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The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England's Most Famous Dynasty
Why did Henry VIII marry six times? Why did Anne Boleyn have to die? Why did Elizabeth I's courtiers hail her as a goddess come to earth?
The dramas of courtly love have captivated centuries of readers and dreamers. Yet too often they're dismissed as something existing only in books and song - those old legends of King Arthur and chivalric fantasy.
Not so. In this ground-breaking history, Sarah Gristwood reveals the way courtly love made and marred the Tudor dynasty. From Henry VIII declaring himself as the ‘loyal and most assured servant' of Anne Boleyn to Elizabeth I's poems to her suitors, the Tudors re-enacted the roles of the devoted lovers and capricious mistresses first laid out in the romances of medieval literature. The Tudors in Love dissects the codes of love, desire and power, unveiling romantic obsessions that have shaped the history of this nation. In the #MeToo era, re-examining the history of the social codes behind modern romance has never been more vital.
The dramas of courtly love have captivated centuries of readers and dreamers. Yet too often they're dismissed as something existing only in books and song - those old legends of King Arthur and chivalric fantasy.
Not so. In this ground-breaking history, Sarah Gristwood reveals the way courtly love made and marred the Tudor dynasty. From Henry VIII declaring himself as the ‘loyal and most assured servant' of Anne Boleyn to Elizabeth I's poems to her suitors, the Tudors re-enacted the roles of the devoted lovers and capricious mistresses first laid out in the romances of medieval literature. The Tudors in Love dissects the codes of love, desire and power, unveiling romantic obsessions that have shaped the history of this nation. In the #MeToo era, re-examining the history of the social codes behind modern romance has never been more vital.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published September 23, 2021
272 people are currently reading
8180 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Gristwood
26 books375 followersSarah Gristwood attended Oxford and then worked as a journalist specializing in the arts and women's issues. She has contributed to The Times, Guardian, Independent, and Evening Standard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
December 18, 2022
The Tudors in love? Well, let’s hope they don’t lose their heads over that. Hehehe, bad pun, I know, but let’s face it — their lives were basically a neverending telenovela, with Henry VIII single-handedly responsible for quite a few bloody seasons.
(With my recent readings I think I’m reaching the point where the all the goings-on in the English monarchy/nobility lives of the 12th-16th century seem like current gossip. And I’m starting to forget what’s history and what comes from the lovely Lymond series by Dunnett. Hello there, Margaret Lennox-Douglas!).
Sarah Gristwood in The Tudors in Love is trying to view the lives of those monarchs through the popular at the time idea of "courtly love" - basically exaggerated flirting in the era that venerated chastity - while tying the idea to the legends of Guinevere and Lancelot, with varying success. For some it worked (Elizabeth I, who reversed the usual gender tropes in courtly love), for others less so (Anne Boleyn, who lost her head following them). At some points I thought it was a bit of a stretch, admittedly, but regardless of whether courtly love made sense in any particular sense of circumstances, it was still an interesting history of that age with the strong focus on women, accessible and interesting.
3.5 stars rounding up.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
(With my recent readings I think I’m reaching the point where the all the goings-on in the English monarchy/nobility lives of the 12th-16th century seem like current gossip. And I’m starting to forget what’s history and what comes from the lovely Lymond series by Dunnett. Hello there, Margaret Lennox-Douglas!).
Sarah Gristwood in The Tudors in Love is trying to view the lives of those monarchs through the popular at the time idea of "courtly love" - basically exaggerated flirting in the era that venerated chastity - while tying the idea to the legends of Guinevere and Lancelot, with varying success. For some it worked (Elizabeth I, who reversed the usual gender tropes in courtly love), for others less so (Anne Boleyn, who lost her head following them). At some points I thought it was a bit of a stretch, admittedly, but regardless of whether courtly love made sense in any particular sense of circumstances, it was still an interesting history of that age with the strong focus on women, accessible and interesting.
3.5 stars rounding up.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
August 14, 2022
3.5 stars
The Tudors. Who has not heard of them? King Henry VIII and his six marriages, Anne Boleyn (off with her head!) and all the other players. We have heard of them throughout history, read both fiction and non-fiction books about them, and if you are like me, may be watched The Tudors on Showtime. In this book, Sarah Gristwood looks at Courtly love and often uses the example of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot as examples of this.
She shows us how power, lust, power, romance, and marriage played out in court. The author provides examples of courtly love and some of the most famous players, including Anne Boleyn.
I found the book to be interesting as I have always been fascinated by this time and treatment of women. I won’t lie, during my reading, I often found myself thinking, I knew this, that was on the Tudors, lol. But I appreciated how the author examined courtly love and how it affected not only the individuals involved, the politics at the time, but history as well.
Those interested in history, the Tudors or the theme of courtly love, will enjoy this well researched and written book.
#TheTudorsinLove #NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
The Tudors. Who has not heard of them? King Henry VIII and his six marriages, Anne Boleyn (off with her head!) and all the other players. We have heard of them throughout history, read both fiction and non-fiction books about them, and if you are like me, may be watched The Tudors on Showtime. In this book, Sarah Gristwood looks at Courtly love and often uses the example of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot as examples of this.
She shows us how power, lust, power, romance, and marriage played out in court. The author provides examples of courtly love and some of the most famous players, including Anne Boleyn.
I found the book to be interesting as I have always been fascinated by this time and treatment of women. I won’t lie, during my reading, I often found myself thinking, I knew this, that was on the Tudors, lol. But I appreciated how the author examined courtly love and how it affected not only the individuals involved, the politics at the time, but history as well.
Those interested in history, the Tudors or the theme of courtly love, will enjoy this well researched and written book.
#TheTudorsinLove #NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
October 27, 2022
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Everyone knows about Henry VIII and all his wives (he had six). I love reading about The Tudors in both fiction and non-fiction formats and I have to admit it was author Philippa Gregory who piqued my interest in them over twenty years ago and for some reason they fascinated me. Sarah Gristwood wrote a well-researched and very compelling take on all matters of the heart and The Tudors.
I was most fascinated by the fact that Henry had so many wives because they could not provide him with a son and heir. Yet, his mistresses had male children he could not claim, what is most surprising is the fact that it was the daughter of the woman he beheaded that ended up rebuilding The Tudor dynasty, and reining for forty-five years, a dynasty that he almost ruined. Elizabeth the first is the daughter of Anne Boleyn and her 45-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history. She is also known for bypassing on marriage, maybe the start of the women's movement. Then she herself ending the dynasty for having an heir herself.
I enjoyed this informative and unique look at The Tudors' lives and loves. I see this author has a wonderful array of books to choose from, both fiction and non-fiction, and I would definitely be reading more from her catalog. That is one of the best compliments I can give an author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#TheTudorsinLove #NetGalley
Everyone knows about Henry VIII and all his wives (he had six). I love reading about The Tudors in both fiction and non-fiction formats and I have to admit it was author Philippa Gregory who piqued my interest in them over twenty years ago and for some reason they fascinated me. Sarah Gristwood wrote a well-researched and very compelling take on all matters of the heart and The Tudors.
I was most fascinated by the fact that Henry had so many wives because they could not provide him with a son and heir. Yet, his mistresses had male children he could not claim, what is most surprising is the fact that it was the daughter of the woman he beheaded that ended up rebuilding The Tudor dynasty, and reining for forty-five years, a dynasty that he almost ruined. Elizabeth the first is the daughter of Anne Boleyn and her 45-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history. She is also known for bypassing on marriage, maybe the start of the women's movement. Then she herself ending the dynasty for having an heir herself.
I enjoyed this informative and unique look at The Tudors' lives and loves. I see this author has a wonderful array of books to choose from, both fiction and non-fiction, and I would definitely be reading more from her catalog. That is one of the best compliments I can give an author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#TheTudorsinLove #NetGalley
October 8, 2022
The idea that the Tudors brought down their dynasty for love is absolutely true in many ways.Henry VII nurtured it into existence,Henry VIII almost destroyed it while Elizabeth I rebuilt it and made it flourish.In all instances love figured prominently.But how did they really feel about it,how did they use it and how could it have really conquered the power behind the throne?
This book attempts an explanation.Well researched, detailed and written I really liked it.My only issue was it was a bit too political for my taste other than that I would definitely recommend it.
Much thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book attempts an explanation.Well researched, detailed and written I really liked it.My only issue was it was a bit too political for my taste other than that I would definitely recommend it.
Much thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2024
The various romantic travails of the Tudor dynasty have been well-covered in dramatic novels and shows in the centuries since they lived and died, but they too may have been influenced by earlier literature and tradition, specifically the idea of courtly love.
In a market flooded with books concerning Tudor marriages, it’s hard for new releases to stand above the crowd. The Tudors in Love tries to carve its niche with the theme of courtly love, that fashionable alleged holdover from Arthurian times, and how the Tudor dynasty used and had it used against them. In some aspects, Gristwood succeeds in doing this, though she fails in others.
We cover a great deal of ground in this book, tracing the origins and evolution of the courtly love game (and the rather important question of how real it really was), hopping through the dawn of the Tudor dynasty to get on with the main features of Henry VIII’s wives and Elizabeth I’s managing of her court despite her precarious perch. The first and last parts were, being the least familiar to me, what interested me most, but there was plenty to chew on regarding power dynamics in the court, and how highborn/lowborn and male/female clashed against each other.
However, I did think the courtly love connection got shallow at times, especially as the author didn’t have much time to dig into more minor persons and consequently deprives us of a chance to see patterns within the tactics that courtiers used, especially in the Henry VIII chapters. I also thought Anne Boleyn was overrepresented (as she generally is in Tudor-related works), which was disappointing because it would have been interesting to see the courtly love theme as interpreted by Henry’s other English wives.
This is definitely a read for those who haven’t already glutted themselves on Tudor works, as there’s nothing much new to see.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
In a market flooded with books concerning Tudor marriages, it’s hard for new releases to stand above the crowd. The Tudors in Love tries to carve its niche with the theme of courtly love, that fashionable alleged holdover from Arthurian times, and how the Tudor dynasty used and had it used against them. In some aspects, Gristwood succeeds in doing this, though she fails in others.
We cover a great deal of ground in this book, tracing the origins and evolution of the courtly love game (and the rather important question of how real it really was), hopping through the dawn of the Tudor dynasty to get on with the main features of Henry VIII’s wives and Elizabeth I’s managing of her court despite her precarious perch. The first and last parts were, being the least familiar to me, what interested me most, but there was plenty to chew on regarding power dynamics in the court, and how highborn/lowborn and male/female clashed against each other.
However, I did think the courtly love connection got shallow at times, especially as the author didn’t have much time to dig into more minor persons and consequently deprives us of a chance to see patterns within the tactics that courtiers used, especially in the Henry VIII chapters. I also thought Anne Boleyn was overrepresented (as she generally is in Tudor-related works), which was disappointing because it would have been interesting to see the courtly love theme as interpreted by Henry’s other English wives.
This is definitely a read for those who haven’t already glutted themselves on Tudor works, as there’s nothing much new to see.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 30, 2022
The Tudors. We all know the history. Court intrigue, political wrangling, violence, beheadings and burnings, insurrection, assassination attempts, war.... The history of the Tudors is a lot more than Henry marrying six times or Elizabeth being The Virgin Queen. There was a lot going on! A lot of change. A lot of heavy stuff!
But what of love?
What's love got to do with it? Author Sarah Gristwood brings forth a treasure trove of Tudor research and facts to show it might just have a lot to do with it. Love, even with hugely political aspirations, is still love, right?
I'm a sucker for all things Tudor era, so I enjoyed reading this book. I knew the history and a lot of the background facts already. But, Gristwood puts an interesting spin on things. This book is not about romantic love, but courtly love and relationships that wield great political power. It brings into focus how much obsession, lust, the rules of courtly love, marriages and relationships entered into for political gain left their mark on the Tudor era.
I enjoyed this book! Gristwood relates the facts in an interesting way. This isn't a dry history book, but an engaging presentation of the facts and a reflection on the effects of courtly love, marriages and relationships on the Tudor Era.
This is the first book by Sarah Gristwood that I've read. I can't wait to read more by her, especially her book on the women behind the War of the Roses!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
But what of love?
What's love got to do with it? Author Sarah Gristwood brings forth a treasure trove of Tudor research and facts to show it might just have a lot to do with it. Love, even with hugely political aspirations, is still love, right?
I'm a sucker for all things Tudor era, so I enjoyed reading this book. I knew the history and a lot of the background facts already. But, Gristwood puts an interesting spin on things. This book is not about romantic love, but courtly love and relationships that wield great political power. It brings into focus how much obsession, lust, the rules of courtly love, marriages and relationships entered into for political gain left their mark on the Tudor era.
I enjoyed this book! Gristwood relates the facts in an interesting way. This isn't a dry history book, but an engaging presentation of the facts and a reflection on the effects of courtly love, marriages and relationships on the Tudor Era.
This is the first book by Sarah Gristwood that I've read. I can't wait to read more by her, especially her book on the women behind the War of the Roses!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
March 23, 2023
The Tudor dynasty’s cup was overflowing with love, lust, affairs of the heart, romantic scandal and subsequently: heartbreak. The list is never-ending from mistresses, illicit couplings, Henry VIII’s six wives (and the famous Anne Boleyn), Queen Mary’s failed marriage to Philip of Spain; to Elizabeth I’s lifelong partnership with Robert Dudley and everything in between. How many of these Cupid’s arrows were true love and not a manipulative flirtation for political or self-advancement? Sarah Gristwood attempts to compartmentalize and decipher the truths behind the fluttering hearts at the Tudor courts in, “The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England’s Most Famous Dynasty”.
Gristwood’s thesis surrounding “The Tudors in Love” is an ambitious endeavor at deconstructing the love stories involving Tudor monarchs (or their close nobility) with a two-fold magnifying glass: 1) Whether these relations were mere courtly love fantasies based on art, literature, poetry and expectations, etc. 2) Were they more serious but a sort of manipulation for career/political/self advancement. The foundation question is intriguing and a compelling first-look at such a thematic scope that has never been done before. The supposition is that the exploration would be equally illuminating and a “groundbreaking history” as the book jacket blurb for “The Tudors in Love” promises. Sadly, this is so far from the case that the end result might as well be in outer space.
Before “The Tudors in Love” focuses on the Tudors (starting with Henry VIII); the text briefly traverses on the art and literature (an emphasis on the Tales of King Arthur) that essentially influenced how individuals of the period thought of love (compare it to contemporaries who claim Disney fairy tales have given them a false sense of romance); before lightly discussing popular love stories/events in England’s monarchical history prior to the reign of the Tudors. Immediately at this junction, Gristwood’s writing is equitable with that of a college-level persuasion/symbolism essay that is quite light on the academia. This is a common trend with Gristwood’s pieces and this isn’t surprising for those familiar with her books. This may be in part Gristwood simply appealing to the ‘pop history’ crowd; but it more likely is a reflection of her own indecision on how she wants to present her work.
After this background-building, Gristwood moves to the crux of “The Tudors in Love” and describes the many romances that touched the Tudors (Gristwood missed the opportunity of discussing Henry VII’s union with Elizabeth of York and whether it was true love or political gain by starting the text with Henry VIII). That’s it, though. Essentially, that is the content with the exception of occasional comparisons to art. “The Tudors in Love” is not an analysis, psychological breakdown or even an opinion piece. It is merely an anthology collecting the love dalliances of the Tudors in one volume. It doesn’t remotely live up to its claims. When Gristwood does attempt to perform any dissection; it is quite juvenile and a stretch. In previous books, Gristwood sources Shakespeare as a credible historian/chronicler versus a playwright and that is comparable to her approach in, “The Tudors in Love”.
This is further exemplified by Gristwood’s lack of consistency in tone as she flirts back-and-forth (pun intended) with a scholarly voice and then a more informal/comedic/modern language. Gristwood frequently asks readers questions on the topics (because at the end of the day, the entire context of “The Tudors in Love” is speculation as we have no proof/admittance of the romantic motives). Understandably, history texts can connect with readers using a narrative style rather than a dry history; but there is a middle-ground versus Gristwood’s drastic jumps.
There is very little that is revelatory in “The Tudors in Love”. Nothing new is exposed and most certainly nothing is “groundbreaking” as declared. In fact, some of Gristwood’s statements are not founded in fact and have been refuted by numerous historians. “The Tudors in Love” is best taken with a grain of salt and is only valuable for those readers new to the Tudor dynasty.
“The Tudors in Love” does experience a noticeable boost with Anne Boleyn’s infamous affair (and subsequent marriage) with Henry VIII. Although still not as in-depth as readers would expect; this section treats matters with more of a fine tooth comb than comparable chapters. Unfortunately, this investigation dies with Anne Boleyn (pun NOT intended, this time) and doesn’t revisit such strength until the concluding chapters when showcasing Elizabeth I and the many men surrounding her person. Ultimately, much of “The Tudors in Love” falls flat.
On a positive note, Gristwood comes forward with many primary texts (letters, poetry, quotes) which help readers glean a little more insight on the subject/theme.
“The Tudors in Love” closes with a circling back to King Arthur’s Tales/Camelot and modern-day ‘courtly’ loves. Bluntly: these appendices are absolutely useless, unnecessary and can be wholly skipped. These are nothing more than empty calorie fluff that hardly even relates.
“The Tudors in Love” is fortified with a section of photo plates and a thin combination bibliography/notes section with Gristwood arguing that a lengthier list would be too much to publish in totality.
“The Tudors in Love” is Gristwood’s weakest output which is saying much against her other average pieces. Gristwood fails to educate, entertain or meet her thesis. “The Tudors in Love” won’t leave readers in love – courtly or real; and is completely passable. “The Tudors in Love” is only suggested for new, novice readers of Tudor history or those having English history OCD that requires the reading of all books (which is my personal reason for continuing to read Gristwood’s books). Otherwise, skip!
Gristwood’s thesis surrounding “The Tudors in Love” is an ambitious endeavor at deconstructing the love stories involving Tudor monarchs (or their close nobility) with a two-fold magnifying glass: 1) Whether these relations were mere courtly love fantasies based on art, literature, poetry and expectations, etc. 2) Were they more serious but a sort of manipulation for career/political/self advancement. The foundation question is intriguing and a compelling first-look at such a thematic scope that has never been done before. The supposition is that the exploration would be equally illuminating and a “groundbreaking history” as the book jacket blurb for “The Tudors in Love” promises. Sadly, this is so far from the case that the end result might as well be in outer space.
Before “The Tudors in Love” focuses on the Tudors (starting with Henry VIII); the text briefly traverses on the art and literature (an emphasis on the Tales of King Arthur) that essentially influenced how individuals of the period thought of love (compare it to contemporaries who claim Disney fairy tales have given them a false sense of romance); before lightly discussing popular love stories/events in England’s monarchical history prior to the reign of the Tudors. Immediately at this junction, Gristwood’s writing is equitable with that of a college-level persuasion/symbolism essay that is quite light on the academia. This is a common trend with Gristwood’s pieces and this isn’t surprising for those familiar with her books. This may be in part Gristwood simply appealing to the ‘pop history’ crowd; but it more likely is a reflection of her own indecision on how she wants to present her work.
After this background-building, Gristwood moves to the crux of “The Tudors in Love” and describes the many romances that touched the Tudors (Gristwood missed the opportunity of discussing Henry VII’s union with Elizabeth of York and whether it was true love or political gain by starting the text with Henry VIII). That’s it, though. Essentially, that is the content with the exception of occasional comparisons to art. “The Tudors in Love” is not an analysis, psychological breakdown or even an opinion piece. It is merely an anthology collecting the love dalliances of the Tudors in one volume. It doesn’t remotely live up to its claims. When Gristwood does attempt to perform any dissection; it is quite juvenile and a stretch. In previous books, Gristwood sources Shakespeare as a credible historian/chronicler versus a playwright and that is comparable to her approach in, “The Tudors in Love”.
This is further exemplified by Gristwood’s lack of consistency in tone as she flirts back-and-forth (pun intended) with a scholarly voice and then a more informal/comedic/modern language. Gristwood frequently asks readers questions on the topics (because at the end of the day, the entire context of “The Tudors in Love” is speculation as we have no proof/admittance of the romantic motives). Understandably, history texts can connect with readers using a narrative style rather than a dry history; but there is a middle-ground versus Gristwood’s drastic jumps.
There is very little that is revelatory in “The Tudors in Love”. Nothing new is exposed and most certainly nothing is “groundbreaking” as declared. In fact, some of Gristwood’s statements are not founded in fact and have been refuted by numerous historians. “The Tudors in Love” is best taken with a grain of salt and is only valuable for those readers new to the Tudor dynasty.
“The Tudors in Love” does experience a noticeable boost with Anne Boleyn’s infamous affair (and subsequent marriage) with Henry VIII. Although still not as in-depth as readers would expect; this section treats matters with more of a fine tooth comb than comparable chapters. Unfortunately, this investigation dies with Anne Boleyn (pun NOT intended, this time) and doesn’t revisit such strength until the concluding chapters when showcasing Elizabeth I and the many men surrounding her person. Ultimately, much of “The Tudors in Love” falls flat.
On a positive note, Gristwood comes forward with many primary texts (letters, poetry, quotes) which help readers glean a little more insight on the subject/theme.
“The Tudors in Love” closes with a circling back to King Arthur’s Tales/Camelot and modern-day ‘courtly’ loves. Bluntly: these appendices are absolutely useless, unnecessary and can be wholly skipped. These are nothing more than empty calorie fluff that hardly even relates.
“The Tudors in Love” is fortified with a section of photo plates and a thin combination bibliography/notes section with Gristwood arguing that a lengthier list would be too much to publish in totality.
“The Tudors in Love” is Gristwood’s weakest output which is saying much against her other average pieces. Gristwood fails to educate, entertain or meet her thesis. “The Tudors in Love” won’t leave readers in love – courtly or real; and is completely passable. “The Tudors in Love” is only suggested for new, novice readers of Tudor history or those having English history OCD that requires the reading of all books (which is my personal reason for continuing to read Gristwood’s books). Otherwise, skip!
October 13, 2022
Publication Dec. 13, 2022
This one is not a casual read. I was alternately fascinated and intrigued, then I'd realize a bit later that my mind was wandering. Knowing quite a bit about not just the Tudor era but the players, so to speak, from Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn back to Eleanor of Aquitaine, not to mention the mythical legends of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere did give me a head start. In other words, having some concept of the history involved would benefit readers.
I can't even begin to summarize the contents. It's very well researched and presented as what I'll call more of a historical work than one you'd pick up as a fun read. There are 24 chapters, each rather long, notes at the end of each, a postscript, appendix, and notes for further reading at the end which is where I found the photos in a digital copy. The intro to the book sets forth the idea that courtly love was more a literary fantasy than a reality. It was useful to those in power and hoping to retain or gain power. The author takes us from its earlier literary emergence, noting that the Lancelot and Queen Guinevere image of romance had its beginnings in a work by Chretien de Troyes in the late 12th century. A knight that would show his love by crawling over a bridge made of sharpened blades....only to have his lady love disappointed that he hesitated? Uh, okay.
The image, spread by troubadours, including trobairitz, the female version, grew and spread. Let's fact it, there's nothing like a good story to catch the imagination, especially at a time when females had little or not power and were often bartered as marriage objects to smooth the way of their family to power and prestige. Trust me, the author details how this works and gives examples from history.
My ears figuratively perked up when Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings entered the story. According to this author, Sir Lancelot may have been modeled on Henry, the son of Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings, and Henry II of England. Unfortunately for young Henry, who one biographer called "Lancelot come to life," he died before he could take the throne. That didn't stop the Plantagenet dynasty, as one king claimed to discover Arthur and Guinevere's graves in Glastonbury. Even Excaliber gets a mention....and this is really just the very beginning of the book. Eleanor died in 1260 but the image of Guinevere she helped make popular spread and lives on today.
Yes, I know you're waiting for me to explain what courtly love had to do with Tudor King Henry VIII chopping off Anne Boleyn's head. Nope, not telling, not that I could come even close to explaining it all without writing a much, much longer review. I mean, there are more than a few wars involved, you know, like the legendary War of the Roses. It was a deadly game, given a romantic tint by troubadours and the tapestries and artwork of the era. And, think of the imagery of "The Virgin Queen" Elizabeth. Flows right into the myths of courtly love. And, hmm, what was that supposed requirement a bride had to have to wed now King Charles? Wonder where that idea came from, hmm?
Oh, come on. Courtly love still grabs our imagination. How many stayed up into the wee hours even here in the decided non-royal United States to watch the "fairy tale" wedding? Ever read or seen a Shakespeare play? Oh, Romeo.... And, think of the movies that use it as the focus, whether the obvious, such as "Camelot" or even "Pretty Woman" and "Dirty Dancing". Courtly love, with its rigid rules and romantic obsessions, still has a hold on our imagination. This book, long though it may be, simply explains why and where that obsession came from. While not for the faint of heart given its length and depth of information, if you are interested in the period, and it spans over a thousand years now that I think about it, you'll find this a fascinating, thought provoking read. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for allowing me to wallow in the romance, blood thirsty though much of it was, and power struggles with the idea of where the heart came into play. Now, if I could just quit humming the tune of "Camelot"...
This one is not a casual read. I was alternately fascinated and intrigued, then I'd realize a bit later that my mind was wandering. Knowing quite a bit about not just the Tudor era but the players, so to speak, from Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn back to Eleanor of Aquitaine, not to mention the mythical legends of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere did give me a head start. In other words, having some concept of the history involved would benefit readers.
I can't even begin to summarize the contents. It's very well researched and presented as what I'll call more of a historical work than one you'd pick up as a fun read. There are 24 chapters, each rather long, notes at the end of each, a postscript, appendix, and notes for further reading at the end which is where I found the photos in a digital copy. The intro to the book sets forth the idea that courtly love was more a literary fantasy than a reality. It was useful to those in power and hoping to retain or gain power. The author takes us from its earlier literary emergence, noting that the Lancelot and Queen Guinevere image of romance had its beginnings in a work by Chretien de Troyes in the late 12th century. A knight that would show his love by crawling over a bridge made of sharpened blades....only to have his lady love disappointed that he hesitated? Uh, okay.
The image, spread by troubadours, including trobairitz, the female version, grew and spread. Let's fact it, there's nothing like a good story to catch the imagination, especially at a time when females had little or not power and were often bartered as marriage objects to smooth the way of their family to power and prestige. Trust me, the author details how this works and gives examples from history.
My ears figuratively perked up when Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings entered the story. According to this author, Sir Lancelot may have been modeled on Henry, the son of Eleanor Neville, mother to two kings, and Henry II of England. Unfortunately for young Henry, who one biographer called "Lancelot come to life," he died before he could take the throne. That didn't stop the Plantagenet dynasty, as one king claimed to discover Arthur and Guinevere's graves in Glastonbury. Even Excaliber gets a mention....and this is really just the very beginning of the book. Eleanor died in 1260 but the image of Guinevere she helped make popular spread and lives on today.
Yes, I know you're waiting for me to explain what courtly love had to do with Tudor King Henry VIII chopping off Anne Boleyn's head. Nope, not telling, not that I could come even close to explaining it all without writing a much, much longer review. I mean, there are more than a few wars involved, you know, like the legendary War of the Roses. It was a deadly game, given a romantic tint by troubadours and the tapestries and artwork of the era. And, think of the imagery of "The Virgin Queen" Elizabeth. Flows right into the myths of courtly love. And, hmm, what was that supposed requirement a bride had to have to wed now King Charles? Wonder where that idea came from, hmm?
Oh, come on. Courtly love still grabs our imagination. How many stayed up into the wee hours even here in the decided non-royal United States to watch the "fairy tale" wedding? Ever read or seen a Shakespeare play? Oh, Romeo.... And, think of the movies that use it as the focus, whether the obvious, such as "Camelot" or even "Pretty Woman" and "Dirty Dancing". Courtly love, with its rigid rules and romantic obsessions, still has a hold on our imagination. This book, long though it may be, simply explains why and where that obsession came from. While not for the faint of heart given its length and depth of information, if you are interested in the period, and it spans over a thousand years now that I think about it, you'll find this a fascinating, thought provoking read. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for allowing me to wallow in the romance, blood thirsty though much of it was, and power struggles with the idea of where the heart came into play. Now, if I could just quit humming the tune of "Camelot"...
January 19, 2022
I first heard about The Tudors in Love when Sarah Gristwood went on the Medievalist podcast. The book intrigued me, so I decided to check it out!
As you can guess from the title, The Tudors in Love is about love and the Tudors. To be specific, it’s about how the concept of courtly love affected the Tudor dynasty, from the relationship between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII to the way Elizabeth I used and subverted its tropes to reign alone. The book is divided into six parts – Part 1 introduces the concept and the history of courtly love, and part 2 to 6 covers the years 1485 to 1603 and how we can use the lens of courtly love to analyse what happened.
The idea of Courtly Love can be traced back as far as the 12th century and is a response to the times in which it was born. The book spends a few pages trying to define it (as a counterpart to the cult of the Virgin Mary, or from the Cathar or Albigensian heresy), but I think the simplest way to understand it is as “a social ritual, a collection fantasy; a game”. It’s a way the Tudors thought of romantic relationships and was a way that they used to navigate the world – you could play this game to your advantage, but it could also destroy you. Of course, Anne Boleyn is probably the most famous player of this game, winning the prize of “Queen” but also losing her head, and it’s no surprise that the book spends a lot of time on her. After Anne, women who are given a lot of page space in the book are Queen Guinevere and Elizabeth I.
One of the most interesting ideas that the book brings up is the enduring impact of courtly love, such as the creation of “a system of romance that seemed to be validating a woman’s right to her own physical integrity would in the end wind up normalising a ‘token’ resistance – eventually to be overcome – as part of the courtship game.” When I read this sentence, I immediately thought of Pride & Prejudice, and how Mr Collins was convinced that Elizabeth’s denial of his proposal because, as he says “I know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female character.” This was about a hundred years after the Tudors, but I think that the same trope can be seen in rom-coms and other modern stories.
And because of this, it probably won’t surprise you that the concept of courtly love didn’t do much for position of women in society. As Gristwood writes:
“Their [women’s] exaltation in the literature of courtly love led to no actual, direct improvement in women’s lot; legally, economically or physically. The men who listened complacently to these stories seem to have felt no impulse to translate their moral into an inconvenient actuality.”
Seen this way, Elizabeth I’s subversion and use of the tropes of courtly love during her reign is very impressive and even though her actions led to the end of the Tudor dynasty, it also helped her avoid a marriage she didn’t one and in this sense, her manipulation of the tropes of courtly love was a success.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
As you can guess from the title, The Tudors in Love is about love and the Tudors. To be specific, it’s about how the concept of courtly love affected the Tudor dynasty, from the relationship between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII to the way Elizabeth I used and subverted its tropes to reign alone. The book is divided into six parts – Part 1 introduces the concept and the history of courtly love, and part 2 to 6 covers the years 1485 to 1603 and how we can use the lens of courtly love to analyse what happened.
The idea of Courtly Love can be traced back as far as the 12th century and is a response to the times in which it was born. The book spends a few pages trying to define it (as a counterpart to the cult of the Virgin Mary, or from the Cathar or Albigensian heresy), but I think the simplest way to understand it is as “a social ritual, a collection fantasy; a game”. It’s a way the Tudors thought of romantic relationships and was a way that they used to navigate the world – you could play this game to your advantage, but it could also destroy you. Of course, Anne Boleyn is probably the most famous player of this game, winning the prize of “Queen” but also losing her head, and it’s no surprise that the book spends a lot of time on her. After Anne, women who are given a lot of page space in the book are Queen Guinevere and Elizabeth I.
One of the most interesting ideas that the book brings up is the enduring impact of courtly love, such as the creation of “a system of romance that seemed to be validating a woman’s right to her own physical integrity would in the end wind up normalising a ‘token’ resistance – eventually to be overcome – as part of the courtship game.” When I read this sentence, I immediately thought of Pride & Prejudice, and how Mr Collins was convinced that Elizabeth’s denial of his proposal because, as he says “I know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female character.” This was about a hundred years after the Tudors, but I think that the same trope can be seen in rom-coms and other modern stories.
And because of this, it probably won’t surprise you that the concept of courtly love didn’t do much for position of women in society. As Gristwood writes:
“Their [women’s] exaltation in the literature of courtly love led to no actual, direct improvement in women’s lot; legally, economically or physically. The men who listened complacently to these stories seem to have felt no impulse to translate their moral into an inconvenient actuality.”
Seen this way, Elizabeth I’s subversion and use of the tropes of courtly love during her reign is very impressive and even though her actions led to the end of the Tudor dynasty, it also helped her avoid a marriage she didn’t one and in this sense, her manipulation of the tropes of courtly love was a success.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
August 28, 2022
I enjoyed this fascinating exploration into the relationships forged during the last medieval dynasty, the Tudors. The Tudor court truly was a dazzling and dangerous world and it was obvious that the notion of courtly love coloured their behaviour.
Gristwood begins with allotting three chapters to the definition of courtly love, starting with the 12th century love story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. She continues with the imbalance within the Tudor court, ten males to one female, and shows that winning a woman’s attention was prevalent. She concludes that there must have been a real emotional reality behind this notion or it wouldn’t have lasted through the centuries. If you thought courtly love was non-existent, Gristwood will remind you of commercials on TV and song lyrics that prove otherwise!
I particularly enjoyed her exploration of courtly love at work in Henry’s wooing of Catherine of Aragon. I’d never considered Henry’s swooping in to marry his sister-in-law as courtly love. Yet, we see that it was her downfall. When she aged (she was older than Henry) and couldn’t give him what he needed, the rules of courtly love allowed him to look elsewhere! Courtly love allowed Anne Boleyn to sweep in but also allowed Henry to sweep her out again. The author examines the 16 love letters between Henry and Anne Boleyn in the Vatican Archives and points out Henry’s flexing of his courtly love muscle when he states, “my heart and I surrender ourselves to you.” Henry, she suggests, loved playing the part of the courtly suitor to the unattainable mistress. Anne must have bought into it as on her way to the Tower she was recorded as saying that Henry was just trying to test her!
The author raised some points I hadn’t considered, mainly that courtly love ushered in the idea of nobility of worth not nobility of birth. I also had overlooked the symbols of courtly love in jousting tournaments. It was good to revisit this ritual tribute of admiration in England’s most famous dynasty through the lens of courtly love.
I’ll admit to pretending my glass of wine was mead and reading aloud in a British accent. You may not go this far while you read, but I guarantee you’ll see evidence of courtly love everywhere after reading this book!
I was gifted this advance copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Gristwood begins with allotting three chapters to the definition of courtly love, starting with the 12th century love story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. She continues with the imbalance within the Tudor court, ten males to one female, and shows that winning a woman’s attention was prevalent. She concludes that there must have been a real emotional reality behind this notion or it wouldn’t have lasted through the centuries. If you thought courtly love was non-existent, Gristwood will remind you of commercials on TV and song lyrics that prove otherwise!
I particularly enjoyed her exploration of courtly love at work in Henry’s wooing of Catherine of Aragon. I’d never considered Henry’s swooping in to marry his sister-in-law as courtly love. Yet, we see that it was her downfall. When she aged (she was older than Henry) and couldn’t give him what he needed, the rules of courtly love allowed him to look elsewhere! Courtly love allowed Anne Boleyn to sweep in but also allowed Henry to sweep her out again. The author examines the 16 love letters between Henry and Anne Boleyn in the Vatican Archives and points out Henry’s flexing of his courtly love muscle when he states, “my heart and I surrender ourselves to you.” Henry, she suggests, loved playing the part of the courtly suitor to the unattainable mistress. Anne must have bought into it as on her way to the Tower she was recorded as saying that Henry was just trying to test her!
The author raised some points I hadn’t considered, mainly that courtly love ushered in the idea of nobility of worth not nobility of birth. I also had overlooked the symbols of courtly love in jousting tournaments. It was good to revisit this ritual tribute of admiration in England’s most famous dynasty through the lens of courtly love.
I’ll admit to pretending my glass of wine was mead and reading aloud in a British accent. You may not go this far while you read, but I guarantee you’ll see evidence of courtly love everywhere after reading this book!
I was gifted this advance copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 12, 2022
Tudors in Love provides an overview of one of the most tumultuous families in British history and their loves.
Gristwood begins in the medieval era until the end of the Tudor line with the death Of Elizabeth I.
She offers commentary and substantiation through letters, poetry, and some conjecture.
Some readers might find the genealogy a bit confusing in the early chapters but the chapters about Henry VIII and his subsequent wives are Straight forward and flow well.
It’s a good addition to social history, royal history, and English history.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. martin’s Press for the advance read.
Gristwood begins in the medieval era until the end of the Tudor line with the death Of Elizabeth I.
She offers commentary and substantiation through letters, poetry, and some conjecture.
Some readers might find the genealogy a bit confusing in the early chapters but the chapters about Henry VIII and his subsequent wives are Straight forward and flow well.
It’s a good addition to social history, royal history, and English history.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. martin’s Press for the advance read.
December 12, 2022
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I think she has a valid point about the pervasiveness of the trappings of courtly love in the Tudor court, especially in the time of Henry VIII who loved to see himself as a courtly gentleman serving his lady. On the other hand, it seems to be a short and not entirely warranted leap from "this explains some things" to "this explains everything." While there was a lot of courtly flummery between Elizabeth and her favorites, I am not sure the idea of courtly love explains it all or even most of it.
There are many pages where courtly love leaves the building and we are just reading history, even if it is mostly a history of the Tudors' love lives which will interest most people. That isn't bad in itself, but I think it's a sign that maybe the thesis doesn't completely work. Since I've already read a lot about the Tudors, that was ground I'd covered before so I was skimming waiting for something else interesting to be said.
This is not the first time it's occurred to me that the rules of flirtation at court were fine until a woman was to be got rid of, when suddenly they were treason. That point does bear making again.
Late in the book she says, "The cult of courtly love had made possible Elizabeth's unmarried female monarchy." What? I don't know exactly what she means by this. I'd been thinking the material was overworked a little, and this went over the top for me. It seems a major overstatement.
The Postscript sums up her points, maybe grab the book at the library or in a store and read that to see if you want to read the whole book. If you haven't already read a lot of Tudor history, maybe you will like this as a way in. But I am really not convinced that everything love and marriage at court for the whole 16th century can be attributed to the medieval idea of amour courtois.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
There are many pages where courtly love leaves the building and we are just reading history, even if it is mostly a history of the Tudors' love lives which will interest most people. That isn't bad in itself, but I think it's a sign that maybe the thesis doesn't completely work. Since I've already read a lot about the Tudors, that was ground I'd covered before so I was skimming waiting for something else interesting to be said.
This is not the first time it's occurred to me that the rules of flirtation at court were fine until a woman was to be got rid of, when suddenly they were treason. That point does bear making again.
Late in the book she says, "The cult of courtly love had made possible Elizabeth's unmarried female monarchy." What? I don't know exactly what she means by this. I'd been thinking the material was overworked a little, and this went over the top for me. It seems a major overstatement.
The Postscript sums up her points, maybe grab the book at the library or in a store and read that to see if you want to read the whole book. If you haven't already read a lot of Tudor history, maybe you will like this as a way in. But I am really not convinced that everything love and marriage at court for the whole 16th century can be attributed to the medieval idea of amour courtois.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
December 25, 2022
This was a fascinating book, looking at how each generation of Tudor monarchs used the ideals of courtly love in their reign. Obviously most of the focus rested on Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, because they were the main Tudor monarchs to highlight courtly love. Author Sarah Gristwood does an excellent job explaining exactly what courtly love meant, and how it changed over time, how the legend of King Arthur was used by each monarch to help support their claim to the throne- either as part of or separate from the tropes of courtly love. I found it interesting how Henry VIII, in his younger years, tried to idealize living the life of a "Arthurian knight", with chivalric codes towards women as well as the sporting side of tournaments, and didn't just couch things in the literary terms his nobles might want to hear. In contrast, Elizabeth I almost weaponized chivalric codes and courtly love as a way of maintaining her power in a male dominated world, using chivalric tropes to keep her throne, and to communicate with her people as well as with her favorites.
Well researched and well written, I definitely enjoyed this book and learning about an aspect of Tudor psychology I hadn't understood well before. I certainly recommend this book to others interested in Tudor history!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Well researched and well written, I definitely enjoyed this book and learning about an aspect of Tudor psychology I hadn't understood well before. I certainly recommend this book to others interested in Tudor history!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 17, 2022
The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England's Most Famous Dynasty by Sarah Gristwood is a great nonfiction that takes me back to one of my favorite periods in English history, the Tudors! Loved it!
I really enjoyed Ms. Gristwood’s previous book The Blood Sisters, so I was excited to dive into this gem.
The author takes us into some historical basis and examples of courtly love that are described and existed before the Tudor era. She then gives us so many wonderful examples of “courtly love” and how it affected not only the relationships themselves, but also the rippling effect it had on the courtiers and the land as well. It was fascinating to see it all in that context.
Even though I know quite a bit about this era, it was great to revisit, and to pick up a few more tidbits. Excellent.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/13/22.
I really enjoyed Ms. Gristwood’s previous book The Blood Sisters, so I was excited to dive into this gem.
The author takes us into some historical basis and examples of courtly love that are described and existed before the Tudor era. She then gives us so many wonderful examples of “courtly love” and how it affected not only the relationships themselves, but also the rippling effect it had on the courtiers and the land as well. It was fascinating to see it all in that context.
Even though I know quite a bit about this era, it was great to revisit, and to pick up a few more tidbits. Excellent.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/13/22.
July 18, 2022
Having an interest in English history and having just finished Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies, I was keen to read more Tudor history. I was pleased to be approved to read The Tudors in Love through NetGalley as part of the St. Martin's Press influencers program.
This is a very dense history and the research is thorough, with plenty of source material covered. I enjoyed that this wasn't just a simple discussion of love and marriage in the Tudor clan, but a detailed look at the history of chivalry and courtly love. It takes you though the tales of Guinevere and Lancelot and how they corelated to how historical women were viewed and treated. I also appreciated the look at Elinor of Aquitaine.
Overall, this is not necessarily an entertaining read--one must have a certain interest in this period--but it certainly is a fascinating one.
This is a very dense history and the research is thorough, with plenty of source material covered. I enjoyed that this wasn't just a simple discussion of love and marriage in the Tudor clan, but a detailed look at the history of chivalry and courtly love. It takes you though the tales of Guinevere and Lancelot and how they corelated to how historical women were viewed and treated. I also appreciated the look at Elinor of Aquitaine.
Overall, this is not necessarily an entertaining read--one must have a certain interest in this period--but it certainly is a fascinating one.
December 8, 2022
If you know me, you know that I love the musical Six, which is about the six wives of Henry VIII. I have been eager to learn more about the real women Henry married. I was eager to read Tudors in Love and spend some time with the Tudors, especially the queens who have fascinated me.
Tudors in Love starts off with several chapters dedicated to centuries of British history that preceded the Tudor dynasty. Of course, it makes sense to set the stage for the beliefs on love, politics, religion, etc that led to the behavior of the Tudors. However, I didn’t need a quarter of the book to be about Dante, Eleanor of Acquitane, and King Arthur. As I read, I was just counting down to when the first Tudor monarch was going to take the throne.
In my many times seeing Six, Catherine of Aragon has never won me over, but Gristwood’s portrayal of her managed to do so. Tudors in Love spends a lot of time with Aragon, which makes sense as she was married to Henry VIII for over two decades. Gristwood focuses on Aragon’s advisory role in her early marriage and emphasizes her education. It was also cool to compare the text of Aragon’s plea to Henry to not divorce her to the lyrics of “No Way” (Aragon’s song in Six). Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss did an excellent job conveying her actual words through their song.
As one of many fascinated by Anne Boleyn, I enjoyed learning more about what led to Anne’s downfall. It is disturbing to think that her downfall was orchestrated because she was seen as a threat to Thomas Cromwell’s foreign policy (and because Henry wanted to marry Jane Seymour). Gristwood is sympathetic to Boleyn, and she emphasizes that Anne was likely not guilty of the adultery of which she was accused. Unfortunately, Gristwood does not give the same thoughtful treatment to Katheryn Howard (Anne’s cousin and Henry’s fifth wife).
Katheryn Howard is my favorite of Henry VIII’s wives. She was famously beheaded after being accused of treason and adultery (much like her cousin). I was very disappointed in Gristwood’s portrayal of Howard. Gristwood dismisses Katheryn as someone who was uneducated and indicates that she had “an inability to understand that actions have consequences.” Howard was the victim of sexual abuse who was taught that her sexuality was her only worth. It was frustrating to see her described as simply silly and irresponsible.
I don’t know as much about Elizabeth I as I do about her mother, but Gristwood’s portrayal certainly brings forward dualities in Elizabeth’s reign. She portrays Elizabeth as a regal and confident ruler who rejected the societal pressure to share her power and throne with a man. She paints a picture of Elizabeth as educated and thoughtful, and includes a lot of Elizabeth’s poetry and other writing. However, she also describes Elizabeth as a jealous woman who would lash out whenever one of her courtiers showed favor to another woman.
Gristwood has a very distinctive narrative style. She tends to write in long sentences that include parenthentical commentary. This adds voice and dimension to the historical facts, but it also means that this is not an easy or casual read. Gristwood throws a lot of information at the reader and quickly.
This is certainly not Gristwood’s fault, but it was at times difficult to keep track of the players in the historical tale as so many of them had the same names. Henry VIII’s father was named Henry, and he had two sons named Henry. He and Anne Boleyn named their daughter, Elizabeth, as both of their mothers were named Elizabeth.
I’ve spent a lot of time with fictionalized versions of the Tudors, and I enjoyed learning more about the facts and how they differ from portrayals like Six and The Other Boleyn Girl. It left me wondering where the truth about these historical figures lies and how the Tudor women would want to be portrayed nearly five centuries after their deaths.
Tudors in Love starts off with several chapters dedicated to centuries of British history that preceded the Tudor dynasty. Of course, it makes sense to set the stage for the beliefs on love, politics, religion, etc that led to the behavior of the Tudors. However, I didn’t need a quarter of the book to be about Dante, Eleanor of Acquitane, and King Arthur. As I read, I was just counting down to when the first Tudor monarch was going to take the throne.
In my many times seeing Six, Catherine of Aragon has never won me over, but Gristwood’s portrayal of her managed to do so. Tudors in Love spends a lot of time with Aragon, which makes sense as she was married to Henry VIII for over two decades. Gristwood focuses on Aragon’s advisory role in her early marriage and emphasizes her education. It was also cool to compare the text of Aragon’s plea to Henry to not divorce her to the lyrics of “No Way” (Aragon’s song in Six). Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss did an excellent job conveying her actual words through their song.
As one of many fascinated by Anne Boleyn, I enjoyed learning more about what led to Anne’s downfall. It is disturbing to think that her downfall was orchestrated because she was seen as a threat to Thomas Cromwell’s foreign policy (and because Henry wanted to marry Jane Seymour). Gristwood is sympathetic to Boleyn, and she emphasizes that Anne was likely not guilty of the adultery of which she was accused. Unfortunately, Gristwood does not give the same thoughtful treatment to Katheryn Howard (Anne’s cousin and Henry’s fifth wife).
Katheryn Howard is my favorite of Henry VIII’s wives. She was famously beheaded after being accused of treason and adultery (much like her cousin). I was very disappointed in Gristwood’s portrayal of Howard. Gristwood dismisses Katheryn as someone who was uneducated and indicates that she had “an inability to understand that actions have consequences.” Howard was the victim of sexual abuse who was taught that her sexuality was her only worth. It was frustrating to see her described as simply silly and irresponsible.
I don’t know as much about Elizabeth I as I do about her mother, but Gristwood’s portrayal certainly brings forward dualities in Elizabeth’s reign. She portrays Elizabeth as a regal and confident ruler who rejected the societal pressure to share her power and throne with a man. She paints a picture of Elizabeth as educated and thoughtful, and includes a lot of Elizabeth’s poetry and other writing. However, she also describes Elizabeth as a jealous woman who would lash out whenever one of her courtiers showed favor to another woman.
Gristwood has a very distinctive narrative style. She tends to write in long sentences that include parenthentical commentary. This adds voice and dimension to the historical facts, but it also means that this is not an easy or casual read. Gristwood throws a lot of information at the reader and quickly.
This is certainly not Gristwood’s fault, but it was at times difficult to keep track of the players in the historical tale as so many of them had the same names. Henry VIII’s father was named Henry, and he had two sons named Henry. He and Anne Boleyn named their daughter, Elizabeth, as both of their mothers were named Elizabeth.
I’ve spent a lot of time with fictionalized versions of the Tudors, and I enjoyed learning more about the facts and how they differ from portrayals like Six and The Other Boleyn Girl. It left me wondering where the truth about these historical figures lies and how the Tudor women would want to be portrayed nearly five centuries after their deaths.
December 26, 2023
This book was the literary equivalent of being handed a drink that I thought was going to be a dull, healthy carob shake, and instead getting a delightful mudslide instead - both icy and chocolatey, but one infinitely tastier than the other!
I assumed that Gristwood was just going to use the theme of "love" to go through the Tudor dynasty with a heavy emphasis on all the marriages and affairs. Nope! instead, we get a beautiful look at the Tudors put into a proper cultural context of looking at what were the "pop culture" (so to speak) references everyone at the time knew of and used.
That said, be prepared for five chapters on the Plantagenets first and their use of chivalry, from Eleanor of Aquitaine's courts of love to Richard III trial by single combat ideal before we get to the Tudors. Still - its worth it to see the ideas of "love" that the Tudors inherited, and get a greater feel for how well they put them to political work for them.
March 27, 2023
I really enjoyed getting more info about various relationships in the Tudor era, especially Elizabeth's relationships with her numerous favourites — I didn't even know there were more than Dudley! But the fact that all of the discussed persons are somehow related to the Tudors doesn't make up for the fact that besides it, the story isn't much connected and often brings up side-stories without further explanation. There is a lot of background knowledge assumed, so I'd only recommend this to people who are already deep into their Tudor lore (but then — not sure if I would recommend it either way...).
September 29, 2023
Good, a run through of the marriages and lives of the Tudors and their ancestors, how love, lust and courtly love played a part in politics. Interesting
December 10, 2022
Fascinating to read about the Tudors through the lens of courtly love.
November 1, 2021
When we think about love, we have ideas about how people fall in love through dating and wooing one another. Sweet words and gestures. Flowers and chocolate. Dates at fun venues and romantic dinners. This is a more modern interpretation of romance and love, which was vastly different than the concept of courtly love that was common in royal circles in medieval Europe. What exactly was courtly love, and how did it play a role in the Tudor dynasty? Sarah Gristwood explores this topic in her latest nonfiction book, “The Tudors in Love: The Courtly Code Behind the Last Medieval Dynasty.”
Before we dive head deep into Tudor history, Gristwood gives us a history lesson into the origins of courtly love and how it evolved. We begin with the 12th century and the stories of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Lancelot that Chretien de Troyes wrote. Troyes’ romantic tales were known to Eleanor of Aquitaine and the troubadours that would spread them to every royal court in Europe. This game of romance between royals and the ideas of knights protecting their fair maidens from danger would change over time. Still, the basic idea that emotions and feelings were central to courtly love would remain prevalent. We see different authors, like Chaucer and Dante, approach the concept of courtly love from different directions and specific rules of this love game set in stone for future generations.
Gristwood traverses the complex family drama known as the Wars of the Roses to show how both Lancaster and York played the courtly game of love. The ways that the sides played the game were different with the various couples involved, but the ideas culminated with the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. The imagery of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were passed down to their sons, Prince Arthur and King Henry VIII. Henry VIII would play the game of courtly love with each of his six wives, with varying degrees of success. He would find out that courtly love and politics would be a complex combination to maintain, and this lesson would pass onto his children as they tried to play the game.
Edward VI and Mary I tried to play the game, but they soon realized they were destined to be more involved with politics than love. It was their half-sister Elizabeth who brought back courtly love to its former glory with her numerous favorites. Although the actions of the Tudors can tell us a lot about their intentions, their letters and poetry gave a better understanding of how this courtly love game was played.
I found the new information that Gristwood provided in this book was fascinating. It gave a new dimension to the Tudor dynasty and the relationships between the monarchy and their courtiers or mistresses. An innovative nonfiction book about love, chivalric stories, and the desire for power that any Tudor fan will adore. If you love books by Sarah Gristwood and learning new aspects about Tudor court life, you must have “The Tudors in Love: The Courtly Code Behind the Last Medieval Dynasty” in your collection.
Before we dive head deep into Tudor history, Gristwood gives us a history lesson into the origins of courtly love and how it evolved. We begin with the 12th century and the stories of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Lancelot that Chretien de Troyes wrote. Troyes’ romantic tales were known to Eleanor of Aquitaine and the troubadours that would spread them to every royal court in Europe. This game of romance between royals and the ideas of knights protecting their fair maidens from danger would change over time. Still, the basic idea that emotions and feelings were central to courtly love would remain prevalent. We see different authors, like Chaucer and Dante, approach the concept of courtly love from different directions and specific rules of this love game set in stone for future generations.
Gristwood traverses the complex family drama known as the Wars of the Roses to show how both Lancaster and York played the courtly game of love. The ways that the sides played the game were different with the various couples involved, but the ideas culminated with the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. The imagery of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were passed down to their sons, Prince Arthur and King Henry VIII. Henry VIII would play the game of courtly love with each of his six wives, with varying degrees of success. He would find out that courtly love and politics would be a complex combination to maintain, and this lesson would pass onto his children as they tried to play the game.
Edward VI and Mary I tried to play the game, but they soon realized they were destined to be more involved with politics than love. It was their half-sister Elizabeth who brought back courtly love to its former glory with her numerous favorites. Although the actions of the Tudors can tell us a lot about their intentions, their letters and poetry gave a better understanding of how this courtly love game was played.
I found the new information that Gristwood provided in this book was fascinating. It gave a new dimension to the Tudor dynasty and the relationships between the monarchy and their courtiers or mistresses. An innovative nonfiction book about love, chivalric stories, and the desire for power that any Tudor fan will adore. If you love books by Sarah Gristwood and learning new aspects about Tudor court life, you must have “The Tudors in Love: The Courtly Code Behind the Last Medieval Dynasty” in your collection.
November 9, 2022
It took awhile but I finally did it - I finished Sarah Gristwood's “The Tudors in Love.” This book focuses on the history of the Tudors specifically but also courtly love in general. Courtly love grew out of the dissatisfaction with constraints of the church and society against affection and sensuality. The Tudors consumed fantasy and historical fiction just like we do today, and the monarchs embodied ideals of courtly love.
This book was very detailed and thorough, involving actual historical accounts as well as literary tales from centuries ago and even before the Tudor era. I particularly enjoyed the quotes from archives and first hand accounts/letters.
As with any good history book, there are many references and citations which I appreciated. It did take me awhile to read, but moved faster when it got to the Henry VIII Tudor era. I found some of the information surprising - the book makes it seem like every battle that Elizabeth the first waged was a disaster, which we know not to be true (or at least that is normally how it is taught). The courtly love veil also put history into a different kind of perspective.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
This book was very detailed and thorough, involving actual historical accounts as well as literary tales from centuries ago and even before the Tudor era. I particularly enjoyed the quotes from archives and first hand accounts/letters.
As with any good history book, there are many references and citations which I appreciated. It did take me awhile to read, but moved faster when it got to the Henry VIII Tudor era. I found some of the information surprising - the book makes it seem like every battle that Elizabeth the first waged was a disaster, which we know not to be true (or at least that is normally how it is taught). The courtly love veil also put history into a different kind of perspective.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
July 8, 2022
I have read probably 25 or so books on British history, particularly on the Tudors and the Plantagenets. I find the history fascinating reading. I love reading about Edward IV and Elizabeth of Woodville, Richard III, the boys who probably died in the Tower etc! The first and foremost author of this material is undoubtedly Alison Weir. Her books bring these people to life for me; yet, this very well researched and lengthy book by Sarah Gristwood, THE TUDORS IN LOVE, takes a bit of a different backslide into all their stories, devoted and decidedly inspired to all of them, by Love! Blind love, victorious love, painful love, depressed and forlorn love, and love forever with and without. It is truly fascinating...... love's scope and perseverance. Certainly, not a book for the faint of heart, it is a wild and thorough ride through the annuls of Tudor history, no detail is left unturned!
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived...all in the name of LOVE!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc....what is Ms. Gristwood going to take on next? I can't wait to see!
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived...all in the name of LOVE!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc....what is Ms. Gristwood going to take on next? I can't wait to see!
November 21, 2022
I love anything Tudor, so I was very excited to read this. The first part of this book is about King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot. I understand the author is showing the history of the love in court. But the Tudors are not really mentioned in the first part at all. Finally, we move on to the Yorks and the Lancasters, that sets the stage for the Tudors. However, there is still a lot of comparison of Elizabeth Woodville to Guinivere. There is a lot of literary history that I found myself skimming through. I am familiar with the Tudors, but I did have a hard time following along. Then going back to what Guinivere might have thought or done in this instance in comparison to what Anne Boleyn did or said. I really didn't like this. This was really well researched, but I just didn't like the comparisons in every chapter.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. Too long, too confusing as it jumps between the royal family with the same names, and I had a hard time figuring out who it was and too much comparison to a real historical people and characters that are fictional (although may be based on real people).
Thank you NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. Too long, too confusing as it jumps between the royal family with the same names, and I had a hard time figuring out who it was and too much comparison to a real historical people and characters that are fictional (although may be based on real people).
Thank you NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press.
October 21, 2022
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley.com.
I was very excited to read this book after hearing an interview with the author on a podcast. It was interesting to look at the history of the Arthurian story in the English court and how it affected the nobles and monarchs. I have a little knowledge of the legend of Arthur but I did not realize how many different iterations there are and how they change based on who is ruling or the events of the time. And I usually assumed that many of the courts of Europe used the manners of courtly love but it appears that England was the most ardent in following the rules and let it be a part of their lives the longest. The author did a great job of showing the major points in the Tudor history and how they were affected by courtly love and the downfalls of the lifestyle as well through the deaths of Anne Boleyn and the Earl of Essex.
I was very excited to read this book after hearing an interview with the author on a podcast. It was interesting to look at the history of the Arthurian story in the English court and how it affected the nobles and monarchs. I have a little knowledge of the legend of Arthur but I did not realize how many different iterations there are and how they change based on who is ruling or the events of the time. And I usually assumed that many of the courts of Europe used the manners of courtly love but it appears that England was the most ardent in following the rules and let it be a part of their lives the longest. The author did a great job of showing the major points in the Tudor history and how they were affected by courtly love and the downfalls of the lifestyle as well through the deaths of Anne Boleyn and the Earl of Essex.
October 3, 2022
The Tudors in Love is an interesting book that promotes an interesting premise of how 'courtly love" impacted the Tudor reign beginning in the 12th Century and ending in the 1600s. The author is very knowledgeable about the Tudors and their history. The book is told in six parts covering specific time periods and corresponding events. The stories covered include wars, religious struggles, mistresses, and illnesses. As successions take place, the author conveys how the next is effected by courtly love. Some of the examples are stronger than others, however, I liked the author's voice and all of the events related were interesting in there own right.
Thanks you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
January 26, 2023
This nonfiction history work examines how courtly love impacted and influenced the Tudor family. Gristwood analyzes where the ‘courtly love’ concept came from and explains how it shaped Henry VIII’s marriages and subsequent relationships.
A special thanks to @macmillanpress for my hardcover copy of this book! I found it had a slow start as it focuses a lot on Guinevere and Arthur which I’m not super interested in. I found it to be fragmented at the start with lots of connections kind of jumping around. However, once I got into the middle, the linear timeline became easier to follow. I loved reading about Anne Bolelyn and Elizabeth I. You definitely need to be a history buff to enjoy this one.
A special thanks to @macmillanpress for my hardcover copy of this book! I found it had a slow start as it focuses a lot on Guinevere and Arthur which I’m not super interested in. I found it to be fragmented at the start with lots of connections kind of jumping around. However, once I got into the middle, the linear timeline became easier to follow. I loved reading about Anne Bolelyn and Elizabeth I. You definitely need to be a history buff to enjoy this one.
March 23, 2022
Fascinating -- made me want to revisit my dissertation again
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July 12, 2022Excellent - well researched book on how the Legend of King Arthur played such a part in shaping the Tudor dynasty. Loved this and the depth and the somewhat feminist revision of history
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