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Fifty Shades of Lady Catherine Grey: The Sex Scandals that Shook the Tudor Court
Sex. If there was one thing the Tudors did well, it was sex!
Sex and beheading traitors; although rarely at the same time.
With well over one hundred years on the throne, the Tudor dynasty experienced its far share of sex scandals. This book looks at some of the more interesting and significant ones and explores the issues around them in a fun, non heavy way.
Among the Tudor sex scandals covered :
The near disastrous relationship between a fourteen-year old Tudor princess and her stepmother’s handsome new husband. The relationship that could have left the future virgin queen with child.
The lust and spellbinding stupidity of a teenage queen and one of the Tudor king's most trusted men.
The clandestine marriage between the king's sister and his best friend. But was it really all Henry VIII's idea to get his hands on a fortune?
How the heir presumptive to the English throne defied the queen and managed to get with child while prisoner in the Tower of London.
The teenage mistress that captivated Henry VIII for far longer than five of his queens.
The most infamous sex scandal of the Tudor age. The scandal that common sense tells us didn't happen, but left the scaffold awash with blood.
This is a little book that you can enjoy in your lunch hour. If you find you enjoy it you can read some heavier volumes by other authors in the future.
Sex and beheading traitors; although rarely at the same time.
With well over one hundred years on the throne, the Tudor dynasty experienced its far share of sex scandals. This book looks at some of the more interesting and significant ones and explores the issues around them in a fun, non heavy way.
Among the Tudor sex scandals covered :
The near disastrous relationship between a fourteen-year old Tudor princess and her stepmother’s handsome new husband. The relationship that could have left the future virgin queen with child.
The lust and spellbinding stupidity of a teenage queen and one of the Tudor king's most trusted men.
The clandestine marriage between the king's sister and his best friend. But was it really all Henry VIII's idea to get his hands on a fortune?
How the heir presumptive to the English throne defied the queen and managed to get with child while prisoner in the Tower of London.
The teenage mistress that captivated Henry VIII for far longer than five of his queens.
The most infamous sex scandal of the Tudor age. The scandal that common sense tells us didn't happen, but left the scaffold awash with blood.
This is a little book that you can enjoy in your lunch hour. If you find you enjoy it you can read some heavier volumes by other authors in the future.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2013
22 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 23, 2013
It was a different take on history. But amusing.
February 4, 2013
Manages to be at once totally cliché whilst, at points, completely wrong, which is the only impressive thing about it.
George Boleyn the homosexual nymphomaniac is alive and well here. Philippa Gregory's "George's penis is rolled in to impregnate his desperate sister" theory is plumbed. Elizabeth I's bastard children are inferred in droves.
I can't even be witty any more. The two main irritants for me:
1. Mark Smeaton wasn't physically tortured. It was commented upon, precisely because so many had assumed he had been. He appeared at his trial and execution seemingly fit and well. His "rack-broken body" was not dragged up to the executioner's block. He was strangely given the mercy of an execution, as opposed to the 'quartering' that a commoner like he was should have received - likely this was his coercion, and he didn't have to be physically beaten into confessing, just mentally pressured by the thought of a much more horrific death.
2. Jane Rochford didn't testify against her husband and sister-in-law. That is a total fabrication. It was an unnamed "Lady In Waiting" that *allegedly* reported the incest. It was highly unlikely to have been Jane. Jane even wrote to Henry VIII begging for clemency towards her husband. She seemed to have enjoyed a good relationship with her sister-in-law, the queen. If we're speculating, it was probably Charles Brandon that came up with the allegation of incest, as Anne had - years before - rather spitefully accused him of fornicating with his own daughter.
Generally speaking there are quite a few typos; the names of some of the major players are wrong; some clunky turns of phrase. Not worth the £1.91, I returned it for a refund, please heed my warning to look elsewhere. Inaccurate information, clumsily presented.
George Boleyn the homosexual nymphomaniac is alive and well here. Philippa Gregory's "George's penis is rolled in to impregnate his desperate sister" theory is plumbed. Elizabeth I's bastard children are inferred in droves.
I can't even be witty any more. The two main irritants for me:
1. Mark Smeaton wasn't physically tortured. It was commented upon, precisely because so many had assumed he had been. He appeared at his trial and execution seemingly fit and well. His "rack-broken body" was not dragged up to the executioner's block. He was strangely given the mercy of an execution, as opposed to the 'quartering' that a commoner like he was should have received - likely this was his coercion, and he didn't have to be physically beaten into confessing, just mentally pressured by the thought of a much more horrific death.
2. Jane Rochford didn't testify against her husband and sister-in-law. That is a total fabrication. It was an unnamed "Lady In Waiting" that *allegedly* reported the incest. It was highly unlikely to have been Jane. Jane even wrote to Henry VIII begging for clemency towards her husband. She seemed to have enjoyed a good relationship with her sister-in-law, the queen. If we're speculating, it was probably Charles Brandon that came up with the allegation of incest, as Anne had - years before - rather spitefully accused him of fornicating with his own daughter.
Generally speaking there are quite a few typos; the names of some of the major players are wrong; some clunky turns of phrase. Not worth the £1.91, I returned it for a refund, please heed my warning to look elsewhere. Inaccurate information, clumsily presented.
February 3, 2013
This is a very short book based on a few scandals surrounding the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. I couldn't really describe it as either fact or fiction. It really doesn't fit in to either category. There are lots of grammar and spelling errors within the short text which I found grated on me. The details given aren't particularly accurate however it does very slightly outline the better known "sex scandals" of the Tudor period.
I'm glad I didn't pay for it (I borrowed it from the kindle lending library).
I'm glad I didn't pay for it (I borrowed it from the kindle lending library).
February 2, 2013
The writing was not that great, lots of misspelled words, words left out, etc. But the author was pretty clear that this was meant to be just a fun, quick read and it should be taken as much. If you already know most of the scandals surrounding King Henry VIII then I would say don't waste your time. There is nothing new in this book. However, if you are just delving into it, it might be an okay introduction.
August 31, 2013
This is a fun and interesting read. The author is good to denote the fact that the book is meant to be light, as there are arguably some very questionable assumptions made in some of the stories when compared to more academic books on the subjects. Still, it is an entertaining read and will likely spark an interest to read more on the various characters from this time period in England's history.
February 5, 2013
A quick easy read, but it relies more on rumour than facts to make its case. Nothing is backed with evidence making this little use to anybody wanting a serious history of sex scandals in the Tudor court.
June 21, 2015
Loved
Loved reading stories like this. I consider a little bit of old fashion gossip..scandalous....love reading about the royal families who think they are above everyone else but their private lives are just like common people..
Loved reading stories like this. I consider a little bit of old fashion gossip..scandalous....love reading about the royal families who think they are above everyone else but their private lives are just like common people..
March 21, 2016
This is a fast read. Literally. You could probably read the whole book on a lunch hour. It was a little too fast for my taste. It was meant to touch on just the highlights of these scandals and it certainly did that. But a little more meat to it would've been nice.
February 5, 2013
This is a short story about historical sex scandals. The storys all end abruptly and another time frame begins, leaving you asking what's the point? WaAR
December 28, 2013
Nothing too exciting.... And nothing we don't all know already! A quick read
December 28, 2013
Nothing too exciting.... And nothing we don't all know already! A quick read
November 10, 2014
Poorly written and full of tabloid-style speculation, but fluffy and mindless; perfect for reading at the bar.
April 26, 2015
What a fun easy read. It's great if you love the Tudor time period and the fictional stories written about it.
December 9, 2015
Before Christian Grey, there was Catherine Grey and her randy Tudor relatives. The stories are true and the names have not been changed because no one was innocent.
January 26, 2017
Quite good
Good for afternoon read. The pages flowed along with historically accurate information. Tales of the Tudors never grow old. Well done!
Good for afternoon read. The pages flowed along with historically accurate information. Tales of the Tudors never grow old. Well done!
June 7, 2018
Well everyone knew all this if you have read any history. No new facts really, power corrupts and etcetc
Knew all this as have read history book before. Would call this an article not a book. A coffee time read
Knew all this as have read history book before. Would call this an article not a book. A coffee time read
December 22, 2025
Not super accurate, but short and fun
Just what the title says. There are some inaccuracies, or things stated as fact when it shouldn’t be, but the book (is it a book? It’s so short) is a fun read. It’s like a cheeky sparknotes version of history. I think I’d be annoyed if I’d paid for this ebook, but it was fun as a free read even though I basically didn’t learn anything new, lol.
Just what the title says. There are some inaccuracies, or things stated as fact when it shouldn’t be, but the book (is it a book? It’s so short) is a fun read. It’s like a cheeky sparknotes version of history. I think I’d be annoyed if I’d paid for this ebook, but it was fun as a free read even though I basically didn’t learn anything new, lol.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews