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The Private Lives of the Tudors: Uncovering the Secrets of Britain’s Greatest Dynasty
England's Tudor monarchs--Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I--are perhaps the most celebrated and fascinating of all royal families in history. Their love affairs, their political triumphs, and their overturning of the religious order are the subject of countless works of popular scholarship. But for all we know about Henry's quest for male heirs, or Elizabeth's purported virginity, the lives of the Tudor monarchs away from the public eye remain largely beyond our grasp, mostly not chronicled by previous historians.
In The Private Lives of the Tudors, acclaimed historian Tracy Borman delves deep behind the public face of the monarchs, showing us what their lives were like beyond the stage of the court. Drawing on original material from those closest to them--courtiers like the "groom of the stool," a much-coveted position, surprisingly--Borman examines Tudor life in fine detail. What did the monarchs eat? What clothes did they wear, and how were they designed, bought, and cared for? How did they wield power? When sick, how were they treated? What games did they play? How did they practice their faith? And whom did they love, and how did they give birth to the all-important heirs?
Exploring their education, upbringing, sexual lives, and taking us into the kitchens, bathrooms, schoolrooms, and bedrooms at court, The Private Lives of the Tudors charts the course of the entire dynasty, surfacing new and fascinating insights into these celebrated figures.
In The Private Lives of the Tudors, acclaimed historian Tracy Borman delves deep behind the public face of the monarchs, showing us what their lives were like beyond the stage of the court. Drawing on original material from those closest to them--courtiers like the "groom of the stool," a much-coveted position, surprisingly--Borman examines Tudor life in fine detail. What did the monarchs eat? What clothes did they wear, and how were they designed, bought, and cared for? How did they wield power? When sick, how were they treated? What games did they play? How did they practice their faith? And whom did they love, and how did they give birth to the all-important heirs?
Exploring their education, upbringing, sexual lives, and taking us into the kitchens, bathrooms, schoolrooms, and bedrooms at court, The Private Lives of the Tudors charts the course of the entire dynasty, surfacing new and fascinating insights into these celebrated figures.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2016
1237 people are currently reading
6413 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Borman
27 books875 followersTracy Borman, PhD, FRHistS, FSA is a historian and author from Scothern, United Kingdom. She is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth's Women.
Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth's Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, also in September 2009
Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth's Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, also in September 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
December 14, 2016
3.5* A well researched novel of the Tudors beginning with Henry VII, written by England’s joint chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces, Tracy Borman. After Henry’s death his young son, Henry VIII ascends the throne and becomes known as the King with a penchant for swift executions to eliminate all those who displease him or to acquire a new wife. This is one of the more remarkable times in history as the reader examines the other Tudors, Edward VI, Mary I, and eventually Elizabeth l, the virgin Queen. There is much speculation on her life within the walls of the palaces, but as Elizabeth states, ‘there are a 1,000 eyes which watch me daily’, thus providing many new insights and discoveries by countless eye witnesses. The Private Lives of the Tudors will appeal to readers of history who enjoy ample detail, and are fascinated by this time period.
** Thank you to Publisher Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
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June 17, 2016This was truly the saddest project I've read in years. What was I thinking indulging in a book about Tudor 'Private Lives'? Just for the record, anyone today has the basic historical knowledge of the Tudors whom Tracy Borman has acknowledged here - Henry VII, Queen Katherine, Henry VIII, Queen Anne, Queen Mary, Prince Edward and Queen Elizabeth - a basic knowledge that Borman has briefly reviewed, but if you are anticipating any new scandalous tidbits that might have been hidden in the last 500 years behind the stone walls of their castle, you will be sorely disappointed.
If, however, you feel that the perfumed-over techniques to dampen the royal reeks from lack of personal hygiene,
or the impacted bowel problems stemming from hundreds of pounds of meat ingested in a day by a king and his entourage, or the elaborate garments of cloth of gold, purple velvet, and brocade a vain monarch might change into several times in a day: are pertinent or relevant historically, then perhaps this book of discarded trivia clippings might interest you.
If, however, you feel that the perfumed-over techniques to dampen the royal reeks from lack of personal hygiene,
or the impacted bowel problems stemming from hundreds of pounds of meat ingested in a day by a king and his entourage, or the elaborate garments of cloth of gold, purple velvet, and brocade a vain monarch might change into several times in a day: are pertinent or relevant historically, then perhaps this book of discarded trivia clippings might interest you.
December 17, 2017
Tracy Borman's The Private Lives of the Tudors is a rich history that slips behind the privacy of the throne and describes the Tudor monarchy in luscious detail. Colorful and filled with interesting facts, each member of the dynasty is highlighted from the choice of clothing to personalities, behaviors, eating habits, finances, even down to the people serving them. No stone is left unturned in this well-researched book and every aspect of Tudor lives is examined and explained. Religious practices, both the marriage and the birthing bed, education, each facet of their existence down to the extravagant cost of the fabric for the clothes they wore. Fascinating, opulent, and eloquently written, this is a wonderful window into the world of a turbulent and impressive dynasty that shaped an era.
February 18, 2024
This was a simply fascinating compilation of facts about the Tudors beginning with Henry VII and ending with Elizabeth I. What made it so interesting was that the information was really what they spent, where they went, what they wore, what they ate, and who received gifts.
I am not exactly sure how inventories, accounting statements and shopping lists could be compelling but the author worked some magic and it was. I guess it was something like Tudor Cribs... But there is all sorts of fascinating details like what went into a Tudor era royal bed who all their hangers on were and why. How to get good medical care when saying that the Monarch was dying was treason?
What I especially appreciated was that this is the kind of book I could dip in and out of on my own terms.
I am not exactly sure how inventories, accounting statements and shopping lists could be compelling but the author worked some magic and it was. I guess it was something like Tudor Cribs... But there is all sorts of fascinating details like what went into a Tudor era royal bed who all their hangers on were and why. How to get good medical care when saying that the Monarch was dying was treason?
What I especially appreciated was that this is the kind of book I could dip in and out of on my own terms.
August 13, 2019
Even if the Tudors are one British royal family, I already knew a lot about before picking up this book, this was a super fun read for me – I’ve always been a bit of a history buff so this was perfect for me. It’s amazing how much of my knowledge of the Tudors has in recent years been muddled by popular culture depictions of them – this book reinforced how much poetic licence is taken by for example Hollywood when it comes to the films, televised biographies focusing on the Tudors.
I thought there would be a lot of realities of women’s lives even within the Royal household and society that I would despise, and there were, but I must say in some ways I was delightfully surprised. For example:
Ok we know it’s not true, but what a fabulous idea to be reinforced/disseminated, shame about the hard-line puritan ethics that manifest in later generations in order to constrain 'good' women's sexuality.
The author has an engaging writing style and I really found myself happily absorbed, that being said there were a handful of pages where my attention waned, and some skim reading did occur – there’s only so much I can and want to read, when it comes to descriptions of the King’s and a Queen’s wardrobe and diet.
I thought there would be a lot of realities of women’s lives even within the Royal household and society that I would despise, and there were, but I must say in some ways I was delightfully surprised. For example:
Given the vital importance of producing an heir, Henry may have bedded Elizabeth early because he believed she would be more likely to conceive then than on the wedding day itself. According to late fifteenth-century wisdom, a woman must reach orgasm in order to conceive. She would then emit a ‘seed’ to mix with that of her partner. This view was still pervasive in the seventeenth century, when the influential herbalist Nicholas Culpeper advised that a woman would probably fail to fall pregnant if there was ‘very little or no pleasure in the act of copulation’.
Ok we know it’s not true, but what a fabulous idea to be reinforced/disseminated, shame about the hard-line puritan ethics that manifest in later generations in order to constrain 'good' women's sexuality.
The author has an engaging writing style and I really found myself happily absorbed, that being said there were a handful of pages where my attention waned, and some skim reading did occur – there’s only so much I can and want to read, when it comes to descriptions of the King’s and a Queen’s wardrobe and diet.
February 5, 2017
This book takes a different approach to the history of the Tudors. Instead of focusing on the complicated politics of the era, it takes more of a summary approach to each monarch. Along the way, tidbits of daily life are described, so that you end up with a better idea of what Henry VIII's wardrobe looked like that how he ruled.
For those who have already read plenty about how these monarchs ruled, this might be a fun read. However, if you have already learned a fair amount about them, there is not much new here. The question really comes down to what you are looking for. If you wish to learn some fun Tudor trivia without reading a dozen biographies, this is right up your alley. If you have already read those dozen biographies, this is not going to enlighten you.
As with most Tudor studies, Mary is almost completely overlooked in favor of her sister. She always seems to be lumped in with Edward, despite the fact that she lived more than twice as long as he did and has a spectacular story. Ah well, most are eager to get to Elizabeth, so they will be happy to discover that approximately 1/3 of the book is dedicated to her.
I received this book through NetGalley.
For those who have already read plenty about how these monarchs ruled, this might be a fun read. However, if you have already learned a fair amount about them, there is not much new here. The question really comes down to what you are looking for. If you wish to learn some fun Tudor trivia without reading a dozen biographies, this is right up your alley. If you have already read those dozen biographies, this is not going to enlighten you.
As with most Tudor studies, Mary is almost completely overlooked in favor of her sister. She always seems to be lumped in with Edward, despite the fact that she lived more than twice as long as he did and has a spectacular story. Ah well, most are eager to get to Elizabeth, so they will be happy to discover that approximately 1/3 of the book is dedicated to her.
I received this book through NetGalley.
February 16, 2017
The Tudors were a far cry from ‘shy’ and left a multitude of artifacts for posterity: documents, books, paintings, toys, instruments, jewelry, and even buildings. Therefore, we know much about this historical ‘celebrity’ family. How much do we know about their personal lives, though? A lot played out center stage; but what about the Tudor world behind closed doors? Tracy Borman attempts to answer this in, “The Private Lives of the Tudors: Uncovering the Secrets of Britain’s Greatest Dynasty”.
You may be wondering, “Does Borman answer these questions and uncover the secret world of the Tudors?” The answer is a big fat: NO. “The Private Lives of the Tudors” begins with highlighting the gaining of the crown by Henry VII (from Richard III) which begins the Tudor Dynasty as we know it. Borman’s writing is sharp, articulate, and well-written in terms of language skills adding an excellence and professionalism to the piece. Unfortunately though, “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is more in the vein of pop history than scholarly and rarely traverses any new information. All of the material is covered hundreds of times over elsewhere and the thesis is not answered. Readers will be bored unless brand new to the subject. Basically, “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is not an investigative piece and is barely ‘private’ at all.
Further affecting the lack of compelling substance is the usual Borman tendency of missing the mark with cohesiveness. “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is up-and-down in pace and Borman often loses direction which results in lots of repetition. Many of the chapters are disjointed from others seeming like they weren’t written in succession and Borman repeats facts and entire areas of study. Not to mention, the chapters drag and don’t break at the expected times which effects readability.
Despite the fact that “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is not what it claims to be (and is merely a brief overview of the dynasty with some focus on the social sides); Borman did clearly do her research on the topic presenting a stretched out time period. However, this is where the biggest issue with “The Private Lives of the Tudors” comes into play: Quite often, Borman offers a fact in direct opposition to the other historians and books on the topic. It is suitable to disagree with the masses and offer a fresh view if this is substantiated and sourced. Yet, Borman states these as flat, solid facts and as though they are 100% true. This causes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” to lose credibility and again depreciate for those readers well-versed on the material.
Related to this, Borman also makes many speculative “would have”, “must have”, and “could have” statements hypothesizing on mental or emotional mind frames without backing material. Sometimes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” simply has to be taken with a grain of salt.
Once “The Private Lives of the Tudors” portraits Elizabeth I; then it strikes gold and much more accurately addresses the thesis and thereby presents solid, unknown factoids about Elizabeth’s private and social life that is new even to Tudor obsessees. If only the entire book was this strong then Borman would have more appealing piece on her hands.
Borman concludes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” with a quick look at the state of court affairs after Elizabeth’s death. This is a memorable ending and emphasizes the Tudor way of life and how grandiose it was.
“The Private Lives of the Tudors” includes a section of color plates which are notably one of the best among contemporary works of the same nature. Generally, all books on the subject feature the same photos or variations thereof. Borman is the first to include exclusive/rare photos that don’t grace the pages of other works; making her standout in the crowd.
Borman supplements “The Private Lives of the Tudors” with a bibliography giving credit to her work as it includes a heavy proportion of primary sources along with secondary; plus a list of (not-so-annotated) notes.
“The Private Lives of the Tudors” sadly does not live up to its title and doesn’t expose any new material Tudor devotees don’t already know (except for some in the sections on Elizabeth). Borman’s writing chops are worthy as is her research but “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is simply an overview of the dynasty and is best for those new to the topic. The writing strays and doesn’t feel well-organized, but, that being said: it isn’t horrible. Borman’s work is suggested as a filler read on the Tudors or for those seeking an introduction on the subject.
You may be wondering, “Does Borman answer these questions and uncover the secret world of the Tudors?” The answer is a big fat: NO. “The Private Lives of the Tudors” begins with highlighting the gaining of the crown by Henry VII (from Richard III) which begins the Tudor Dynasty as we know it. Borman’s writing is sharp, articulate, and well-written in terms of language skills adding an excellence and professionalism to the piece. Unfortunately though, “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is more in the vein of pop history than scholarly and rarely traverses any new information. All of the material is covered hundreds of times over elsewhere and the thesis is not answered. Readers will be bored unless brand new to the subject. Basically, “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is not an investigative piece and is barely ‘private’ at all.
Further affecting the lack of compelling substance is the usual Borman tendency of missing the mark with cohesiveness. “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is up-and-down in pace and Borman often loses direction which results in lots of repetition. Many of the chapters are disjointed from others seeming like they weren’t written in succession and Borman repeats facts and entire areas of study. Not to mention, the chapters drag and don’t break at the expected times which effects readability.
Despite the fact that “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is not what it claims to be (and is merely a brief overview of the dynasty with some focus on the social sides); Borman did clearly do her research on the topic presenting a stretched out time period. However, this is where the biggest issue with “The Private Lives of the Tudors” comes into play: Quite often, Borman offers a fact in direct opposition to the other historians and books on the topic. It is suitable to disagree with the masses and offer a fresh view if this is substantiated and sourced. Yet, Borman states these as flat, solid facts and as though they are 100% true. This causes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” to lose credibility and again depreciate for those readers well-versed on the material.
Related to this, Borman also makes many speculative “would have”, “must have”, and “could have” statements hypothesizing on mental or emotional mind frames without backing material. Sometimes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” simply has to be taken with a grain of salt.
Once “The Private Lives of the Tudors” portraits Elizabeth I; then it strikes gold and much more accurately addresses the thesis and thereby presents solid, unknown factoids about Elizabeth’s private and social life that is new even to Tudor obsessees. If only the entire book was this strong then Borman would have more appealing piece on her hands.
Borman concludes “The Private Lives of the Tudors” with a quick look at the state of court affairs after Elizabeth’s death. This is a memorable ending and emphasizes the Tudor way of life and how grandiose it was.
“The Private Lives of the Tudors” includes a section of color plates which are notably one of the best among contemporary works of the same nature. Generally, all books on the subject feature the same photos or variations thereof. Borman is the first to include exclusive/rare photos that don’t grace the pages of other works; making her standout in the crowd.
Borman supplements “The Private Lives of the Tudors” with a bibliography giving credit to her work as it includes a heavy proportion of primary sources along with secondary; plus a list of (not-so-annotated) notes.
“The Private Lives of the Tudors” sadly does not live up to its title and doesn’t expose any new material Tudor devotees don’t already know (except for some in the sections on Elizabeth). Borman’s writing chops are worthy as is her research but “The Private Lives of the Tudors” is simply an overview of the dynasty and is best for those new to the topic. The writing strays and doesn’t feel well-organized, but, that being said: it isn’t horrible. Borman’s work is suggested as a filler read on the Tudors or for those seeking an introduction on the subject.
January 8, 2018
It was interesting to read about the different daily affairs of the time, such as their hygiene rituals, daily habits, food, clothing, etc. I also enjoyed learning about how the royal babies were born. I am not sure if this book really flowed for me though. It read like a textbook instead of a historical nonfiction. It had a lot of really good information, it just felt dry. I wouldn't tell you not to read it, but maybe just in small doses over time,
January 8, 2017
I am no historian by any stretch of the imagination, but I did enjoy this book. I have always had an interest in the royal families of England, and this book fed that interest. The photos were also a nice addition. While there was nothing earth shattering that I learned, I did learn a few interesting tidbits, such as: the groom of the stool. It is exactly what you'd think it would be, but also SO much more. The groom of the stool handled more than just, er, the bodily functions. He also was the person most trusted in the royal domain. Also, the original 007 was really NOT James Bond.
This was an ARC from NetGalley that I was happy to be able to review. This book also managed to tick off the box of my LitsyReadingChallege2017 for a subject matter that takes place over 150 years ago.
This was an ARC from NetGalley that I was happy to be able to review. This book also managed to tick off the box of my LitsyReadingChallege2017 for a subject matter that takes place over 150 years ago.
February 25, 2018
There was much to enjoy here but I think the majority of my pleasure was taken from visiting with familiar friends and enemies rather than in new insights. Borman focuses on the dress, food and personal relationships of the Tudor monarchs throughout, which is interesting but becomes quite repetitive, and let’s be honest, if you’ve read much about the Tudors then it’s the type of thing you already know. I could have wished for a more creative approach or angle, perhaps in thinking about the constellation of relatives and servants that populated the court. There are only so many times I want to read or hear about Henry VIII’s poop or Elizabeth’s wigs. It did have the very positive effect of making me want to read Wolf Hall again though, so that’s worth the admission price for me.
January 22, 2025
Tracy Borman's "The Private Lives of the Tudors" was a great snapshot into the everyday experiences of those involved in the Tudor dynasty, from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. Overall, this book was engaging and very impressive. Borman clearly knows what she's talking about, and does so in a way that is accessible to her readers.
One point that I did notice, which caused me to take my rating down a star, was that there were parts of this book that felt a bit dragged on. For example, Borman does focus on architecture quite a bit, which is not my personal cup of tea. It may certainly be for you, but, for me, I was focused on other points with more of an interested lens.
Overall, if you're interested or enjoy Tudor history and want to dive deeper into it, I would give this one a shot!
One point that I did notice, which caused me to take my rating down a star, was that there were parts of this book that felt a bit dragged on. For example, Borman does focus on architecture quite a bit, which is not my personal cup of tea. It may certainly be for you, but, for me, I was focused on other points with more of an interested lens.
Overall, if you're interested or enjoy Tudor history and want to dive deeper into it, I would give this one a shot!
September 9, 2020
Extremely interesting book about a very dysfunctional family!
September 21, 2016
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Do we really need another book about the Tudors?
I’m not sure, but they do seem to be sparking quite the industry don’t they?
Borman’s book is suppose to be about the private lives – not so much sex, though there is plenty of that- but of housekeeping and castle running. In other words, how bodily functions were carried out, what make up was used, and, of course, the virginity of Elizabeth I.
It is not a bad book, but it is hardly a book that someone who has already read books about the Henrys, Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth I needs to read. The best sections are those were Borman really does focus on the private lives, such private lives that the kings and queens could have (which really wasn’t much). In this case, it means discussing views about sex as well as herbs that could be used if one spent too much time with a woman. There are detailed descriptions about royal wardrobes that are actually quite interesting, and make Henry VIII look even more of a bully.
The book bogs down for the far from causal Tudor reader, when Borman retreads the well-known Tudor stories, and why she acknowledges this in her introduction, that doesn’t make the reading more fascinating for those readers who already know this. What is interesting is that Borman follows the standard glossy over Edward and Mary (especially Mary) to make quick room for Elizabeth. It’s hardly surprising; Elizabeth ruled far, far longer. But it also feels as if she let go of a chance to do something different too easily. Instead of dwelling for the length of time she does on say Mary, Queen of Scots perhaps more about Mary I of England.
It is not a bad book, but if you have read other Tudor histories, it isn’t going to bring much new to the table. If you have just started reading about the Tudors, you should add this to your list.
Do we really need another book about the Tudors?
I’m not sure, but they do seem to be sparking quite the industry don’t they?
Borman’s book is suppose to be about the private lives – not so much sex, though there is plenty of that- but of housekeeping and castle running. In other words, how bodily functions were carried out, what make up was used, and, of course, the virginity of Elizabeth I.
It is not a bad book, but it is hardly a book that someone who has already read books about the Henrys, Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth I needs to read. The best sections are those were Borman really does focus on the private lives, such private lives that the kings and queens could have (which really wasn’t much). In this case, it means discussing views about sex as well as herbs that could be used if one spent too much time with a woman. There are detailed descriptions about royal wardrobes that are actually quite interesting, and make Henry VIII look even more of a bully.
The book bogs down for the far from causal Tudor reader, when Borman retreads the well-known Tudor stories, and why she acknowledges this in her introduction, that doesn’t make the reading more fascinating for those readers who already know this. What is interesting is that Borman follows the standard glossy over Edward and Mary (especially Mary) to make quick room for Elizabeth. It’s hardly surprising; Elizabeth ruled far, far longer. But it also feels as if she let go of a chance to do something different too easily. Instead of dwelling for the length of time she does on say Mary, Queen of Scots perhaps more about Mary I of England.
It is not a bad book, but if you have read other Tudor histories, it isn’t going to bring much new to the table. If you have just started reading about the Tudors, you should add this to your list.
October 24, 2020
The Tudors are one of the most famous of the British royal dynasties and this book covers them all: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth I. Any British history buff will know pretty much all there is to know about their lives, except for the behind the scenes life in the drafty, dirty, pest infested castles in which they resided. If you are looking for scandal or juicy tidbits, you will not find them here.
Instead, the author, who has excellent credentials, describes, in excruciating detail, the clothing, jewelry, hygiene and the roles of the multitude of servants who were at the beck and call of the ruler. Elizabeth I famously declared "I do not live in a corner. A thousand eyes see all I do." and the book validates that statement. The sovereign was never alone, not even when they had to relieve themselves in the less than clean toilets. One or two staff members slept in the same room with him/her, dressed them, washed them, tasted their food before it was eaten to discover if it was poisoned and did a multitude of other chores which would take too long to list. For example, it took over an hour just to dress Queen Elizabeth and another hour to put on the excessive layers of make-up that she wore. The Kings also went through a similar regimen of preparing for the day.
Did they have a private life? It was next to impossible except when they sneaked into the gardens to stroll in the middle of the night, hoping that they wouldn't awaken the servant(s) that shared their bedchambers. Even, for those Tudors who married, their wedding nights were monitored by high ranking individuals who stood outside the door in an attempt to ensure that all went well.
The book, at least for me, detailed the clothing and jewels of the sovereigns to a fault and it became rather tedious after a while. So, as Mel Brooks said in the comedy film History of the World, Part 2, "Its great to be king", is probably a false statement in real life.
It is an interesting book but excessively detailed about the same things ad infinitum; however, it good enough to hold your interest long enough to give it a try.
Instead, the author, who has excellent credentials, describes, in excruciating detail, the clothing, jewelry, hygiene and the roles of the multitude of servants who were at the beck and call of the ruler. Elizabeth I famously declared "I do not live in a corner. A thousand eyes see all I do." and the book validates that statement. The sovereign was never alone, not even when they had to relieve themselves in the less than clean toilets. One or two staff members slept in the same room with him/her, dressed them, washed them, tasted their food before it was eaten to discover if it was poisoned and did a multitude of other chores which would take too long to list. For example, it took over an hour just to dress Queen Elizabeth and another hour to put on the excessive layers of make-up that she wore. The Kings also went through a similar regimen of preparing for the day.
Did they have a private life? It was next to impossible except when they sneaked into the gardens to stroll in the middle of the night, hoping that they wouldn't awaken the servant(s) that shared their bedchambers. Even, for those Tudors who married, their wedding nights were monitored by high ranking individuals who stood outside the door in an attempt to ensure that all went well.
The book, at least for me, detailed the clothing and jewels of the sovereigns to a fault and it became rather tedious after a while. So, as Mel Brooks said in the comedy film History of the World, Part 2, "Its great to be king", is probably a false statement in real life.
It is an interesting book but excessively detailed about the same things ad infinitum; however, it good enough to hold your interest long enough to give it a try.
December 5, 2016
Ok. So, perhaps having this book's subtitle be "Uncovering the Secrets of Britain's Greatest Dynasty" is what set The Private Lives of the Tudors on the wrong footing with me. I love the Tudors. I live near enough to Hampton Court that I can go whenever I want. I spend many, many summer days at Hever Castle, brought my parents to Hatfield House, spent a night at Thornbury Castle and The Mermaid Inn, etc, etc…you get the point. So, when I saw a Tudor book that in its very title told me it was "uncovering secrets"….I pressed click and kept both my fingers and toes crossed for an ARC.
And I got one! Yay!
But that’s where my excitement ended. This book does little more than rehash all of the no-longer-private details that any reader who has even done a cursory study of the Tudors would already know, and then pads the book out with general history. There's no new secrets uncovered and no ground-breaking insight.
In this day in age when most of this kind of information can be found for free on the internet (there are a great many Tudor bloggers who will go into even further detail than this book), it's incredibly difficult to justify a purchase without something more substantial. Those who would pick up this volume in the hopes that it's fleshed out with new information will be disappointed by the minutiae The Private Lives of the Tudors actually contains. For all the work I have no doubt Borman put into compiling this book, I'm afraid there just isn’t enough fresh material for those of us generally more than willing to part with our sovereigns--if only it were truly a book that was uncovering the secrets of Britain's greatest dynasty.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a complementary ARC of this book and asking for my honest opinion, which this certainly is.
And I got one! Yay!
But that’s where my excitement ended. This book does little more than rehash all of the no-longer-private details that any reader who has even done a cursory study of the Tudors would already know, and then pads the book out with general history. There's no new secrets uncovered and no ground-breaking insight.
In this day in age when most of this kind of information can be found for free on the internet (there are a great many Tudor bloggers who will go into even further detail than this book), it's incredibly difficult to justify a purchase without something more substantial. Those who would pick up this volume in the hopes that it's fleshed out with new information will be disappointed by the minutiae The Private Lives of the Tudors actually contains. For all the work I have no doubt Borman put into compiling this book, I'm afraid there just isn’t enough fresh material for those of us generally more than willing to part with our sovereigns--if only it were truly a book that was uncovering the secrets of Britain's greatest dynasty.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a complementary ARC of this book and asking for my honest opinion, which this certainly is.
May 1, 2018
Private lives of the Tudors
A really interesting book which concentrates on the private lives of the Tudors. Not at all dry, this history book is very easy to follow and gives a fascinating glimpse of everyday life in the Court.
A really interesting book which concentrates on the private lives of the Tudors. Not at all dry, this history book is very easy to follow and gives a fascinating glimpse of everyday life in the Court.
August 25, 2016
The Tudor dynasty only ruled over England for approximately one hundred and eighteen years, relatively small when compared to the Plantagenets or the Stuarts rule over Scotland. Yet even people with little interest in history are drawn to this period, largely thanks to Showtimes series 'The Tudors' (2007-2010) and countless Hollywood movies set during this era. But also because this period has something for everyone, including drama, battles, romance, politics, the list is endless. People just can't get enough of the story of Henry VIII and his six wives, or Elizabeth I and her endless suitors, not to mention that inspiring Tilbury speech.
In her latest book, Dr Tracy Borman takes on a new angle examining these fascinating people, by looking at the private lives of the Monarchs and their consorts, behind the closed doors in their sumptuous Palaces. A lot of the stereotypes labelled on these people, such as Henry VII being a boring old miser, Edward VI being a puppet King, Mary I a dried up spinster incapable of fun, etc, are debunked here with evidence stating the contrary. Readers will come away from this seeing many- if not all- of these people in a new light.
The book is not intended to be a biography, but more a glimpse into life at the Tudor court, everything from the clothing, diet and hobbies, are examined. Henry VII spending much money on rich clothing will be a revelation to many. As will the topic of what we still have today of items that belonged to each of the Monarchs and what they can tell us about them as people. My personal favourites were the mementos Elizabeth I kept of her mother Anne Boleyn, as well as the documents and letters Edward VI kept reffering to his mother Jane Seymour.
What is so special about this book is it succeeds to bringing to life the Tudors as real people. It is easy to read many history books and feel that they each come off as very one-dimensional. But here, we get as close to the real people as we can get. And they all come live more as having been real people, with real emotions. And that is all to Tracy Borman's credit.
It was also interesting to read more about the set up of meals at court, and the number of dishes brought out, and how someone's status would determine how many courses they would get. Other interesting topics include the discussion of clothes, and how they would determine someone's status and wealth, and the changing of the fashions over the period. Also of particular interest was the topic of the set up of the Private Apartments, how far people of certain status would get, and what the duties for the vast number of staff attending the Monarchs and their consorts consisted off.
Prepare to have the way you view these people challenged, as you read this book, as you learn more about the people behind the glittering crowns and jewels, and learn of their struggles to hold onto power, through image, and keep that mystique around the Monarchy, whilst also having the personal touch. The only downside is you will definitely wish the book went on for longer.
Even those who find most history books quite dry, will easily enjoy this, thanks to Tracy Borman's easy to read and engaging writing, while people who have read many history books will discover more. It is a book for everyone. A truly informative and thoroughly enjoyable read.
In her latest book, Dr Tracy Borman takes on a new angle examining these fascinating people, by looking at the private lives of the Monarchs and their consorts, behind the closed doors in their sumptuous Palaces. A lot of the stereotypes labelled on these people, such as Henry VII being a boring old miser, Edward VI being a puppet King, Mary I a dried up spinster incapable of fun, etc, are debunked here with evidence stating the contrary. Readers will come away from this seeing many- if not all- of these people in a new light.
The book is not intended to be a biography, but more a glimpse into life at the Tudor court, everything from the clothing, diet and hobbies, are examined. Henry VII spending much money on rich clothing will be a revelation to many. As will the topic of what we still have today of items that belonged to each of the Monarchs and what they can tell us about them as people. My personal favourites were the mementos Elizabeth I kept of her mother Anne Boleyn, as well as the documents and letters Edward VI kept reffering to his mother Jane Seymour.
What is so special about this book is it succeeds to bringing to life the Tudors as real people. It is easy to read many history books and feel that they each come off as very one-dimensional. But here, we get as close to the real people as we can get. And they all come live more as having been real people, with real emotions. And that is all to Tracy Borman's credit.
It was also interesting to read more about the set up of meals at court, and the number of dishes brought out, and how someone's status would determine how many courses they would get. Other interesting topics include the discussion of clothes, and how they would determine someone's status and wealth, and the changing of the fashions over the period. Also of particular interest was the topic of the set up of the Private Apartments, how far people of certain status would get, and what the duties for the vast number of staff attending the Monarchs and their consorts consisted off.
Prepare to have the way you view these people challenged, as you read this book, as you learn more about the people behind the glittering crowns and jewels, and learn of their struggles to hold onto power, through image, and keep that mystique around the Monarchy, whilst also having the personal touch. The only downside is you will definitely wish the book went on for longer.
Even those who find most history books quite dry, will easily enjoy this, thanks to Tracy Borman's easy to read and engaging writing, while people who have read many history books will discover more. It is a book for everyone. A truly informative and thoroughly enjoyable read.
November 14, 2018
Basically an overview of the Tudor monarchs with 'fun facts' about ceremonies at court, their health, what they ate and wore. It is not truly a deeply researched academic work on their private lives.
The parts about their clothing is what I enjoyed most. I haven't read much about Mary I and Edward VI, so those chapters were also interesting to me.
What I enjoyed less is that some things were presented as fact when this is questionable. For example, Borman states two things about Anne Boleyn's physical appearance, but gives no source for this. We have heard these specific things about Anne before (from sources dating after her death, and no, George Wyatt did not know Anne, he was born in 1553), but the problem here is that Borman literally states these things as fact, without any questioning and even without giving a single source. There were several more 'facts' throughout the book, that shouldn't have been presented as such.
The parts about their clothing is what I enjoyed most. I haven't read much about Mary I and Edward VI, so those chapters were also interesting to me.
What I enjoyed less is that some things were presented as fact when this is questionable. For example, Borman states two things about Anne Boleyn's physical appearance, but gives no source for this. We have heard these specific things about Anne before (from sources dating after her death, and no, George Wyatt did not know Anne, he was born in 1553), but the problem here is that Borman literally states these things as fact, without any questioning and even without giving a single source. There were several more 'facts' throughout the book, that shouldn't have been presented as such.
February 5, 2017
Fascinating! It's amazing how much is known of the behind-the-scenes world of the Tudor royalty. Henry VIII provided the most fodder for interesting stories, but I learned some new things about Elizabeth I too. For fans of the Tudors and history buffs.
April 14, 2021
Not the most enlightening or original book, but really well written and very interesting.
September 26, 2020
This was such a fascinating book. Tracy Borman's writing style remains elegant and sophisticated while at the same time being extremely readable. There are so many interesting facts and I really liked the angle this took on looking at the Tudor Monarchs. I would highly recommend this.
March 12, 2025
This was so so great. Felt like I was really in their world the whole time. Early contender for my book of the year.
March 27, 2019
Tracy Borman is one of my favorite Tudor biographers and I found this to be yet another enjoyable book from her. She chronicles some of the lesser known personal facts from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (and a little afterword about useless James I).
I found the most interesting information to be on clothing, how much each monarch spent on it, what colors they favored, and how big their collections were. Childbirth, medicine, diet, and hygiene were also featured, and while they weren’t uninteresting, many had a grisly component. I’ll never forget the groom of the stool who decided to essentially keep Henry VIII’s toilets after he died—and god love Borman for questioning the purpose behind doing so.
If you’re just starting to read about the Tudors, I think this would be an excellent intro despite the fact it focuses “behind the scenes.” Borman follows a chronological timeline and includes a lot of historical context for what was going on at the time, or why the succession proceeded as it did. While all of this context became a small complaint for me (particularly around Edward VI and Mary I) as it took the focus away from their private lives, I think that the structure would help ground these facts for people who are just starting to learn about the Tudors.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
I found the most interesting information to be on clothing, how much each monarch spent on it, what colors they favored, and how big their collections were. Childbirth, medicine, diet, and hygiene were also featured, and while they weren’t uninteresting, many had a grisly component. I’ll never forget the groom of the stool who decided to essentially keep Henry VIII’s toilets after he died—and god love Borman for questioning the purpose behind doing so.
If you’re just starting to read about the Tudors, I think this would be an excellent intro despite the fact it focuses “behind the scenes.” Borman follows a chronological timeline and includes a lot of historical context for what was going on at the time, or why the succession proceeded as it did. While all of this context became a small complaint for me (particularly around Edward VI and Mary I) as it took the focus away from their private lives, I think that the structure would help ground these facts for people who are just starting to learn about the Tudors.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
June 18, 2017
Too many typos and too many inaccuracies in the edition I read. There was nothing new, nor was there anything exciting.
Typical, not mind-opening, not enlightening book. There are still a lot of exciting topics about the Tudors, but this one was about " the second best bed"if you let me quote Shakespeare's will.
Typical, not mind-opening, not enlightening book. There are still a lot of exciting topics about the Tudors, but this one was about " the second best bed"if you let me quote Shakespeare's will.
February 23, 2020
The Tudor dynasty ruled for over one hundred years and compared to the Stuart’s and the Plantagenets a relatively small time. However most people when thinking of royalty and great historical stories are instantly drawn to the Tudors.
They are certainly my favourite and I think there is something for everyone here. Romance, drama, battles, religion, international relations, politics. Dr Tracy Borman takes a look at the private lives of the Monarchs and consorts behind closed doors in their many opulent palaces.
The book which is not a biography, but more a glimpse into life at the Tudor court. Diet, hobbies, fashions, sex, and much more. You really get under the skin of the monarchs and their daily lives. No Stone is left unturned every extravagance is mentioned and opens a fascination window to another bygone era that helped shape the UK and our history of today.
Thank you Dr Tracy Borman.
They are certainly my favourite and I think there is something for everyone here. Romance, drama, battles, religion, international relations, politics. Dr Tracy Borman takes a look at the private lives of the Monarchs and consorts behind closed doors in their many opulent palaces.
The book which is not a biography, but more a glimpse into life at the Tudor court. Diet, hobbies, fashions, sex, and much more. You really get under the skin of the monarchs and their daily lives. No Stone is left unturned every extravagance is mentioned and opens a fascination window to another bygone era that helped shape the UK and our history of today.
Thank you Dr Tracy Borman.
March 19, 2023
Intriguing Insights
This was an interesting examination of the intersection between the royal and private lives of English monarchs Henry VII to Elizabeth I. Borman pulled together a fascinating look at how the Tudor royals lived and ruled, partially by examining surviving records about their households and the staff/courtiers who served them. I was particularly fascinated by the research she aggregated on the health of the royals.
This was an interesting examination of the intersection between the royal and private lives of English monarchs Henry VII to Elizabeth I. Borman pulled together a fascinating look at how the Tudor royals lived and ruled, partially by examining surviving records about their households and the staff/courtiers who served them. I was particularly fascinated by the research she aggregated on the health of the royals.
February 16, 2026
Very informative about the private lives of one of my favourite periods, Tracy Borman does her research very well and thoroughly. I enjoyed it right from the beginning to the end, I thank my sister for buying me this x
May 30, 2025
Keeping up with the Kardashians? More like Keeping up with the Tudors!
May 27, 2019
This book looks at the Tudors through their more personal habits rather than their policies and major events. We learn of hygiene matters, sexual behaviours and health treatments. Whilst it brings nothing new to the table, this was interesting and enjoyable thanks to Borman's writing style.
January 22, 2026
If you have ever wondered about the lives behind the majesty of the Tudor dynasty this book is for you. It goes into depth on personal expenditures: hobbies, clothing, food, and everything in between. It was fascinating to get a prospective on these historical figures that enlightened the aspects that were not explicitly related to monarchy, but were vital in its survival and development.
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