Marriage, Tudor Style: Love, Hate & Scandal

by Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Step into the world of scandalous Tudor-era marriages in this delicious new book from Sylvia Barbara Soberton . . .

The newly-wed Anne Hastings faced her husband’s wrath when her affair with William Compton was made public. Mary Tudor married to satisfy her brother’s political need to ally with France, but when her decrepit royal husband died, she married the dashing Charles Brandon for love. William Parr, humiliated by his wife’s extramarital affair, sought a divorce to marry the woman he loved.

Trapped in loveless marriages, women like Anne Parr and Anne Grey eloped with their lovers, risking their reputations and livelihoods to find personal happiness.

Courtiers like Mary Boleyn, Margaret Douglas, Edward Seymour and Robert Dudley faced royal wrath when marrying for love. Some returned to royal favour, but others languished in prison, dying without obtaining a pardon.

Teeming with unforgettable stories, scandals and courtiers who followed their hearts over their duties, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a blend of intrigue, romance and historical splendour set against the backdrop of the Tudor court.

234 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2024

Reviews

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read my favourite bit was the sad story of Katherine Grey and Edward Seymour truly heartbreaking

[Rozsa Gaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and insightful into Elizabeth I's character

This page-turner of a book is insightful and well documented. It sheds light on Elizabeth I's stern character when those in her close circle marry without her permission. The chapter on Edward Seymour and Katherine Grey is especially poignant. This book has given me a deeper understanding of the succession issues the Tudor monarchs needed to consider when deciding on permitting high-level matches. A fascinating read.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Tudor wedding vows, along with "richer or poorer" and "in sickness and in health" also includes (for women) the vow "to be bonny and buxom in bed and at board" both for the alliteration and because "buxom" is just a fun word to say. I would totally make those my wedding vows.

This book spends each chapter on a different aristocratic couple of the Tudor era, each causing a scandal either by marrying or separating. It shows how rigid the laws surrounding marriage still were, even after the Reformation, as well as social pressures, but also how people are always going to push forward to pursue happiness, regardless of law or society's judgment.

[Dawn Roleff]

fabulous

If you like reading this is an Interesting history of the Tudors … i have enjoyed reading it.. great read

[elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Like history, really enjoyed book. Would read another if there is series . A Plantagenet one or a Stuart one would be interesting.

[Carol-Ann Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thoroughly enjoyable page turner from this author, as always she recalls the tales of some Tudor figures we aren't as familiar with.