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The Forgotten Tudor Women: Jane Boleyn & Susanna Horenbout
Hans Holbein’s sketch identified as “Lady Parker” is among the most enigmatic portraits in the Royal Collection.
For years, historians have believed that “The Lady Parker” depicted Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford—but, like much about Jane’s life, this identification remains controversial. Another possibility is that the sitter was one of Jane’s sisters-in-law, Grace or Elizabeth Parker. Most intriguing of all is the theory that Holbein’s “Lady Parker” portrays Susanna Horenbout, the gifted painter and miniaturist who worked at the Tudor court.
This volume—the fourth in the acclaimed Forgotten Tudor Women series—traces the intertwined lives of these remarkable women. Was Jane Boleyn truly the “wicked wife” who betrayed her husband, George Boleyn, and his sister, Queen Anne? What role did she play in the downfall of Henry VIII’s fifth queen, Katherine Howard? Was she evil or just misunderstood?
Susanna Horenbout, daughter and sister of royal painters, was a talented artist in her own right, yet her work has long been misattributed or overlooked. For the first time, this book brings her story—and the mystery of Holbein’s “Lady Parker”—to light for a wider audience.
For years, historians have believed that “The Lady Parker” depicted Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford—but, like much about Jane’s life, this identification remains controversial. Another possibility is that the sitter was one of Jane’s sisters-in-law, Grace or Elizabeth Parker. Most intriguing of all is the theory that Holbein’s “Lady Parker” portrays Susanna Horenbout, the gifted painter and miniaturist who worked at the Tudor court.
This volume—the fourth in the acclaimed Forgotten Tudor Women series—traces the intertwined lives of these remarkable women. Was Jane Boleyn truly the “wicked wife” who betrayed her husband, George Boleyn, and his sister, Queen Anne? What role did she play in the downfall of Henry VIII’s fifth queen, Katherine Howard? Was she evil or just misunderstood?
Susanna Horenbout, daughter and sister of royal painters, was a talented artist in her own right, yet her work has long been misattributed or overlooked. For the first time, this book brings her story—and the mystery of Holbein’s “Lady Parker”—to light for a wider audience.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 4, 2026
I've been a big fan of Sobertons ever since I first stumbled across her work.
Her writing is engaging and balanced especially noticable here when discussing the 'Infamous' Lady Jane Rochford.
Lady Jane always gets the short end of stick but as laid out here and in another work by Julia Fox she really does not deserve it. There is no evidence that she spoke against her husband or Anne Boleyn only gossip and rumours from later times.
That said I aways wondered why she aided Catherine Howard in her meetings with Culpepper? She knew what could happen if the Henry VIII thought he was being betrayed but still she was involved anyway. I'm intrigued by Sobertons theory which I won't spoil here as to how Jane did become involved and I think it merits further consideration.
I look forward to Soberton's next work.
Her writing is engaging and balanced especially noticable here when discussing the 'Infamous' Lady Jane Rochford.
Lady Jane always gets the short end of stick but as laid out here and in another work by Julia Fox she really does not deserve it. There is no evidence that she spoke against her husband or Anne Boleyn only gossip and rumours from later times.
That said I aways wondered why she aided Catherine Howard in her meetings with Culpepper? She knew what could happen if the Henry VIII thought he was being betrayed but still she was involved anyway. I'm intrigued by Sobertons theory which I won't spoil here as to how Jane did become involved and I think it merits further consideration.
I look forward to Soberton's next work.
June 9, 2026
A good but not amazing biography of Jane Boleyn - but a fascinating look at the overlooked court painter Susanna Horenbout, showing how she was right there, just out of frame, so to speak, throughout the drama of Henry VIII's six wives.
December 4, 2025
This author never disappoints
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews