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Elizabethan #4
Penelope: Tudor Baroness
A Life of Love and Scandal
Lady Penelope is one of the most beautiful and sought-after women in Elizabethan England. Daughter of the queen's nemesis, Lady Lettice Knollys, Countess of Essex, she becomes the stepdaughter of Robert Dudley when he marries her mother in secret.
Penelope's life is full of love and scandal. The inspiration for Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnet Astrophel and Stella, she is inevitably caught up in her brother Robert's fateful rebellion.
A complex and fascinating woman, her life is a story of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Discover how Penelope charms her way out of serious charges of treason, adultery, and forgery, and becomes one of the last truly great ladies of the Tudor court.
A maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth, Penelope outlives the end of the Tudors with the death of the old queen and the arrival of King James, becoming a favourite lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Anne of Denmark.
“This is the story of a woman who lived life on her own terms, and one that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.”
Lady Penelope is one of the most beautiful and sought-after women in Elizabethan England. Daughter of the queen's nemesis, Lady Lettice Knollys, Countess of Essex, she becomes the stepdaughter of Robert Dudley when he marries her mother in secret.
Penelope's life is full of love and scandal. The inspiration for Sir Philip Sidney’s sonnet Astrophel and Stella, she is inevitably caught up in her brother Robert's fateful rebellion.
A complex and fascinating woman, her life is a story of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Discover how Penelope charms her way out of serious charges of treason, adultery, and forgery, and becomes one of the last truly great ladies of the Tudor court.
A maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth, Penelope outlives the end of the Tudors with the death of the old queen and the arrival of King James, becoming a favourite lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Anne of Denmark.
“This is the story of a woman who lived life on her own terms, and one that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.”
321 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2023
214 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Tony Riches
27 books471 followersTony Riches is a full-time author from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, an area full of inspiration for his writing.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 19, 2023
Penelope, Tudor Baroness, is the fourth in the Elizabethan Series by Tony Riches.
You can read my reviews of the first three; Drake, Essex and Raleigh if interested but you do not have to have read those to enjoy Penelope.
Focusing on the life of a lesser known Tudor woman can be difficult and Tony has excelled in his research. As a result we have Penelope, a book full of details about life during the Tudor times but also personal details about Penelope.
She made some questionable decisions and being the sister of Essex had its consequences but this book is fascinating. If I didn't know she existed I would think the character was fiction based on her actions at a time when women were subject to men in a very patriarchal society.
If you'd like to dive into the Tudor world, read about the relationships of the Baroness, exquisite details about her clothing and residence as well as a portrayal of major events such as the Essex rebellion then I highly recommend Penelope.
Tony gives the reader notes at the end discussing which areas are based on fact and those with artistic licence.
I am a big fan of Tony's work so far and can't wait to see what comes next!
You can read my reviews of the first three; Drake, Essex and Raleigh if interested but you do not have to have read those to enjoy Penelope.
Focusing on the life of a lesser known Tudor woman can be difficult and Tony has excelled in his research. As a result we have Penelope, a book full of details about life during the Tudor times but also personal details about Penelope.
She made some questionable decisions and being the sister of Essex had its consequences but this book is fascinating. If I didn't know she existed I would think the character was fiction based on her actions at a time when women were subject to men in a very patriarchal society.
If you'd like to dive into the Tudor world, read about the relationships of the Baroness, exquisite details about her clothing and residence as well as a portrayal of major events such as the Essex rebellion then I highly recommend Penelope.
Tony gives the reader notes at the end discussing which areas are based on fact and those with artistic licence.
I am a big fan of Tony's work so far and can't wait to see what comes next!
June 13, 2023
This was such a riveting read the story of Penelope Rich daughter to Lady Lettice Knollys congratulations Tony
October 5, 2023
In a time when marrying for love was taboo, one woman took a stand to follow her heart no matter the consequences. Lady Penelope Devereux, the daughter of Lady Lettice Knollys and the step-daughter of Sir Robert Dudley understands how dangerous it is to defy the wishes of Queen Elizabeth I. Her mother and stepfather were banished from court for choosing to marry secretly, but this did not deter Penelope from pursuing love. A story spanning decades, full of love, intrigue, and plots galore, “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches tells the tale of this remarkable woman and her family.
I would like to thank Tony Riches for sending me a copy of his latest novel. I have been a fan of Riches’ previous novels, which were written about male protagonists, so when I heard that he was writing a book about a Tudor woman, I was curious. I did not know much about Penelope’s life before this novel and I wanted to learn about her life.
Riches begins his novel with Penelope as a young woman going to work at court as a maid of honor for Queen Elizabeth I. It is a great honor as her parents were Lord Walter and Lady Lettice Devereux. To learn what it meant to be a maid of honor, she and her siblings went to the house of Catherine Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. It seemed as if Penelope was destined for greatness, but it all came crashing down when her mother Lettice married the queen’s favorite, Sir Robert Dudley. A devastating blow for a young woman who wanted a role in the glittering Tudor court, but it did not deter her for long.
Penelope was a woman known for her beauty as she caught the attention of men like Anthony Bagot before she ever set foot in Elizabeth’s court. Her looks captured the attention of Sir Philip Sidney, who wrote the sonnet Astrophel and Stella in her honor. Sidney had her heart, but she would marry a man she did not love, Lord Rich. She is willing to risk everything for love, including her standing at court and the family she has with Lord Rich, but the man she risked it all for is not Sir Philip Sidney. The man who had Penelope’s heart for over 20 years was Charles Blount.
Penelope saw great change during her lifetime. She saw Elizabeth courting the Duke of Anjou and the attack of the Spanish Armada. She was in the middle of her brother’s failed rebellion against Queen Elizabeth, which was known as the Essex Rebellion. Penelope swore loyalty to King James I as Queen Elizabeth was approaching the end of her life and she was there as a lady of the bedchamber for Queen Anne of Denmark. Towards the end of her life, Lady Penelope Rich saw the impact of the Gunpowder Plot against King James I, her divorce from Lord Rich, and fighting for the rights of her children with Charles Blount.
Riches weaves a delightful tale of love, and loyalty to one’s family even amongst plots for power. Penelope was a strongly independent woman who fought for love and her family, even if that meant becoming enemies with the most powerful people in England. A remarkable woman who left her mark on both the Tudor and Stuart dynasties, Lady Penelope Rich took her life and legacy into her own hands. “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches is a gorgeous novel that fans of Tudor and Stuart history will adore.
I would like to thank Tony Riches for sending me a copy of his latest novel. I have been a fan of Riches’ previous novels, which were written about male protagonists, so when I heard that he was writing a book about a Tudor woman, I was curious. I did not know much about Penelope’s life before this novel and I wanted to learn about her life.
Riches begins his novel with Penelope as a young woman going to work at court as a maid of honor for Queen Elizabeth I. It is a great honor as her parents were Lord Walter and Lady Lettice Devereux. To learn what it meant to be a maid of honor, she and her siblings went to the house of Catherine Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. It seemed as if Penelope was destined for greatness, but it all came crashing down when her mother Lettice married the queen’s favorite, Sir Robert Dudley. A devastating blow for a young woman who wanted a role in the glittering Tudor court, but it did not deter her for long.
Penelope was a woman known for her beauty as she caught the attention of men like Anthony Bagot before she ever set foot in Elizabeth’s court. Her looks captured the attention of Sir Philip Sidney, who wrote the sonnet Astrophel and Stella in her honor. Sidney had her heart, but she would marry a man she did not love, Lord Rich. She is willing to risk everything for love, including her standing at court and the family she has with Lord Rich, but the man she risked it all for is not Sir Philip Sidney. The man who had Penelope’s heart for over 20 years was Charles Blount.
Penelope saw great change during her lifetime. She saw Elizabeth courting the Duke of Anjou and the attack of the Spanish Armada. She was in the middle of her brother’s failed rebellion against Queen Elizabeth, which was known as the Essex Rebellion. Penelope swore loyalty to King James I as Queen Elizabeth was approaching the end of her life and she was there as a lady of the bedchamber for Queen Anne of Denmark. Towards the end of her life, Lady Penelope Rich saw the impact of the Gunpowder Plot against King James I, her divorce from Lord Rich, and fighting for the rights of her children with Charles Blount.
Riches weaves a delightful tale of love, and loyalty to one’s family even amongst plots for power. Penelope was a strongly independent woman who fought for love and her family, even if that meant becoming enemies with the most powerful people in England. A remarkable woman who left her mark on both the Tudor and Stuart dynasties, Lady Penelope Rich took her life and legacy into her own hands. “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches is a gorgeous novel that fans of Tudor and Stuart history will adore.
September 10, 2023
In Penelope - Tudor Baroness, Tony Riches crafts a rich, meticulously, and commendable researched novel that opens the door to the captivating life of an extraordinary Elizabethan woman, Penelope Devereux. Penelope, a descendant of Mary Boleyn and possibly the great-niece of Queen Elizabeth I. Penelope had the same charisma, bravery, and great heart as many women in her family — Boleyn or Tudor. A beautiful and gifted woman, too, deservedly immortalised in Philip Sidney poetic verses.
Riches’ tale begins with the untimely death of Penelope’s father and her mother’s subsequent marriage to Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. We witness Penelope transforming from an uncertain girl to a confident woman in her Tudor world where she sees not only the aging monarch’s final romantic pursuits but also the twilight years and conclusion of her reign.
Penelope decides to take control of her life after marrying an uncaring, wealthy Puritan man, arranged by her stepfather Robert Dudley, and she courageously seizes love on her own passionate terms. Her journey leads her to a man who captures her heart – a man she makes her life with – even though she is still married to another. This unusual freedom allowed Penelope made me wonder if it was simply because of her Tudor blood. For her close kin, Elizabeth I put up with a lot until they pushed too far.
Riches’ vivid portrayal of the Elizabethan age captures its grandeur and unbridled ambition, where the threat of treason never leaves, but hangs over it like a dark cloud. Through Riches’ confident and lively prose, which also includes poetry from the time, readers are transported back in time to experience the opulent rituals and vibrant pageantry of this era, where we are introduced to many of its prominent figures.
In this expertly told narrative, the readers journey with Penelope during the final twenty years and more of Elizabeth Tudor’s reign, and into the dawn of the Stuart era. Riches depicts Penelope as a spirited figure who possesses both the intelligence and wit, in stark contrast to her reckless, foolish, and often mentally unstable brother, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.
Tony Riches breathes life into the vivacious Penelope, depicting her as a determined woman who courageously charts her unconventional course on the stormy seas of Tudor England and shapes her own fate.
Penelope - Tudor Baroness is an engaging and well-told tale that resonates with historical authenticity, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the captivating life of a remarkable woman of her time.
Riches’ tale begins with the untimely death of Penelope’s father and her mother’s subsequent marriage to Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. We witness Penelope transforming from an uncertain girl to a confident woman in her Tudor world where she sees not only the aging monarch’s final romantic pursuits but also the twilight years and conclusion of her reign.
Penelope decides to take control of her life after marrying an uncaring, wealthy Puritan man, arranged by her stepfather Robert Dudley, and she courageously seizes love on her own passionate terms. Her journey leads her to a man who captures her heart – a man she makes her life with – even though she is still married to another. This unusual freedom allowed Penelope made me wonder if it was simply because of her Tudor blood. For her close kin, Elizabeth I put up with a lot until they pushed too far.
Riches’ vivid portrayal of the Elizabethan age captures its grandeur and unbridled ambition, where the threat of treason never leaves, but hangs over it like a dark cloud. Through Riches’ confident and lively prose, which also includes poetry from the time, readers are transported back in time to experience the opulent rituals and vibrant pageantry of this era, where we are introduced to many of its prominent figures.
In this expertly told narrative, the readers journey with Penelope during the final twenty years and more of Elizabeth Tudor’s reign, and into the dawn of the Stuart era. Riches depicts Penelope as a spirited figure who possesses both the intelligence and wit, in stark contrast to her reckless, foolish, and often mentally unstable brother, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.
Tony Riches breathes life into the vivacious Penelope, depicting her as a determined woman who courageously charts her unconventional course on the stormy seas of Tudor England and shapes her own fate.
Penelope - Tudor Baroness is an engaging and well-told tale that resonates with historical authenticity, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the captivating life of a remarkable woman of her time.
August 29, 2023
Tony Riches has chosen an intriguing woman as the subject of the latest book in his Elizabethan series. Penelope Devereux is both beautiful and, as a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth’s Aunt, Mary Boleyn, very well connected. Yet her life does not follow the conventional path taken by most Tudor heiresses.
From a strict Puritan upbringing as a ward of the Earl and Countess of Huntingdon Penelope is pitched into the glittering world of the Court where she is extremely popular even though her mother, Lettice (née Knollys) is out of favour following her secret marriage to Robert Dudley, the Queen’s favourite. From an early age Penelope expected to marry Sir Philip Sydney but instead she becomes trapped in an arranged and very unhappy marriage to a wealthy man, Robert, 3rd Baron Rich. Penelope defies convention and takes a lover Charles Blount, Baron Mountjoy, with whom she has several children and as her brother, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex rises in the queen’s favour Penelope inevitably becomes embroiled in intrigues and plots.
Forget all you thought you believed about Elizabethan women lacking agency in a patriarchal society. Tony Riches’ Penelope is woman who is prepared to make her own decisions and take risks although, like most women of her time, she is also constrained somewhat by the demands of motherhood, Had she lived in Devon I’m sure I’d have been writing about Penelope Devereux. Tony brings her to life vividly in a meticulously researched Elizabethan world. Highly recommended!
From a strict Puritan upbringing as a ward of the Earl and Countess of Huntingdon Penelope is pitched into the glittering world of the Court where she is extremely popular even though her mother, Lettice (née Knollys) is out of favour following her secret marriage to Robert Dudley, the Queen’s favourite. From an early age Penelope expected to marry Sir Philip Sydney but instead she becomes trapped in an arranged and very unhappy marriage to a wealthy man, Robert, 3rd Baron Rich. Penelope defies convention and takes a lover Charles Blount, Baron Mountjoy, with whom she has several children and as her brother, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex rises in the queen’s favour Penelope inevitably becomes embroiled in intrigues and plots.
Forget all you thought you believed about Elizabethan women lacking agency in a patriarchal society. Tony Riches’ Penelope is woman who is prepared to make her own decisions and take risks although, like most women of her time, she is also constrained somewhat by the demands of motherhood, Had she lived in Devon I’m sure I’d have been writing about Penelope Devereux. Tony brings her to life vividly in a meticulously researched Elizabethan world. Highly recommended!
December 7, 2023
Opening a book by Tony Riches you can guarantee that it will have been carefully researched and is eminently readable. I have always found the machinations of the Tudor court fascinating as ambitious men and women play politics and deal with the foibles of a volatile monarch. I had not heard of Penelope, Baroness Rich, before although I was well aware of Queen Elizabeth’s favourites, Robert Dudley, Penelope’s stepfather and the Earl of Essex, her brother. I have idealised Sir Philip Sidney for years and in this novel he does not disappoint. But Penelope herself is a surprising, alluring character. Brought up by a negligent mother, the death of her father is a disaster for her family and she soon finds herself forced into marriage with Lord Rich, a Puritan with a large fortune.
Despite her unpleasant plight, Penelope is not bowed. She adopts the role of a rich, respectable wife but maintains her independence finding love and power, supported by good friends. At times she is unwise and her brother’s escapades bring danger but she is a survivor, including giving birth to several children.
Descriptions of the court of Queen Elizabeth I and later of King James I and his wife Anne of Denmark are full of detail and we witness major events such as the approach of the Spanish Armada and the gunpowder Plot. This book has much to offer, a turbulent, passionate life seen against a colourful, complex government. Highly recommended.
Despite her unpleasant plight, Penelope is not bowed. She adopts the role of a rich, respectable wife but maintains her independence finding love and power, supported by good friends. At times she is unwise and her brother’s escapades bring danger but she is a survivor, including giving birth to several children.
Descriptions of the court of Queen Elizabeth I and later of King James I and his wife Anne of Denmark are full of detail and we witness major events such as the approach of the Spanish Armada and the gunpowder Plot. This book has much to offer, a turbulent, passionate life seen against a colourful, complex government. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2024
A Moving Story
Penelope Devereux was a beauty of noble birth but life dealt her the worst card that a Tudor noblewoman could receive—forced marriage to a man she loathed and who ill-treated her. Riches tells the story of how she managed this legacy with courage and spirit, creating scandal as she chose loyalty to her brother The Earl of Essex and true love despite her marriage vows.
Penelope Devereux was a beauty of noble birth but life dealt her the worst card that a Tudor noblewoman could receive—forced marriage to a man she loathed and who ill-treated her. Riches tells the story of how she managed this legacy with courage and spirit, creating scandal as she chose loyalty to her brother The Earl of Essex and true love despite her marriage vows.
November 17, 2023
cannot praise this author and novel enough!
Thoroughly enjoyed ‘Penelope’,
a true historical novel. I frequently
googled the facts and was astounded with the accuracy; enjoyed learning the relationships and came to love this family, even with their flaws. From beginning to end ‘Penelope’ held my interest. Tony Riches is easily one of my favorite historical authors!
Thoroughly enjoyed ‘Penelope’,
a true historical novel. I frequently
googled the facts and was astounded with the accuracy; enjoyed learning the relationships and came to love this family, even with their flaws. From beginning to end ‘Penelope’ held my interest. Tony Riches is easily one of my favorite historical authors!
January 13, 2025
Historical fiction is the best reading. It allows your imagination to find the supposed secrets of the past. However, the names were difficult to keep straight, which is true of that era, but sometimes I just felt overwhelmed with so many different people. That said, I do love a good historical fiction story and this one fits the bill.
December 5, 2023
a view of Tudor England
This novel deals with a woman’s life inside the royal circle and the perils that went with it. Not a happy story as Elizabeth 1 was mercurial and the closer the relationship the more it was dangerous
This novel deals with a woman’s life inside the royal circle and the perils that went with it. Not a happy story as Elizabeth 1 was mercurial and the closer the relationship the more it was dangerous
March 9, 2024
History Never Ceases to Amaze Me
I've enjoyed many historical novels and was pleasantly surprised with Penelope's story. So many twists and turns! A must read for all English history lovers.
I've enjoyed many historical novels and was pleasantly surprised with Penelope's story. So many twists and turns! A must read for all English history lovers.
July 25, 2023
Brilliant
Fabulous read from starts to finish all of Tony's books are just an amazing read . I will be reading more of his books
Fabulous read from starts to finish all of Tony's books are just an amazing read . I will be reading more of his books
September 9, 2024
perfect read
Historical fiction at its best. I want to read more. The history is richer than fiction. Tony Riches captures the humanity and lived textures.
Historical fiction at its best. I want to read more. The history is richer than fiction. Tony Riches captures the humanity and lived textures.
June 2, 2025
Lady Penelope was quite a woman – intelligent, fond of court intrigue, a beauty, once close to Queen Victoria, and the bearer of ten children, most of whom survived infancy, by two men – her husband and her lover, with whom she lived openly and eventually married. A fascinating insight into life at the aristocratic level – it must have been exhausting keeping track of all that plotting! Hats off to Tony Riches for his unflagging research and for the skilful way he reveals the humanity – good and bad – of his characters.
August 15, 2023
What I really like about Tony Riches's novels are that they bring to life people that have been lost or sidelined. Penelope Rich (nee Devereux) is a woman who had an incredibly interesting life, and was sister to the executed Earl of Essex as well as stepdaughter to the Earl of Leicester, let relatively little has been written about her. Perhaps this is due to lack of sources and real knowledge, I'm not sure. This is the fourth book in the Elizabethan series but they can also all be read as standalones.
Riches obviously has done his research and utilised what sources there are for Penelope's life, utilising those of the people around her as well to bring together a full and rounded character in her own story. The previous three in this series have all centred around men, so it's a pleasant change to have a female protagonist, and how her thoughts and actions differed from male counterparts.
Well-written and engaging to read, Riches really brings the later Elizabethan period to life, into the reign of the first Stuart king, James I. Although actual interactions with Elizabeth I are a little scarce, we see Elizabeth through Penelope's eyes - how capricious and sometimes selfish she could be, controlling marriages and even the happiness of those around her. Seeing the Virgin Queen from an outsider's perspective is almost more intriguing than from within the court, because Penelope had a very vaunted view of the queen and we see how her view adjusts as she sees and learns more.
It's a fascinating read about a woman who I'd only really read about in regards to her possible involvement in the Essex Rebellion of 1601. I knew nothing about her life in other areas at all, so this was really interesting for me. I think we often underestimate women in the past, thinking them vassals of men, but Penelope's story shows that these women were far more complex and have stories of their own to tell.
Riches obviously has done his research and utilised what sources there are for Penelope's life, utilising those of the people around her as well to bring together a full and rounded character in her own story. The previous three in this series have all centred around men, so it's a pleasant change to have a female protagonist, and how her thoughts and actions differed from male counterparts.
Well-written and engaging to read, Riches really brings the later Elizabethan period to life, into the reign of the first Stuart king, James I. Although actual interactions with Elizabeth I are a little scarce, we see Elizabeth through Penelope's eyes - how capricious and sometimes selfish she could be, controlling marriages and even the happiness of those around her. Seeing the Virgin Queen from an outsider's perspective is almost more intriguing than from within the court, because Penelope had a very vaunted view of the queen and we see how her view adjusts as she sees and learns more.
It's a fascinating read about a woman who I'd only really read about in regards to her possible involvement in the Essex Rebellion of 1601. I knew nothing about her life in other areas at all, so this was really interesting for me. I think we often underestimate women in the past, thinking them vassals of men, but Penelope's story shows that these women were far more complex and have stories of their own to tell.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews