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Behind the Mask: The Story of Jane Seymour
History has always portrayed Jane Seymour as a shadowy, meek and obedient woman whose only effect on the troubled and dangerous world in which she lived was to quietly provide Henry VIII with his dearest wish and then obligingly fade away.
How did she, a woman with seemingly no personality and with few accomplishments beyond needlework and household management contrive to not only attract the world’s most fearsome and powerful monarch, but also motivate him to rid himself of Anne Boleyn, the woman for whom he had sacrificed so much to marry only three short years before?
Although she is given little credit for anything other than her provision of England’s heir, Jane Seymour was astute, intelligent and came from a highly ambitious family. She was as aspirational as her brothers and craved the power and influence which could only be attained as the wife of England’s most powerful man. The fact that he already had a Queen did not deter her; she was focused, she was ruthless and she would let nothing stand in her way.
This is the story of Jane Seymour and her rise from obscure country gentlewoman to royal consort.
How did she, a woman with seemingly no personality and with few accomplishments beyond needlework and household management contrive to not only attract the world’s most fearsome and powerful monarch, but also motivate him to rid himself of Anne Boleyn, the woman for whom he had sacrificed so much to marry only three short years before?
Although she is given little credit for anything other than her provision of England’s heir, Jane Seymour was astute, intelligent and came from a highly ambitious family. She was as aspirational as her brothers and craved the power and influence which could only be attained as the wife of England’s most powerful man. The fact that he already had a Queen did not deter her; she was focused, she was ruthless and she would let nothing stand in her way.
This is the story of Jane Seymour and her rise from obscure country gentlewoman to royal consort.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2018
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257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 17, 2020
This gets 4 stars solely for making Jane evil.
October 3, 2020
As a Tudor enthusiast I am always on the lookout for new fictional accounts of my favorite historical figures and Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third Queen, was once one of the Queens that very little has been written about. In the last twenty years Jane’s presence in historical fiction has risen. Authors like Alison Weir and Carrolly Erickson have written their own interpretations of Jane. I reviewed Allison’s interpretation on an earlier post and intend to do so with Carrolly’s at a later date. Very little is known about Jane but many authors have presented her as a meek and mild queen, barely worth a footnote in history but Angela Warwick has taken a different approach, one that has given me the chills and not in a good way.
The problems begin in the first two chapters. The book opens with a scene with Jane as a child playing alone in a room. All seems normal until she finds an insect in the room. One would expect her to just leave it be or ask for a servant to remove it but instead she picks it up and starts to torture it by pulling its legs off. Torturing it! And what’s worse is she appears to be enjoying it! Then we learn this is not the only creature she has tortured, in fact it is suggested that she is responsible for the deaths of some of the animals on the estate.
Reading this I thought I was reading the beginnings of a serial killer for the torture of animals in childhood seems to be a common pattern of behavior among these killers. Then there is a scene where she just starts poking her baby brother for the thrill of it. I would have stopped reading the book then and there but I don’t believe in reviewing a book I don’t finish but I didn’t have any illusions that this interpretation of jane would get any better by the book’s end.
It is when Jane arrives at court that we really see the dark side of her personality, at least how Warwick writes it. She is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon but when Catherine is set aside in favor of Anne Boleyn, the gloves are off. Jane never lets Anne forget that she is beneath her in rank and one of the most chilling scenes between the two takes place during one of Anne’s miscarriages. By this time the king has taken an interest in Jane and Jane delights in taunting Anne with this to the point that it is suggested she causes one of Anne’s miscarriages. Jane has also wished death on Anne and the child she’s carrying. Warwick also tries to make a case that Henry and Jane did sleep together before their wedding and Jane was pregnant around the time Anne was being tried and executed for treason. Also, Jane plays a more active role in the Queen’s downfall with the help of her brother Edward, Nicholas Carew and Francis Bryant.
In later years we know Henry considered Jane to be the favorite of his wives because she had given him the son he wanted but in this book Jane has no love for the king at all. He is merely her ticket to the throne of England. Once jane is Queen she takes great pleasure in pulling rank over everyone at court but learns quickly that she cannot lord over her husband. She attempts to wheedle him into having things her way in her household but Henry makes it clear that he has the final say on everything and she must obey whether she likes it or not.
Fortunately Warwick kept true to history when she had Jane fight to have Princess Mary restored to her father’s favor even at the risk of her own life. After a bitter argument over it, Jane returns to her chambers and miscarries her child. Henry is furious because it is another son but he is eager to start trying again once it is safe. A short time later Jane overhears Henry and Cromwell discussing her fertility and Henry tells Cromwell the doctor has expressed concerns Jane will struggle with childbirth because of her body structure and she immediately confronts him. Jane witnessed firsthand what happened to Henry’s first two wives and she’s determined not to make the same mistakes. Mary returns to court much to Jane’s relief but she is not restored to the succession and Henry fears Jane will be as unsuccessful at bearing children as Catherine and Anne and he is also frustrated by her lack of education in courtly life and entertainment.
Jane, once overly confident and proud is now having her self esteem crushed on a daily basis by her husband. Given her previous behavior, many would see it as her just desserts. She now feels that she is living on borrowed time. If she doesn’t produce a son, her head will be the next to roll.
Jane and Henry’s marriage is put to the test again when Catholics in England begin rebelling against the Reformation. Jane is a devout Catholic herself and her primary mission for marrying henry was to try to use her position as Queen to return England to Catholicism. She makes a desperate plea for him to show mercy to the rebels but once again she is reminded that there is no other law in the land but Henry’s and decides that it is safer if she remain silent and be obedient. Maintaining this persona Jane finally succeeds in getting pregnant again.
Jane believes this news will make the King happy but he remains cautious. They decide to delay announcing Jane’s pregnancy publicly though many at court know of it and wonder why there is a need for a delay. When it is finally time to give birth jane is terrified as many first time mothers are but the stakes are even higher for her. The child she is delivering is the heir to the throne of England and it has to be a son. After twenty four hours the Doctor knows the King may have to decide whether to save jane or his child but he has his doubts either will survive. When given the choice, Henry chooses his child. Seeing the Queen in such torment the ladies that once hated her couldn’t help but sympathize with her and indeed Jane is finally able to sympathize with every woman who has ever given birth. She also knows now that Henry was willing to let her die if that was what it took to have his child. Just as she feels like giving up she hears her son’s first cry.
The birth of the son Henry wanted suddenly elevates Jane’s status in the eyes of those attending her and now they concentrate their efforts on saving her. She is desperate to get well so that she can enjoy her good fortune but the birth has taken so great a toll on her body that she is unable to get out of bed. and she cannot even bear to have her son near her because he reminds her of her ordeal. In her final hours Jane begins to regret her past actions and becomes convinced that Anne Boleyn is punishing her from the grave and resigns herself to death while I breathe a sigh of relief that I have finally gotten to the end of the book.
I have no issue with Jane being portrayed as a stronger woman but Warwick went a little too far off the rails, especially in the first two chapters where Jane exhibited signs of a serial killer. She did dislike Anne Boleyn but I sincerely doubt she would have been as devious as Warwick made her out to be. I will not be reading this again. The first time was agonizing enough.
The problems begin in the first two chapters. The book opens with a scene with Jane as a child playing alone in a room. All seems normal until she finds an insect in the room. One would expect her to just leave it be or ask for a servant to remove it but instead she picks it up and starts to torture it by pulling its legs off. Torturing it! And what’s worse is she appears to be enjoying it! Then we learn this is not the only creature she has tortured, in fact it is suggested that she is responsible for the deaths of some of the animals on the estate.
Reading this I thought I was reading the beginnings of a serial killer for the torture of animals in childhood seems to be a common pattern of behavior among these killers. Then there is a scene where she just starts poking her baby brother for the thrill of it. I would have stopped reading the book then and there but I don’t believe in reviewing a book I don’t finish but I didn’t have any illusions that this interpretation of jane would get any better by the book’s end.
It is when Jane arrives at court that we really see the dark side of her personality, at least how Warwick writes it. She is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon but when Catherine is set aside in favor of Anne Boleyn, the gloves are off. Jane never lets Anne forget that she is beneath her in rank and one of the most chilling scenes between the two takes place during one of Anne’s miscarriages. By this time the king has taken an interest in Jane and Jane delights in taunting Anne with this to the point that it is suggested she causes one of Anne’s miscarriages. Jane has also wished death on Anne and the child she’s carrying. Warwick also tries to make a case that Henry and Jane did sleep together before their wedding and Jane was pregnant around the time Anne was being tried and executed for treason. Also, Jane plays a more active role in the Queen’s downfall with the help of her brother Edward, Nicholas Carew and Francis Bryant.
In later years we know Henry considered Jane to be the favorite of his wives because she had given him the son he wanted but in this book Jane has no love for the king at all. He is merely her ticket to the throne of England. Once jane is Queen she takes great pleasure in pulling rank over everyone at court but learns quickly that she cannot lord over her husband. She attempts to wheedle him into having things her way in her household but Henry makes it clear that he has the final say on everything and she must obey whether she likes it or not.
Fortunately Warwick kept true to history when she had Jane fight to have Princess Mary restored to her father’s favor even at the risk of her own life. After a bitter argument over it, Jane returns to her chambers and miscarries her child. Henry is furious because it is another son but he is eager to start trying again once it is safe. A short time later Jane overhears Henry and Cromwell discussing her fertility and Henry tells Cromwell the doctor has expressed concerns Jane will struggle with childbirth because of her body structure and she immediately confronts him. Jane witnessed firsthand what happened to Henry’s first two wives and she’s determined not to make the same mistakes. Mary returns to court much to Jane’s relief but she is not restored to the succession and Henry fears Jane will be as unsuccessful at bearing children as Catherine and Anne and he is also frustrated by her lack of education in courtly life and entertainment.
Jane, once overly confident and proud is now having her self esteem crushed on a daily basis by her husband. Given her previous behavior, many would see it as her just desserts. She now feels that she is living on borrowed time. If she doesn’t produce a son, her head will be the next to roll.
Jane and Henry’s marriage is put to the test again when Catholics in England begin rebelling against the Reformation. Jane is a devout Catholic herself and her primary mission for marrying henry was to try to use her position as Queen to return England to Catholicism. She makes a desperate plea for him to show mercy to the rebels but once again she is reminded that there is no other law in the land but Henry’s and decides that it is safer if she remain silent and be obedient. Maintaining this persona Jane finally succeeds in getting pregnant again.
Jane believes this news will make the King happy but he remains cautious. They decide to delay announcing Jane’s pregnancy publicly though many at court know of it and wonder why there is a need for a delay. When it is finally time to give birth jane is terrified as many first time mothers are but the stakes are even higher for her. The child she is delivering is the heir to the throne of England and it has to be a son. After twenty four hours the Doctor knows the King may have to decide whether to save jane or his child but he has his doubts either will survive. When given the choice, Henry chooses his child. Seeing the Queen in such torment the ladies that once hated her couldn’t help but sympathize with her and indeed Jane is finally able to sympathize with every woman who has ever given birth. She also knows now that Henry was willing to let her die if that was what it took to have his child. Just as she feels like giving up she hears her son’s first cry.
The birth of the son Henry wanted suddenly elevates Jane’s status in the eyes of those attending her and now they concentrate their efforts on saving her. She is desperate to get well so that she can enjoy her good fortune but the birth has taken so great a toll on her body that she is unable to get out of bed. and she cannot even bear to have her son near her because he reminds her of her ordeal. In her final hours Jane begins to regret her past actions and becomes convinced that Anne Boleyn is punishing her from the grave and resigns herself to death while I breathe a sigh of relief that I have finally gotten to the end of the book.
I have no issue with Jane being portrayed as a stronger woman but Warwick went a little too far off the rails, especially in the first two chapters where Jane exhibited signs of a serial killer. She did dislike Anne Boleyn but I sincerely doubt she would have been as devious as Warwick made her out to be. I will not be reading this again. The first time was agonizing enough.
July 4, 2018
The description interested me because Jane is rarely given any sort of personality. I got the Kindle free sample before purchasing it and was completely stunned. The author took things to the extreme opposite; the first chapter could've been in a biography about a serial killer.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I did manage to finish it, but I don't recommend it.
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I did manage to finish it, but I don't recommend it.
September 3, 2018
Warwick wanted to take a new approach to Jane Seymour, and she somewhat succeeds, definitely making a good case for the submissive and mousy aspects of Jane being a front, but her character was all over the place, sometimes showing every sign of being one the cusp of cold blooded serial killer, and sometimes portrayed like a victim in a 1980'S Lifetime movie-of-the-week. Overall just a lot of mood whiplash.
June 27, 2019
I didn’t know this book was historical fiction and to be honest it was truly awful. I really don’t think Jane Seymour was a spiteful, ruthless woman at all. Also, there were too many spelling mistakes and bad grammar too.
July 25, 2020
Rubbish
If you want to thoroughly hate Jane Seymour, try this book. The absolute worst take I’ve ever read on Henry VIII’s 3rd queen.
If you want to thoroughly hate Jane Seymour, try this book. The absolute worst take I’ve ever read on Henry VIII’s 3rd queen.
August 20, 2022
What the #@$!? did I read?
As a Tudor enthusiast I am always on the lookout for new fictional accounts of my favorite historical figures and Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third Queen, was once one of the Queens that very little has been written about. In the last twenty years Jane’s presence in historical fiction has risen. Authors like Alison Weir and Carrolly Erickson have written their own interpretations of Jane. I reviewed Allison’s interpretation on an earlier post and intend to do so with Carrolly’s at a later date. Very little is known about Jane but many authors have presented her as a meek and mild queen, barely worth a footnote in history but Angela Warwick has taken a different approach, one that has given me the chills and not in a good way.
The problems begin in the first two chapters. The book opens with a scene with Jane as a child playing alone in a room. All seems normal until she finds an insect in the room. One would expect her to just leave it be or ask for a servant to remove it but instead she picks it up and starts to torture it by pulling its legs off. Torturing it! And what’s worse is she appears to be enjoying it! Then we learn this is not the only creature she has tortured, in fact it is suggested that she is responsible for the deaths of some of the animals on the estate.
Reading this I thought I was reading the beginnings of a serial killer for the torture of animals in childhood seems to be a common pattern of behavior among these killers. Then there is a scene where she just starts poking her baby brother for the thrill of it. I would have stopped reading the book then and there but I don’t believe in reviewing a book I don’t finish but I didn’t have any illusions that this interpretation of jane would get any better by the book’s end.
It is when Jane arrives at court that we really see the dark side of her personality, at least how Warwick writes it. She is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon but when Catherine is set aside in favor of Anne Boleyn, the gloves are off. Jane never lets Anne forget that she is beneath her in rank and one of the most chilling scenes between the two takes place during one of Anne’s miscarriages. By this time the king has taken an interest in Jane and Jane delights in taunting Anne with this to the point that it is suggested she causes one of Anne’s miscarriages. Jane has also wished death on Anne and the child she’s carrying. Warwick also tries to make a case that Henry and Jane did sleep together before their wedding and Jane was pregnant around the time Anne was being tried and executed for treason. Also, Jane plays a more active role in the Queen’s downfall with the help of her brother Edward, Nicholas Carew and Francis Bryant.
In later years we know Henry considered Jane to be the favorite of his wives because she had given him the son he wanted but in this book Jane has no love for the king at all. He is merely her ticket to the throne of England. Once jane is Queen she takes great pleasure in pulling rank over everyone at court but learns quickly that she cannot lord over her husband. She attempts to wheedle him into having things her way in her household but Henry makes it clear that he has the final say on everything and she must obey whether she likes it or not.
Fortunately Warwick kept true to history when she had Jane fight to have Princess Mary restored to her father’s favor even at the risk of her own life. After a bitter argument over it, Jane returns to her chambers and miscarries her child. Henry is furious because it is another son but he is eager to start trying again once it is safe. A short time later Jane overhears Henry and Cromwell discussing her fertility and Henry tells Cromwell the doctor has expressed concerns Jane will struggle with childbirth because of her body structure and she immediately confronts him. Jane witnessed firsthand what happened to Henry’s first two wives and she’s determined not to make the same mistakes. Mary returns to court much to Jane’s relief but she is not restored to the succession and Henry fears Jane will be as unsuccessful at bearing children as Catherine and Anne and he is also frustrated by her lack of education in courtly life and entertainment.
Jane, once overly confident and proud is now having her self esteem crushed on a daily basis by her husband. Given her previous behavior, many would see it as her just desserts. She now feels that she is living on borrowed time. If she doesn’t produce a son, her head will be the next to roll.
Jane and Henry’s marriage is put to the test again when Catholics in England begin rebelling against the Reformation. Jane is a devout Catholic herself and her primary mission for marrying henry was to try to use her position as Queen to return England to Catholicism. She makes a desperate plea for him to show mercy to the rebels but once again she is reminded that there is no other law in the land but Henry’s and decides that it is safer if she remain silent and be obedient. Maintaining this persona Jane finally succeeds in getting pregnant again.
Jane believes this news will make the King happy but he remains cautious. They decide to delay announcing Jane’s pregnancy publicly though many at court know of it and wonder why there is a need for a delay. When it is finally time to give birth jane is terrified as many first time mothers are but the stakes are even higher for her. The child she is delivering is the heir to the throne of England and it has to be a son. After twenty four hours the Doctor knows the King may have to decide whether to save jane or his child but he has his doubts either will survive. When given the choice, Henry chooses his child. Seeing the Queen in such torment the ladies that once hated her couldn’t help but sympathize with her and indeed Jane is finally able to sympathize with every woman who has ever given birth. She also knows now that Henry was willing to let her die if that was what it took to have his child. Just as she feels like giving up she hears her son’s first cry.
I have no issue with Jane being portrayed as a stronger woman but Warwick went a little too far off the rails, especially in the first two chapters where Jane exhibited signs of a serial killer. She did dislike Anne Boleyn but I sincerely doubt she would have been as devious as Warwick made her out to be. I will not be reading this again. The first time was agonizing enough.
As a Tudor enthusiast I am always on the lookout for new fictional accounts of my favorite historical figures and Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third Queen, was once one of the Queens that very little has been written about. In the last twenty years Jane’s presence in historical fiction has risen. Authors like Alison Weir and Carrolly Erickson have written their own interpretations of Jane. I reviewed Allison’s interpretation on an earlier post and intend to do so with Carrolly’s at a later date. Very little is known about Jane but many authors have presented her as a meek and mild queen, barely worth a footnote in history but Angela Warwick has taken a different approach, one that has given me the chills and not in a good way.
The problems begin in the first two chapters. The book opens with a scene with Jane as a child playing alone in a room. All seems normal until she finds an insect in the room. One would expect her to just leave it be or ask for a servant to remove it but instead she picks it up and starts to torture it by pulling its legs off. Torturing it! And what’s worse is she appears to be enjoying it! Then we learn this is not the only creature she has tortured, in fact it is suggested that she is responsible for the deaths of some of the animals on the estate.
Reading this I thought I was reading the beginnings of a serial killer for the torture of animals in childhood seems to be a common pattern of behavior among these killers. Then there is a scene where she just starts poking her baby brother for the thrill of it. I would have stopped reading the book then and there but I don’t believe in reviewing a book I don’t finish but I didn’t have any illusions that this interpretation of jane would get any better by the book’s end.
It is when Jane arrives at court that we really see the dark side of her personality, at least how Warwick writes it. She is a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon but when Catherine is set aside in favor of Anne Boleyn, the gloves are off. Jane never lets Anne forget that she is beneath her in rank and one of the most chilling scenes between the two takes place during one of Anne’s miscarriages. By this time the king has taken an interest in Jane and Jane delights in taunting Anne with this to the point that it is suggested she causes one of Anne’s miscarriages. Jane has also wished death on Anne and the child she’s carrying. Warwick also tries to make a case that Henry and Jane did sleep together before their wedding and Jane was pregnant around the time Anne was being tried and executed for treason. Also, Jane plays a more active role in the Queen’s downfall with the help of her brother Edward, Nicholas Carew and Francis Bryant.
In later years we know Henry considered Jane to be the favorite of his wives because she had given him the son he wanted but in this book Jane has no love for the king at all. He is merely her ticket to the throne of England. Once jane is Queen she takes great pleasure in pulling rank over everyone at court but learns quickly that she cannot lord over her husband. She attempts to wheedle him into having things her way in her household but Henry makes it clear that he has the final say on everything and she must obey whether she likes it or not.
Fortunately Warwick kept true to history when she had Jane fight to have Princess Mary restored to her father’s favor even at the risk of her own life. After a bitter argument over it, Jane returns to her chambers and miscarries her child. Henry is furious because it is another son but he is eager to start trying again once it is safe. A short time later Jane overhears Henry and Cromwell discussing her fertility and Henry tells Cromwell the doctor has expressed concerns Jane will struggle with childbirth because of her body structure and she immediately confronts him. Jane witnessed firsthand what happened to Henry’s first two wives and she’s determined not to make the same mistakes. Mary returns to court much to Jane’s relief but she is not restored to the succession and Henry fears Jane will be as unsuccessful at bearing children as Catherine and Anne and he is also frustrated by her lack of education in courtly life and entertainment.
Jane, once overly confident and proud is now having her self esteem crushed on a daily basis by her husband. Given her previous behavior, many would see it as her just desserts. She now feels that she is living on borrowed time. If she doesn’t produce a son, her head will be the next to roll.
Jane and Henry’s marriage is put to the test again when Catholics in England begin rebelling against the Reformation. Jane is a devout Catholic herself and her primary mission for marrying henry was to try to use her position as Queen to return England to Catholicism. She makes a desperate plea for him to show mercy to the rebels but once again she is reminded that there is no other law in the land but Henry’s and decides that it is safer if she remain silent and be obedient. Maintaining this persona Jane finally succeeds in getting pregnant again.
Jane believes this news will make the King happy but he remains cautious. They decide to delay announcing Jane’s pregnancy publicly though many at court know of it and wonder why there is a need for a delay. When it is finally time to give birth jane is terrified as many first time mothers are but the stakes are even higher for her. The child she is delivering is the heir to the throne of England and it has to be a son. After twenty four hours the Doctor knows the King may have to decide whether to save jane or his child but he has his doubts either will survive. When given the choice, Henry chooses his child. Seeing the Queen in such torment the ladies that once hated her couldn’t help but sympathize with her and indeed Jane is finally able to sympathize with every woman who has ever given birth. She also knows now that Henry was willing to let her die if that was what it took to have his child. Just as she feels like giving up she hears her son’s first cry.
I have no issue with Jane being portrayed as a stronger woman but Warwick went a little too far off the rails, especially in the first two chapters where Jane exhibited signs of a serial killer. She did dislike Anne Boleyn but I sincerely doubt she would have been as devious as Warwick made her out to be. I will not be reading this again. The first time was agonizing enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
Jane Seymour was always portrayed as the sheep-faced, mealy mouthed temptress who stepped into Anne Boleyn's shoes as soon as the King tired of her efforts to give him a son. There had been whispers that he was beginning to tire of Jane when she finally presented him with an heir, then died, securing her lasting place in his affections.
This books puts a little more flesh on her story, albeit it is fiction but feels well-researched. We meet Jane as a child, and see the strength of character that one can still see in her portraits as a woman. We follow the path of her service to Katherine of Aragon, her dislike of Anne Boleyn, and her family's machinations to ensure she snares the King and reaps the greatest reward. How much she was a puppet of her family's ambition (as so many were) and how much was her own desire will never be known.
An interesting and well-written tale.
This books puts a little more flesh on her story, albeit it is fiction but feels well-researched. We meet Jane as a child, and see the strength of character that one can still see in her portraits as a woman. We follow the path of her service to Katherine of Aragon, her dislike of Anne Boleyn, and her family's machinations to ensure she snares the King and reaps the greatest reward. How much she was a puppet of her family's ambition (as so many were) and how much was her own desire will never be known.
An interesting and well-written tale.
October 12, 2020
Jean38no
An interesting portrait of Jane Seymour. One where she was not meek and humble but rather like her predecessor Ann. According to this author she knew how to make herself appear to be as she thought the King would want her to be. Learning her lessons from Ann Boylen’s end. She was described as haughty and distant to those she considered inferiors. Including her family. Not a very flattering picture of her. Vastly different from most authors portrait of
Henry VIll’s third wife. I enjoyed the the book because of the it gave me a different point of view of Jane as a calculating women that went after the prize and got it.
An interesting portrait of Jane Seymour. One where she was not meek and humble but rather like her predecessor Ann. According to this author she knew how to make herself appear to be as she thought the King would want her to be. Learning her lessons from Ann Boylen’s end. She was described as haughty and distant to those she considered inferiors. Including her family. Not a very flattering picture of her. Vastly different from most authors portrait of
Henry VIll’s third wife. I enjoyed the the book because of the it gave me a different point of view of Jane as a calculating women that went after the prize and got it.
November 23, 2020
A very interesting portrayal of Jane Seymour.... whether she was so cold and calculating is debatable but it is a compelling portrayal of Henry VIII’s third wife. Her labour, childbirth and subsequent death are powerfully and movingly portrayed.
October 31, 2018
Misleading information.
The description of this book on Amazon made it appear to be a biography. It is not. It may be a good novel , but I don't like imaginary versions of history.
The description of this book on Amazon made it appear to be a biography. It is not. It may be a good novel , but I don't like imaginary versions of history.
August 1, 2024
Oh, the audacity of the author to portray me as a malefactor! And to defile a likeness of myself on the book's cover? Insufferable impertinence!
January 5, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this book, I knew from the synopsis that this version of Jane Seymour would be mean, but I didn’t realize how mean she would be. It was funny how Henry later regretted marrying her and wasn’t there for her when she died, he was just an asshole in the book who just wanted a son and Jane was just a walking human incubator to him. It felt like i was partially reading a history book instead of fiction, kinda like reading a wiki page. The wording and writing was a bit difficult to read, normally i can read 3rd person fast, but in this instance it was hard. I like Jane Seymour she’s my favorite of all Henry VIII’s six wives, but i would not read this book again, it was kinda boring, I’ll give it 3 stars for simply being written.
August 26, 2021
I didn’t like this Jane and by the end it was hard to have sympathy for her. The sheer callousness of her behaviour to everyone left a bad taste and then the kindness she shows Mary just doesn’t seem quite believable. Surely such a person wouldn’t offer support unless it benefited them. It’s not that I’m against the idea of giving Jane a voice and personality, even a negative one, but more that there was no character to get behind. Anne was still portrayed as the ambitious shrew and Henry was … well Henry. Chauvinistic, narcissist who threatens to get choppy if you try meddle in his politics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
This is not the Jane Seymour portrayed in film, series and other books. Yet the question has always come to mind "How could such an innocent manipulate monstrous King Henry? How could she be in the king's room sitting on his lap? How could she bait Queen Anne with the latest gift Henry gave her, a portrait of himself? I rather think history gave her a free pass because she gave Henry a son and she died before he grew tired of her. This book is refreshing because no excuses are given. Although I doubt Jane was quite as diabolical, it's interesting and well written.
April 16, 2025
2.5- 3 stars.
This certainly took an interesting spin on Jane Seymour. Warwick portrays her as evil and downright psychotic, a child who enjoys torturing bugs. It makes me question how trustworthy this is as a source on Seymour. The title and description made me assume this was non fiction when I saw it pop up on my kindle, I think Warwick should make it clear in the description that is historical fiction to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
This certainly took an interesting spin on Jane Seymour. Warwick portrays her as evil and downright psychotic, a child who enjoys torturing bugs. It makes me question how trustworthy this is as a source on Seymour. The title and description made me assume this was non fiction when I saw it pop up on my kindle, I think Warwick should make it clear in the description that is historical fiction to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
April 7, 2019
Interesting
A fascinating and thought-provoking take on Henry VIII's third wife. I have often wondered if Jane Seymour could have been as insipid as history always depicts her. This portrait of her showing her as sly and spiteful rings true in that she conducted her liaison with the king while serving as one of Anne Boleyn's women.
A fascinating and thought-provoking take on Henry VIII's third wife. I have often wondered if Jane Seymour could have been as insipid as history always depicts her. This portrait of her showing her as sly and spiteful rings true in that she conducted her liaison with the king while serving as one of Anne Boleyn's women.
March 26, 2021
Oh my!!!
I've never read a fictional book about Jane Seymour, mainly because she seems so docile. Well, without really spoiling this book, I was in for a surprise! This Jane is not👏🏼at👏🏼ALL👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 what I expected!
If you want a differing story about Jane Seymour, read this! I'm still not sure if I'm horrified or mightily amused!
Well done, Angela Warwick! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙋🏻♀️
I've never read a fictional book about Jane Seymour, mainly because she seems so docile. Well, without really spoiling this book, I was in for a surprise! This Jane is not👏🏼at👏🏼ALL👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 what I expected!
If you want a differing story about Jane Seymour, read this! I'm still not sure if I'm horrified or mightily amused!
Well done, Angela Warwick! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙋🏻♀️
June 26, 2021
Well worth the read
I have read so many tutor related books that I thought I was done with the era, however this book was so well written and researched it held my interest. It is extremely plausible and the author does a fabulous job of creating a character study on an obscure but intriguing historical figure. Very well written.
I have read so many tutor related books that I thought I was done with the era, however this book was so well written and researched it held my interest. It is extremely plausible and the author does a fabulous job of creating a character study on an obscure but intriguing historical figure. Very well written.
January 5, 2022
Pushed too far....
In the author's attempt to show Jane in a different light she made the queen into a psychopath. It would have been intriguing to see an alternative personality characteristics but it was pushed too far. Way too far to make the book not only unbelievable but unenjoyable as well.
In the author's attempt to show Jane in a different light she made the queen into a psychopath. It would have been intriguing to see an alternative personality characteristics but it was pushed too far. Way too far to make the book not only unbelievable but unenjoyable as well.
January 20, 2022
I feel like I’m in the same boat as most Tudor enthusiasts. I just cannot picture Jane the way she is portrayed in this book. She’s always described as meek and timid, not rude & b**chy. She was AWFUL in this book. I absolutely hated her & the way she acted. Dont get me wrong- I’m sure she wasn’t completely innocent & angelic. I just don’t think she was that awful.
October 7, 2023
Interesting view point
We have always heard of Jane's meek nature. That she did what she was told. This is a whole different side of Jane. Terrorizing animals growing up. To terrorizing and talunting Queen Anne. Then finally giving Henry what he wanted only to pass away doing so.
We have always heard of Jane's meek nature. That she did what she was told. This is a whole different side of Jane. Terrorizing animals growing up. To terrorizing and talunting Queen Anne. Then finally giving Henry what he wanted only to pass away doing so.
July 19, 2018
Exceptional take on Queen Jane
I have read so many books detailing Jane Seymour as shy and demure. Putting forth that she must have intelligence and a certain nerve to claw her way to the queenship seems more plausible.
I have read so many books detailing Jane Seymour as shy and demure. Putting forth that she must have intelligence and a certain nerve to claw her way to the queenship seems more plausible.
March 18, 2019
An other view
This book was a interesting take on Jane Seymour life i agree with the author the she wasn't the timid person history dictates to live and survive in those times the person had to be devious to survive
This book was a interesting take on Jane Seymour life i agree with the author the she wasn't the timid person history dictates to live and survive in those times the person had to be devious to survive
July 24, 2020
WOW!!!!
WOW!!!!! Love this version of 'prim' Mistress Seymour! I always will suspect that she was a tad more cunning than history portrays her🤔 As a fan of team 'Boleyn' I rather enjoyed Warwicks view of a petty, cruel & cunning Jane Seymour. Excellent read🤴
WOW!!!!! Love this version of 'prim' Mistress Seymour! I always will suspect that she was a tad more cunning than history portrays her🤔 As a fan of team 'Boleyn' I rather enjoyed Warwicks view of a petty, cruel & cunning Jane Seymour. Excellent read🤴
September 27, 2020
Interesting and revealing
Very well-written, this account of Jane Seymour as a person was both interesting and revealing as well as completely believable. A must read for Tudor history buffs.
Very well-written, this account of Jane Seymour as a person was both interesting and revealing as well as completely believable. A must read for Tudor history buffs.
April 16, 2021
Unique
Definitely a different take on the saga of Jane Boleyn. Although she was just a chapter in the life of Henry VIII, this take gave her “character” more depth and life. It was definitely unique.
Definitely a different take on the saga of Jane Boleyn. Although she was just a chapter in the life of Henry VIII, this take gave her “character” more depth and life. It was definitely unique.
April 24, 2021
Good read
I really enjoyed this book & the thoughts of maybe Jane wasn't the quiet one . I would recommend thus book , you feel you are there in the book . & you can
Visualize the people .
I really enjoyed this book & the thoughts of maybe Jane wasn't the quiet one . I would recommend thus book , you feel you are there in the book . & you can
Visualize the people .
July 5, 2021
Wanted to like it
I liked the writing style and flow of the book, but I couldn't get past Jane. The book basically made her Anne 2.0 which wasn't fun to read. I like the idea of more backstory for Jane, but the book repeated the prior queen for it.
I liked the writing style and flow of the book, but I couldn't get past Jane. The book basically made her Anne 2.0 which wasn't fun to read. I like the idea of more backstory for Jane, but the book repeated the prior queen for it.
September 15, 2021
Would like to know the research she used
No real explanation as to Jane's personality except her ambition. History has portrayed her as warm and obedient. Would like a know the research the author used to construct Jane's conniving temper.
No real explanation as to Jane's personality except her ambition. History has portrayed her as warm and obedient. Would like a know the research the author used to construct Jane's conniving temper.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews