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The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor
England, late 1547. King Henry VIII Is dead. His fourteen-year-old daughter Elizabeth is living with the king’s widow, Catherine Parr, and her new husband, Thomas Seymour. Seymour is the brother of Henry VIII’s third wife, the late Jane Seymour, who was the mother to the now-ailing boy King.
Ambitious and dangerous, Seymour begins and overt flirtation with Elizabeth that ends with Catherine sending her away. When Catherine dies a year later and Seymour is arrested for treason soon after, a scandal explodes. Alone and in dreadful danger, Elizabeth is threatened by supporters of her half-sister, Mary, who wishes to see England return to Catholicism. She is also closely questioned by the king’s regency council due to her place in the line of succession. Was she still a virgin? Was there a child? Had she promised to marry Seymour?
Under pressure, Elizabeth shows the shrewdness and spirit she would later be famous for. She survives the scandal, but Thomas Seymour is not so lucky. The “Seymour Scandal” led Elizabeth and her advisers to create of the persona of the Virgin Queen.
On hearing of Seymour’s beheading, Elizabeth observed, “This day died a man of much wit, and very little judgment.” His fate remained with her. She would never allow her heart to rule her head again.
Ambitious and dangerous, Seymour begins and overt flirtation with Elizabeth that ends with Catherine sending her away. When Catherine dies a year later and Seymour is arrested for treason soon after, a scandal explodes. Alone and in dreadful danger, Elizabeth is threatened by supporters of her half-sister, Mary, who wishes to see England return to Catholicism. She is also closely questioned by the king’s regency council due to her place in the line of succession. Was she still a virgin? Was there a child? Had she promised to marry Seymour?
Under pressure, Elizabeth shows the shrewdness and spirit she would later be famous for. She survives the scandal, but Thomas Seymour is not so lucky. The “Seymour Scandal” led Elizabeth and her advisers to create of the persona of the Virgin Queen.
On hearing of Seymour’s beheading, Elizabeth observed, “This day died a man of much wit, and very little judgment.” His fate remained with her. She would never allow her heart to rule her head again.
355 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2015
43 people are currently reading
1853 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Norton
44 books339 followersElizabeth Norton is a British historian specialising in the queens of England and the Tudor period. She obtained an Master of Arts in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Cambridge in 2003 and a masters degree in European Archaeology from the University of Oxford in 2004.
Elizabeth Norton is the author of five non-fiction works: She Wolves, The Notorious Queens of England (The History Press, 2008), Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Obsession (Amberley, 2008), Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's True Love (Amberley, 2009), Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's Discarded Bride (Amberley, 2009) and Catherine Parr (Amberley, 2010).[2]' She is also the author of two articles: Anne of Cleves and Richmond Palace (Surrey History, 2009) [3] and Scandinavian Influences in the Late Anglo-Saxon Sculpture of Sussex (Sussex Archaeological Collections, 2009)
Elizabeth Norton is the author of five non-fiction works: She Wolves, The Notorious Queens of England (The History Press, 2008), Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Obsession (Amberley, 2008), Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's True Love (Amberley, 2009), Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's Discarded Bride (Amberley, 2009) and Catherine Parr (Amberley, 2010).[2]' She is also the author of two articles: Anne of Cleves and Richmond Palace (Surrey History, 2009) [3] and Scandinavian Influences in the Late Anglo-Saxon Sculpture of Sussex (Sussex Archaeological Collections, 2009)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
November 13, 2021
Why is it that having read I’m thinking about 10 books about QEI that I still read any book I find about her like it’s going to have a big reveal by the end?
February 25, 2016
Tudor-period aficionados are quite familiar with the machinations of Thomas Seymour and the juicy rumors/drama surrounding his advances towards Elizabeth Tudor (the future Queen Elizabeth I). Some have gone as far as to say that Elizabeth had bore a child with Thomas. These episodes aren’t, however, a major focus of her life with many books mentioning them but moving onwards quickly. Elizabeth Norton attempts to highlight these affairs in, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor: Elizabeth I, Thomas Seymour, and the Making of a Virgin Queen”.
The premise of “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is solid with its aim to focus on the interactions between Elizabeth and Thomas but sadly the execution is poor. Is Norton’s attempt to debunk myths? Perhaps it is to look at the psychological effects these events left on Elizabeth? Maybe it is merely a historical recall. Whatever it is that Norton was trying to achieve; it is missing from “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” as the text lacks a thesis, seems pointless, and is “all over the place”.
Norton’s work voids any consistency with a roller coaster-text which at some points is well-researched while other times (most of the time) reads like a historical fiction novel. “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” barely focuses on Elizabeth and Thomas and is more of a light dual-biography of the two figures during concurrent times. In fact, much of the book highlights the political maneuverings of Thomas Seymour versus their relationship at all. Basically, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is not what it claims to be.
There is also a major issue with Norton’s prose which is highly fluffy and bluntly: a whole lot of filler crap. Norton is flowery and illustrative to the point that it often feels like nothing is being said at all as she just describes fictional details. Many reviews complain about Norton’s books being stylized in this manner and “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is no exception. Not much will be learned by the reader and Norton should instead pen historical fiction (she would perform rather well).
Elaborating further on this, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is rife with speculation, assumptions, exaggerations, and “would have” and “could have” –statements. Not to mention, an overabundance of descriptions of thoughts and feelings which have no solid backing sources. Norton’s “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” sorely lacks any credibility of academic value.
On the other hand, these traits cause the pace to be quite fast making the book easy-to-read and very light resulting in a perfect introduction to those new to the topic or YA readers. Educated readers will be highly irritated, however.
The only time “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” feels memorable is during the discussion of the rumors surrounding Elizabeth giving birth to Thomas’s child. Norton attempts to mesh out myths and rumors and explain merits (or lack thereof). Sadly, this section is very brief and Norton moves on quickly. If “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” had more of this, then the text would be better tri-fold.
The final quarter of “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is noticeably stronger than the former portions of the book. Norton dives deep into Seymour’s behaviors and actions truly giving the reader a sense of his erratic nature and downfall. The problem is precisely this, though: the book becomes a Seymour biography so that the concept of presenting Thomas and Elizabeth is lost (although this makes the text useful for those seeking information regarding Seymour).
The conclusion wraps up with an epilogue concerning the outcomes of key figures and aims to heighten Elizabeth sentimentally (although it fails to firmly do so). Norton also offers some notes and bibliography.
“The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” encompasses a unique subject but Norton fails to execute it properly. The text is light, fluffy, and basically overfilled with “hot air” and speculation. Gathering from reviews of Norton’s other works; this is her speed and style. “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is only recommended for an introduction to the topic in a non-academic way (pop history) or if wanting a quick, filler read (which is how I will personally go into reading other works from the author). Otherwise, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” can be skipped.
**Please note: My rating for “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is more of a 1.5 but is rounded up to 2**
The premise of “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is solid with its aim to focus on the interactions between Elizabeth and Thomas but sadly the execution is poor. Is Norton’s attempt to debunk myths? Perhaps it is to look at the psychological effects these events left on Elizabeth? Maybe it is merely a historical recall. Whatever it is that Norton was trying to achieve; it is missing from “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” as the text lacks a thesis, seems pointless, and is “all over the place”.
Norton’s work voids any consistency with a roller coaster-text which at some points is well-researched while other times (most of the time) reads like a historical fiction novel. “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” barely focuses on Elizabeth and Thomas and is more of a light dual-biography of the two figures during concurrent times. In fact, much of the book highlights the political maneuverings of Thomas Seymour versus their relationship at all. Basically, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is not what it claims to be.
There is also a major issue with Norton’s prose which is highly fluffy and bluntly: a whole lot of filler crap. Norton is flowery and illustrative to the point that it often feels like nothing is being said at all as she just describes fictional details. Many reviews complain about Norton’s books being stylized in this manner and “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is no exception. Not much will be learned by the reader and Norton should instead pen historical fiction (she would perform rather well).
Elaborating further on this, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is rife with speculation, assumptions, exaggerations, and “would have” and “could have” –statements. Not to mention, an overabundance of descriptions of thoughts and feelings which have no solid backing sources. Norton’s “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” sorely lacks any credibility of academic value.
On the other hand, these traits cause the pace to be quite fast making the book easy-to-read and very light resulting in a perfect introduction to those new to the topic or YA readers. Educated readers will be highly irritated, however.
The only time “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” feels memorable is during the discussion of the rumors surrounding Elizabeth giving birth to Thomas’s child. Norton attempts to mesh out myths and rumors and explain merits (or lack thereof). Sadly, this section is very brief and Norton moves on quickly. If “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” had more of this, then the text would be better tri-fold.
The final quarter of “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is noticeably stronger than the former portions of the book. Norton dives deep into Seymour’s behaviors and actions truly giving the reader a sense of his erratic nature and downfall. The problem is precisely this, though: the book becomes a Seymour biography so that the concept of presenting Thomas and Elizabeth is lost (although this makes the text useful for those seeking information regarding Seymour).
The conclusion wraps up with an epilogue concerning the outcomes of key figures and aims to heighten Elizabeth sentimentally (although it fails to firmly do so). Norton also offers some notes and bibliography.
“The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” encompasses a unique subject but Norton fails to execute it properly. The text is light, fluffy, and basically overfilled with “hot air” and speculation. Gathering from reviews of Norton’s other works; this is her speed and style. “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is only recommended for an introduction to the topic in a non-academic way (pop history) or if wanting a quick, filler read (which is how I will personally go into reading other works from the author). Otherwise, “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” can be skipped.
**Please note: My rating for “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is more of a 1.5 but is rounded up to 2**
May 22, 2023
Very well written.
I love Tudor language and there were loads of quotes.
Mainly about Thomas Seymour, not seduction. An interesting biography.
I would have liked more about King Edward VI.
I loved all the detail about servants and piracy.
I felt for Katherine Parr as she was shoved out of the way by Somerset's wife and in that she loved her many step children.
I learned a lot. One thing I learned is the safety net of the letter by Edward VI to ensure Seymour wasn't unlawful in his marriage to Catherine Parr.
I love Tudor language and there were loads of quotes.
Mainly about Thomas Seymour, not seduction. An interesting biography.
I would have liked more about King Edward VI.
I loved all the detail about servants and piracy.
I felt for Katherine Parr as she was shoved out of the way by Somerset's wife and in that she loved her many step children.
I learned a lot. One thing I learned is the safety net of the letter by Edward VI to ensure Seymour wasn't unlawful in his marriage to Catherine Parr.
May 3, 2022
I loved it. Mainly because I am happy to have all the details of this period of Elizabeth's life assembled in one place along with all the citations (I am deep into my Regina trilogy and there are a couple of pieces I didn't realize - like the fact that this was when Elizabeth Fitzgerald came into Elizabeth's household). I also love non-fiction that reads as smoothly and compellingly as fiction - though without the character arcs of course. I've read some reviews that say Norton should just go on and write a novel, but I look at Allison Weir's example and say "please no" (I love Weir's non-fiction but am only "meh" about her novels).
May 1, 2016
I’m glad to read a book focused on Thomas Seymour. I’ve read about his marriage to Queen Katherine, his flirtations (especially the one with Elizabeth), his business dealings, relationship with his nephew the king and his eventual demise through the many volumes on Elizabeth and the Tudors. This short volume puts it all together such that a more accurate title would be “The Tempter of Elizabeth Tudor”.
There is a lot here that, while it may not be new, was new to me. For instance the details of Seymour’s financial rape of Katherine; Seymour’s involvement with counterfeiting and the particulars of the way his brother humiliated him inclusive of the seizure of Katherine’s jewels.
I don’t know the authenticity of the sources that Norton uses to document items like Katherine’s catching Seymour and Elizabeth in an embrace and other signs a reciprocal relationship. She does discuss the motives of those who enter into the historical record that Elizabeth is the reported (masked) woman in labor whose new born was thrown into a fire by a nobleman in an opulent home. She does not give any detail on those who claim that Elizabeth had a baby that lived.
One item that caught my eye, was the famous dress cutting scene. As I remember it from (library books and this is Saturday night) other tellings, that Seymour cut Elizabeth’s dress with scissors with Katherine holding her. In this telling he uses his SWORD! To me, this is not a flirtation (neither, really, is the other version); it's an assault, on both Katherine and Elizabeth. Perhaps there was a rape of Elizabeth; hence, Katherine’s favorable treatment of Elizabeth and the silence of others.
I recommend this for those who want a short quick read on Thomas Seymour.
There is a lot here that, while it may not be new, was new to me. For instance the details of Seymour’s financial rape of Katherine; Seymour’s involvement with counterfeiting and the particulars of the way his brother humiliated him inclusive of the seizure of Katherine’s jewels.
I don’t know the authenticity of the sources that Norton uses to document items like Katherine’s catching Seymour and Elizabeth in an embrace and other signs a reciprocal relationship. She does discuss the motives of those who enter into the historical record that Elizabeth is the reported (masked) woman in labor whose new born was thrown into a fire by a nobleman in an opulent home. She does not give any detail on those who claim that Elizabeth had a baby that lived.
One item that caught my eye, was the famous dress cutting scene. As I remember it from (library books and this is Saturday night) other tellings, that Seymour cut Elizabeth’s dress with scissors with Katherine holding her. In this telling he uses his SWORD! To me, this is not a flirtation (neither, really, is the other version); it's an assault, on both Katherine and Elizabeth. Perhaps there was a rape of Elizabeth; hence, Katherine’s favorable treatment of Elizabeth and the silence of others.
I recommend this for those who want a short quick read on Thomas Seymour.
January 26, 2016
"The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor" has no idea what it is. Is it a biography of Thomas Seymour? The final lines of the book, taking us mentally back to Seymour, would suggest as much. Is it a deeper investigation of the Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour scandal? The book suggests this with the title, but goes heavily off this theme throughout the book. It is a novel, as the author repeatedly characterizes the behavior of people without having a factual reference for them? (She says Elizabeth spoke "timidly," at one point, just as an example.)
The upshot: I still don't know what this book is trying to say. It's a pop history that really doesn't forward my understanding of the Seymour scandal, but seems to be a rehash of already acknowledged facts.
The upshot: I still don't know what this book is trying to say. It's a pop history that really doesn't forward my understanding of the Seymour scandal, but seems to be a rehash of already acknowledged facts.
March 2, 2019
This came off as a Thomas Seymour biography instead of an Elizabeth Tudor one. The author seemed to forget about Elizabeth for chapters at a time while going over Thomas's various dealings. She also glossed over the abusive aspects of the situation by claiming that Elizabeth was attracted to him and didn't technically say no but also he was a good guy. No he was an adult who took advantage of a CHILD. He knew he had a position of power over her and he took advantage of it. He also got his wife and Elizabeth's mistress to somehow think it was okay when it was. Her final paragraph pissed me off where she bragged that 'no other man climbed into her bed or ripped her dress.' That is not something to be proud of. He came into her bed without permission and tore up her gown in public while his wife held her arms back. That is assault and your chapters and chapters of delving into his characters doesn't excuse that. What she should have done was talk about the difficult position all women were placed in at the time and how this may have influenced Elizabeth as an adult. That her own parents were in a relationship that was an abuse of power as King Henry pursued Anne Boleyn with no care for the position she was in and how she couldn't say no. But instead the author used this opportunity to wax poetry about the lovely character of Thomas Seymour and how he was probably the biggest romantic influence of her life. This will very much influence how/if I read her further work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2022
The title of this book suggests it is a deep dive into a strange and dangerous incident in the future queen's teenage years. It is well known that Sir Thomas Seymour, brother of the late Queen Jane Seymour, uncle of King Edward VI, and husband of Queen Katherine Parr widow of Henry VIII, tried to seduce Princess Elizabeth Tudor aged 14 at the time.
It is good to remember that at this time 14 was marriageable age and 16 the age of majority, and a large age gap was a common thing among the gentry. It was also common for a man to marry his ward. While it was marriageable age, Elizabeth was of royal blood, and as such a political bargaining chip for her brother, and could never marry without his, and the Privy Council's permission, hardly likely to be given Thomas as the leader of the Council, and Lord Protector of the king, was Thomas's estranged brother Edward Seymour.
The incident happened at Sudeley House, the home of Katherine and Thomas. Both Elizabeth and Jane Grey were living with them. Jane was 11 or 12 at the time, and Katherine was pregnant at the time. It began innocently, maybe. Thomas began visiting Elizabeth early in the morning, before she was out of bed, and he was dressed only in a nightshirt or robe. Then he began tickling her, and slapping her on the buttocks. While Elizabeth was not alone in her bedroom, it was still inappropriate and scandalous. To make it look better he began to bring Katherine with him, and I think she really thought it innocent at first. Eventually Elizabeth began to get up early and be completely dressed when Thomas came to the door and finally he stopped coming. However there were some other incidents and finally Katherine sent Elizabeth away to separate the two.
This book gives the fullest accout I've read, and I've read a lot about it in books about Elizabeth, but the incident was too short to take up an entire book. Here, Norton really does an excellent job of writing a very full biography of Thomas Seymour and I think you should read it as such. I learned alot about the foolish admiral here.
So, I recommend this book as both a thorough account of this disturbing incident in Elizabeth's life, and a very full biography of Thomas Seymour, a fascinating man in a time of many fascinating people.
It is good to remember that at this time 14 was marriageable age and 16 the age of majority, and a large age gap was a common thing among the gentry. It was also common for a man to marry his ward. While it was marriageable age, Elizabeth was of royal blood, and as such a political bargaining chip for her brother, and could never marry without his, and the Privy Council's permission, hardly likely to be given Thomas as the leader of the Council, and Lord Protector of the king, was Thomas's estranged brother Edward Seymour.
The incident happened at Sudeley House, the home of Katherine and Thomas. Both Elizabeth and Jane Grey were living with them. Jane was 11 or 12 at the time, and Katherine was pregnant at the time. It began innocently, maybe. Thomas began visiting Elizabeth early in the morning, before she was out of bed, and he was dressed only in a nightshirt or robe. Then he began tickling her, and slapping her on the buttocks. While Elizabeth was not alone in her bedroom, it was still inappropriate and scandalous. To make it look better he began to bring Katherine with him, and I think she really thought it innocent at first. Eventually Elizabeth began to get up early and be completely dressed when Thomas came to the door and finally he stopped coming. However there were some other incidents and finally Katherine sent Elizabeth away to separate the two.
This book gives the fullest accout I've read, and I've read a lot about it in books about Elizabeth, but the incident was too short to take up an entire book. Here, Norton really does an excellent job of writing a very full biography of Thomas Seymour and I think you should read it as such. I learned alot about the foolish admiral here.
So, I recommend this book as both a thorough account of this disturbing incident in Elizabeth's life, and a very full biography of Thomas Seymour, a fascinating man in a time of many fascinating people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
It's astonishing to me the lengths people will go to in order to attain power and then ultimately fail.
The reward for such audacity in Tudor times was a gruesome death, which in my opinion should have put people off such an endeavour, but apparently not.
I wouldn't say, from reading this book, that Thomas Seymour was the Temptation of Elizabeth, more like a ruthless, manipulative and abusive man who wanted to use her for his own gain.
It was an interesting read. A little dry in places, lots of facts and dates to digest. I have an interest in history, so didn't mind so much. The three stars is for the continuous diluting of Thomas Seymour's behaviour toward Elizabeth, both by the author and also the historical records of the time. It irritated me quite a bit. On a personal level. However, as a glimpse into the lives during Tudor times it cannot be faulted.
The reward for such audacity in Tudor times was a gruesome death, which in my opinion should have put people off such an endeavour, but apparently not.
I wouldn't say, from reading this book, that Thomas Seymour was the Temptation of Elizabeth, more like a ruthless, manipulative and abusive man who wanted to use her for his own gain.
It was an interesting read. A little dry in places, lots of facts and dates to digest. I have an interest in history, so didn't mind so much. The three stars is for the continuous diluting of Thomas Seymour's behaviour toward Elizabeth, both by the author and also the historical records of the time. It irritated me quite a bit. On a personal level. However, as a glimpse into the lives during Tudor times it cannot be faulted.
September 28, 2021
Aesthetically speaking I really do like the book cover! It drew me in but after reading this I can't help but be a tad disappointed as the book's title is very misleading!
If the audiences are expecting an interpretation explaining the lead-up to the scandal involving Thomas Seymour and Princess Elizabeth to be through the Princess' eyes herself you're gonna be disappointed!
Instead, it's an account of Thomas Seymour's biography beginning at the last couple weeks of King Henry VIII's life and then death, his attempt to marry both Princess Mary and Elizabeth, only to marry Dowager Queen Catherine Parr, and then everything going downhill from there.
I know women back then had little say or rights back then but his behaviour towards teenage Princess Elizabeth is sickening, to his own stepdaughter and for a long time her own Step Mother Catherine Parr didn't believe what was happening: perhaps she was blinded by love? Perhaps she didn't want to see the truth? Eventually, she DID send Elizabeth away.
I didn't know that at one point Princess Mary offered her own household for her half-sister and her household to live with her own estate (me thinking that would have prevented the scandal entirely if Elizabeth chose this path)
Do I believe that Elizabeth lost her virginity to Thomas Seymour? No, I don't, I think it's more likely Robert Dudley is the more likely due to the closeness of their "friendship" but it's completely understandable why Elizabeth was against marriage throughout her entire life, who can blame her?
Especially in the 16th Century! When the women's main role is to give birth to future heirs and lose their independence (what little do they have of it) in favour of their husbands? Elizabeth never forgot what happened to her mother and saw what her own father did to her stepmother Catherine Howard.
She had learnt from the mistakes of others and her own scandal involving Thomas Seymour, her half sister's disastrous marriage to King Philip II of Spain to the unpopular opinion of England's citizens, yet Parliament preferred a male soverign. So it's no wonder Elizabeth found political means to keep her crown by creating "The Virgin Queen" that defined her for the rest of her life throughout her reign and beyond it. She WAS the son that her father, King Henry VIII had always wanted, too bad he never saw it for himself.
If the audiences are expecting an interpretation explaining the lead-up to the scandal involving Thomas Seymour and Princess Elizabeth to be through the Princess' eyes herself you're gonna be disappointed!
Instead, it's an account of Thomas Seymour's biography beginning at the last couple weeks of King Henry VIII's life and then death, his attempt to marry both Princess Mary and Elizabeth, only to marry Dowager Queen Catherine Parr, and then everything going downhill from there.
I know women back then had little say or rights back then but his behaviour towards teenage Princess Elizabeth is sickening, to his own stepdaughter and for a long time her own Step Mother Catherine Parr didn't believe what was happening: perhaps she was blinded by love? Perhaps she didn't want to see the truth? Eventually, she DID send Elizabeth away.
I didn't know that at one point Princess Mary offered her own household for her half-sister and her household to live with her own estate (me thinking that would have prevented the scandal entirely if Elizabeth chose this path)
Do I believe that Elizabeth lost her virginity to Thomas Seymour? No, I don't, I think it's more likely Robert Dudley is the more likely due to the closeness of their "friendship" but it's completely understandable why Elizabeth was against marriage throughout her entire life, who can blame her?
Especially in the 16th Century! When the women's main role is to give birth to future heirs and lose their independence (what little do they have of it) in favour of their husbands? Elizabeth never forgot what happened to her mother and saw what her own father did to her stepmother Catherine Howard.
She had learnt from the mistakes of others and her own scandal involving Thomas Seymour, her half sister's disastrous marriage to King Philip II of Spain to the unpopular opinion of England's citizens, yet Parliament preferred a male soverign. So it's no wonder Elizabeth found political means to keep her crown by creating "The Virgin Queen" that defined her for the rest of her life throughout her reign and beyond it. She WAS the son that her father, King Henry VIII had always wanted, too bad he never saw it for himself.
July 10, 2017
This book by Elizabeth Norton seemed to have great promise. I’d never read any of her books in the past, so I didn’t have any expectations other than what I’d inferred from reading the cover of the book, and from that I thought this would be a rainy afternoon read that I could really get my teeth into. I’d imagined a fiction story based on true events – such as Lucy Worsley’s Eliza Rose – but I couldn’t have been more wrong! This is also down to the fact that I found this book in The Works with the fiction books, when I am sure it shouldn’t have been.
I really really REALLY did not enjoy this book.
That is not to say the book is bad of course, but I felt a bit misled, and the book itself was nothing that I’d suggest was an enjoyable book.
I had expected a book on Elizabeth Tudor and Thomas Seymour’s relationship from her younger years to his death. The time frame was correct, but the plot was wrong. This book was definitely more about Seymour, and that is not what I wanted. Every bit of the promise of the book – for me – was highly suggestive of it being about Elizabeth – from the blurb to the image of Elizabeth herself on the cover. In reality it was just a biography of what Thomas got up to for a few years of his life, which I ultimately discovered was boring as hell!
Once I’d gotten over the fact that the book wasn’t going to be about what I’d hoped, I tried to remain open-minded. But even the way it was written rattled my cage.
It’s partially my fault for picking this book before I had really looked at what it was going to be like – all the references and the 40+ page long bibliography! – but it had promise from the outside, the inside was really disappointing for me! Especially as much of the book was speculation rather than fact, as though the author wasn’t sure what had actually happened and didn’t want to commit to any facts.
I do have to commend the length of research that the author must have undertaken in order to write the book, but in my opinion it’s better suited to a history textbook!
So to recap – I won’t accidentally be purchasing any more non-fiction books (even if they look and sound like fiction books) as I get easily bored and endlessly cross, and then it takes me t h r e e weeks to finish the damn thing.
I really really REALLY did not enjoy this book.
That is not to say the book is bad of course, but I felt a bit misled, and the book itself was nothing that I’d suggest was an enjoyable book.
I had expected a book on Elizabeth Tudor and Thomas Seymour’s relationship from her younger years to his death. The time frame was correct, but the plot was wrong. This book was definitely more about Seymour, and that is not what I wanted. Every bit of the promise of the book – for me – was highly suggestive of it being about Elizabeth – from the blurb to the image of Elizabeth herself on the cover. In reality it was just a biography of what Thomas got up to for a few years of his life, which I ultimately discovered was boring as hell!
Once I’d gotten over the fact that the book wasn’t going to be about what I’d hoped, I tried to remain open-minded. But even the way it was written rattled my cage.
It’s partially my fault for picking this book before I had really looked at what it was going to be like – all the references and the 40+ page long bibliography! – but it had promise from the outside, the inside was really disappointing for me! Especially as much of the book was speculation rather than fact, as though the author wasn’t sure what had actually happened and didn’t want to commit to any facts.
I do have to commend the length of research that the author must have undertaken in order to write the book, but in my opinion it’s better suited to a history textbook!
So to recap – I won’t accidentally be purchasing any more non-fiction books (even if they look and sound like fiction books) as I get easily bored and endlessly cross, and then it takes me t h r e e weeks to finish the damn thing.
April 4, 2017
I received this as a Goodreads First Read. I wish I had enjoyed it more. I think someone with more background knowledge of the Tudors and Seymours might have liked this more and gotten more out of it. There were so many people introduced throughout that it was hard to keep track of everyone. I wonder if they were all essential to the story.
I also expected it to be more about Elizabeth I than Thomas Seymour. It didn't really get into the making of the Virgin Queen as much as I'd hoped and expected.
I am glad that I read the whole book as it improved in the later half. It felt a little more focused as well.
I wish I could give this 2.5 stars.
I also expected it to be more about Elizabeth I than Thomas Seymour. It didn't really get into the making of the Virgin Queen as much as I'd hoped and expected.
I am glad that I read the whole book as it improved in the later half. It felt a little more focused as well.
I wish I could give this 2.5 stars.
October 22, 2015
Author Elizabeth Norton has written a fact-based lively history concerning Queen Elizabeth I. Her book reads much like a novel, thanks to her delightful writing, while providing fact.
What I liked most about her book was the end notes that offered citations, and when needed, brief historical tidbits offering historical perspective.
Recommend.
Review written after downloading a galley from Edelweiss.
What I liked most about her book was the end notes that offered citations, and when needed, brief historical tidbits offering historical perspective.
Recommend.
Review written after downloading a galley from Edelweiss.
December 20, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. I usually inhale Tudor period books whether fiction or non-fiction, but this one couldn't keep me going. I don't know if it was the heavy focus on Thomas Seymour instead of Elizabeth, or if it was just the length at which Norton was taking to get to the meat of her thesis. Lots of minute details for those looking for that kind of thing.
May 7, 2022
Wow. This author passes off a lot of her own opinions as if it's documented history. Bad form, in my opinion, and lends less credit to the rest of her quotes and claims.
May 11, 2016
Disclaimer: This book might be a bit dry if you're not obsessively into British history.
I've always been fascinated by Elizabeth l; her early life was far from easy despite being the daughter of the formidable Henry Vlll. Her mother, Anne Boleyn was beheaded when she was a child. Elizabeth was then relegated to veritable second class citizenship as a result; living better than most in the kingdom but always having less than her sister Princess Mary (daughter of Henry and Queen Catherine of Aragon). Elizabeth's keen mind and facility with languages set her apart; though never vaunted as a beauty her sharp features and always assessing stoic brown eyes were commented on by those who met her. Undoubtedly her troubled start in life led her to develop a wariness and cunning to ensure she was always a step ahead of any potential threat.
Before Elizabeth became the fabled 'Virgin Queen' (aka Gloriana) who ushered in the Golden Age she was a young woman who desperately needed guidance and protection. She was never hapless, however; she was a quick study and realized when games were being played and when people were trying to manipulate her as they would a pawn. She rather enjoyed these little head to heads; always rising to the occasion she'd outsmart others with a quip written with her quill .
Thomas Seymour was rakish, attractive and many women desired him but he set his sights on the young Elizabeth. While proof exists that their attraction was indeed mutual the avaricious Seymour wanted to become king and felt marrying Elizabeth was the ticket. Seymour had a torrid affair with Elizabeth's beloved stepmom, Henry Vlll's widow Catherine Parr. They hid their affair for a while so as not to upset Seymour's brother, Lord Protector (of Henry's only son, Edward) Somerset.
Catherine kindly agreed to take Elizabeth into her household as they got on well and Catherine, being childless herself, felt a maternal obligation to help the young orphaned princess. Seymour proceeded to creepily sneak into Elizabeth's bedchambers and.. 'slap her playfully on the buttocks'.
The modern reader BE LIKE 'LOL WUT.'
Being a young woman she enjoyed the attention in a way, was flattered and attracted but also torn by her loyalty and love to her stepmother Catherine (Seymour's clueless wife!) This created a wedge in their relationship later on; Parr suspected SHENANIGANS and well, she saw what her creepy husband was up to. Parr then sent Elizabeth to live with her own sister as a remedy for this. Not helping things was Kate Ashley, the instigator I mean main lady who waited on Elizabeth. She was older yet not wiser; weirdly she encouraged this...weirdness between Seymour and Lizzie. But! she shirked her primary duty to protect the honor of Lizzie. Inexplicably Kate Ashley (**dramatic aside: I kept thinking of RICK ASTLEY when i saw her name. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP! NEVER FONNA LET YOU DOWN!" Rickrolled. IN MY HEAD**) never did get canned for being remiss in her job. Maybe she had nude photos of important people #BLACKMAIL
Elizabeth missed her stepmother and after a series of impassioned missives was taken back into the fold with Catherine Parr. Parr gave birth to a baby girl (somewhat miraculously given her advanced maternal age and not bearing children in any of her other marriages) Sadly she succumbed to fever, common postpartum issue in that era. Seymour continued his not so subtle overtures to wed Elizabeth. His backup plan included several bold attempts to kidnap his nephew, King Edward (Elizabeth's half brother) . Seymour, ever the wily coyote reasoned that if he had physical custody of Edward he'd have the power. These attempts were seen as treasonous of course.
Seymour's contentious relationship with his older brother, Lord Protector Somerset is featured in great detail. It's all salient, as his anger at his brother's conservatorship over Edward seemed to fuel his attempts to manipulate Elizabeth's affections in his favor. A man with a plan.. or three.
Seymour's scurrilous character spilled over into his daily dealings as well. He started a shady fake currency side gig by employing the help of a man to crank out false royal coins. The operation flourished until they got caught. Also. Seymour greedily started to cash on on piracy. Did he share the spoils with His Majesty? HELL NO. I'm pretty sure Seymour was a psychopath. Solid.
The part of the book that went into a bit of detail (not as fun) was the back and forth where Elizabeth was repeatedly questioned about Seymour trying to marry her without the Council's (the people who run the show at court) express permission. Imagine a young, educated but unwordly woman (Elizabeth never did leave England once. Fun fact!) being interrogated by seasoned officers to admit wrongdoing. She never broke once. This was the glimmer of the stoic, measured character that would later take the throne. It seems despite her mother's memory living on in ignominy Elizabeth never let others forget she was royalty, Henry's daughter. Fake it till you make it kind of shit. YISS!
Seymour fared a little worse; he was thrown into the Tower and so was Kate Ashley. Even when they started talking Lizzie said NOT HEARING IT NOTHING HAPPENING OVER HERE.
So that part was fun, just a little dry in the back and forth toward the end of the book.
I read another book on Elizabeth by Norton (during the years of her reign) and she's a thorough, solid researcher. This is the first book I have read on the years before her reign; I knew of her dalliance with Seymour I did not know much detail though.
There were some rumors the flirtation between the two led to an illegitimate child; Norton investigates this and it's riveting. Some folk lore about a midwife being blindfolded, taken to the estate of someone who clearly had money- and (gross warning here) delivering a baby blindfolded and being asked to cast it into a fire. JESUS . But apparently people though this was Lizzie, giving birth the Seymour's baby in secret so as not to besmirch her name and future as a royal.
Norton concludes it is likely this did indeed happen but we cannot definitively say it was the child of Elizabeth.
Also, this time period establishes Elizabeth as a contended; she holds her own with seasoned, intimidating interrogators. She also issues a little payback to some enemies once she takes the throne (bad ass) and she even uses her wit to entreaty her moody half sister, Princess Mary (in what is now known as the famous 'Tide Letter') to not execute her since Mary was a little crazy, creepy and paranoid. Once again. Lizzie is saved by her cunning.
A worthwhile book if you are interested in how Elizabeth developed her grit.
I've always been fascinated by Elizabeth l; her early life was far from easy despite being the daughter of the formidable Henry Vlll. Her mother, Anne Boleyn was beheaded when she was a child. Elizabeth was then relegated to veritable second class citizenship as a result; living better than most in the kingdom but always having less than her sister Princess Mary (daughter of Henry and Queen Catherine of Aragon). Elizabeth's keen mind and facility with languages set her apart; though never vaunted as a beauty her sharp features and always assessing stoic brown eyes were commented on by those who met her. Undoubtedly her troubled start in life led her to develop a wariness and cunning to ensure she was always a step ahead of any potential threat.
Before Elizabeth became the fabled 'Virgin Queen' (aka Gloriana) who ushered in the Golden Age she was a young woman who desperately needed guidance and protection. She was never hapless, however; she was a quick study and realized when games were being played and when people were trying to manipulate her as they would a pawn. She rather enjoyed these little head to heads; always rising to the occasion she'd outsmart others with a quip written with her quill .
Thomas Seymour was rakish, attractive and many women desired him but he set his sights on the young Elizabeth. While proof exists that their attraction was indeed mutual the avaricious Seymour wanted to become king and felt marrying Elizabeth was the ticket. Seymour had a torrid affair with Elizabeth's beloved stepmom, Henry Vlll's widow Catherine Parr. They hid their affair for a while so as not to upset Seymour's brother, Lord Protector (of Henry's only son, Edward) Somerset.
Catherine kindly agreed to take Elizabeth into her household as they got on well and Catherine, being childless herself, felt a maternal obligation to help the young orphaned princess. Seymour proceeded to creepily sneak into Elizabeth's bedchambers and.. 'slap her playfully on the buttocks'.
The modern reader BE LIKE 'LOL WUT.'
Being a young woman she enjoyed the attention in a way, was flattered and attracted but also torn by her loyalty and love to her stepmother Catherine (Seymour's clueless wife!) This created a wedge in their relationship later on; Parr suspected SHENANIGANS and well, she saw what her creepy husband was up to. Parr then sent Elizabeth to live with her own sister as a remedy for this. Not helping things was Kate Ashley, the instigator I mean main lady who waited on Elizabeth. She was older yet not wiser; weirdly she encouraged this...weirdness between Seymour and Lizzie. But! she shirked her primary duty to protect the honor of Lizzie. Inexplicably Kate Ashley (**dramatic aside: I kept thinking of RICK ASTLEY when i saw her name. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP! NEVER FONNA LET YOU DOWN!" Rickrolled. IN MY HEAD**) never did get canned for being remiss in her job. Maybe she had nude photos of important people #BLACKMAIL
Elizabeth missed her stepmother and after a series of impassioned missives was taken back into the fold with Catherine Parr. Parr gave birth to a baby girl (somewhat miraculously given her advanced maternal age and not bearing children in any of her other marriages) Sadly she succumbed to fever, common postpartum issue in that era. Seymour continued his not so subtle overtures to wed Elizabeth. His backup plan included several bold attempts to kidnap his nephew, King Edward (Elizabeth's half brother) . Seymour, ever the wily coyote reasoned that if he had physical custody of Edward he'd have the power. These attempts were seen as treasonous of course.
Seymour's contentious relationship with his older brother, Lord Protector Somerset is featured in great detail. It's all salient, as his anger at his brother's conservatorship over Edward seemed to fuel his attempts to manipulate Elizabeth's affections in his favor. A man with a plan.. or three.
Seymour's scurrilous character spilled over into his daily dealings as well. He started a shady fake currency side gig by employing the help of a man to crank out false royal coins. The operation flourished until they got caught. Also. Seymour greedily started to cash on on piracy. Did he share the spoils with His Majesty? HELL NO. I'm pretty sure Seymour was a psychopath. Solid.
The part of the book that went into a bit of detail (not as fun) was the back and forth where Elizabeth was repeatedly questioned about Seymour trying to marry her without the Council's (the people who run the show at court) express permission. Imagine a young, educated but unwordly woman (Elizabeth never did leave England once. Fun fact!) being interrogated by seasoned officers to admit wrongdoing. She never broke once. This was the glimmer of the stoic, measured character that would later take the throne. It seems despite her mother's memory living on in ignominy Elizabeth never let others forget she was royalty, Henry's daughter. Fake it till you make it kind of shit. YISS!
Seymour fared a little worse; he was thrown into the Tower and so was Kate Ashley. Even when they started talking Lizzie said NOT HEARING IT NOTHING HAPPENING OVER HERE.
So that part was fun, just a little dry in the back and forth toward the end of the book.
I read another book on Elizabeth by Norton (during the years of her reign) and she's a thorough, solid researcher. This is the first book I have read on the years before her reign; I knew of her dalliance with Seymour I did not know much detail though.
There were some rumors the flirtation between the two led to an illegitimate child; Norton investigates this and it's riveting. Some folk lore about a midwife being blindfolded, taken to the estate of someone who clearly had money- and (gross warning here) delivering a baby blindfolded and being asked to cast it into a fire. JESUS . But apparently people though this was Lizzie, giving birth the Seymour's baby in secret so as not to besmirch her name and future as a royal.
Norton concludes it is likely this did indeed happen but we cannot definitively say it was the child of Elizabeth.
Also, this time period establishes Elizabeth as a contended; she holds her own with seasoned, intimidating interrogators. She also issues a little payback to some enemies once she takes the throne (bad ass) and she even uses her wit to entreaty her moody half sister, Princess Mary (in what is now known as the famous 'Tide Letter') to not execute her since Mary was a little crazy, creepy and paranoid. Once again. Lizzie is saved by her cunning.
A worthwhile book if you are interested in how Elizabeth developed her grit.
June 29, 2022
A rather enjoyable, quick read to brush up on an interesting time in Queen Elizabeth’s life while she was still a princess. Norton’s writing is accessible and remains fun and factual throughout!
June 11, 2022
Look! It's a bunch of red flags sewn into the shape of a person and brought, Frankenstein-like, to a semblance of life!
Seriously, though, that's pretty much what this book is. The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor: Elizabeth I, Thomas Seymour, and the Making of a Virgin Queen is mostly a biography of Thomas Seymour - brother of Jane Seymour and uncle of King Edward VI - with an emphasis on his supposed 'courting' of Elizabeth Tudor. That makes the title versus the content of the book somewhat confusing, which doesn't help its case but is hardly unforgiveable. What I absolutely HATED about this book, though, is the framing as if it were some romantic almost-interlude between star-crossed lovers. Despite the romance-novel-esque title, that is not the case.
Just based on the facts recounted in this book, Thomas Seymour was a borderline abusive, greedy, entitled predator of a man. He began sexually harassing a fourteen year old Elizabeth while she was staying with her stepmother, Dowager Queen Catherine Parr, which Catherine ignored and later blamed Elizabeth for and which Elizabeth couldn't do much about. Seymour was her stepmother's husband, and because of that couldn't be barred from anywhere in the household. Elizabeth herself couldn't leave because she was considered too young to have her own household and didn't have anywhere else to go. Additionally, she likely would have feared offending and alienating the uncle of her brother, the king, who very much adored Thomas Seymour even if she decided to make public how uncomfortable she was with the attention. The latter she was unlikely to do both due to the likelihood of impeding her ability to survive and support herself and due to the likelihood that his attentions would be blamed on her (that she was 'tempting him,' which is exactly what happened when things eventually did come to light). And all of this happened while Elizabeth was considered not yet a woman EVEN BY THE STANDARDS OF THE 1500S. Even after she established her own household and Dowager Queen Catherine died, what comes across clearly in all quotes from Elizabeth herself is 'I'm not interested; leave me alone.' Even when Seymour used rumor to try to force Elizabeth into marrying him to save her reputation, what comes across is gold-digging sleaze (on his behalf) and politicking (on hers), not love. Despite the author's desperate attempt to frame this as a romance, that is clearly a gross mischaracterization.
All in all, I hated this book. I forced myself to read to the end so I could review it in good conscience, but it is a book that I did not enjoy, learned little from, am glad I borrowed (and didn't waste money on), and would not recommend. I would offer an anti-recommendation, actually: skip this book. It's not worth it.
Seriously, though, that's pretty much what this book is. The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor: Elizabeth I, Thomas Seymour, and the Making of a Virgin Queen is mostly a biography of Thomas Seymour - brother of Jane Seymour and uncle of King Edward VI - with an emphasis on his supposed 'courting' of Elizabeth Tudor. That makes the title versus the content of the book somewhat confusing, which doesn't help its case but is hardly unforgiveable. What I absolutely HATED about this book, though, is the framing as if it were some romantic almost-interlude between star-crossed lovers. Despite the romance-novel-esque title, that is not the case.
Just based on the facts recounted in this book, Thomas Seymour was a borderline abusive, greedy, entitled predator of a man. He began sexually harassing a fourteen year old Elizabeth while she was staying with her stepmother, Dowager Queen Catherine Parr, which Catherine ignored and later blamed Elizabeth for and which Elizabeth couldn't do much about. Seymour was her stepmother's husband, and because of that couldn't be barred from anywhere in the household. Elizabeth herself couldn't leave because she was considered too young to have her own household and didn't have anywhere else to go. Additionally, she likely would have feared offending and alienating the uncle of her brother, the king, who very much adored Thomas Seymour even if she decided to make public how uncomfortable she was with the attention. The latter she was unlikely to do both due to the likelihood of impeding her ability to survive and support herself and due to the likelihood that his attentions would be blamed on her (that she was 'tempting him,' which is exactly what happened when things eventually did come to light). And all of this happened while Elizabeth was considered not yet a woman EVEN BY THE STANDARDS OF THE 1500S. Even after she established her own household and Dowager Queen Catherine died, what comes across clearly in all quotes from Elizabeth herself is 'I'm not interested; leave me alone.' Even when Seymour used rumor to try to force Elizabeth into marrying him to save her reputation, what comes across is gold-digging sleaze (on his behalf) and politicking (on hers), not love. Despite the author's desperate attempt to frame this as a romance, that is clearly a gross mischaracterization.
All in all, I hated this book. I forced myself to read to the end so I could review it in good conscience, but it is a book that I did not enjoy, learned little from, am glad I borrowed (and didn't waste money on), and would not recommend. I would offer an anti-recommendation, actually: skip this book. It's not worth it.
March 8, 2017
I don’t think “The Temptation of Elizabeth” is the right title for this book – “Young Elizabeth: Trial By Fire” might be a more accurate sum up of this period in Elizabeth’s life.
This book shows in detail how much she was never tempted to give in to Seymour’s wolfish charms – she knew she was in danger from beginning to end, and never had a moment of down time away from intense scrutiny on all sides to catch her breath.
This is an important but painful read, to see a classic case of sexual assault examined under a microscope. It’s so classic its cliché – the older relative taking advantage, the confusion of the victim of how to handle an authority figure doing something wrong, the victim blaming, the secrets and then painful exposure – it plays out like any modern day scandal.
Instead of focusing on Elizabeth, the book catalogs the people around her in this time period, showing how much events very much did not take place in a vacuum and how Elizabeth, like so many royals after her, lived in a fishbowl environment, surrounded by a whole parade of people who all had eyes and ears – and mouths all too quick to repeat what they observed.
Still, amongst all the scandal and bad calls and inaction and hand wringing and wrong doing on the part of everyone around Elizabeth, we also see how brightly Elizabeth shines out, even at this young age, as smart, clear eyed, and able to think both in the moment and long term to come out of the ashes of disaster as bright as untarnished gold, and ready, after surviving this crucible, to go on to be one of England’s greatest monarchs.
Some readers will be understandably frustrated that the book does not focus exclusively on Elizabeth, but it worked for me in showing what other people were doing and how much else was going on at court while Elizabeth was in the country placidly doing her Latin lessons. In plays an important pat of what happened – she was sucked into a firestorm of events that, for the most part, involved actions taken by other people elsewhere while she was just trying to be studious and obedient. She actively did everything she could to avoid a scandal like the one that killed her mother – and yet despite all her actions she almost ended the same way, and the fact that she came out the other side, again, speaks to how much she towered, head and shoulders, above others when it came to handling a crisis.
February 21, 2020
Great read. Admirably shows the a--hole that was Thomas Seymour.
August 28, 2023
After the death of Henry VIII, his daughter Elizabeth found a home with her last stepmother, Catherine Parr and her fourth husband, Thomas Seymour. Except Thomas seems to have taken more than a step-fatherly interest in the young Princess. This book examines the events surrounding their 'relationship', the rumours and myths that sprang up around it and the impact on Thomas, Elizabeth and those that surrounded them.
From the title, I had expected this to be quite a narrowly focused book, with everything contained therein being centred upon this relationship. While that is the case in a broad sense, it reads more to me like a more wide angled narrative of Thomas Seymour's life, from his clandestine marriage to Catherine Parr through to his death. It's therefore not as detailed or as concentrated as I'd hoped. Indeed, once again the only detailed illustrations of Seymour's inappropriate behaviour that are provided are his slipping into Elizabeth's bedchamber before she is dressed, and the infamous cutting up of her dress. While I know these are the most famous and best evidenced examples, I was expecting more of a deep dive into other events, the effect on their relationships with Catherine Parr etc.
The author does take the time to dissect the rumour that Elizabeth became pregnant by Thomas Seymour and the possibility of there being truth behind it. Again, I find this idea fascinating, especially given the possibility that she could have had a boy who could have continued the Tudor line (if we ignore the illegitimacy issue). However, in her examination the author goes off on something of a tangent, explaining that the same story attributed to Elizabeth is repeated almost verbatim in several other cases down the centuries. My understanding of the author's point is that it is unlikely that the original story can actually be about Elizabeth in any event, but I found this section very difficult to follow and it just seemed to dismiss it with very little discourse about the characters she herself is writing about! Again, the focus seemed to waiver here.
The author does do a very good job at keeping modern sensitivities and judgements from colouring the narrative. Today, Seymour's actions and that of Catherine Parr, Kate Ashley and others in positions of power and with a duty of care for Elizabeth would be considered abusive and abhorrent, and quite rightly so! But by making the events themselves, rather than the intent behind them, central to the narrative, it does feel like we get a more balanced piece of work and a straight retelling of 'facts' rather than an emotional history.
That being said, can we infer Elizabeth's emotions through her actions? The fact that she would try to be up and dressed before Seymour showed up in the morning, or would try to hide herself if she wasn't ready; her shock at his turning up 'bare-legged' and so on... doesn't exactly scream of someone who's a willing participant, does it? It's these insights that I like best about the writing. Other examples include Kate Ashley seemingly being half in love with Thomas herself, and pushing Elizabeth towards him so she could perhaps live vicariously through her charge, Catherine Parr being 'delirious' on her deathbed (or was she?) and tearing her husband a new one for his ill treatment of her and so on. It's very cleverly written so that you as the reader can make your own deductions about the thoughts and feelings of those involved without the author ascribing anything explicit.
After Catherine Parr's death, the focus does shift more fully onto Thomas and his disagreements with his brother, his plotting to marry Elizabeth and his eventual arrest and imprisonment. While this is of course important to the overall story, it again means that the focus is far from where you expect it to be, and I'd say that very little of this section of the book actually directly relates to their relationship. I didn't really pick this up to learn about Seymour's attempts at piracy or his counterfeit coin operation, so I did very quickly lose interest. His arrest, Elizabeth's interrogation and his execution are all wrapped up quite succinctly, and by that point you're grateful as it does just read like a general history.
One other small bugbear; while I get that quoting your sources and using them to make your case is important, in this book it feels like there are so many quotes from primary sources it actually makes the narrative quite difficult to digest, given how much is in the flowery language of Tudor communications.
While the author makes a very good closing point that Seymour is the person who came closest to marrying the Virgin Queen, which does leave the reader with a lingering thought, overall I feel like this book missed the brief that the title alludes to.
From the title, I had expected this to be quite a narrowly focused book, with everything contained therein being centred upon this relationship. While that is the case in a broad sense, it reads more to me like a more wide angled narrative of Thomas Seymour's life, from his clandestine marriage to Catherine Parr through to his death. It's therefore not as detailed or as concentrated as I'd hoped. Indeed, once again the only detailed illustrations of Seymour's inappropriate behaviour that are provided are his slipping into Elizabeth's bedchamber before she is dressed, and the infamous cutting up of her dress. While I know these are the most famous and best evidenced examples, I was expecting more of a deep dive into other events, the effect on their relationships with Catherine Parr etc.
The author does take the time to dissect the rumour that Elizabeth became pregnant by Thomas Seymour and the possibility of there being truth behind it. Again, I find this idea fascinating, especially given the possibility that she could have had a boy who could have continued the Tudor line (if we ignore the illegitimacy issue). However, in her examination the author goes off on something of a tangent, explaining that the same story attributed to Elizabeth is repeated almost verbatim in several other cases down the centuries. My understanding of the author's point is that it is unlikely that the original story can actually be about Elizabeth in any event, but I found this section very difficult to follow and it just seemed to dismiss it with very little discourse about the characters she herself is writing about! Again, the focus seemed to waiver here.
The author does do a very good job at keeping modern sensitivities and judgements from colouring the narrative. Today, Seymour's actions and that of Catherine Parr, Kate Ashley and others in positions of power and with a duty of care for Elizabeth would be considered abusive and abhorrent, and quite rightly so! But by making the events themselves, rather than the intent behind them, central to the narrative, it does feel like we get a more balanced piece of work and a straight retelling of 'facts' rather than an emotional history.
That being said, can we infer Elizabeth's emotions through her actions? The fact that she would try to be up and dressed before Seymour showed up in the morning, or would try to hide herself if she wasn't ready; her shock at his turning up 'bare-legged' and so on... doesn't exactly scream of someone who's a willing participant, does it? It's these insights that I like best about the writing. Other examples include Kate Ashley seemingly being half in love with Thomas herself, and pushing Elizabeth towards him so she could perhaps live vicariously through her charge, Catherine Parr being 'delirious' on her deathbed (or was she?) and tearing her husband a new one for his ill treatment of her and so on. It's very cleverly written so that you as the reader can make your own deductions about the thoughts and feelings of those involved without the author ascribing anything explicit.
After Catherine Parr's death, the focus does shift more fully onto Thomas and his disagreements with his brother, his plotting to marry Elizabeth and his eventual arrest and imprisonment. While this is of course important to the overall story, it again means that the focus is far from where you expect it to be, and I'd say that very little of this section of the book actually directly relates to their relationship. I didn't really pick this up to learn about Seymour's attempts at piracy or his counterfeit coin operation, so I did very quickly lose interest. His arrest, Elizabeth's interrogation and his execution are all wrapped up quite succinctly, and by that point you're grateful as it does just read like a general history.
One other small bugbear; while I get that quoting your sources and using them to make your case is important, in this book it feels like there are so many quotes from primary sources it actually makes the narrative quite difficult to digest, given how much is in the flowery language of Tudor communications.
While the author makes a very good closing point that Seymour is the person who came closest to marrying the Virgin Queen, which does leave the reader with a lingering thought, overall I feel like this book missed the brief that the title alludes to.
January 29, 2024
4.5
I recently got an Audible subscription at a discounted price and this is one of the first books that I decided to read since I love Tudor history and it was included in the subscription price.
I was a bit torn about rating this book because I did find it quite interesting, well-researched, and full of new information. However, I did not give it a five because I felt that this was a book a bit more focused on the reign of Edward VI, specifically his uncles, rather than an exploration of Elizabeth's relationships with Thomas Seymour. By that I mean the entire scope of Edward and Thomas Seymour's rise and falls at court were detailed in the book and while that was fascinating given that Elizabeth was on the cover I expected her to make a bit more of an appearance throughout the book. That being said it did provide interesting insights into the Tudor period generally and the Seymour family specifically.
The thing I liked best about this book is that Norton made Thomas Seymour a more well-rounded historical figure. Prior to reading this book, I could count all the things I knew about Thomas on one hand and probably not use all my fingers. I learned a great deal of information about him and although all that information didn't make me understand him any better I did feel as though it was a more elaborate picture. For instance, Norton's discussion of his piracy (or lack of stopping piracy and his counterfeiting of coins) added a layer to his potential motivations .
One thing that I have been thinking about since reading this book is Kathryn Parr. Now that I know a bit more about Thomas Seymour I am curious about their relationship and if Kathryn was aware that Thomas wasn't necessarily interested in marrying her, but rather gaining more power at court (he explored marrying both Mary Tudor and Elizabeth). Did he really love her at one point, but the king got in the way? And by the time she would be available for marrying again did Thomas realize that he needed to gain enough standing to hold power for his minor nephew and Kathryn maybe wasn't the best option? The answers to these questions are probably another book entirely, but I do love when a book leads you to think about things in a new way.
Although, Elizabeth did not feature greatly in the book as Norton had to provide the reader context about all the players I do feel that this event highlighted an event in Elizabeth's life that reinforced her beliefs about love and marriage.
This is a great read for any lover of Tudor history and you enjoyed the Starz show Becoming Elizabeth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of a parent, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War
The violence and murder mentioned in this book primarily focus on beheadings discussed in the text.
I recently got an Audible subscription at a discounted price and this is one of the first books that I decided to read since I love Tudor history and it was included in the subscription price.
I was a bit torn about rating this book because I did find it quite interesting, well-researched, and full of new information. However, I did not give it a five because I felt that this was a book a bit more focused on the reign of Edward VI, specifically his uncles, rather than an exploration of Elizabeth's relationships with Thomas Seymour. By that I mean the entire scope of Edward and Thomas Seymour's rise and falls at court were detailed in the book and while that was fascinating given that Elizabeth was on the cover I expected her to make a bit more of an appearance throughout the book. That being said it did provide interesting insights into the Tudor period generally and the Seymour family specifically.
The thing I liked best about this book is that Norton made Thomas Seymour a more well-rounded historical figure. Prior to reading this book, I could count all the things I knew about Thomas on one hand and probably not use all my fingers. I learned a great deal of information about him and although all that information didn't make me understand him any better I did feel as though it was a more elaborate picture. For instance, Norton's discussion of his piracy (or lack of stopping piracy and his counterfeiting of coins) added a layer to his potential motivations .
One thing that I have been thinking about since reading this book is Kathryn Parr. Now that I know a bit more about Thomas Seymour I am curious about their relationship and if Kathryn was aware that Thomas wasn't necessarily interested in marrying her, but rather gaining more power at court (he explored marrying both Mary Tudor and Elizabeth). Did he really love her at one point, but the king got in the way? And by the time she would be available for marrying again did Thomas realize that he needed to gain enough standing to hold power for his minor nephew and Kathryn maybe wasn't the best option? The answers to these questions are probably another book entirely, but I do love when a book leads you to think about things in a new way.
Although, Elizabeth did not feature greatly in the book as Norton had to provide the reader context about all the players I do feel that this event highlighted an event in Elizabeth's life that reinforced her beliefs about love and marriage.
This is a great read for any lover of Tudor history and you enjoyed the Starz show Becoming Elizabeth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of a parent, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War
The violence and murder mentioned in this book primarily focus on beheadings discussed in the text.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
Elizabeth Norton’s exploration of young Elizabeth Tudor’s complicated relationship with the charismatic and handsome, but very dangerous, Thomas Seymour “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” is an excellent read. Although based on scholarly research it’s more like a novel and has you keen to turn each page to see what will happen.
The Seymour brothers, Edward and Thomas, uncles of the young King Edward VI, played the game for the highest stakes. Edward became Lord Protector. Thomas married his old flame Katherine Parr in some haste after the King’s death, perhaps hoping it would bring him greater influence over the boy King. (He had already tried unsuccessfully to secure the hands of both Elizabeth and her sister Mary.) The stage was set for some epic sibling rivalry in the febrile atmosphere of intrigue amongst all the other power-hungry men who surrounded the throne.
I don’t think I’ll be giving away any secrets by saying that Thomas Seymour’s behaviour towards the teenage Elizabeth while she was living under his wife’s roof was quite scandalous; open flirtation, early morning visits to her bed chamber, the incident when, seemingly with his wife’s blessing, he cut Elizabeth’s gown to shreds. Eventually even Katherine Parr thought things had gone too far and sent Elizabeth away into the care of Joan Denny. Suspicion of further scandal, even reports of Elizabeth bearing a child, were rife at the time and persist to this day. After Katherine Parr died suddenly following the birth of her longed for child, Thomas renewed his pursuit of Elizabeth, ultimately with disastrous consequences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this vivid account of a time of great peril for Elizabeth. Thomas Seymour emerges as a troubled, arrogant and ambitious man, but for all that he is a rather likeable fellow. It’s easy to see how a teenager might be swept off her feet by the attentions of a man like Thomas and it’s clear that he got closer than any other man to seducing her. The lessons learned from this episode never left Elizabeth and would shape her future life as the Virgin Queen.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Tudor history.
The Seymour brothers, Edward and Thomas, uncles of the young King Edward VI, played the game for the highest stakes. Edward became Lord Protector. Thomas married his old flame Katherine Parr in some haste after the King’s death, perhaps hoping it would bring him greater influence over the boy King. (He had already tried unsuccessfully to secure the hands of both Elizabeth and her sister Mary.) The stage was set for some epic sibling rivalry in the febrile atmosphere of intrigue amongst all the other power-hungry men who surrounded the throne.
I don’t think I’ll be giving away any secrets by saying that Thomas Seymour’s behaviour towards the teenage Elizabeth while she was living under his wife’s roof was quite scandalous; open flirtation, early morning visits to her bed chamber, the incident when, seemingly with his wife’s blessing, he cut Elizabeth’s gown to shreds. Eventually even Katherine Parr thought things had gone too far and sent Elizabeth away into the care of Joan Denny. Suspicion of further scandal, even reports of Elizabeth bearing a child, were rife at the time and persist to this day. After Katherine Parr died suddenly following the birth of her longed for child, Thomas renewed his pursuit of Elizabeth, ultimately with disastrous consequences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this vivid account of a time of great peril for Elizabeth. Thomas Seymour emerges as a troubled, arrogant and ambitious man, but for all that he is a rather likeable fellow. It’s easy to see how a teenager might be swept off her feet by the attentions of a man like Thomas and it’s clear that he got closer than any other man to seducing her. The lessons learned from this episode never left Elizabeth and would shape her future life as the Virgin Queen.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Tudor history.
August 1, 2024
I started this book because I was confused as to how someone could write a whole book about Elizabeth I and Tom Seymour, because in the context of Elizabeth's life, Tom Seymour is nothing more than a creep who was more interested in the teenagers in his household rather than his wife (who was a former queen!!!). And after reading this book, I've concluded that you really can't write an engaging book about these two! There are so many other aspects of Queen Elizabeth I and her history that deserve an entire SERIES but this is just not one of them. Overall, I was honestly just disappointed in the focus that the book led. I feel like this was the ONLY possible way to talk about Queen Elizabeth I in the context of a man, so really did it have to be written? She is known as "the Virgin Queen" and esteemed for never bowing to a man, so why would you write a book in HER name but talk about a man who had little significance in her life, besides being an absolute creep when she was a teenager? Putting Tom Seymour on a pedestal and naming him "the Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor" completely disregards her story and the powerful force that she brought to Europe during her reign. All I have left to say is this, if you're going to name a book after Elizabeth I, maybe actually have her be the main focus of the book! I was very excited to find a woman author that writes about the female figures of the Tudor era, but ended up being gravely disappointed.
May 30, 2024
1547, Elizabeth Tudor, illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII, is a pawn on the political stage as well as trying to deal with teenage hormones and first love. Her place in the succession puts her at risk of being used for political gain but also puts her very life in danger...
The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor is a non fiction book about the teenage years of Elizabeth I and a potential explanation for her later transformation into the Virgin Queen.
This book had a looooong waiting list on my library app so I had very high expectations. In the event, I had very mixed feelings about this book. The research and detail is exemplary and Tudor life is vividly depicted. The personal and political are intrinsically linked as the young princess tries to survive in a patriarchal world.
However, there is a lot of focus on the political machinations of Somerset and Seymour, and sometimes Elizabeth's name isn't mentioned for pages. I think the temptations of Seymour would have been a more apt title as it focuses on his desire for power which he aims to achieve through personal relationships with the former queen and her stepdaughter.
The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor is a detailed historical work but the emphasis was not always on its subject.
The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor is a non fiction book about the teenage years of Elizabeth I and a potential explanation for her later transformation into the Virgin Queen.
This book had a looooong waiting list on my library app so I had very high expectations. In the event, I had very mixed feelings about this book. The research and detail is exemplary and Tudor life is vividly depicted. The personal and political are intrinsically linked as the young princess tries to survive in a patriarchal world.
However, there is a lot of focus on the political machinations of Somerset and Seymour, and sometimes Elizabeth's name isn't mentioned for pages. I think the temptations of Seymour would have been a more apt title as it focuses on his desire for power which he aims to achieve through personal relationships with the former queen and her stepdaughter.
The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor is a detailed historical work but the emphasis was not always on its subject.
October 26, 2017
A history of Thomas Seymour's relationship with Elizabeth Tudor, and his conflict with brother Edward Seymour (Somerset), Edward VI's protector.
Part 1 'the seeds of scandal' is a biography of Thomas Seymour from October 1537 when the future Edward VI was born to sister Jane Seymour .
Part 2 'the scandal deepens' - Henry VIII dies in January 1547; Thomas Seymour marries Catherine Parr in secret in May 1547 and becomes Elizabeth's step-father from hell. In September 1548 Catherine dies after giving birth.
Part 3 'the scandal unveiled' covers the remaining period up to Thomas Seymour's demise in March 1549 and details just how close Elizabeth came to going down with him.
The book is well researched. Despite getting a little lost with the chapter speculating about Elizabeth's pregnancy, the book was an enjoyable read.
Excellent. Recommended.
Part 1 'the seeds of scandal' is a biography of Thomas Seymour from October 1537 when the future Edward VI was born to sister Jane Seymour .
Part 2 'the scandal deepens' - Henry VIII dies in January 1547; Thomas Seymour marries Catherine Parr in secret in May 1547 and becomes Elizabeth's step-father from hell. In September 1548 Catherine dies after giving birth.
Part 3 'the scandal unveiled' covers the remaining period up to Thomas Seymour's demise in March 1549 and details just how close Elizabeth came to going down with him.
The book is well researched. Despite getting a little lost with the chapter speculating about Elizabeth's pregnancy, the book was an enjoyable read.
Excellent. Recommended.
June 28, 2020
This is a well-researched and thorough account not only of the early years and adolescence of Elizabeth but also the impact that Thomas Seymour and his brother Somerset had on Tudor politics. A great deal is made of the bitterness between the two brothers and their struggle to be the main force during Edward VI's minority. At times the reader could be forgiven for thinking that the book is solely about the Seymours as Elizabeth's story does not seem so prominent until Thomas starts to get the idea that he can reach ultimate power by marriage. The latter part of the book, however, shows Elizabeth reaching maturity and how she maintains her innocence in the face of Thomas's downfall at the hands of his brother.
May 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book as Elizabeth I has always fascinated me. I still found it somewhat hard to follow though as a history book. Perhaps if I were English I might have more context for some things. (Place names for example.)
The storytelling was awesome, and I was amused by Thomas Seymour’s behavior throughout his political career. The author treated the incidents in Elizabeth’s young with great sensitivity, really helping me as a reader understand what happened.
I think the conclusion of Elizabeth’s great affection for Thomas, and that the scandal paved the way for her Virgin Queen persona could have been elaborated more. I can see it, but it is also left to the reader to draw some of their own conclusions. It’s great research either way.
The storytelling was awesome, and I was amused by Thomas Seymour’s behavior throughout his political career. The author treated the incidents in Elizabeth’s young with great sensitivity, really helping me as a reader understand what happened.
I think the conclusion of Elizabeth’s great affection for Thomas, and that the scandal paved the way for her Virgin Queen persona could have been elaborated more. I can see it, but it is also left to the reader to draw some of their own conclusions. It’s great research either way.
April 20, 2024
Through a 21st century lens, Thomas Seymour was a pedophile predator. At the very least he was a creep and a sex pest who assaulted the daughter of a king repeatedly. He groomed her, made his wife complicit in the abuse, and got away with it. The author did amazing work piecing together primary sources to tell this story and the broader story of Seymour’s hamfisted attempts to gain power, but the epilogue diminishes that accomplishment. The final pages ignore Seymour’s predatory nature and instead sound like a romance novel, lauding a man who refused to take no for an answer, considering his highest accomplishment the fact that he got closer to deflowering Elizabeth I than any other man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2024
This title and cover are misleading. I wasn’t a fan of the coy title which was more appropriate for a soap opera than history book.
What annoyed me the most was that the cover and title and description promised a book on Elizabeth. So did the history podcast interviews that I heard.
But this book is about the Seymour brothers - people that I have little interest in. Readers - or listeners in my case since I had the audiobook - learn all about Thomas Seymour - his ambitions, his pursuit of Queen Katherine, his harassment of teenage Elizabeth, his quarrels with his brother, and so forth. If I wanted a Seymour biography, I would’ve bought one.
What annoyed me the most was that the cover and title and description promised a book on Elizabeth. So did the history podcast interviews that I heard.
But this book is about the Seymour brothers - people that I have little interest in. Readers - or listeners in my case since I had the audiobook - learn all about Thomas Seymour - his ambitions, his pursuit of Queen Katherine, his harassment of teenage Elizabeth, his quarrels with his brother, and so forth. If I wanted a Seymour biography, I would’ve bought one.
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