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Brandon Trilogy #1
Mary: Tudor Princess
From the author of the international best-selling Tudor Trilogy, the true story of the Tudor dynasty continues with the daughter of King Henry VII, sister to King Henry VIII. Mary Tudor watches her elder brother become King of England and wonders what the future holds for her.
Born into great privilege, Mary has beauty and intelligence beyond her years and is the most marriageable princess in Europe. Henry plans to use her marriage to build a powerful alliance against his enemies. Will she dare risk his anger by marrying for love?
Meticulously researched and based on actual events, this 'sequel' follows Mary's story from book three of the Tudor Trilogy and is set during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Born into great privilege, Mary has beauty and intelligence beyond her years and is the most marriageable princess in Europe. Henry plans to use her marriage to build a powerful alliance against his enemies. Will she dare risk his anger by marrying for love?
Meticulously researched and based on actual events, this 'sequel' follows Mary's story from book three of the Tudor Trilogy and is set during the reign of King Henry VIII.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2018
539 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Tony Riches
27 books471 followersTony Riches is a full-time author from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, an area full of inspiration for his writing.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 13, 2018
I knew little about Mary Tudor except that she was Henry VIII's sister. Tony Riches brings her to life for us, explaining the tragedies and triumphs she experienced in her relatively short life. Although she was treated on occasion as a pawn and on other occasions as an asset to be leveraged by Henry VIII and advisors like Thomas Woolsey, she found happiness in her marriage to Charles Brandon and her children. Full of excellent period detail, this novel will transport you to 16th century England and France and the intrigues, wars and upheavals of that period. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2020
Wonderful tale of a lesser-known Tudor
I've always had an interest in Mary Tudor, but her brother and his wives tend to hog all the limelight in historical fiction. I enjoyed reading her story, and I'm thoroughly impressed by the obvious amount of research that went into building Tony Riches' realistic Tudor world. Her husband, Charles, doesn't come off at the most sympathetic character, but living in Henry VIII's world meant making difficult choices, so I am looking forward to the next book, to better understand Charles Brandon.
I've always had an interest in Mary Tudor, but her brother and his wives tend to hog all the limelight in historical fiction. I enjoyed reading her story, and I'm thoroughly impressed by the obvious amount of research that went into building Tony Riches' realistic Tudor world. Her husband, Charles, doesn't come off at the most sympathetic character, but living in Henry VIII's world meant making difficult choices, so I am looking forward to the next book, to better understand Charles Brandon.
August 25, 2021
Snoozy-ish Mary. Again- TOO MANY MARYS. I always learn a lot. Not reading the sequel. The husband was an ass. Well written.
December 28, 2019
When we think of the Tudors most of us think of Henry and Elizabeth. Mary Tudor was the youngest surviving daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York and favourite sister to Henry VIII.
As a young girl she was betrothed to Charles who later became the Holy Roman Emperor. However, this was cancelled and instead a young Mary found herself becoming married to 52 year old Louis XII of France.
Before she left for France Mary made her brother promise if she survived Louis she could choose her next husband.
And here we have Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, my favourite individual from the Tudor era, I love learning more about him.
This book follows Mary through her journey to France, her second marriage and return to England up to her death. Mary died 25 June 1533 at her home in Westhorpe. She had been a Tudor Princess and Queen of France.
I adore the story of Mary and Charles so this was a pleasure to read with the exception of a few tears. Tony Riches successfully brings the court to life with descriptions of decor and clothing I can picture the gowns and the banquets.
I enjoy historical fiction but enjoy it more so when based on true history so I loved this book and cannot wait to get started on the next instalment, Brandon - Tudor Knight.
As a young girl she was betrothed to Charles who later became the Holy Roman Emperor. However, this was cancelled and instead a young Mary found herself becoming married to 52 year old Louis XII of France.
Before she left for France Mary made her brother promise if she survived Louis she could choose her next husband.
And here we have Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, my favourite individual from the Tudor era, I love learning more about him.
This book follows Mary through her journey to France, her second marriage and return to England up to her death. Mary died 25 June 1533 at her home in Westhorpe. She had been a Tudor Princess and Queen of France.
I adore the story of Mary and Charles so this was a pleasure to read with the exception of a few tears. Tony Riches successfully brings the court to life with descriptions of decor and clothing I can picture the gowns and the banquets.
I enjoy historical fiction but enjoy it more so when based on true history so I loved this book and cannot wait to get started on the next instalment, Brandon - Tudor Knight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
I was kindly given an audio copy of this book, but I enjoyed it so much I bought a paperback version as well, to add to my library. I love the story of Mary Tudor, but although I'm familiar with her when she was in France, I'm not so familiar with her later life. So for me, this book was really interesting. Also, because Tony Riches is an excellent researcher, I felt confident that although a novel, this book is full of facts, something I always value in novels. But it is by no means stuffy and heavy going. The story races along and holds your attention, and all the characters, being real people, are believable, particularly Charles Brandon. I loved the descriptions of them together and reading about their domestic life, not just the court.
If you don't know Mary Tudor's story, I'd recommend you read this. It's a super summer read.
If you don't know Mary Tudor's story, I'd recommend you read this. It's a super summer read.
April 22, 2020
Tony Riches' novel follows the life of Mary Tudor, youngest sister of Henry VIII. I really like Mary as a historical figure and by now I'm quite familiar with her story, and probably I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't.
The historical research was good, and I enjoyed seeing Mary's relationships with minor characters such as her grandmother Margaret Beaufort or her lady-in-waiting Jane Popyncourt. The narration, however, was quite dry. It was more tell than show, and the main characters weren't so well developed. Mary was likeable enough, I liked her kind heart and the political acumen she showed in some scenes, but it was difficult to get a real sense of her and she remained a little nebulous. Similarly, her relationship with Brandon wasn't explored in depth, as well as Brandon's feelings for her.
All in all, it was a decent historical novel and a pleasant read, but I think it will definitely be appreciated more by readers who don't know much about Mary.
The historical research was good, and I enjoyed seeing Mary's relationships with minor characters such as her grandmother Margaret Beaufort or her lady-in-waiting Jane Popyncourt. The narration, however, was quite dry. It was more tell than show, and the main characters weren't so well developed. Mary was likeable enough, I liked her kind heart and the political acumen she showed in some scenes, but it was difficult to get a real sense of her and she remained a little nebulous. Similarly, her relationship with Brandon wasn't explored in depth, as well as Brandon's feelings for her.
All in all, it was a decent historical novel and a pleasant read, but I think it will definitely be appreciated more by readers who don't know much about Mary.
March 29, 2023
This book was okay historical fiction. I appreciate that the author did great research on Mary Tudor but I wish he had gotten a little more creative with her. According to this telling, her life was a little dull. Historical fiction can be can be riveting and exciting and still stay true to the facts. This was kinda like reading a textbook.
May 7, 2019
Despite a writing that was a little uneven, some heavy-handed exposition and a Mary that alternated between wise beyond her years and too naive, all in the early chapters, this book was quite the page-turner. It was really a pleasant read for 75-to-80% of it, would recommend!
April 20, 2019
I knew very little of Mary, Henry favourite sister, this is a good bio, pleased to have read it
March 4, 2018
I reviewed this book via an ARC, in my role as a member of Rosie Amber's Book Review Team
I gave this book 4 stars on Amazon and 3 on here; both ratings mean 'I liked it'.
Like many people, I have an unquenchable thirst for good fiction about the Plantagenet and Tudor period. I wondered if Mary Tudor's story in itself would be enough to sustain a novel, but was pleased to see that it added to my knowledge of the Tudor period and I liked the way the author used her story to write to produce another, interesting perspective on that of Henry VIII, as Mary fretted over the troubles with France and watched the fortunes of her friend Queen Catherine plummet.
There are some clever ideas in this tale of Henry's sister, such as placing the thirteen-year-old Anne Boleyn as her maid, on the night of her wedding to King Louis of France. Whether she really was or not I don't know, and neither does it matter, though we are given the information that Anne became one of the ladies of Mary's bedchamber. That the reader knows more about what was happening at court than the protagonist is a smart move, as we turn the pages in anticipation of her finding out; as an aristocratic woman of her time, Mary's life was, of course, subject to the machinations of the men who controlled her. Later, when kept away from court at Brandon's seat in Suffolk, she knew only what she heard from others, which included very little of her own husband's infidelities.
As is usual with Tony Riches' books, it is clear that much research has been undertaken without it ever seeming research-heavy, a skill I always admire.
Given that the story is of a whole life, and a not uneventful one, this is not a very long book and at times I felt that more detail might have made it more absorbing, for instance in the development of Mary's first, brief marriage to King Louis of France, of Charles Brandon's feeling towards her, of the discovery of her husband's infidelity, and the loss of her first son. I didn't feel I knew Mary until half way through, and at times it seemed the story was being somewhat raced through as new characters emerged, older ones died off until, had I not known a great deal about this time, I might have forgotten who was who; on the other hand, it is written as Mary would have seen it—and novels of Tudor history are always hampered by the fact that everyone is called Anne, Mary, Catherine, Charles, Henry and Thomas!
I did enjoy it and read it in two sittings; I just felt that, on occasion, the story required extra depth to make me feel really involved with the main character and less as though I was reading a catalogue of factual happenings. It's as well-written as all Mr Riches' books, though, and that I read it so quickly shows that I found it a page-turner.
Mary's death at the end was beautifully executed. I do love a good ending. I'd definitely recommend this book as an addition to the library of fellow Tudor addicts.
I gave this book 4 stars on Amazon and 3 on here; both ratings mean 'I liked it'.
Like many people, I have an unquenchable thirst for good fiction about the Plantagenet and Tudor period. I wondered if Mary Tudor's story in itself would be enough to sustain a novel, but was pleased to see that it added to my knowledge of the Tudor period and I liked the way the author used her story to write to produce another, interesting perspective on that of Henry VIII, as Mary fretted over the troubles with France and watched the fortunes of her friend Queen Catherine plummet.
There are some clever ideas in this tale of Henry's sister, such as placing the thirteen-year-old Anne Boleyn as her maid, on the night of her wedding to King Louis of France. Whether she really was or not I don't know, and neither does it matter, though we are given the information that Anne became one of the ladies of Mary's bedchamber. That the reader knows more about what was happening at court than the protagonist is a smart move, as we turn the pages in anticipation of her finding out; as an aristocratic woman of her time, Mary's life was, of course, subject to the machinations of the men who controlled her. Later, when kept away from court at Brandon's seat in Suffolk, she knew only what she heard from others, which included very little of her own husband's infidelities.
As is usual with Tony Riches' books, it is clear that much research has been undertaken without it ever seeming research-heavy, a skill I always admire.
Given that the story is of a whole life, and a not uneventful one, this is not a very long book and at times I felt that more detail might have made it more absorbing, for instance in the development of Mary's first, brief marriage to King Louis of France, of Charles Brandon's feeling towards her, of the discovery of her husband's infidelity, and the loss of her first son. I didn't feel I knew Mary until half way through, and at times it seemed the story was being somewhat raced through as new characters emerged, older ones died off until, had I not known a great deal about this time, I might have forgotten who was who; on the other hand, it is written as Mary would have seen it—and novels of Tudor history are always hampered by the fact that everyone is called Anne, Mary, Catherine, Charles, Henry and Thomas!
I did enjoy it and read it in two sittings; I just felt that, on occasion, the story required extra depth to make me feel really involved with the main character and less as though I was reading a catalogue of factual happenings. It's as well-written as all Mr Riches' books, though, and that I read it so quickly shows that I found it a page-turner.
Mary's death at the end was beautifully executed. I do love a good ending. I'd definitely recommend this book as an addition to the library of fellow Tudor addicts.
February 28, 2018
This book opens in 1509 as the 13 year old Princess Mary witnesses the coronation of her brother King Henry VIII, who is himself just five years older. Despite his youth, Henry has an expansive and expensive plan to extend his realm, which includes marrying his older brother Arthur's widow Catherine of Aragon; then 23 years old.
The young Princess Mary is drawn into a diplomatic web of intrigue and alliances; a pawn for barter to the highest bidder. The stakes are enormous and King Henry and his advisors move the pieces around the chess board to achieve the most effective outcome. This includes a strategic betrothal, and finally a marriage for Mary, who finds herself at a distant court, in the middle of a completely different intrigue.
This is not a dry dusty history book with dates and statistics. It is a story of a young girl and events that are beyond her control for most of her life. However, it is clear when you first meet her at 13, that she is very well educated, determined and also brave. She faces the decisions made by others with stoicism in public and it is only when alone do you see the vulnerable and frightened child that she still is. She loves and supports her brother Henry, despite his mercurial nature and treatment of his wife Catherine who she considers a sister. Even knowing his swift retribution for those closest to him that fall from favour, Mary still has the courage to go against his will, fighting to be with the man she loves and her happiness.
We follow the various key events of her life, through her thoughts and words that Tony Riches has created. Sharing the fears, love, despair, grief and triumphs of this young woman, mother and queen in her own right. I would have liked to have met her; I think she was a remarkable woman in her own quiet and determined way.
The other characters are just as well portrayed. We get to witness the behaviour of the young Henry VIII, who did not expect to become king, and is therefore completely unprepared for his new role. His early reign is a hedonistic mission to spend his inherited finances; surrounded by sycophants who are only too happy to encourage him. Behind the scenes ambitious statesman make deals that will further England's position in Europe, and their own, irrespective of the impact on the young men and women involved.
Meanwhile Queen Catherine is having child after child in a desperate race against time to provide a male heir who lives beyond childhood. Her already tenuous hold on the crown is at stake as Henry pursues other opportunities.
Do not expect flowery language of the age, but plain language and a clear and descriptive narrative. I enjoyed finding out more about this rarely seen princess who played an important role in the history of the Tudors and also England's future in Europe. I recommend this book and also the rest of the Tudor Series.
The young Princess Mary is drawn into a diplomatic web of intrigue and alliances; a pawn for barter to the highest bidder. The stakes are enormous and King Henry and his advisors move the pieces around the chess board to achieve the most effective outcome. This includes a strategic betrothal, and finally a marriage for Mary, who finds herself at a distant court, in the middle of a completely different intrigue.
This is not a dry dusty history book with dates and statistics. It is a story of a young girl and events that are beyond her control for most of her life. However, it is clear when you first meet her at 13, that she is very well educated, determined and also brave. She faces the decisions made by others with stoicism in public and it is only when alone do you see the vulnerable and frightened child that she still is. She loves and supports her brother Henry, despite his mercurial nature and treatment of his wife Catherine who she considers a sister. Even knowing his swift retribution for those closest to him that fall from favour, Mary still has the courage to go against his will, fighting to be with the man she loves and her happiness.
We follow the various key events of her life, through her thoughts and words that Tony Riches has created. Sharing the fears, love, despair, grief and triumphs of this young woman, mother and queen in her own right. I would have liked to have met her; I think she was a remarkable woman in her own quiet and determined way.
The other characters are just as well portrayed. We get to witness the behaviour of the young Henry VIII, who did not expect to become king, and is therefore completely unprepared for his new role. His early reign is a hedonistic mission to spend his inherited finances; surrounded by sycophants who are only too happy to encourage him. Behind the scenes ambitious statesman make deals that will further England's position in Europe, and their own, irrespective of the impact on the young men and women involved.
Meanwhile Queen Catherine is having child after child in a desperate race against time to provide a male heir who lives beyond childhood. Her already tenuous hold on the crown is at stake as Henry pursues other opportunities.
Do not expect flowery language of the age, but plain language and a clear and descriptive narrative. I enjoyed finding out more about this rarely seen princess who played an important role in the history of the Tudors and also England's future in Europe. I recommend this book and also the rest of the Tudor Series.
December 18, 2019
Review - Thanks to Tony Riches for sending me a complimentary copy of this, the first book in the Tudor trilogy. I really cannot wait to read the other two in this series, because I really enjoyed this one. Mary isn't a character I'd read much about, so it was really interesting to see a possibility of her relationship with Suffolk and with her children. I also liked to see Mary and Brandon's relationship with Brandon's daughters from his first marriage. It was really well written and you could tell that Riches had done his research into Mary's life.
Genre? - Historical
Characters? - Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk / Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk / Louis XII of France / Henry VIII / Francis I of France / Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor / Henry VII / Katherine of Aragon / Anne Boleyn
Setting? - London & Westhorpe (England) and Calais & Paris (France)
Series? - Brandon Trilogy #1
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
For full review see my blog at https://bookbloggerish.wordpress.com/...
Genre? - Historical
Characters? - Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk / Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk / Louis XII of France / Henry VIII / Francis I of France / Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor / Henry VII / Katherine of Aragon / Anne Boleyn
Setting? - London & Westhorpe (England) and Calais & Paris (France)
Series? - Brandon Trilogy #1
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
For full review see my blog at https://bookbloggerish.wordpress.com/...
December 26, 2018
Mary Tudor was the luckiest and the unluckiest princess you could ever imagine. First she had to marry an old man against her will to satisfy her brother’s dynastic ambitions, then she married the man of her dreams—though she didn’t really live happily ever after. Tudor politics took care of that! Not to mention an early death. I was happy to see that Charles Brandon treated her as well as could be expected from a man of his temperament and rank. I always imagined Mary sitting at home ignored and miserable; maybe her life wasn’t quite that bad, though she and her husband did have to placate the King for marrying without his permission. It looks like Charles did most of the placating, for Mary kept finding herself in the unenviable position of defending Queen Catherine against the upstart Anne Boleyn.
The author has gone a long way toward dispelling some odd legends about Mary; I always looked askance at the suggestion she partied her first husband to death (or something more obscene). The recent Tudor television program casts her in an unpleasant light; she was disagreeable most of the time. Tony Riches gives us a much more palatable character; we can relate to her and her challenges. Her royal brother was not the easiest man in the world to deal with, nor was King Francis. Well practiced in slippery Tudor intrigues, Mary managed to walk that tightrope between success and utter failure, though she was never able to let her guard down—even with her husband, I suspect. She was well characterized; I enjoyed the book very much.
The author has gone a long way toward dispelling some odd legends about Mary; I always looked askance at the suggestion she partied her first husband to death (or something more obscene). The recent Tudor television program casts her in an unpleasant light; she was disagreeable most of the time. Tony Riches gives us a much more palatable character; we can relate to her and her challenges. Her royal brother was not the easiest man in the world to deal with, nor was King Francis. Well practiced in slippery Tudor intrigues, Mary managed to walk that tightrope between success and utter failure, though she was never able to let her guard down—even with her husband, I suspect. She was well characterized; I enjoyed the book very much.
August 7, 2020
Review of Tony Riches Mary – Tudor Princess
If your knowledge of Mary Tudor is from a TV series, prepare to have your mind blown with this myth-busting story fit for a princess.
Tony Riches story of Mary Tudor, sister to King Henry VIII, begins in 1509 and travels you through to her death in 1533. As the reader, you will ramble through the halls of both the palaces of England and France, including a stop at the Field of Cloth of Gold.
Princess Mary Tudor is front and center with a large supporting cast. As I said, if your knowledge of Mary is only from a TV show you, dear reader, will find a softer and more astute Princess in this book. Her marriage to the King of France is more detailed. Her marriage to Charles Brandon is not quite what you may remember, and you get a wide view of her relationship with her children and stepchildren. King Henry VIII appears kinder and calmer while Charles Brandon appears to be much more of a scoundrel.
Throughout the story, Princess Mary is found to be quite agreeable and knowing of her role. At the beginning, she seems naïve to what is happening in her life. Her marriage to the much older King of France is shown to be sweet and gentle but the book does not make clear if the marriage is consummated at any point. The author shows how the relationship grows and eliminates any doubt to Mary’s role in the King’s death. Mary’s time at the French court was quiet. An aliment bothers her during this time period but it seems to disappear as quickly as it came. It is not made clear if this is the author’s way of providing a possible start to Mary’s pains she suffers through out the rest of her life. I looked for the connection through out the story but one was not obvious. The author does a great job of introducing Anne Boleyn during this time. It is barely a whisper of an intro and if you are not paying attention you may miss it.
Most surprising to me was the portrayal of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Mary’s relationship with him. Brandon comes across as a kind of bumbling man grabbing at any gold coin he can get his hands on. Mary is shown to be the mind in the marriage and the behavior of Brandon makes the relationship feel one-sided. I would love to know if she ever had regrets about marrying Charles Brandon.
Mary’s children and stepchildren play a large role in this story. She is a kind and loving parent to each and I am intrigued to learn more about them all.
The marriage, between Mary and Brandon, and the reaction of King Henry to the news is more subdued and Cardinal Wolsey plays a larger role in keeping the peace than I had previously believed. I found myself having to stop and wrap my head around a possible new scenario and outcome to the “scandal”. The author does not show this as some hot and heavy, lust-filled connection ending in a secret marriage. Even the new King of France plays a role and as always, it is politically motivated.
As the book continues through Mary’s life she is used as a political pawn, but she is shown to do it with full knowledge and the understanding of her role. The myth of the reason of her and Brandon’s banishment from court is put to rest towards the end of the book. The author’s reason for the banishment makes much more sense to me then the myth of their marriage being the reason.
The descriptions and details in the story were sometimes a bit much for my taste. Some of it seemed to be more filler than an actual need in the story. Granted, I love to read about the gowns and palaces but I can live without the mundane food and drink details unless they are part of a lavish banquet.
The friendship between Princess Mary and Queen Catherine was nice to see but I was put off by the stiffness of the Queen. She comes across as a constant victim and not the strong, resilient Queen I am used to reading about.
The sister of Princess Mary, Margaret – Queen of Scots, appears in the book and I have to be honest, I did not know that she ever returned to the English court. Her appearance is quick and doesn’t add much to the story but has piqued my interest into more of her life.
This is a story I would read again. Tony Riches provides many interesting and possible, new to you, insights that it may take a couple of reads to catch them all. The portrayal of Princess Mary is fresh and the author busts more than one myth in the book.
As this book does throughout, the beliefs you may have about these people will be put to the test and you may find yourself walking away with new questions and interests in many of the characters. I know I did.
Highly recommend for the Tudor history enthusiast. 5 stars.
August 25, 2020
Mary, Tudor Princess is a novel written by Tony Riches, which explores the life of Princess Mary, the younger sister of King Henry VIII. It is also the first book in a trilogy by the author focusing on the saga of Charles Brandon and those who made up his most intimate circle, Mary being of course Brandon’s soon-to-be wife.
Riches is a great storyteller, his eye for detail and his attention to the research he has clearly put into writing this books is fantastic. He has a way of writing which allows the reader to feel life a voyeur listening in at the most intimate moments of court life and intrigue, but also gives a wide sweep across the culture of the Tudor Period as a whole, bringing the court of young Henry to life in vivid detail, whilst also following Mary’s story closely, from her time at the French court, full of intrigue and political machinations, through to her time in England, her romance and love for Charles, and the risks they took to be together. I found the portrayal of their romance believable and found the character of Charles to be likeable and I enjoyed how the author wrote the book so you would view him almost as Mary did herself. Henry, the young king, is shown as capricious and tempestuous, and it is fascinating to follow Mary’s story, trying to avoid incurring his wrath whilst also making it clear that she is incredibly devoted to him.
What is most fascinating is the great amount of social and cultural detail the author is able to bring to the novel. The Tudor Period has always been a specialist subject of mine, and I have spent many years studying the different aspects of life during the Tudor Period, from different social statuses. Riches has clearly spent a lot of time researching all aspects of the mundane day to day life of the Tudors, for in this novel we experience daily life first hand, but in a way which makes it fascinating – from the intricacies of clothing and how they were worn, to the details of childbirth in the Tudor era, each detail makes the book spring alive with life and makes the story all the more believable.
One of the other strengths of the book is the writing of the supporting characters. Henry himself hardly needs much assistance to become a larger than life individual, after all! And yet Riches displays the young glittering King in all his glory, alongside his new wife Catherine, who is shown to be a devout young woman with yet hidden depths and secrets which could threaten her marriage. The portrayal of Brandon is a very good one, because many novels and TV shows portray him as a contemporary for Henry – a young vivacious batchelor - and yet he was in truth 7 years older than Henry and at the time of the novel’s beginning, married to his second wife. So it was a welcome change to see Brandon portrayed as he should be – a mature, married man, and 12 years older than Mary.
I don’t often read novels because in the past I have found them to be filled with inaccuracies, sensationalisms, and unnecessary details. However this novel was an exception, because it provided a thoroughly researched view into the Tudor Court. I enjoyed reading a novel focused around the life of Mary, Princess of England, because she is a character often forgotten about and yet she was clearly a woman of great beauty, intellect, and influence. I also appreciated the book being told from the point of view of a woman at the court, as many history books tend to follow the more political or warfare orientated stories of the men of the era. I feel the book stands up well to a good scrutiny of the facts used in the book, and the points of conjecture that the author brings up in the books (such as whether the marriage between Catherine and Arthur was consummated or now) are left fairly ambiguous so you can make your own mind up as to who you believe.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to any Tudor history lovers who either enjoy reading historical novels, or who would like to try something different for a change. I will definitely be considering continuing to read the next books in the trilogy to see how the remainder of Charles and Mary’s story is portrayed in this rendition.
Riches is a great storyteller, his eye for detail and his attention to the research he has clearly put into writing this books is fantastic. He has a way of writing which allows the reader to feel life a voyeur listening in at the most intimate moments of court life and intrigue, but also gives a wide sweep across the culture of the Tudor Period as a whole, bringing the court of young Henry to life in vivid detail, whilst also following Mary’s story closely, from her time at the French court, full of intrigue and political machinations, through to her time in England, her romance and love for Charles, and the risks they took to be together. I found the portrayal of their romance believable and found the character of Charles to be likeable and I enjoyed how the author wrote the book so you would view him almost as Mary did herself. Henry, the young king, is shown as capricious and tempestuous, and it is fascinating to follow Mary’s story, trying to avoid incurring his wrath whilst also making it clear that she is incredibly devoted to him.
What is most fascinating is the great amount of social and cultural detail the author is able to bring to the novel. The Tudor Period has always been a specialist subject of mine, and I have spent many years studying the different aspects of life during the Tudor Period, from different social statuses. Riches has clearly spent a lot of time researching all aspects of the mundane day to day life of the Tudors, for in this novel we experience daily life first hand, but in a way which makes it fascinating – from the intricacies of clothing and how they were worn, to the details of childbirth in the Tudor era, each detail makes the book spring alive with life and makes the story all the more believable.
One of the other strengths of the book is the writing of the supporting characters. Henry himself hardly needs much assistance to become a larger than life individual, after all! And yet Riches displays the young glittering King in all his glory, alongside his new wife Catherine, who is shown to be a devout young woman with yet hidden depths and secrets which could threaten her marriage. The portrayal of Brandon is a very good one, because many novels and TV shows portray him as a contemporary for Henry – a young vivacious batchelor - and yet he was in truth 7 years older than Henry and at the time of the novel’s beginning, married to his second wife. So it was a welcome change to see Brandon portrayed as he should be – a mature, married man, and 12 years older than Mary.
I don’t often read novels because in the past I have found them to be filled with inaccuracies, sensationalisms, and unnecessary details. However this novel was an exception, because it provided a thoroughly researched view into the Tudor Court. I enjoyed reading a novel focused around the life of Mary, Princess of England, because she is a character often forgotten about and yet she was clearly a woman of great beauty, intellect, and influence. I also appreciated the book being told from the point of view of a woman at the court, as many history books tend to follow the more political or warfare orientated stories of the men of the era. I feel the book stands up well to a good scrutiny of the facts used in the book, and the points of conjecture that the author brings up in the books (such as whether the marriage between Catherine and Arthur was consummated or now) are left fairly ambiguous so you can make your own mind up as to who you believe.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to any Tudor history lovers who either enjoy reading historical novels, or who would like to try something different for a change. I will definitely be considering continuing to read the next books in the trilogy to see how the remainder of Charles and Mary’s story is portrayed in this rendition.
March 16, 2020
was introduced to Tony Riches when I read his Tudor Trilogy and reviewed all three books. I loved them and wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy another series from this author quite as well. I’m pleased to say that the first in the Brandon Trilogy - Mary, Tudor Princess - is very much up to what I’d hope for. The author creates plausible and well-rounded characters against the background of detailed and true history. His writing engages the reader’s interest and doesn’t let go.
Another draw for me was that the central character here is not Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, but Mary, his sister. In literature, she is eclipsed by the charisma and outrageousness of her brother and one might think Mary would be cunningly used by Henry as a pawn in his machinations to maintain and increase his power. As it turns out, Mary is as clever a Tudor as Henry.
As drawn by the author, Mary’s life is not an easy one. Her mother and father both died when she still young, and she knew her brother would use her marriage for political gains. Mary was first betrothed to Charles, the son of Philip I of Castile, who would become the Holy Roman Emperor. But when Henry sees a better opportunity for himself, the engagement is called off, and Henry sends her instead to France, where at the age of 18, she marries the elderly and ailing King Louis XII. She treats the king with kindness and respect, but when he dies, she wants to marry the man with whom she is already in love, Charles Brandon, the first Duke of Suffolk.
The author creates in Mary a clever, loyal and sympathetic woman, who risks the king’s anger to marry and raises both children and step children in a loving household. But the Tudor world is turbulent and dangerous, and she must carefully balance her affection for Queen Catherine against the machinations of the ambitious and calculating Ann Boleyn. Keeping her family and her husband safe against the predations of the royal court and Henry’s demands is occasionally overwhelming, especially later as she deals with a progressive illness.
I delighted in the detail of the court and was impressed with the difficulties from the political maneuvering and complex drama of Henry’s court that Mary had to manage. Mr. Riches draws a colorful web against the history of the time.
Mary – Tudor Princess is quite different from the books of the Tudor trilogy, and it took some adjustment on my part. It lacks in the head-long action of those trilogy books, seen from a male point of view, but this book presents Tudor history through a woman’s eyes – totally different, just as revealing, and just as much a compelling read. Kudos to the author.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, and especially to those enamored with the Tudor era, as something quite different in the telling.
Another draw for me was that the central character here is not Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, but Mary, his sister. In literature, she is eclipsed by the charisma and outrageousness of her brother and one might think Mary would be cunningly used by Henry as a pawn in his machinations to maintain and increase his power. As it turns out, Mary is as clever a Tudor as Henry.
As drawn by the author, Mary’s life is not an easy one. Her mother and father both died when she still young, and she knew her brother would use her marriage for political gains. Mary was first betrothed to Charles, the son of Philip I of Castile, who would become the Holy Roman Emperor. But when Henry sees a better opportunity for himself, the engagement is called off, and Henry sends her instead to France, where at the age of 18, she marries the elderly and ailing King Louis XII. She treats the king with kindness and respect, but when he dies, she wants to marry the man with whom she is already in love, Charles Brandon, the first Duke of Suffolk.
The author creates in Mary a clever, loyal and sympathetic woman, who risks the king’s anger to marry and raises both children and step children in a loving household. But the Tudor world is turbulent and dangerous, and she must carefully balance her affection for Queen Catherine against the machinations of the ambitious and calculating Ann Boleyn. Keeping her family and her husband safe against the predations of the royal court and Henry’s demands is occasionally overwhelming, especially later as she deals with a progressive illness.
I delighted in the detail of the court and was impressed with the difficulties from the political maneuvering and complex drama of Henry’s court that Mary had to manage. Mr. Riches draws a colorful web against the history of the time.
Mary – Tudor Princess is quite different from the books of the Tudor trilogy, and it took some adjustment on my part. It lacks in the head-long action of those trilogy books, seen from a male point of view, but this book presents Tudor history through a woman’s eyes – totally different, just as revealing, and just as much a compelling read. Kudos to the author.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, and especially to those enamored with the Tudor era, as something quite different in the telling.
December 28, 2019
While admittedly I am obsessed with all things Tudor, I still feel I can still distinguish between fabulous history fiction and those novels that are just so-so. This one falls under the so-so category.
It's NOT bad. It simply moves predictably through the relatively short life of Mary Tudor (1496-1533) without much emotion, depth, or creativity.
NOTE: This is NOT Mary Tudor (1516-1558), elder daughter of King Henry VIII, who becomes Queen Mary I of England, marries Phillip II of Spain, and is known in history as "Bloody Mary.")
This Mary is the younger daughter of Tudor dynasty founder, King Henry VII. As a child, she dutifully acquiesces to being a pawn in the political marriages arranged by the more powerful males in her family. All the while harboring a passion for Charles Brandon, close friend of Mary's infamous brother, King Henry VIII. We eventually follow Mary's entourage to France when she weds the much-older King Louis XII. A few months later, she is widowed and makes her big power play. She weds Brandon without first getting her brother's permission.
And what follows is the more mundane "rest of her life." Some financial problems, a few children (Mary was grandmother to the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey), a marriage with ups and downs, and late in the book, an outsider's perspective on King Henry VIII's Great Matter -- his divorce from Catherine of Aragon and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn.
One of the things I like best about reading historical fiction is when an author is able to imagine and realistically speculate what might have been going on inside the mind of an historical figure. Applying all we know about human nature so that the characters feel real. But there wasn't much of that in this book. Instead, the author relied too much on research and incorporating a lot of detail about events. Too much for my taste.
To me this was a missed opportunity. Because there's a lot of drama to work with in Mary's story:
• What was it like to be the youngest surviving child in the first Tudor family?
• How did it feel to be a political pawn in the European marriage game?
• Was it difficult to become the wife of a country squire after living as a Princess of England and Queen of France?
You'll find no answers in this novel. But, if you, like me, can never seem to get enough of the Tudors, you may enjoy this read anyway.
This is the first book in a 3-novel series by Tony Riches. And I WILL now move onto the second installment, Brandon Tudor Knight.
It's NOT bad. It simply moves predictably through the relatively short life of Mary Tudor (1496-1533) without much emotion, depth, or creativity.
NOTE: This is NOT Mary Tudor (1516-1558), elder daughter of King Henry VIII, who becomes Queen Mary I of England, marries Phillip II of Spain, and is known in history as "Bloody Mary.")
This Mary is the younger daughter of Tudor dynasty founder, King Henry VII. As a child, she dutifully acquiesces to being a pawn in the political marriages arranged by the more powerful males in her family. All the while harboring a passion for Charles Brandon, close friend of Mary's infamous brother, King Henry VIII. We eventually follow Mary's entourage to France when she weds the much-older King Louis XII. A few months later, she is widowed and makes her big power play. She weds Brandon without first getting her brother's permission.
And what follows is the more mundane "rest of her life." Some financial problems, a few children (Mary was grandmother to the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey), a marriage with ups and downs, and late in the book, an outsider's perspective on King Henry VIII's Great Matter -- his divorce from Catherine of Aragon and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn.
One of the things I like best about reading historical fiction is when an author is able to imagine and realistically speculate what might have been going on inside the mind of an historical figure. Applying all we know about human nature so that the characters feel real. But there wasn't much of that in this book. Instead, the author relied too much on research and incorporating a lot of detail about events. Too much for my taste.
To me this was a missed opportunity. Because there's a lot of drama to work with in Mary's story:
• What was it like to be the youngest surviving child in the first Tudor family?
• How did it feel to be a political pawn in the European marriage game?
• Was it difficult to become the wife of a country squire after living as a Princess of England and Queen of France?
You'll find no answers in this novel. But, if you, like me, can never seem to get enough of the Tudors, you may enjoy this read anyway.
This is the first book in a 3-novel series by Tony Riches. And I WILL now move onto the second installment, Brandon Tudor Knight.
September 25, 2021
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“Mary: Tudor Princess” is a riveting historical fiction that depicts the life of Henry VIII’s sister, and I found her story fascinating.
I enjoyed how the author wrote the story. He tells the tale in a simple yet effective manner. I could immediately connect with Mary from the first page when she reacts to her grandmother’s situation. The author added many layers to her, and you see what a strong character becomes throughout the story. The author also paced the story nicely where you see the various situations Mary encounters. From experiencing what happens to Little Henry to overhearing the plot to overthrow the king, Mary shines in her role.
Even the supporting characters like Lady Catherine and Thomas Wolsey were interesting as they appeared unpredictable, but my opinion of them changed throughout the tale. Some of the memorable moments in the story were when King Francis demanded the return of the jewel or Mary’s scenes with King Louis. The author writes the tales in a beautiful manner that makes you want to research the history of the family post-reading.
One of the highlights of the story was Mary’s complicated relationship with her brother. While she admires him for the way he protects her, it was interesting to see how they did not share the same views, especially regarding the war with France. Another such highlight was her feelings towards Charles Brandon. The two of them share an incredible bond, and it was nice to see how they reconnected after a long time. Similarly, I adored Mary’s friendship with Jane and how Jane stood by her side when necessary.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “Mary: Tudor Princess” and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
May 21, 2023
Are you ready to lose yourself in the opulent world of Tudor England? Come join Tony Riches as he takes you on a captivating journey through the life of Mary Tudor, a princess overshadowed by her famous brother. From England's shores to the battlefields of France, Riches delivers a spectacular look at Tudor England and its tumultuous political landscape, exploring Mary's inner turmoil and her relationships with family members and those she cared for most.
Mary: Tudor Princess takes readers on an engaging and immersive journey through the vibrant and tumultuous Tudor era. Focusing on the life of Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII and sister to Henry VIII, this historical fiction novel provides a refreshing perspective on a somewhat lesser-known figure of the Tudor dynasty.
Riches' meticulous research is evident throughout the book, as he deftly weaves together historical facts and fictional elements to create a compelling narrative. The author's attention to detail breathes life into Mary's character, capturing her spirit and struggles with stark authenticity and empathy.
The novel follows Mary's journey in the Tudor court as she ultimately becomes a pawn to be married off to secure alliances. Literally a Game of Thrones- so to speak! The author very skillfully explores the challenges faced by a woman in a world dominated by powerful men, and Mary's resilience and determination shine through the pages. Her strong loyalty to her family and her unwavering belief in love makes her a relatable and endearing protagonist. Truly a love story for the ages.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its vivid depiction of Tudor England. Riches brings the era to life, painting a rich tapestry of courtly intrigues, political machinations, and lavish settings. The descriptions transport readers back in time and into the world of the Tudors, immersing them in an era that is both fascinating and perilous.
Mary: Tudor Princess is a captivating historical novel that will appeal to both fans of the Tudor period and newcomers to the era. Tony Riches' writing style is accessible and engaging. I found it to be a very easy and enjoyable read. Whether you're seeking a fascinating tale of Tudor royalty or a character-driven story of resilience and love, this novel delivers an entertaining and wholly satisfying experience.
With its rich historical backdrop, compelling characters, and themes of love, loyalty, and ambition, Tony Riches' book is a more than worthy addition to any Tudor enthusiast's collection.
5 out of 5 Tudor Stars for this one!
Mary: Tudor Princess takes readers on an engaging and immersive journey through the vibrant and tumultuous Tudor era. Focusing on the life of Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII and sister to Henry VIII, this historical fiction novel provides a refreshing perspective on a somewhat lesser-known figure of the Tudor dynasty.
Riches' meticulous research is evident throughout the book, as he deftly weaves together historical facts and fictional elements to create a compelling narrative. The author's attention to detail breathes life into Mary's character, capturing her spirit and struggles with stark authenticity and empathy.
The novel follows Mary's journey in the Tudor court as she ultimately becomes a pawn to be married off to secure alliances. Literally a Game of Thrones- so to speak! The author very skillfully explores the challenges faced by a woman in a world dominated by powerful men, and Mary's resilience and determination shine through the pages. Her strong loyalty to her family and her unwavering belief in love makes her a relatable and endearing protagonist. Truly a love story for the ages.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its vivid depiction of Tudor England. Riches brings the era to life, painting a rich tapestry of courtly intrigues, political machinations, and lavish settings. The descriptions transport readers back in time and into the world of the Tudors, immersing them in an era that is both fascinating and perilous.
Mary: Tudor Princess is a captivating historical novel that will appeal to both fans of the Tudor period and newcomers to the era. Tony Riches' writing style is accessible and engaging. I found it to be a very easy and enjoyable read. Whether you're seeking a fascinating tale of Tudor royalty or a character-driven story of resilience and love, this novel delivers an entertaining and wholly satisfying experience.
With its rich historical backdrop, compelling characters, and themes of love, loyalty, and ambition, Tony Riches' book is a more than worthy addition to any Tudor enthusiast's collection.
5 out of 5 Tudor Stars for this one!
March 6, 2018
Unlike other readers I tend to avoid selecting Tudor history, perhaps because of a surfeit of them in earlier years, but Mary – Tudor Princess appealed because she was so little known to me; not Bloody Mary, Henry’s eldest surviving child, not Mary Queen of Scots but Henry’s sister Mary. Though written in the third person, this Mary speaks to us of her life of duty and compromise and the happiness she found by guile and diplomacy in finally achieving the marriage she desired.
Wise beyond her years, 13-year-old Mary accepts her betrothal to 9 year old Charles, a future Emperor and prepares herself by keeping his picture at her bedside, but suddenly her capricious brother, King Henry VIII, sees more profit in marrying her to the much older King Louis of France. Rather than being filled with horror, as a young woman of this century would be, she faces her new life bravely, realising that the King’s age and poor health open the possibility of another husband when she is widowed. To this end she extracts a promise from her brother that her next marriage will be of her choice though she was to find this was not quite as straightforward as she hoped.
The story also deals with the purchase of wardships, where an astute gentleman, such as Charles Brandon, Mary’s second husband, acquired a young ward so that he could gain access to her fortune by arranging her marriage either to himself or to a useful ally. And here too, we see young girls happily agreeing to this state of affairs, just as Mary’s grand-daughter, Lady Jane Grey would, 40 years later. The complex life of a noble lady in 16th century Europe is both fascinating and disturbing.
Tony Riches has given us a likeable, clever Mary who becomes a good mother and step-mother, who eventually marries the love of her life but quickly learns that she and her friend Queen Catherine are tools in a man’s world. I thoroughly enjoyed entering the French court, watching Henry’s tournaments and experiencing Mary’s joys and sorrows.
Wise beyond her years, 13-year-old Mary accepts her betrothal to 9 year old Charles, a future Emperor and prepares herself by keeping his picture at her bedside, but suddenly her capricious brother, King Henry VIII, sees more profit in marrying her to the much older King Louis of France. Rather than being filled with horror, as a young woman of this century would be, she faces her new life bravely, realising that the King’s age and poor health open the possibility of another husband when she is widowed. To this end she extracts a promise from her brother that her next marriage will be of her choice though she was to find this was not quite as straightforward as she hoped.
The story also deals with the purchase of wardships, where an astute gentleman, such as Charles Brandon, Mary’s second husband, acquired a young ward so that he could gain access to her fortune by arranging her marriage either to himself or to a useful ally. And here too, we see young girls happily agreeing to this state of affairs, just as Mary’s grand-daughter, Lady Jane Grey would, 40 years later. The complex life of a noble lady in 16th century Europe is both fascinating and disturbing.
Tony Riches has given us a likeable, clever Mary who becomes a good mother and step-mother, who eventually marries the love of her life but quickly learns that she and her friend Queen Catherine are tools in a man’s world. I thoroughly enjoyed entering the French court, watching Henry’s tournaments and experiencing Mary’s joys and sorrows.
March 18, 2018
MARY
By Tony Riches
Reviewed by Suraya Dewing
Writing historical fiction that doesn’t lose its authenticity while also remaining enjoyable to read requires great skill. As the writer creates the story he or she is drawing on a vast reservoir of knowledge and choosing which pieces will serve the story well is a challenge.
Tony Riches manages this juggle exceedingly well.
He keeps enough information in the story line so we understand the period and the political tensions of the time. Historical fiction is a wonderful way to learn more about a period without labouring through text books and I felt better informed about Mary Tudor after reading MARY. It was easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable.
I did not feel at any time that the author slipped into giving me information he felt I needed to know. For example, he brought Mary’s sister, Margaret, into the story and by contrasting hers and Mary’s lives we gained a deep understanding of how life was for aristocratic women and particularly these two key historic figures. This was cleverly done. With the writer making no judgement on their situations the reader was freed to reach his or her own conclusions.
However, the biggest challenge a writer of historical fiction faces, is to create believable characters and win empathy for them from readers and yet not stray too far from fact. He achieved this admirably.
I also thought he handled Mary's loss of her first son sensitively and realistically. Having given the reader insight into Catherine’s desperate attempts to give King Henry VIII a son, the reader was already sensitised to what losing a son meant in those times.
This is a most enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in history.
5 Stars
By Tony Riches
Reviewed by Suraya Dewing
Writing historical fiction that doesn’t lose its authenticity while also remaining enjoyable to read requires great skill. As the writer creates the story he or she is drawing on a vast reservoir of knowledge and choosing which pieces will serve the story well is a challenge.
Tony Riches manages this juggle exceedingly well.
He keeps enough information in the story line so we understand the period and the political tensions of the time. Historical fiction is a wonderful way to learn more about a period without labouring through text books and I felt better informed about Mary Tudor after reading MARY. It was easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable.
I did not feel at any time that the author slipped into giving me information he felt I needed to know. For example, he brought Mary’s sister, Margaret, into the story and by contrasting hers and Mary’s lives we gained a deep understanding of how life was for aristocratic women and particularly these two key historic figures. This was cleverly done. With the writer making no judgement on their situations the reader was freed to reach his or her own conclusions.
However, the biggest challenge a writer of historical fiction faces, is to create believable characters and win empathy for them from readers and yet not stray too far from fact. He achieved this admirably.
I also thought he handled Mary's loss of her first son sensitively and realistically. Having given the reader insight into Catherine’s desperate attempts to give King Henry VIII a son, the reader was already sensitised to what losing a son meant in those times.
This is a most enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in history.
5 Stars
April 15, 2018
Sister to the newly crowned King Henry VIII, Mary's future is assured. She is destined to marry Prince Charles of Ghent, grandson of Ferdinand II of Aragon. But unbeknown to Henry, Mary harbours a deep longing for Charles Brandon, a young knight of Henry's court. Mary understands her duty and she will marry Prince Charles. But if wishes were horses...
Being a huge fan of Tony Riches' work, I could not wait to get my hands on his latest offering. Mary - Tudor Princess, was everything I expected from Mr Riches and then some.
I was swept away by the grandeur of the English and French courts. And the scheming, manipulation, and the endless currying of favour was forever present.
Mary was a woman in a man's world, but she knew her mind, and she cleverly weaved a promise from her brother that if the worst were to happened she could choose her own husband. And choose him she did. It was a dangerous game Mary and Charles Brandon played. To go against Henry’s orders could have meant certain death. But to deny their love would have been an even great crime.
This book was certainly a compelling read with a host of historical characters that, if you are a fan of the Tudor era, you will already know much about. Seeing the Tudor court through Mary's eyes gave a unique perspective.
A beautiful tale of a princess who knew her own heart. And was courageous enough to stand up to a king.
I Highly Recommend.
February 22, 2021
Mary; Tudor Princesstells the story of Henry VIII's sister, not his daughter. The story begins as Mary attends her brother's coronation when she is 12, tells her life from then on. Because it is the 16th Century, her duty as a princess is to serve her country by marrying to solidify an alliance. So, though she is only 12, she is already betrothed to Duke Charles of the Netherlands, the man who will become Emperor Charles V. Mary accepts her duty although she is a little doubtful for he is younger than she and does not write or anything. But already she dreams about Duke Charles Brandon, her brother's dashing favourite. Still, she knows he is forbidden. Five years later, the political landscape has changed. Henry now needs an alliance with France. And frail 52-year-old King Louis is a recent widower without an heir. Henry betroths the reluctant Mary to King Louis, but in return she wrings a promise from him. When Louis dies, she can choose her own husband next.
Does he keep his promise? I will let you read the book to discover. But Tony Riches tells an exciting story about a real princess with a mind of her own during a time when men had the right to rule the women in their lives. His facts are correct, yet he tells the story from Mary's point of view so it doesn't read like history, it reads like what it is—an excellent novel. If you are a fan of the Tudors, the Renaissance or princesses, you will want to read this book.
Does he keep his promise? I will let you read the book to discover. But Tony Riches tells an exciting story about a real princess with a mind of her own during a time when men had the right to rule the women in their lives. His facts are correct, yet he tells the story from Mary's point of view so it doesn't read like history, it reads like what it is—an excellent novel. If you are a fan of the Tudors, the Renaissance or princesses, you will want to read this book.
August 17, 2021
This is one compellingly insightful biography of a queen of mystery and lore. This is beautifully written with thoughtful details and intuitive dialogue. This was captivating and heartbreaking and I so enjoyed getting to know quite a great deal more of Mary Tudor. Tony Riches brought rich history and fascinating real life characters from the past and gave them new breath and brilliant voices. It's not often that I read a biography with such stunning detail. This was easy to devour and absolutely riveting.
I feel such grief for Mary. She suffered through such heartbreaking loss and carried on with grace and faith. I have to question whether the great love of her life did indeed return her regard. I wonder if he saw a woman who could further elevate him and leapt at it. Yes, he married her even against his king's wishes, but how great was that risk?
I believe that for the period in which Mary Tudor lived, that she lead an exemplary life and had a moderate amount of happiness. She certainly didn't fall far from her lustrous beginning. I think that she was influential and a role model and made the world a better place.
I can't wait to read more from this author! I absolutely love history and the way in which he tells the story is mesmerizing.
I feel such grief for Mary. She suffered through such heartbreaking loss and carried on with grace and faith. I have to question whether the great love of her life did indeed return her regard. I wonder if he saw a woman who could further elevate him and leapt at it. Yes, he married her even against his king's wishes, but how great was that risk?
I believe that for the period in which Mary Tudor lived, that she lead an exemplary life and had a moderate amount of happiness. She certainly didn't fall far from her lustrous beginning. I think that she was influential and a role model and made the world a better place.
I can't wait to read more from this author! I absolutely love history and the way in which he tells the story is mesmerizing.
August 8, 2020
This is the first time I have read any of Tony Riches books, but it definitely won't be my last.
To be honest I didn't know an awful lot about Mary Tudor who is the sister of Henry VIII. I had always read more about Henry himself and his wives (Mainly Anne Boleyn) I was really looking forward to getting in to this and I was not disappointed.
I found this to be a great account of the life of Mary Tudor, and everything she had to go through.
I very much liked the way it was written, it was easy to understand and didn't become confusing. I felt it actually gave a female perspective of what Tudor life was like.
I came out of this book really liking Mary and feeling a little sorry for her as well. As a Queen of France, I had just assumed it had come easy to her, but that was not the case at all. Mary Tudor comes across as an outspoken and very strong willed woman, with a very interesting if not hard life. This book made it easy to follow and felt I went away having learnt quite a lot.
To be honest I didn't know an awful lot about Mary Tudor who is the sister of Henry VIII. I had always read more about Henry himself and his wives (Mainly Anne Boleyn) I was really looking forward to getting in to this and I was not disappointed.
I found this to be a great account of the life of Mary Tudor, and everything she had to go through.
I very much liked the way it was written, it was easy to understand and didn't become confusing. I felt it actually gave a female perspective of what Tudor life was like.
I came out of this book really liking Mary and feeling a little sorry for her as well. As a Queen of France, I had just assumed it had come easy to her, but that was not the case at all. Mary Tudor comes across as an outspoken and very strong willed woman, with a very interesting if not hard life. This book made it easy to follow and felt I went away having learnt quite a lot.
August 31, 2019
I felt I got more from this book with a decent knowledge of the Tudor period, in particular the court of Henry VIII, but wonder how those readers with less understanding of the violent and dangerous dynamics at play would fare. That being said, it gave a more than passable account of what must've been in the head of the titular Princess: an initial will to know all of the courtly politics; fear and mistrust of the circumstances of her first marriage; and the slow transition into a fragmented, confusion as time passes - the result of not being at court so often, a brother who descended the country into chaos, and a second marriage to a man who was more rogue than righteous. However, it does subtly show that long absences from court didn't necessarily diminish her understanding in comparison to those who were regular attendees, but probably spared her life on several occasions. A thought-provoking read from a perspective we don't often see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2020
I didn’t know what to expect when I got this book, well audiobook actually. Mary Tudor has never been one of the key players in Henry's court that captured my attention. My own fault really, as I relied of television depictions of the Dowager Queen of France. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Riches’ well researched depiction of Mary rings with more truth than a glamorized, cavorting Queen. Although Henry is definitely a major player, the book doesn’t revolve around him, and how Mary’s life is second stage to her brother. I think that’s important, as in some books the main character is still shadowed by the looming Henry. I recommend giving it a read (or listen in my case). I love the Tudor Dynasty, and this was well worth my time. I can’t wait to for the next book in the series.
Note: I was provided with an audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Note: I was provided with an audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
May 6, 2020
Writing about real people in history no one now alive understands or cards about other than historians, scholars, or period loving readers is never easy. This little known sister of Henry 8 is no exception but I am enjoyed the descriptions, the attention to detail, and the glimpse into the past. Mary Tudor didn't leave much of importance for us to remember her for, but in a quiet and peaceful way she was quite possibly a forerunner of women who slowly but surely helped stabilize a chaotic and hazardous time for women. Interesting phrases and colorful descriptions of pageantry filled in the blanks of social commonalities and the great divide the classes lived by was enjoyable and also educational. Great entertainment for a quick read.
February 19, 2019
A wonderful telling of the life of a lesser known but VERY important member of the Tudor family. This the life of Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VII and grandmother of the infamous Lady Jane Grey. The author presents Princess Mary as a woman pushed along by the times but wanting a quiet life with a family. Mary loved her brother Henry VIII and worried about him. As she grew older she came to fear his irrational behavior, just like many others. Princess Mary had periods of her life where she was very happy and others where she felt very sad and neglected by the men in her family.
I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review.
I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2020
I have always wanted to pick up a TR book as he writes about many figures from history I am interested in, however this was my first. From moment one, a picture is painted so vividly you almost feel as if you are there. His illustrious descriptions of the characters both physically and internally is amazing! Mary Tudor lived such a fascinating life, much of which is glossed over in other Tudor books, however Tony has managed to give a thorough biography of Princess Mary. I learned things I never knew, and was truly stuck to this book until the very last page. Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in historical fiction, the Tudors, or just fascinating women throughout history.
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