Golden Age Ladies: Women Who Shaped the Courts of Francis I and Henry VIII

by Sylvia Barbara Soberton

"Two such courts as those of France and England have not been witnessed for the last fifty years." Niccolo Sagudino, 1515

They had to be strong if they wanted to make it in a man's world. They lived on the brink of the golden age of the European Renaissance and witnessed social and religious upheavals as the medieval world they knew crumbled to dust, replacing the old with the new.

In this new book, Sylvia Barbara Soberton paints a vivid picture of the rivalry between the courts of England and France during the reigns of Henry VIII and Francis I. Set against the backdrop of sixteenth-century court life are the interwoven stories of individual French and English noblewomen whose dramatic lives even the best of novelists would have trouble inventing.

Louise of Savoy knows that her son Francis is destined for greatness, but he faces new challenges after his accession, trusting his mother to become regent during his absence.

Mary Tudor agrees to marry Louis XII, a man thirty-four years her senior, but after his unexpected death, she decides to become no man's pawn and marries for love, creating one of the greatest scandals in Renaissance Europe.

Claude of France may have been meek and submissive, but there is more to her character than meets the eye.

Brought up at the French court, Anne Boleyn boldly refuses to become Henry VIII's mistress. Her refusal triggers the King's divorce case and eventually leads to the change of religious persuasion of the entire nation.

Margaret of Alencon, Francis I's sister, faces new challenges as her brother's captivity after the Battle of Pavia propels her onto the diplomatic stage of Europe.

Queen Eleanor, Charles V's sister, marries Francis I and struggles to find her place at the French court, where his glittering mistress, Anne de Pisseleu, reigns supreme and exerts more influence than any royal mistress before her.

Witnessing the warring political factions at court, the young Catherine de Medici, humiliated by her husband's relationship with Diane de Poitiers, learns how to navigate the murky waters of courtly intrigue to emerge as the leading force on the international stage of sixteenth-century Europe."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, France, Tudor Period, British Literature, Historical

314 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2016

Reviews

[TBV (on hiatus)]

“The King is dead, long live the new mistress”.

So goes an old joke from that time. Henry VIII of England and Francis I (Franćois 1er) were powerful sixteenth century monarchs, and not only were they of a similar age, but they shared many interests. Behind these successful men were many ladies: wives, daughters and mistresses. Who were these women, and what roles did they play? Here is a brief who’s who:

Francis I of France
Louise of Savoy
Louise was Francis’s doting, or shall I say obsessively doting, mother. She referred to Francis as her “Caesar” and her life practically revolved around him. As such she acted as advisor and she was regent during his absences. Her enormous influence on him is detailed in the book.

Margaret (Marguerite d’Alenćon / Marguerite d’Angoulême)
Margaret was Francis’s sister and they had a close relationship. Margaret was well educated and politically astute and performed diplomatic duties for him. When Francis was captured by the Emperor Charles V when the French army was defeated at Pavia, Margaret visited him in his captivity in Spain and cared for him when he was ill. She negotiated his freedom. She was a patron of the arts and she herself wrote poetry, plays and short stories (the Heptameron). Later she became Queen of Navarre. She was the mother of Jeanne d’Albret and the grandmother of Henri IV of France.

Henry VIII was well aware of the capabilities of Louise of Savoy and her daughter Margaret, and instructed his ambassadors to not question, but to accept their authority.

Claude of France
Wife to Francis, Claude was a French princess in her own right as she was the daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany. (Anne of Brittany and Louise of Savoy were “bitter rivals”.) It was thought that Claude might be unable to have children as she had a problem with her hips as well as scoliosis. She proved the critics and gossips wrong, and had a string of children by the time that she died aged 24. Apparently Francis treated Claude with great respect, mistresses notwithstanding.

Eleanor of Portugal / Eleanor of Austria
Eleanor, daughter of Philip 1 of Castile and Joanna (Juana) of Castile, was Francis’s second wife. She was also the sister of The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. This was an important alliance and most importantly, necessary for the recovery of his two sons who were being held hostage in Spain. Eleanor played second fiddle to the then official mistress, Anne de Pisseleu. Francis couldn’t bother to watch Eleanor’s coronation.

Françoise de Foix
For about a decade the married Françoise de Foix was Francis’s first official mistress. After his return from captivity he was no longer interested in her.

Anne de Pisseleu (later the Duchesse d’Etampes)
Anne succeeded Françoise as official mistress. She wielded enormous power over the king, and everyone including foreign diplomats knew that the way to the French king was by pleasing Anne - usually with flattery and expensive gifts. Not difficult to see the relevance of the above mentioned joke! Anne also performed diplomatic duties with Margaret. She remained his official mistress until his death some twenty one years later.

Catherine de Medicis (Catarina dei’Medici)
Daughter-in-law to Francis, Catherine was married to Henri, second son of Francis. The first son, also Francis, died unexpectedly and Henri succeeded his father Francis I as Henri II of France. Catherine was well liked by Francis and by his sister Margaret, but Henri of course had eyes only for his mistress Diane de Poitiers. Catherine’s daughter, Marguerite de Valois would one day marry Margaret’s grandson Henri (the future Henri IV) and this marriage would result in the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of Protestants.

Diane de Poitiers
Diane had known Henri ever since he had been a child. She was nineteen years older than him and she was also older than the king’s mistress Anne de Pisseleu. She and Anne detested each other and on Francis’s death Anne was soon given her marching orders as was Diane on Henri’s death. Diane had enormous influence on Henri and she even advised Henri and Catherine on sexual matters so that Catherine would conceive an heir. After a ten year period of being childless, Catherine had several children.


Henry VIII of England
Mary Tudor
Mary was Henry’s sister. By the time that Henry was crowned his mother Elizabeth of York was already dead. For political reasons Mary had been married to Louis XII of France who was much older than her, but once he died she followed her heart and married the handsome Charles Brandon. She had been Queen of France for 82 days. Upon Louis XII’s death Francis ascended the French throne aged twenty one. It was rumoured that Francis had been in love with Mary.

There was no love lost between Mary Tudor and her brother’s second wife, Anne Boleyn.

Katharine of Aragon
First wife of Henry VIII. She was the daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. She produced a daughter Mary who became Mary I of England and was known as Bloody Mary due to the number of ‘heretics’ she had executed. Katharine’s marriage was annulled so that Henry could marry Anne Boleyn.

Anne Boleyn
Anne was wife number two. She had been at Queen Claude’s court in France and was both beautiful and accomplished. Her daughter was Elizabeth who eventually became Elizabeth I of England and had a long and successful reign. No need to dwell here on the upheaval that Anne’s relationship with Henry brought about…

Jane Seymour
Wife number three, Jane produced the male heir that Henry craved. Young Edward succeeded Henry as Edward VI, but died at the age of fifteen. Jane died a few days after giving birth to Edward.

Anne of Cleves
Described to Henry as being beautiful, Anne of Cleves was anything but in Henry’s eyes. Duly married she was very quickly set aside to become his dear ‘sister’.

Catherine Howard
Foolish little Catherine Howard, wife number five, soon lost her head as well.

Catherine Parr
Wife number six, Catherine Parr, might have lost her head, but Henry died first and she married her old flame, Thomas Seymour.

Elizabeth (Bessie) Blount
Was one of Henry’s mistresses (as was Mary Boleyn, Anne’s sister), but important in that she bore him a son, Henry Fitzroy who died aged seventeen. She was said to “…excel all other ladies in “singing, dancing, and all goodly pastimes””.

###
The two main people in this book are in fact Henry and Francis and their rivalry. Time and again they professed friendship, but it didn’t stop them seeking other alliances, reneging on deals or going to war. The prominent roles of these various women in these monarchs’ lives and their impact on history are however highlighted and detailed in this narrative which is substantially backed up by notes referring to primary and secondary sources. Genealogical Tables, Pictures, a Bibliography and Endnotes are supplied.

This book was a serendipitous find for me. I started reading La Regente Noire which is part of the La Cour des Dames trilogy by Franck Ferrand. This led me to start reading the non-fiction biography The Pearl of Princesses and then I spotted this book which is a good summary of the period and a quick read. Whether it is of much value to those with a thorough knowledge of the period I cannot judge. I have some limited knowledge of the period, and reading this book was like seeing a big chart in my head with all the different names and bits of information and links slotted into the appropriate places.

Not only is it a good overview of the influence of these ladies and the relationship between Francis and Henry, but there are also wonderful descriptions such as the one of the meeting on “The Field of the Cloth of Gold” where as usual the two rival kings tried to outdo each other in pomp and splendour.

[Ida Simonson]

Not a great book. Very superficial. Thought I'd learn something new on these ladies, but I didn't. Would not recommend it.

[ghostlovesc0re · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the main ladies of the first half of the 16th century in France and in England. The author gives them all a fair portrayal and shows well how intertwined with each other their lives were - as well as with Francis I and Henry VIII.
The connoisseurs of the period won't learn anything new, but it's a great introduction for beginners. The sources are also well-referenced, which is always a bonus.
The writing style was quite pleasant as well.

[Susan Abernethy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Link to my review of this book:

https://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2016/...

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read I couldn’t put this book down

[Jayne Doe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic way to learn more about the French women of the 16th century, of whom we have few English-language sources. Succinct and compelling, Sylvia Barbara Soberton cleanly weaves the stories of England and France as part of a larger international dynamic. A perfect mix of the personal and the political!

My only complaint? I wish there was even more. I would love for Soberton to write more on Margaret of Navarre, she so clearly adores her!

[Mary Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do like Soberton’s books but this one is pretty much all over the place. It’s a breezy overview, which I generally like in her books and had some juicy gossip. So much of it revolves around Francis sounding like a mama’s boy, which is entertaining but tiresome. Henry came across as mostly only having time for competing with Francis. All in all it’s enjoyable but I’m not really going to rely on it as being informative.

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

👍 Very well written and easy to follow
👍 Loads of interesting information

👎 I would have liked a longer introduction about the purpose and scope of the book, especially about how the women were chosen (or excluded)
👎 Seemed to be more about Francis I than Henry VIII
👎 Mostly focuses on Henry's wives and not other women at his court

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

This book was informative. It gave it's readers a peek into these women's lives. I would have liked a little more detail. I felt like it was being rushed at times.

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Read

I love medieval history and this book was fascinating by focusing on the women who played important roles in the politics of that time!

[Jbondandrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather light weight read but not a bad read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful examination of the prominent ladies of the courts of France and England. Although well aware of the Tudor court ladies, the revelations about the French court are illuminating.

[Anne Marie Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The women of Henry Court were at some stance all ladies in waiting except his first wife Catherine, who was forced leave court die, most cruelty.

[Kimberly Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of a muchness...

[Ladyce West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent overview of a critical relationship between cousins. It was not intended as a scholarly book, even though there are enough notes for anyone to expand his reading. But for those of us who would like to know more about the time or to be reminded of it, the battles, the agreements between courts led by “friendly” rivals it is a very nice reading. And above all, those of us who would like to have a glimpse of the role of women, to understand their power, overt or not, it is a good reminder of how they exerted it.

The period can be confusing. Too many battles, too many wives, very few surviving offsprings; and the land, the conquest of new lands, new villages, new areas, and the losses of other lands and cities, all of this comes back to mind. So much goes on in Europe at the beginning of the 16th century that this reading is useful in reminding us of the crises and the joys of the time; it can make us remember and register once again in our memory specific details that can easily be forgotten.

It was a nice, easy to read compilation, almost a map of the comings and goings within these two powerful courts.

[Ally Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always thought it fascinating how the relationships, marriages, and dynasties of the European courts intertwined with one another. To see it laid out so and in such a simple manner was useful and easy to follow. I've always said women in history have had more influence than one gives them credit for. While they weren't at the forefront in the negotiations, their subtle means could tip the balance of any scale. Well done and very insightful!

[Lindstromsteph Lindstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave a clear explanation of each woman, how some shaped foreign policy, how some suffered. Basic.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable.

I have previously read a book by this author. This is far better, I am relieved to report. There is much that can be improved still, but it's getting there. Maybe I'm tough to please, the research was fair so no problems there. If you are writing a factual 'text' style book, don't make me think I'm reading fiction. In my opinion certain ladies were glossed over. Katherine d' Medici has had such an impact on history, what happened to the realisation that she came to understand of the education her marriage gave her, for the future. Yes, it might be dealt with in another book, but I expected more here. The influence her love rival had over French domestic and international policy has not been explored in depth.

I hope that one day Ms Soberton will write a book dealing solely with the lives of these 2 ladies, their rivalries, their triumphs and failures. Now, that's a book I would love to read by this author.