Katherine, the Virgin Widow

Tudor Saga #2

by Jean Plaidy

Fue consumado el matrimonio? La infanta Catalina, hija menor de Fernando e Isabel, se caso con Arturo, príncipe de Gales y al enviudar, esta fue la pregunta que se hicieron todos y que ensombreció sur vida. Solo se pago la mitad de la dote y su posición era dudosa. Vivía en la mas absoluta pobreza en la Casa Durham; vestía harapos; se alimentaba de los pescados, y se vio envuelta en las intrigas de su dominante dama de compania, dona Elvira. Estos hechos culminaron en el mas importante de los casamientos reales, en un marco de intrigas inglesas y españolas. Es la historia de una joven, viuda y sin embargo virgen, que queda a merced de dos poderosos e insensibles monarcas y de un travieso y apuesto príncipe, el futuro Enrique VIII que es el único en poseer el poder de rescatarla, colocando una corona sobre su cabeza. Jean Plaidy, la mas afamada escritora actual de historia novelada, inicia con este volumen su trilogía acera de Catalina de Aragon.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Tudor Period, British Literature, 16th Century, Romance

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been collecting books by Jean Plaidy for years. Jean Plaidy was a pseudonym used by author Eleanor Hibbert. Hibbert also wrote under the name Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr, plus several others. Each genre she wrote in was under a different name. I can totally understand. She wanted her historical fiction separate from her gothic romance, etc.

Jean Plaidy books flesh out periods/events in history. Hibbert takes historical fact and brings in the details....conversations, thoughts, drama, politics, and intrigue, plus the humanity of the events.. Plaidy books are NOT historical romance, but historical fiction. There is a difference. Plaidy brings life to historical events.....not ripped bodices and naked royalty. For those types of stories, there are many, many other authors to choose from. Not bashing historical romance.....just stating that Plaidy books do not involve jauntily naked Tudors or heaving bosoms. Well, there might be a few heaving bosoms, but they are never the crux of the story. If you want to hear about Henry VIII's manly bits and details of what he did with said bits, Plaidy is not the right choice. If you want a fictional idea of what Henry VIII said to Katharine of Aragon on their wedding day (or his five other subsequent wedding days), then Plaidy is a good choice.

I started collecting Plaidy books (there are 77 of them) about 10 years ago. At the time, some were out of print and a bit hard to find. Several have been re-released since then. I love books and I'm a completist -- I want the entire series on my shelf before I start to read. That can get a bit difficult when dealing with out of print books. So in 10 years of collecting Plaidy novels, I only read one trilogy by her (the Norman trilogy) and the other multitude of books I own by her sat neglected on my shelves. Finally, this year, I told myself that it's ridiculous to have a collection of books for so long.....and never read any of them. I sorted my books and filled in a couple gaps so I could start reading....and found library copies or digital edition copies to fill in other spots. My goal is to read through my Jean Plaidy collection during 2020, and free up all this shelf space! I will donate/trade my copies so others can enjoy the titles too....even those that are now long out of print.

Katharine, the Virgin Widow tells the story of Katharine of Aragon. It starts with her being brought to England from Spain to marry Henry VIIs oldest son, Arthur. The Tudors just took the throne of England and Henry is determined to keep it. His heir must marry and have sons. The Tudor line must continue! But..... (there is always a but, isn't there!) Arthur dies soon after marrying Katharine. Henry VII does not want to return her dowry, but what to do with her? Katharine is suddenly a virgin widow -- the marriage was never consummated because she was young and Arthur was sickly. Cue politics, intrigue, plotting. What will happen to poor Katharine? And now the younger son -- Henry -- is suddenly Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne.

There are three Plaidy books about Katharine of Aragon. Katharine, the Virgin Widow is the first. followed by The Shadow of the Pomegranate and The King's Secret Matter. These books are also books 2-4 in Plaidy's Tudor Saga.

I enjoyed this story. I already knew the facts, but I enjoyed this author's slant on it. Poor Katharine. She arrives in England not even knowing how to speak English. She misses her mother and her home country. She marries, but her husband dies soon after. She wants to go home....but politics and money is involved. She is a pawn in the games of kings. She has no real choices. She must do as she is told. Men hold all the power. Even when she is queen...her husband controls everything. She is just expected to have babies and be quiet. What a life -- spectacular and incredibly sad at the same time.

Great book! I'm obsessed with the Tudor era, so I am enjoying the Tudor Saga series!

On to the next book!

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook #246

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhhhh, I'm honestly considering lowering my rating to 2.5, because this book was really not that great. I just don't think that in years to come I will remember actually reading this book, because the events are already fading from my mind. I only remember the plot because of the fact that I know what happened historically. And....that isn't great? I've read a lot better. And although this isn't my favourite part of the Tudor era to read about...I know that this book can't use that as an excuse. In that case, I think this is going to be a pretty short review.

One of the main things I remember about this is that the writing was really annoying. It was just so straight forward and over-explanatory, as if I would not be able to work out what was going on myself, and it needed to make sure I knew EXACTLY why someone did this because I was DEFINITELY not able to work it out myself. It made me feel like the author was uncertain whether the reader would be able to interpret what she wrote. Look. I have read a lot of books. I THINK I CAN WORK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

It was just kind of emotionless. The Tudor era can be a pretty depressing time. Some sad stuff happened to people that maybe it should have happened to. But there was no emotive language, nothing that made me feel...well, anything. The characters were very one dimensional, and it was such a straight forward interpretation of the events. Though I will admit, I have a softspot for the interpretation that Katherine was in love with Arthur, not Henry, because it is tragic and sad, and (even though it made me feel nothing in this book) I was grateful that it was the one used here.

That pretty much wraps up my entire thoughts on this book. Look, anything about the Tudors can keep me entertained, which is maybe why I was slightly overgenerous with my rating. But this was pretty forgettable, and I don't know if I would read another book by this author if they are all going to be like this one. It was just okay. I love the Tudors. This wasn't the best rendition of them, by far.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy reading ‘Tudor’ historical fiction and was pleasantly surprised when this author showed up on a reading list that I am trying to get through (my last reading list for this year). So I wholeheartedly looked forward to this series by Plaidy.

I was surprised that I was a little disappointed though. This book was just okay for me. I just didn’t feel drawn in. It was written well, but it just seemed like a regurgitation of facts. I wanted more relationship building and more info on the people and more about the time period. And there seemed to be a lot of repetition of the same facts as if I had forgotten those facts since I just read it in the last chapter.

The author did give full descriptions on everyone in that small span of time that it covered. I appreciated that, but I guess it felt like a review of material or a recap before the big final at the end of the semester.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jean Plaidy really knows how to write historical fiction, especially Tudor fiction which is my favourite . I really liked that the point of View was from Katharine Of Aragon’s. It was interesting to read it from such an early part of King Henry the eighth’s life and the time before he had married Katharine.
Arriving from Spain to marry Prince Arthur, Katharine Is a quiet subdued Spanish princess who starts to find herself in England under the household of the Tudor king Henry the seventh.
I like the Spanish princess, and it was nice to see her in such a romantic telling of her life.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐'s

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Tudor series is not a string of novels written one after the other; they were written at different stages during Plaidy’s life. The first book was the last to be written. This second one – and the two that follow it – are really sequels from the Daughters of Spain series.

In consequence, a huge portion of Book One is retold in Book Two. Book One follows on from the Plantagenet series, and it’s a shame that the author didn’t write up to the point where she starts this novel.

We do, however, see more events from Katharine of Aragon’s viewpoint in this story, along with her maidservents’ activities, plus what’s going on in Spain.

Katharine’s sister Juana is the most well-developed and engaging character. She’s mad, which gives are more personality than any other character. The sections featuring Juana interested me most of all.

As with all Plaidy novels, “The Virgin Widow” features a lot of repeated info and dry facts. The main reason why her works are so dry is because there’s far too much *telling*, as opposed to *showing*. Many times in this book the reader is told what happened in a few sentences, when the author could’ve dramatized scenes to show what happened.

Something else Ms Plaidy’s guilty of is her continuous use of the passive voice. It’s always, “She had been carried into the lying-in-state chamber by four noblemen,” or “The daughter of the King,” as opposed to the active voice: “Four noblemen carried her into the lying-in-state chamber,” and “The king’s daughter.”

Passive voice = passive prose.

Another annoying trait this author has is writing with hindsight. Her characters say prophetic things, which is too unrealistic, or they wish for things – repeatedly! – until they either get their wish, or suffer in the attempt.

For example, the future Henry VIII constantly wishes he was the firstborn son, and he harps on about older brother Arthur’s ill health. It’s written in such a way as to hint that Henry knows his wish will come true. We know it will, but he couldn’t know, especially from such a young age. In the previous book he was coveting the throne from the age of three.

The future was as unknown to these people as it is for everyone else, but in these stories they have premonitions, which I can’t believe the real people these characters are based on would ever have:

“She was trying to shake off this premonition which had been with her since she knew she was to have another child.”

It’s all down to the author writing with hindsight. Very irritating.

Something about Jean Plaidy’s books keep me coming back for more. Perhaps it’s her obvious love for English history, which I share, that draws me back. I wish she’d focused less on turning out as greater quantity of novels as possible and concentrated more on quality writing.

“The Virgin Widow” has some good moments, but overall it’s another that feels like an unedited early draft.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most excellent way to learn a bit about the history of the British monarchy! Thank goodness for Plaidy doing all the research and then putting it in an easy to read and understand form for the rest of us!! Read it on the heels of "To Hold the Crown" so some seemed a bit redundant, but I guess history doesn't change, even if the title of a novel does!

[tinalouisereadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the eyes of the world, Katharine of Aragon was a precious object to be disposed of for the glory of Spain. Her parents, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, send her to England to become the bride of Arthur, Prince of Wales.
But soon her frail husband was dead, and a fateful question loomed: Was the marriage consummated, as Katharine's priest avowed, or was the young widow still a virgin? On that delicate point hinged Katharine's-and England's-future. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings was her willful, handsome brother-in-law, bold Prince Henry, who alone had the power to restore Katharine's lost position.


This is the second in the Tudor series. It begins where Katherine is married to Arthur up to the point where she marries Henry VIII.

I felt this book covered a lot of ground which was in the previous book, ‘Uneasy Lies The Head’. The first book is about Henry VII and covers the period of Katherines marriage to Arthur and his death, and then up to his own death. The second book covers the same period.

Again Ms Plaidy’s books are full of historical facts about my favourite period in history but compared to todays writers such as Philippa Gregory her books are now a little bland. However it still provides a good read although it was a bit slow in places and very repetitive of the first novel.

Would I recommend this book: Yes if you like the Tudors but be aware it isn’t as sexy as todays novels that are out there.

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars simply because of the way it was written, given the time period it was written in.

I began to learn about English History with the author Jean Plaidy (who also wrote under the pen name Victoria Holt). I was in my tweens when I read her first book, and boy, did I go through the entire set that the school library had!!!!

Well now I am in my late 60s and decided to reacquaint myself with the writings of Ms. Plaidy. This book is not the first book of the series, which (I believe) is called The Bastard King. But since I've always had a fondness for Catherine of Aragon, I started rereading with her.

I would recommend this author to young and young adult readers who are just beginning their trip into British history. The writing is easy to understand, and Ms. Plaidy puts just enough truth in her books mixed with great descriptions that many will be hooked by the first page.

For me, it was a great trip into the past when I was young and just learning about British history.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable novel! The first novel I read of Plaidy’s was well written and fantastic, but the second novel was very repetitive, slow, and flat. I was nervous to try a third one, but found it to be much more like the first one. The novel was well written and descriptive, the characters had more depth, and the plot line moved. Though there was some repetition with certain lines and phrases, it was still very interesting. Now, granted, the original history does seem to drag on as Katharine of Aragon is left waiting for years as to whether or not she would marry Prince Henry, and, though she was royal, she was abandoned and left in poverty as her father and the King of England argued over dowry and financial gain. Plaidy was able to share the frustration and lack of control that Katharine must have been feeling with what was going on around her. I will give the next book in the trilogy a go and see how that one is.

[Diantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fine read for any fan of period dramas. The characters are well-built and interesting. This review is written after my third read, so it's definitely interesting enough to reread.

What throws me off a little in this book is the large part about Juana, Katherine's sister in Spain. I admit that the story of Katherine is a bit boring in its lack of events. But I was hoping to read more about the relationship with her maids, a more in-depth narration of the fears and delights Katherine must have felt in isolation.
Instead, Jean Plaidy made the choice to spend a good number of pages on Juana. I like the story of Juana and it would be a wonderful story about mental illness and coping with loss in itself.
As a side story (which is at the same time more eventful than the main story of the book) it only adds to the lingering opinion that by spreading the focus, the novel didn't manage to *really* intrigue in either of its two main storylines. Missed opportunity.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - Possibly the best novel I've ever read on Katherine of Aragon, particularly on her early life, before her marriage to Henry VIII. I loved the focus on her domestic situation and relations with her ladies and the various Spanish ambassadors. It's a clever mix of politics and domestic matters that all intertwine together. If there was anything that would get me interested in the actual history of Katherine of Aragon, this would be it, as this early period is what made her into the amazing queen she was.

Genre? - Historical / Drama

Characters? - Katherine of Aragon / Maria de Salinas / Henry VII / Henry VIII / Prince Arthur Tudor / Elizabeth of York / Princess Mary / Princess Margaret / Isabella I of Castile / Ferdinand II of Aragon / Philip of Burgundy / Juana the Mad

Setting? - London (England) & Ludlow (Wales)

Series? - Tudor #2

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 19/20

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another look at the troubled life of Katherine of Aragon. Plaidy breaks up the story of Katherine into three books and this one focuses on the period of betrothal, doomed marriage, and endless forgotten waiting the young woman was subjected to. To pad the story, she focuses on the trials of Katherine's family, specifically her father Ferdinand and sister Juana, the "mad" queen. While this is all interesting and relevant to what happened to Katherine, it was an unexpected detour in the story for me. There are other side stories regarding some of Katherine's household members and reveal the motives behind their actions. Again, while interesting it was unexpected. For me these side stories made me impatient to get back to Katherine. It makes me reluctant to continue on with the trilogy despite the quality of the writing and my interest in the topic.

[Julie Coles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jean Plaidy really is the Mills and Boon of historical fiction - without the interesting bits!

She does not write historical romance but neither does she bring the historical figures to life. Her characters are one-dimensional, and their dialogue is dull. Whilst writing about historical events leaves little room to play with the story, her descriptions are straightforward, emotionless and simplistic.

This novel covers the story of Katherine of Aragon's doomed marriage to Prince Arthur, and what happens to her after his death. It may prove an interesting read if you just want the bare facts, but you're better off using google. The characters here are flat and instantly forgettable. There are better novels covering this period in history and I'd suggest finding one of those.

[Anna Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept hovering between 1 star and 2, because I didn't outright hate this book, but I'll put it this way: if it had been a longer book, I would have been upset at having spent so much time reading it. As it is.... 1.5 stars, maybe? The book is rather dry and despite the title and synopsis, a good chunk of the book is is focused on Katharine's father, Ferdinand; another of his daughters, Juana of Castille; and her husband, Philip. Perhaps ironically, the parts of the book focusing on Juana came across as having more depth, character and engagement than the sections focusing on Katharine. Not Plaidy's best work.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in the 1960s. This is the story of Katharine of Aragon when beloved Princess of Spain, then wife of Arthur Prince of Wales for a matter of months, before becoming his widow. She remained in England under the guardianship of her father in law, until Arthur's younger brother Henry ascended to the throne on the death of his father and with papal dispensation married her in 1509.

Synopsis:
IN THE ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET
THE INFANTA OF SPAIN WAS A TRUE PRIZE.
In the eyes of the world, Katharine of Aragon was a precious object to be disposed of for the glory of Spain. Her parents, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, send her to England to become the bride of Arthur, Prince of Wales.
But soon her frail husband was dead, and a fateful question loomed: Was the marriage consummated, as Katharine's priest avowed, or was the young widow still a virgin? On that delicate point hinged Katharine's--and England's--future. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings was her willful, handsome brother-in-law, bold Prince Henry, who alone had the power to restore Katharine's lost position.
Jean Plaidy's narrative genius sparkles in this story of a remarkable royal marriage that inspired some of history's bloodiest deeds . . . .

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did find it a satisfying read overall. Like others I noted her repetition of facts or descriptions of people that recurred throughout. I think this detracted from the book and it lacked a bit of atmosphere, felt a bit dry and made the content a bit shallow and slow. However, it was easy to follow the complicated manipulations amongst the royalty and not also not get lost in their genealogy. Poor Katharine!

[Gaelynn Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

Great insight and details about Katherine of Aragon and her life before her marriage to Henry VIII. The lives of her parents beyond "the Christopher Columbus" story, and the fate of her siblings, especially Juana, was well written and gave even more insight to the political ambitions and machinations of Europe's nobility.

[Sue Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following on from "Daughters of Spain", this book covers the life of Katherine of Aragon from her voyage to England to her marriage to Henry VIII. It covers much the same period as the chronologically first book in the Tudor series "Uneasy Lies the Head", but from the point of view of Katherine. Another steady historical novel.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting recount of katherine of aragon of spain and king henry the 8th. I knew nothing about her or the monarcy during that time, so this was an easy introduction. generally well-written but I will say the audio book accents were terrible. Most of the Spaniards ended up sounding like they were from Transylvania.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow

just not for me.....slow but descriptive and pleasant...
no real complaint.....maybe just know the story too well. Not sorry I bought it......would recommend for any Tudor history fan.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story well told but unsatisfactorily ended. It wasn’t all about Katharine’s life but more about events and people surrounded her, and her story didn’t ended when she married Henry VIII, however as the title of the book is ‘Katharine, the Virgin Widow,’ I guess it warrants the abrupt ending.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember enjoying my last Plaidy book quite a bit but this one felt different - there was something about the narrative that didn’t feel natural or something, I can’t put my finger on it. And there was so much antisemitism sprinkled about the place, wow.

[Teresa Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The virgin

Another great book takes you back so you are with Katherine and her household and what hard life she had in a country that wasn't her birth land she was the forgotten queen after a Arthur death

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I have read most of the popular 'histories' of the wives of Henry VIII and this isn't quite the same. It is still a good read but it looks like you are going to have to decide which history is the truth.

[foolscap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook.

Definitely want to proceed with this series. Although, the initial chapters did feel repetitive and I wish it was structured in alignment with where the first book ended. That's not the case. What's summarized in a few chapters towards the end of Book #1 is elaborated further.

[Jennifer Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really drawn into this book, I felt it was more about Katharine's sister Juana and her mad behaviour. I would have preferred it to be more about what was happening in England to Katharine as the title suggests. Not as good as the author's other books.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Katharine, the Virgin Widow.

I have studied the Tudor era, but haven't dug into the Spanish side of things. This book was informative and engaging.

Since this is book 2 in the series, I will hunt for more in the series.

[Jim Galford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plaidy is a excellent author of history and historical fiction. Katherine, the once bride of both Henry VIII and his brother Arthur is a fascinating read.