The Queen's Favourite: A novel of the Seymour sisters

by Raymond Wemmlinger

A page-turning adventure in Tudor England! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.

Two sisters plot to change the fate of their family…

England, 1558

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Seymour has always idolised her elder sister Jane. As a child was groomed to be queen, to marry her cousin King Edward, and since his death she has been determined to restore her family’s claim to throne.

After spending time at Queen Mary’s court, Jane has now returned home to Hanworth Park to the delight of Catherine and their brother Ned.

To their surprise, Jane brings with her Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Jane Grey, the ill-fated nine-day queen, and heiress to the throne after Princess Elizabeth.

Jane confides in Catherine that she aims to bring about a betrothal between Lady Grey and Ned, so that their brother and his children have a chance to lay claim to the throne.

But everything changes when Mary suddenly dies, and Elizabeth succeeds as queen. Now the sisters must seek favour with a new monarch.

Luckily, Elizabeth’s succession proves advantageous for the Seymour family. Jane is chosen as a lady in waiting and immediately becomes a favourite.

Can Jane still bring her plan to fruition? Will it mean betraying the new queen?

Or will rumours of a romance between Queen Elizabeth and one of her courtiers change everything for the Seymour sisters…?

THE QUEEN’S FAVOURITE is a biographical historical novel of the Seymour sisters, Lady Jane Seymour and Lady Catherine Seymour, set during the Tudor period at Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth’s court.

Genres: Historical Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2025

About the author

Raymond Wemmlinger is the curator and librarian at The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library, New York City, which specializes in nineteenth-century British and American theater. He has lived his entire life in or around New York City, where most of Booth's Daughter is set.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting novel about a woman not well known. A lot of information about the historical background, but if the reader already knows quite a bit, this might appear a bit boring. This novel is also somehow too short. Some events are quickly mentioned after they happened, and I wondered what queen is he talking about. Overall, a light novel.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something Different

I liked the premise of reading a story about a family that I knew little to nothing about. It certainly had all the elements to make it a fascinating tale. However it just was a tad too dry for me. It's like pulling the starter on a lawnmower but it just never catches. I will try another book by this author but if I find myself struggling to stay interested then I'll put it aside. 2.5 stars.

[Leonor Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview of the Seymours

This novel was a very pleasant overview of the Seymour family after the demise of Queen Jane and her son Edward. In a postscript the author explained what parts or characters were based on historical evidence and what was his interpretation. While I appreciate his words, I wished he had included a list supporting sources for further reading.

[Gloria Wilhelm]

Political intrigue

Writing is presented in 1st person. Only thing is, I never figured out who it was. 'Twas a Seymour, There were lots of siblings. Then mix in the Greys and Queen Elizabeth I. I was not captivated by this book. Dems and Repb..... like today. The political back and forth was dull, even when the answer was murder. I like this era, this just did not do it for me.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Very informative from a different perspective, as it spoke about Jane Seymour and Catherine and their lives at court, under the ruling of Elizabeth I. This Jane Seymour was the original Jane's niece (married to Henry VIII).

[rita lurvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointed

I wanted to love this I didn’t and I’m sad I will try reading this again at a later time

[Simon Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt something I didn't know

I love reading about history and a lot of this sort I had never heard about before. It is a great read and I enjoyed it very much.

[Linda Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good historical fiction, this time about a little known person(s). Intrigued with plotting, love and loss, it is very typical of the way things worked at court during Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth's I reign. A very interesting and informational read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Tudor fan, I always rejoice when a new book of the period is published. The Queen's Favorite follows the Seymour family during the last year of Queen Mary's reign and the first few years of Elizabeth I on the throne. It was a tumultuous time with Elizabeth being pressured to marry, Amy Dudley's mysterious death, and Mary Queen of Scots making claims on the English throne. Even so, in the middle of all that, the eldest Seymour children are scheming to get back on the throne should Elizabeth remain childless. You'd think that their father being executed and their mother spending two years in the Tower of London would make them want to stay as far away as possible from the Court! Because this is historical fiction, you already know the basic facts but it's fascinating to see everything unfold from a different point of view. I am enjoying this series and look forward to the next book's release.