A Song of Sixpence: The Story of Elizabeth of York and Perkin Warbeck

by Judith Arnopp

'A wonderful journey through a most precarious and perilous chapter in the very beginnings of Tudor history.' 

In the aftermath of the Battle of Bosworth, a small boy is ripped from his rightful place as future king of England. His Sister Elizabeth marries the invading King, Henry Tudor.

Years later  when the boy returns to claim is throne, Elizabeth is torn between love for her brother and duty to her husband. 

As the final struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster is played out, Elizabeth is torn by conflicting loyalty, terror and unexpected love. 

Set at the court of Henry VII, A Song of Sixpence offers a new perspective on the early years of Tudor rule. Elizabeth of York, often viewed as a meek and uninspiring queen, emerges as a resilient woman whose strengths lie in endurance rather than resistance.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Tudor Period, Historical, Fiction, Medieval

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.

Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,

You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....


For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com

author.to/juditharnoppbooks

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnopp creates a much more believable Elizabeth of York than other, inexplicably popular, authors.

A Song of Sixpence is not solely the story of Elizabeth of York. Chapters alternate between first person point-of-view chapters of Elizabeth and third person point-of-view chapters of her brother Richard. Each story taken on their own is well done and they are written to complement one another and carry the plot forward. This was a quick paced read for me because I have done significant research on these characters, and I enjoyed seeing how Arnopp brought them to life.

The focus throughout the Elizabeth chapters is on her children and devotion to her family. While it is frustrating at times to see Elizabeth fail to stand up to Henry, even as he tramples over the York remnant and treats Elizabeth poorly, historical fact backs this up. I prefer to see reality than a rosy interpretation that doesn't make sense. Therefore, while I wanted to smack Elizabeth into action at times, her portrayal was faithful to the real woman. At times, Elizabeth may have seemed a little bit too far out of the loop, but she found refuge in her children. If possible, she is a little too forgiving and complacent.

Henry VII is characterized as negatively as he usually is, but at least he's not a rapist in this account. He keeps his beautiful, devoted wife at arm's length, never seeming to show her the kind of love that was apparently demonstrated when he mourned her. And Margaret Stanley? Well, she's Margaret Stanley.

My favorite element of this book was how the author treated Prince Richard. In as plausible account as possible, if you believe that Perkin Warbeck was truly Richard, Arnopp details his life from the fateful night when he is saved from the Tower through to his disgraceful end. Richard is so like his father in everything but soldiering. Unfortunately, for a displaced prince attempting to win his throne, that is exactly the skill he most needed. Richard's portrayal took into account historical facts regarding this mysterious pretender (or was he?) and develops a personality that makes his actions seem perfectly suited to him. My only complaint with this part of the story was the references to him as "the boy." In fact, his chapters were titled "Boy" rather than "Richard" despite the fact that the reader knows from page 1 that he is truly Richard in this author's account.

I have made something of a quest of reading all that I can on Elizabeth of York, and this was one of the more satisfying and realistic portrayals of her that I have found.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most history books agree that Perkin Warbeck was used by the enemies to Henry VII to try to take away his throne by uniting the people behind the return of 'Richard', rightful king, one of the Princes who vanished from the Tower. This book takes the 'What If' approach and has Perkin as being the real Richard, taken from the Tower on the orders of Richard III and smuggled abroad by a loyal Yorkist to save his life. He is then trained to be ready to take the throne from Henry VII on his return. Meanwhile his older sister Elizabeth puts aside her conflicted feelings for uncle Richard III and is to marry Henry VII to end the War of the Roses. She is torn between duty to her York blood and Tudor husband especially as she has no idea if the pretender is really her beloved brother.

I liked the fact that the author did something a bit different with this well known piece of history. Richard III is cast as a man who took the crown from his young nephew for fear that such a young ruler would leave England open to abuse, power grabbing and a return to civil war. He locked them in the tower to stop his enemies using his brother's sons as pawns to unseat him and fully intended to keep them safe. He is devoted to wife Anne and has no clue that niece Elizabeth's crush on him is being used to start rumours of incest at Court. I always had an issue with Richard III being blamed for the murder of the Princes in the Tower as I felt he had nothing to gain from it. They had been given the status of being illegitimate which allowed Richard as next in line to take the throne. For me Henry VII and his mother, or the Duke of Buckingham or other noble with royal blood, had more to gain than Richard III. Anyway I digress! I like seeing Richard as the one who learned of a plot by Buckingham to attack the Tower and urged a servant called Brampton to rescue the boys but only young Richard can be saved.

We get the POV of young Richard being taken from the Tower and into hiding in Burgandy, where he is taught how to fight and survive. We follow him throughout the story as the people of Ireland recognise him as a son of Edward IV and proclaim him, his attempts to invade England and the time he spends at the Court of the Scottish King. Young Richard wonders what will happen to Elizabeth and her children if he takes the throne from her husband and starts to wonder if he is really suited to running a country and fighting wars. The only thing about his chapters that annoyed me were him being called the boy when we all know who he is! Why bother?

We also get Elizabeth's story which is fascinating. Forced to marry Henry VII, she battles to get his love and trust and is constantly undermined by his devious mother Margaret. She also has the fear that her own mother is plotting against her husband, as is the brother of her mother-in-law's husband. Elizabeth is surrounded by intrigue and has to protect her beloved children. She is also conflicted about the news of Perkin Warbeck. If her brother is really alive, then her husband loses the throne and her children are in danger. But can she bear to see her younger brother murdered to save her children's future? Is it even Richard? She hopes not. She also has to worry about producing as many children as possible to ensure the Tudor line.

The characters are very well developed and the author goes to great lengths to have the reader understand why the characters are thinking or doing something. We see Richard III's grief over what he has to do to steal the Crown, Henry VII's conflicted feelings of love and mistrust of Elizabeth and everyone else due to his throne being insecure, young Richard's feelings about whether or not to grab the crown...it is very much character based drama and I liked the way she brought all these historical figures to life. It is not overdescriptive with strange dialogue so it is very easy to get into.

This is the second book I've read by the author and I'm very keen to read more by her. I recommend this to fans of the Tudor period.

[Olivia Longueville · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely powerful story of Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of King Edward IV and his wife, Queen Elizabeth Woodville. However, it is also a story of the boy, as he is often referred to in the novel, who escaped his death in England, spent his young years in Flanders, and then came to England to try and reclaim his birthright – the throne of England. Although I am more with traditionalists concerning the fates of the poor Princes in the Tower, Judith Arnopp wrote the alternative story – the survival of Richard, Duke of York – in a very plausible way, and even I, who is quite skeptical about their survival, believed that it was possible due to the author’s talent.

I love Judith’s Elizabeth of York and the way Judith portrays her as a strong and resilient woman in her own way – quiet, a bit conniving, and highly adaptable. Elizabeth’s struggle to adapt to her new life in Tudor England as wife of Henry VII, to adapt to the constant presence of the formidable Margaret Beaufort in her life, and to her marriage to the Lancastrian heir who she was taught to despise due to her York upbringing – all these things are fascinating to read about. You can feel Elizabeth’s emotions. The way Elizabeth reacts to her brother’s survival and her actions (I will not describe details in this review, for I want to avoid spoilers) is plausible and commendable because she tries to save Richard of York, but fails. I cannot say more. There is love between the siblings, which survived through time and separation, and it is all very touching.

The twists in the story are wholly absorbing. Elizabeth’s life in England, her contradictory feelings for Henry and finally her love for him, Richard’s life in Flanders and finally his struggle to regain his throne – they all take the reader’s breath away. The story of Richard and Elizabeth, before they meet in England and as they separately adapt to their new lives and cope with challenges, may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity, and power. I do not perceive Henry VII as a protagonist – to me, Richard and Elizabeth are protagonists, and they are very well fleshed out. I quite respect Margaret of York, a widow of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy – she is a strong, conniving woman, though a shady one. Margaret Beaufort is not villainized, and Judith would not have done that to her – I enjoyed Judith’s version of Margaret, and there were moments when I deeply felt for her. The author treats the characters fairly, which is a huge advantage.

The supporting cast of characters is excellent. Cecily of York, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. Judith has complete control of her story and her style. The world building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it is almost as if the reader had travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down. I do not like what I call “dry prose,” and Judith’s writing style is balanced within action, descriptions, and compact lyricism, it is never dull.

It’s a captivating novel for those interested in Tudor England, Elizabeth of York & Henry VII, the Wars of the Roses, and the House of York. I highly recommend this book for reading.

[Amy McElroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Song of Sixpence is the story of Elizabeth of York and Perkin Warbeck. This provided a fascinating theory that Perkin was Richard of York, son of Edward IV. It's told from both viewpoints. We all know the story of the Princes in the Tower and whilst this is fictional work I found myself leaning towards believing Richard survived and was Perkin Warbeck.

Richard was smuggled out of England by those loyal to his father, unfortunately his brother Edward died during the rescuse. He escapes to Europe and the safety of his Aunt in Burgundy but years later makes himself known as the rightful heir to the throne.

In the meantime his sister Elizabeth of York has married Henry Tudor and is now Queen of England.

Will Elizabeth deny her brother the throne? And just how far will Henry Tudor go to keep his throne safe?

This was a refreshing read which I found provided a different perspective to views I'd previously read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of familiar territory and, frankly, Philippa Gregory did it better in The White Princess. Also lost all faith in the book's authenticity when "Perkin" told himself to "Man up".

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the early days of our marriage I secretly rooted for York, but now I carry the heir in my womb, my allegiance is shifting. I am neither one thing nor the other.”

It began with a song, and it would end in one too for that was the way things were. But Elizabeth of York, daughter to Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville, had no notion as she sang for her father as to the direction her life would take. She had carried a hopeful song in her heart and a secret longing for a man she could never have.

It wasn’t meant to end like this — first her father, then her brothers and now Uncle Richard. Richard was supposed to win. York was supposed to win. However, God is ever fickle with his favours, and now a Lancastrian is sat upon the throne of England.

Elizabeth has no choice. She must marry Henry Tudor and unite Lancaster and York. If she does not, then her family has nothing. Elizabeth had already lost two brothers. She would not lose her sisters and her mother, as well.

However, unity is such a fragile thing. As Henry and his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, set about ensuring that the House of York will never threaten Lancaster’s hold on the throne again, a rumour comes from across the sea. There is a man who is calling himself the rightful King of England, and that man is gathering an army to take back what is rightfully his.

“The day he left sanctuary was the day his life changed forever...”

Everyone thought he was dead, and some even went as far as saying his uncle had killed him. But that was not what had happened. That was not what had happened at all. Away from everything familiar, Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York forged a new identity, but he never forgot who he was. Henry Tudor has no claim to the throne of England. It is Richard’s by right. And he will raise an army, and he will take back the throne that his father once ruled from.

Torn between her husband and her family, Elizabeth must make a choice. Does she stay loyal to her husband, or will the call of her blood see her once again stand with the House of York?

It is not often that a book renders me speechless, but A Song of Sixpence: The Story of Elizabeth of York and Perkin Warbeck by Judith Arnopp, has done just that. From the opening sentence, I was enchanted, and by the end of the novel, even though I knew what was coming, I found myself reaching for the Kleenex as I had become so enthralled in Elizabeth and Perkin’s story.

Like any young woman, Elizabeth foolishly dreamt of falling in love. Instead, she is married to a man who is unsure of his position and is drowning in paranoia. Elizabeth can say nothing as she watches Henry strengthen his hold on his throne by destroying those who were loyal to her father and King Richard. Elizabeth is acutely aware that she is useful only because of who her father was. She can bring legitimacy to Henry’s claim to the throne. However, she is not allowed to be the queen that her mother was, and at all times, Elizabeth is eclipsed by her mother-in-law. Her relationship with Lady Margaret Beaufort “My Lady the King’s Mother” is as complicated as any woven tapestry. Elizabeth is very careful in what she says and how she acts around her mother-in-law. Elizabeth is always conscious of the fact that one wrong word could be interpreted as treason. I thought Arnopp nailed this underlying fear that Elizabeth has. Elizabeth is acutely aware that she will always be considered if not quite an enemy, something rather close to it.

The torment Elizabeth faces when she realises that she has to choose a side is utterly heartbreaking. Her motherly instinct is to protect her children at all costs, but she is also Richard’s sister, and she loves him. Arnopp demonstrates the vulnerability of Elizabeth’s situation. She may be a queen, and yet, she is a queen in name only. Her marriage, although for a time she does find a certain level of contentment, is not the marriage that her father and mother had. Elizabeth is passionate, whereas Henry is reserved. Elizabeth wants love. Henry wants an heir. Elizabeth must rely upon her Plantagenet inner strength to survive the Tudor Court. Arnopp has portrayed Elizabeth’s life as one of stifled obedience. However, what Elizabeth shows the world is not who she is or what she thinks. Her courage and her determination not to appear cowed made her utterly irresistible.

I thought Arnopp brought something new to the interpretation of Henry while staying very close to the documented history. Having spent most of his life in exile, Arnopp gives us a man who is almost afraid to allow himself to be happy and to live in the moment. Henry is always looking out for the next threat. The next danger. He is also, on the face of it, a bit of a contradiction. Henry has moments of violent ruthlessness, but then when it is least expected, his actions portray him as a merciful king. However, during these apparent acts of mercy, Arnopp has depicted Henry as being very calculated. He knows exactly what he is doing at all times. It isn’t mercy. It is politics. It is survival. His treatment of Perkin Warbeck is an excellent example of his ability to get what he wants while making himself look like a god-fearing and merciful man. I thought Arnopp did a marvellous job in her portrayal of Henry VII. He is very shrewd, very determined and yet, incredibly insecure, which makes him a dangerous man to cross.

All the books I have read in this period mention the pretender, Perkin Warbeck, and although some have hinted that Perkin was indeed Richard, Duke of York, none of them have actually portrayed Perkin as Richard. I have to commend Arnopp for her brilliant depiction of Richard. Arnopp has gathered the available sources and created an immensely appealing character and one whose story seemed so plausible that I want it to be true. We watch Richard grow from a young, frightened boy to a man who feels the call of his York blood, but at the same time, he would be quite content not to go to war and to remain forever anonymous. He is a man that loves deeply and is incredibly compassionate. At times Richard is innocently naïve, but he soon realises that not everything that shines is made of gold and that promises are nothing more than empty words.

There is one more character that deserves a mention, and that is young Henry, who would grow up to be Henry VIII. Arnopp portrayed Henry as this adorable little boy who is the apple of his mother’s eye. He is such a charismatic young man with a hint of mischief in his eyes. He loses so many people that he loves at such a young age that my heart wept for him. I loved Arnopp’s portrayal of Henry. He was a little boy who loved his mother with all his heart. His capacity for love tempered with the loss and his upbringing may go some way to explain how he became the king he was.

As I lost myself in the wonders of this book, I found myself catching my breath as I witnessed the political intrigue, the scheming, and the power struggles. All of which were told from the viewpoint of a young woman and a boy who should have been king.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although fiction, the book lays out a plausible theory of the York princes in the tower. The accepted history was written by the victorious Tudors, and no one will ever know the full story. It's interesting to hypothesize what Henry VII (or his helicopter Mom, Margaret Beaufort) might do to protect the Tudor dynasty. Storylines for Perkin/Richard and Elizabeth are told in alternating chapters. Elizabeth walks a fine line between her York relatives and her Tudor husband and children. The future Henry VIII is shown as a cute and lovable kid who resembles Elizabeth's father, the late King Edward. The author gives us an interesting scene: Elizabeth's cousin Margaret picks little Henry up and gives him a kiss which he wipes off. We know that decades later, Henry has the elderly Margaret executed. Lots here for historical fiction fans.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Elizabeth of York's story is known to me, it is always poignant and sad. The author's telling of the Pretender (or Richard)'s story alternately with Elizabeth's was a different interpretation and worked well. A strong feeling of there being no "winners", on either side from the Wars of the Roses is accurate, I believe.

Judith Arnopp is a fine storyteller and always recommended to everyone who enjoys accurate historical fiction. Get your copy now!

[kathleen r. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just don't think this book had very much to say. The story of "The princes in the tower" is weakly brushed aside, and the emergence of "the boy" assumes we, the reader, know he might be the brother to Elizabeth, imprisoned as a child because he is too close to the line of succession. OK. All that is assumed history, and much has been written in factual research about this family and their odd connections to the monarchy. But assumed history is readable, and at least tries to tell a story. In this meandering tale of Elizabeth Woodville, removed from succession because of her gender, she seems to spend a huge amount of time getting well, getting dressed. And occasionally being bathed. Or having someone to tie her shoes. She is insubstantial as a woman of intrigue or mystery; more or less a factory for breeding children-and they'd better be male, or else! Interesting that now of course, we know science has determined the sex of a fetus is dependent upon the sperm, not the egg....huh. If they'd known that little bit of news, perhaps some men may not have been such prating coxcombs, but more or less genuinely concerned for the health and well being of their wives.

There is some intrigue in the presentation of "The boy". Assuming he is Richard of York, he would be the next in line, IF Henry Tudor had not appeared on the scene and overwhelmed royalist forces at Bosworth field. But that is what happened and history seems to forget the War of the Roses afterwards, at least for a time that is memorable. Until Tudor, the two families of York and Lancaster struggled bitterly for the crown, almost trading it off as a trinket to be buffed and polished but never firmly placed for any length of time, on either house.

In this telling, Elizabeth is weak and indecisive; I suspect in order to keep herself out of harm's way, she willingly turned the other cheek where the princes (her brothers) were concerned. Of course, she does have to contend with the vile Margaret Beaufort, aka, "My lady the king's mother". A martyr who refuses to go gracefully into a nunnery. Without Margaret's force, and sheer persistence, Tudor might never have gained the throne. To excuse her behavior is not to condone it, she was indeed a tormented child who was raped and forced to bear Henry, who would be her only child because of the damage she sustained during pregnancy and childbirth. At 13, she was not ready, physically, to bear a pregnancy. That apparently did not figure into the overall plan of things, much to her shame and sorrow. I can imagine her ferocity about her only son might be because she is living, over and over, the shame of that early sexual assault. He was her bargaining chip, for her entire life.

As for Henry. Also a weak and yet pious man. As portrayed in this book, he sounds rather despicable; feasting lavishly while his officers taxed the bejesus out of the Peasant's and common folk. His court dressed beautifully, his people starved and wore rags. The dichotomy is vast and of course, severe. It always was such. So my take on this Henry is that he was a mean-spirited and hypocritical tyrant who did not do anything without consulting his mother. I would think that suspect no matter what century it happened in.

Perkin Warbeck is as much a mystery now as he ever was. We see he is educated well and given many lessons in statecraft, yet when left to his own resources just before his greatest confrontation, to prove his legitimacy, he flees in terror and is shortly apprehended and summarily executed. Not much to tell. IF "The Boy" is who he is thought to be, that information has never been conclusively noted. He has become a figment of fiction and a figure of some suspect. Still, he was interesting in that he was easily convinced he could become a king, if he but wished hard enough. Not likely, from the history, but that is hindsight and conjecture.

I thought the writing was not Arnopp's best. So much detail on eating, dressing, having her hair done and being allowed to travel from one castle enclave to another to visit her children. She did suffer some severe losses when at least three of her children succumbed to disease and/or failure to thrive. We are left with the image of a sturdy young Henry 8, mournfully wishing his mother was still alive. Perhaps that is where his distorted image would later be formed, in that of a small, powerless, petulant boy, always longing for what he cannot have. Henry 8 became a monster before he died; and thousands suffered for it.
I do not read Tudor history or historical fiction for that matter without being eternally grateful that at least one Tudor turned out to be a strong and decisive leader, albeit her gender always was rather something she had to overcome, rather than enjoy. But the world is a better place for the majesty that Elizabeth I became when she ascended to the throne. That's undeniable.
I enjoyed about half of this book. But by the time I was finished, I still thought there was much to tell and not enough understood about the early times of Henry 7, the first Tudor king.

I'm rating it two stars because I think Arnopp left too much to assumption and spent way to much time of clothing, shoes and horses. Although this Tudor king was the parent of Henry 8, his best legacy was his granddaughter, Elizabeth I.
I suppose that's fodder for another book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books that are from the Tudor era.......you will love this one. A great story about Elizabeth of York...showing what she could have been like and also possibilities about Perkin Warbeck being Richard, brother of Elizabeth of York.

[Kat Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tower, a Queen, and the Ghosts of History

I’m a spiritual person — and a firm believer in karma. So when Judith Arnopp’s A Song of Sixpence: The Story of Elizabeth of York and Perkin Warbeck popped up in my feed right before my trip to Europe, I had to smile. Karma, it seems, knew exactly what I needed to pack. For those of us who slurp up historical fiction with a straw, this book does not disappoint. My Kindle kept me company with me through Amsterdam, Paris, and especially London — where I found myself walking the same echoing steps Elizabeth of York once took inside the Tower. Goosebumps doesn’t begin to describe it.

Duty, Love, and the Silent Strength of Queens
Arnopp’s storytelling breathes life into women history often pushes to the margins — queens, mothers, and daughters who shaped nations not through war or decree, but through endurance. Elizabeth of York’s sense of duty, her heartbreaks, and her quiet heroism made me tear up more than once. Loveless marriages, dangerous alliances, and impossible choices — these women bore kingdoms in their bodies and carried grief in their bones. Their fiercest battles were fought in birthing chambers, and their victories were measured in survival.

A Haunting Walk Through the Tower
Reading Arnopp’s novel before visiting the Tower of London transformed the experience. I could almost feel Elizabeth’s whisper in the wind, the soft echo of her footsteps in the halls. In the room where her two brothers — the lost princes — were once imprisoned, I joined a small, hushed group as ghostly projections and sounds brought their story to life. No one spoke; we were all caught in the spell.

History Reimagined
Arnopp’s portrayal of Elizabeth — often dismissed as meek — is refreshingly powerful. Her endurance becomes a form of resistance. The novel also highlights the formidable Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother, who gave birth at thirteen, survived widowhood and political peril, and went on to shape the very foundations of Tudor rule. By the time I stood on the Tower’s ramparts overlooking the Thames, I could see not just stone and water, but centuries of ambition, sacrifice, and love that forged a dynasty.

My Verdict
A Song of Sixpence is a haunting, heartfelt journey through one of England’s most perilous chapters — a perfect companion for travelers, dreamers, and history lovers alike. Highly recommend — especially if you plan to walk where history’s ghosts still linger.

[Kirsten Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note, I actually started this last year, and it took me a long time due to laziness/school/being tired - not necessarily due to anything wrong with the book.)

So, this is now the fourth book I've completed that deals with the relationship of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York - and the third that's from Elizabeth's pov (the fourth was Henry by Tony Riches, which is obvs from Henry's pov). Each brought a little something different. Some made me hate Henry VII. Others made me at least feel sorry for him at times. Still wanted to slap him a lot, But I digress...

This book featured a much more cynical Elizabeth of York (though not as cynical as the White Princess), along this Elizabeth was not bereft of the kindness with which we always associate with her. This ELizabeth couldn't decide whether to love or hate Henry -and i honestly couldn't blame her.

This also isn't entirely an "Elizabeth of York" book- It alternates between the pov of Elizabeth and "The Boy" who's actually Perkin Warbeck (or secretly Richard of Shrewsbury- the younger Prince in the Tower). The was they made it work is actually very interesting to me -in terms of how he was whisked away. It's made surprisingly plausible.

This was a much grittier WotR book. Every character give you a moment where you're just like "WTF is wrong with you?" It could have been a little better to Elizabeth Woodville.

All in all, though, a very good book, and one that you'll find yourself reading well into the night.

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another historical fiction novelist who believes Henry VII raped Elizabeth Plantagenet. Fabulous. 🙄

He didn't force himself on her a la White Princess, but if she feels she has to copulate with him to scotch scurrilous rumors, I'd hardly call that "willing"!

Rating: ⭐

=====

About halfway through: stopped to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (don't waste your time) and am back at it.

I kicked my rating up to ⭐⭐½ stars, because while it's the usual Judith fare, I don't think it's breaking any new ground from Pippa Gregory's book. (Except for she said Elizabeth Woodville sent Richard away and Judith says King Richard sent his nephew away.) There's no livening up the crappy life Elizabeth had...even swapping POVs with her brother doesn't seem to help.

Typical spelling/spacing/grammar issues, including "to" where "too" should be.

Of note is the choice to call Arthur's future bride "Caterina", which—while used on the Iberian peninsula—is Catalan, not Castilian (her mother's kingdom) or Aragonese (her father's). Catalunya is to the east, so there's no guarantee they would've used Caterina. That's why the generally accepted name for her (when not anglicized) is "Catalina".

=====

P259 (ebook):

His boot sinks in Cornish sand. Water, English water, floods between his toes.

Crappy-ass boots or crappy-ass editing?

Since he's supposed to be fitted and kitted to conquer England, it's probably the latter.

=====

1499 (after Edmund is born--I already forget which chapter): Elizabeth is told that there's another pretender claiming to be her cousin Edward, the Duke of Warwick.

Except that particular Edward Plantagenet was the 17th Earl of Warwick, just like the infamous Kingmaker before him. The only time Warwick was a duchy was a twenty-one year period when his great grandfather was promoted by Henry VI. Warwick resumed its original title within the peerage after Henry de Beauchamp's death, where it stands today, with the ninth earl of the fourth creation.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondrous Portrayals of the Children of York

I confess to being prompted to read this gripping historical novel by a recent television documentary on 'new evidence' coming to light concerning the fate of the Princes in the Tower - English history's most nagging mystery. I'm glad I did. Judith Arnopp's engaging storytelling drew me into this carefully researched tale of 'what ifs' to the extent that it haunted moments away from my Kindle, forcing me back to consume another chapter.

I like it when I stumble on a compelling read, and I simply had to keep going as both the characters of Elizabeth of York and her little brother Richard - the younger of the Princes in the Tower - were fleshed out. The tumult of the bloody Wars of the Roses hung over their young lives, and they were challenged to make sense of it and react as best they could - often finding themselves pawns in the political machinations of others.

In view of the revelations in the recent TV documentary, the belief that one or both of the young princes could have escaped the harrowing theory of secret murder in the Tower of London, then Arnopp's premise that pretender to King Henry VII's throne, Perkin Warbeck, was actually Prince Richard of York, is suddenly topical and a tantalising possibility. Such a sad story, told with charm and warmth, and a thoroughly riveting read.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good telling of the adult years of Elizabeth of York and her marriage to Henry Tudor. If the reader was not already familiar with the War of the Roses, and its key figures, then this novel may come across as confusing. There were lots of references to past people and events that were never discussed in depth, as if assuming that the reader was already familiar with them.
Elizabeth came across as realistic and highly conflicted. Her relationship with Tudor has always been portrayed as strained and tense, as he was suspicious of everyone, especially her- another thing that was never discussed in detail. If more time would have been given to his backstory, it may have made more sense as to why he was always so suspicious of Elizabeth and her family. It is sad to think how helpless she must have felt watching so many loved ones being executed.
The historical life of Elizabeth is a deep one, full of tragedy and change, and the novel did an ok job of bringing her, and Perkins Warbeck, to life. I wish that the author would have stuck with third person in past tense, as the first person present tense writing was a little distracting and took away from the story a bit. But the author did a great job in portraying Elizabeth as human, with conflicted feelings and a range of emotions that we can all relate to.

[Terry Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently read Judith Arnopp's latest book, about Margaret of Anjou, I was still in Wars of the Roses headspace, and had to read more. This starts a little while before Elizabeth of York (daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville) marries Henry VII as a result of his victory in battle over Richard III. Running alongside Elizabeth's trials, hopes, fears and joys as Henry's queen is the story of Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be her brother Richard, one of the two princes in the tower whose fate remains a mystery to this day.

This book made me think of Phillippa Gregory's book The White Queen, in that Ms Arnopp has chosen the storyline that Perkin Warbeck actually was Richard; I liked this. Her version is absolutely feasible, and ditto what happened to Prince Edward. In fact, not just feasible but likely.

I liked Elizabeth, I wanted to like Henry, and was pleased when they found happiness. Most interesting, also, was how Henry VIII the child was portrayed, and the differing personalities of his surviving sisters. The Mary of this book absolutely would have run off and married Henry Cavill, no problem!

Loved it. Every word.

[Ashley Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Song of Sixpence is an interesting book because it attempts to tell the story of Elizabeth of York and well known pretender to the English throne, Perkin Warbeck. The author takes the view that Perkin was one of the missing Princes in the Tower, Richard Duke of York. This would make him Elizabeth of York’s brother. He was someone she had grown up with and would have known if he was who he said he was.

I have always found Elizabeth of York’s story fascinating because it is so compelling and she experienced so much in such a short life. I think if she had lived longer then history may have turned out much differently. I did not agree with every conclusion that the author drew here but she told the story in a compelling, interesting account that made the book hard to put down. If you enjoy the Tudors or have an interest in the Wars of the Roses then you definitely need to give this book a read. I greatly enjoyed it.

[Brook Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a very shrewd and gifted author to create the "fiction" in historical fiction to leave a reader hungering for more--to give them details that keep them wondering and thinking, "What exactly WAS the truth?"

Judith Arnopp does just that in this stunning book. Not only is she a scholar of Tudor history, but the plot she weaves in this tale is plausible and brilliant. Two characters dominate this story for most of the book: Elizabeth of York, who is forced to marry the new Tudor King Henry VII and the "Boy", who makes a slick escape from the Tower of London and develops into royalty. What were the actual historical elements versus the fiction? Only God knows, but Arnopp is one heck of a storyteller who had ME convinced that her plot could have been genuine.

For anyone who loves fantastic historical fiction, this one's for you. I'll chuck it up to be one of my best reads this year.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it is the first one I read about Elizabeth and by this author. She seems to hold true to historical accounts of the people she writes about, especially Elizabeth. Which is all the more frustratring because at times I wanted to slap her into action. How can you be so forgiving of all the wrongs done to you and your family? And then when confronted with her brother act the way she did? Not even a damn hug! That was the only thing that really bothered me, her behaviour towards her brother, he already told he wasn't going to act anymore.
His story was really compelling too, I always believed that perkin was the real deal and if that is the truth it makes his ending all the more heartbreaking. All in all a really good read that was hard to put down!

[Eileen Briesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on Elizabeth and Perkin

I’ve read a lot of books about the end of the War of the Roses and the various “pretenders” to Henry VII’s crown. Perkin Warbeck has always fascinated me as I wondered if one of the princes in the tower might have survived and come back to claim his crown. And how would Elizabeth, his sister, would have reacted?
I liked the way this story played out, even though it was fiction. There was enough fact mixed in to make it plausible but then just enough fiction to make you wonder “what if.” You could empathize with both characters as they went through their journeys. And yet, there is always that doubt: Is Warbeck the lost prince, or just a pretender? We can never know.

[Quinby6696 Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction about Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV. She was a pivotal figure in 15th century England, effectively ending the Wars of the Roses by marrying the new king Henry VII the first Tudor king. By doing so she joined the Houses of York and Lancaster. She was in a difficult position when the Pretender to the throne, claiming to be her murdered brother Richard, aspired to take the throne away from her husband Henry VII. By recognizing Richard as her lost brother she would betray her own sons' claim to the English throne which she could not do. The author poses an intriguing and somewhat plausible explanation for one of the great historical mysteries - what happened to the Princes in the Tower?

[Ranjitha David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting description of Elizabeth of York’s personality and her relationship with her husband. Although Henry destroys several members of Elizabeth’s family she remains steadfast in her love and devotion towards her husband and family. This has been described as her strength and I can see how that would be fitting for a woman in the Tudor period where the men ruled and the women obeyed. Although Elizabeth’s resilience and tolerance may be viewed as a weakness in a contemporary world, the book reveals what she may have undergone and how she endured her pain and suffering with a brave face. The author has made the book a captivating and worthwhile read.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enthralling book! What would have happened if one of the 2 Princes of the Tower really did escape? Judith Arnopp tells the story of one of the Pretenders, and its tragic moral consequences for his alleged sister, the Queen. If he is acknowledged as her brother, her owns sons lose their status as Princes. Or is she ready to sacrifice her alleged brother? Judith Arnopp has very clearly shown the dilemna, so typical in those days. Another brilliant book by the author!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. Fiction of course, but great details about Elizabeth of york, wife to Henry vii. She had to marry the man behind the death of her uncle (Richard 3rd) and the kidnapping of her brothers. I do believe that person warbeck, the 'pretender' really was one of those kidnapped boys. It must of been so hard for her to live with henry and his overbearing mother.she deserves more acclaim, but as most women in that period, she was seen as less than her husband.

[Caroline Rebisz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the story of Elizabeth of York and The Pretender, her 'brother' the Duke of York. The book turns from Elizabeth's story written in the first person to the Boy written in the third person. It intricately deals with the troubles of early Tudor England and the power struggles between the old and new reigns. I would definitely recommend for lovers of history and lovers of a good story.

[Beverley Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story.

This is a fascinating story about the life and trials of Elisabeth of York. And although this is a work of fiction, I learnt a great deal about the woman who married Henry the Seventh. She comes across as a remarkable woman who suffered so much, including the loss of three children during her lifetime. Her youngest child died shortly after her own death. I can highly recommend this book, it's a great book.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another triumph!

I'm not sure why I've never heard of Judith Arnopp as I read historical fiction all the time and she is easily one of the most readable authors I've had the pleasure of finding. I loved her trilogy about Margaret Beaufort and I'll be picking up another one of her books next. I'm not sure which but I am sure it'll be illuminating and unputdownable.

[Desiree Craver · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍

Great retelling of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Love that it also had POV of Richard/Warbeck. Shows that Elizabeth may not of been the quite, unassuming Queen she is sometimes painted to be.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

What if Perkin Warbeck really was Prince Richard of York. That is the premise of the story and what a story it is. This author is right up there with the best of them. I didn't want the book to end.

[Robbi Leah Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how author uses historical facts and turns into fiction.