che razza di personaggio fosse questo monarca, che nella sua vita non ha fatto altro che cambiare moglie a ripetizione, nutrendo sempre la speranza di poter avere un figlio maschio che gli succedesse al trono.
Qui la storia viene narrata dal punto di vista di Catherine Parr, appunto l'ultima moglie di Enrico. La lettura mi ha dato modo di riflettere ancora una volta su quanto fossero marci gli ambienti di corte (un po' come la politica di oggi) e su quanto fosse misera la vita delle persone comuni, in particolare delle donne.

[Mallaidh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a weird fascination with historical families. I could care less about the modern day royals and what they're up to, but the Tudors.....

As for this book.... Not bad. Not great either. Carolly Erickson is kind of hit/miss for me with her historical fiction. You can never really know what a historical figure was actually like, and I realize that some liberties have to be taken, but in my head there was a different version of Catherine Parr than Erickson portrayed... at least at the end.

I always pictured Catherine Parr as a level headed, shrewd woman who did what she needed to do to survive. And she was that. But she also came across as a lovesick fool, and it was obvious to the reader that Tom Seymore was a giant peaturkey who was just using Catherine for her position and money. For some reason, Catherine fell for it, up until the bitter end. It made the ending more depressing than it needed to be.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can't help but wonder what went through the 6th wife's head when the tyrant king, who had already had two wives executed, proposed marriage. Foreign royalty could beg off, but Englishwomen were subject to their sovereign Henri. So, (an albeit fictional) account of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife, who did keep her life. (So did Anne of Cleves, and probably isolation and comfort is better than losing one's head). Some parts didn't seem to line up with what is accepted as factual recordings (?) of certain events...but it still is good historical fiction, if one likes anything concerning the Tudors.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this telling of Catherine Parr. My knowledge of her was minimal, especially her life preceding becoming queen, but this Historical Fiction helped fill in many gaps in an entertaining way. I also really like the way Henry VIII's personality was framed in this book.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Wife of Henry VIII (Wives of Henry VIII) by Carolly Erickson was definitely more accessible and interesting than The Sixth Wife by Jean Plaidy, but I wouldn't exactly call it exciting or a must read.

[Merry Bones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did. I generally love anything to do with the Tudors, and I enjoyed the author's book, The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, so I had some reasonable hopes for this one. Much as I tried, though, I couldn't get into it. I would read, and read, and read, come up for air and find I had only managed to read a few pages when it felt as if I had been reading forever. There were times when it showed promise and I felt a little more engaged. I think my problem with it was partly because I couldn't get past the deviations from historical record and partly because the author's take on Catherine clashed with my take on her. I just about went mad at wondering how someone as intelligent as Catherine could fall for such a rotten apple as Thomas Seymour. Hopefully he was somewhat worthier of her in real life than he was in this book (although I have my doubts on that matter). All that aside, I'm still glad that I read the book because, after all, it let me spend time with my favorite royal family. If it was possible to give half stars on Goodreads, I would give it 2 and 1/2 instead of 2 (2 isn't quite generous enough, 3 maybe a little too generous).

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was told from the pov of Catherine Parr-the last wife of king henry viii.
The author took quite abit of license with accepted historical fact-for instance she has her first husband as her age when history shows both of her first 2 husbands as having been older men. However, she was a strong and likable protagonist-I was drawn into the story and really cared about what happened to her. It is also tragic in a way because she manages to outlive Henry and keep her head-towards the end he makes half-hearted attempts to have her named a heretic-only to marry Tom Seymour who uses her for her money and status. In the end she finally gets pregnant and dies in childbirth while her husband has gathered an army against his brother Edward who is King Edward's Protector until he comes of age. Again-the end differs somewhat from accepted historical fact-but she was interesting and even managed to write and publish some books for women on prayers and what not while she was queen.

[Martina Sartor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come disse il saggio (quell'impiccione di mio figlio): "Ma non ne hai abbastanza di Enrico 8°? Mogli, amanti... ecc ecc"
La risposta: ebbene, no. Anche se so la storia a memoria, attimo per attimo, personaggio per personaggio, non mi stanco mai di leggere dei Tudor, dell'Inghilterra di quegli anni, degli intrighi e delle passioni.
La Erickson inoltre è bravissima a tratteggiare e caratterizzare i personaggi di cui racconta, anche nelle storie romanzate come questa dove presenta una Caterina Parr che di solito arriva per ultima nelle biografie sul Grande Enrico e viene un po' liquidata in fretta. Qui riviviamo la sua storia e la storia di quell'epoca attraverso i suoi pensieri, da un'ottica innovativa e diversa, scoprendo una donna moderna per il suo tempo che ha saputo sopravvivere a molte bufere.

[Bookwoman7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I did things a little backward and got into the work of Phillipa Gregory after I discovered Carolly Erickson. "The Last Wife of Henry VIII: a novel" follows Katherine Parr, who is pursued by the king following his dispatch of Catherine Howard. As a member of the court, Katherine has witnessed first-hand the demise of his past wives and determines to avoid marriage to the King. Finally, forced into acceding to his wishes, she is able to garner a writ from Henry, which does not allow her to be killed no matter what wrong the King's addled mind perceives. The writ serves her well as we are plunged headlong into the final days of Henry's monarchy. Erickson, primarily a non-fiction writer, uses her talents well in this piece of historical fiction which has a solid ring of truth.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really tough to go wrong with historical fiction, and this author delivers. I had never read about this time and place before, and I found myself googling to distinguish fact from fiction on this one. This is a good, light book to read on vacation or when work is just too much. It will take you to another world.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read by Terry Donnelly. Unabridged

Great historian turned rogue. Will I like the romantic swerve *shrugs*

later - Nope, I didn't like the romantic swerve at all, no surprise there I suppose*shrugs*

[Barb]

Just couldn't do this one after reading half of Mary Luke's 'The Ivy Crown'. I thought the dialog was pretty unbelievable and the characterizations and motivations were too simplistic.

[Anna Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry VIII is one of my favourite historical figures, love to read stories about his life

[Laila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for a trip. Easy and forgettable.

[Shiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Last Wife of Henry VIII' by Carolly Erickson is a book that I have been looking to buy for ages, but I never managed to find out until I downloaded the Audible app and got a free trail. This was one of the books that I first bought on Audible!

This book centres around the life of Henry's sixth and final wife; Catherine Parr from her childhood in the court of the young Henry VIII, to becoming his last wife, to her life after the king's death until her unfortunate death. This author manages to capture the atmosphere and liveliness of the Tudor Court but also brings historical figures to live in a well-rounded way, where you can sympathise, hate, love, admire and loathe different characters.

The first part of the book focuses on Catherine as a child living with her mother and begins with Catherine witnessing the spectacle that was held in France in 1520; The Field of Cloth of Gold. I really like this perspective, as many historical fiction books that I have read on Catherine Parr, they begin with her second marriage and continue from there, but it was immense to be able to read about her from when she was a young child, and to be able to read about historical events from her point of view. It is also interesting as it shows Catherine having a familiar relationship with her namesake; Catherine of Aragon but this made sense as Catherine's mother Maud was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine whilst she was married to Henry VIII. 

I do not know much about Catherine's first marriage, but from what I have read on Wikipedia and from reading about Catherine, sadly I do not think it was a love match as it was portrayed in the novel. The love between Catherine and her first husband Edward Burgh (who in the novel was nicknamed Ned) was really sweet to read and I must admit, I did actually shed a little tear when he died as I felt really emotional for Catherine with everything that she suffered within the last couple of months before Ned sadly died. Although, one thing that I shall point out in the novel, that before Catherine and Ned married, Catherine was originally supposed to marry Ned's grandfather, but she refused and in the end, went to the king to make sure that she married the man she loved. This possibly could have happened at some point during the Tudor period, but it definitely didn't happen for Catherine, she had to marry who she was told to marry.

That is another issue that I struggled to get my head around throughout the novel, is Henry VIII's relationship with Catherine Parr. In reality and in the novel, Catherine Parr was a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon, but in the novel, it shows Catherine being a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn as well (which isn't true!). With Catherine being a lady-in-waiting, it would inevitable that Henry and Catherine would cross paths, but the author depicted Henry taking a liking to Catherine after the first time of meeting her, and whenever Catherine needed something done for her, which she was not able to find a solution for, she would always run to the king to help her, and help her he did! I just felt frustrated every time there was a description of Henry VIII licking his lips whilst staring at Catherine.

Another bugbear of mine was when Catherine was married to John Neville, Baron Latimer, from what I understand, whilst she was married to John Neville, there was a lot of unrest especially during the Pilgrimage of Grace, when Catherine was held hostage with her stepchildren and probably was worried that she would be killed. However, in the novel she meets a 'mysterious' man who she only knew as Tom and she began building up a relationship with him which leads up to Catherine sleeping with Tom and having an affair. With reading about Catherine and how seriously she took her faith, I think that it is definitely far-fetched that Catherine would have cheated on her husband at all, and definitely not with a stranger that she hardly knew anything about! 

There are many characters throughout the novel that were highly unlikable, such as Ned Burgh's father, who was very controlling and did not take kindly to his son being given greater favour than him, but also the fact that Catherine went behind his back to the king to get what she wanted; to marry Ned. Prince Edward, even though he was very young when his mother died, he comes across very spoilt as his father gives into him a lot and this is clear in one scene when Catherine is forced to hand over one of his wedding presents as Edward takes a liking to it. Also, Anne Boleyn was portrayed as a vain, arrogant, rude woman who took an instant dislike to Catherine Parr, but as I have previously discussed earlier in this review, that that is highly unlikely!

It turns out that the mysterious Tom, is none other than Thomas Seymour, Jane Seymour's brother which makes him a brother-in-law to the King of England and uncle to Prince Edward. At first, Catherine and Thomas's relationship is very sweet, loving and caring, but I always had that feeling that Thomas could not be trusted, that he was holding a secret to his chest. It becomes quite sad to read towards the end of the book with Thomas's actions towards the Princess Elizabeth, as it would be viewed differently from 21st century eyes, but was seen as normal back in the 16th century. It must of been heartbreaking for Catherine, to see the man that she loved for many years, the man she was denied to marry as the king became enchanted and besotted by her, who she longed for, was now interested in Princess Elizabeth, rather than who she was but for what she could bring him; closer to the English Throne. You cannot help but feel for Catherine right at the end of the book, as she would have looked forward to being pregnant especially when she must have believed that she would never have a child of her own, but would be happy to look after any of her husband's children. It goes incredibly sour with between her and her husband after Thomas's behaviour with Elizabeth, but you cannot help but feel emotional whilst she lays dying from childbed fever after giving birth to her only child, a daughter; Mary. She becomes delirious accusing Thomas of a multitude of things, but it must of been such a scary time for her, knowing that she was going to leave behind her only child that she had been longing for over the years, she would never see her child grow up, but also once she died, would Thomas remarry straightaway? but the better question would be; who would he marry?

I did enjoy this book for what it was; a historical fiction book, meaning that the author did play around with dates, historical figures and events. Although there were many parts that irritated me and I wished that it had been written differently, it was still an enjoyable book.