The Curse of the Hungerfords

Six Tudor Queens #4.6

by Alison Weir

The Curse of the Hungerfords by acclaimed historian Alison Weir is an e-short and companion piece to the captivating fourth novel in the Six Tudor Queens series, Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets.

Each sunset, as I go to the chapel, I find myself looking for her. I look for details. What she is wearing, some clue to her identity. But she fades away if I look at her directly. I can just glimpse the blur of a hood, or a widow's wimple, and those sad eyes, staring at something - or someone - I cannot see.

Anne Basset served four of Henry VIII's queens, yet the King himself once pledged to serve her. Had fate not decreed otherwise, she might have been his wife - and Queen of England.

But now, far from court and heavy with her husband's child, Anne prays in the Hungerford chapel, and awaits the ghostly figure she knows will come. This is her story, one that entwines with the fate of another Lady Hungerford from not so many years before. They say there's a curse on this family...

Featuring the first chapter of Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets.

SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Tudor Period, Historical, Short Stories, Royalty, Novella

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Alison Weir is an English writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens, and of historical fiction. Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her formal training in history at teacher training college. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alison Weir has created a number of the short stories that layer themselves between the Six Wives of Henry VIII series. All of these pieces pull together the biographies of the six queens, with some interesting minor (and perhaps previously unknown) characters that help enrich the reader. This piece is no exception, as it features Anne Bassett and Agnes Hungerford, both of whom ended up living in the family residence and discussed some scandalous activities. Anne Bassett served at court for a number of years, having been in the household of four queens during Henry VIII’s reign. While in that position, she had a chance to engage in a secret tryst with Henry and could have become one of his wives, thereby elevating her to the role of Queen of England. This was not to be and she was forced to marry another. Now, she is with child and has gone to the family chapel, at the Hungerford Estate. There, she prays and awaits another of the Lady Hungerfords, Agnes. It is said that Agnes had some not so pleasant happenings in recent years past. A second narrative throughout this piece discusses those goings-on, which led Agnes to great trouble and time in the Tower. Could Anne have the power to conjure up something bad for those who crossed her? What might she do and how will it affect those at court? Another great piece that keeps Weir fans sated as they await another major biography. Recommended to those who have read and followed the series to date, as well as Tudor fans of all types.

Weir’s mastery of all things Tudor leaves readers of her work regularly in awe. Creating a tale of minor characters does not lessen its impact on the larger series, acting as a useful bridge between major stories. Much of the research Weir has done in relation to all things Tudor comes together here and forces the reader to delve a little deeper to understand some of the invisible threads and tie the larger dynastic tale together with ease. Weir dazzles and entertains the reader regularly, keeping them wanting more, while also being thankful for the great new information to add to their understanding of this most complex time in English history. Weir never seems out of ideas to fill her publications and keep readers learning without feeling too burdened. A slightly longer piece, but one that was just as exciting, perfect for an afternoon lounging on the sofa or on a short trip. I am eager to get my hands on more of these short stories, which will help pass the time until I can read the rest of the Six Wives series.

Kudos, Madam Weir, for another winner. You never seem to run out of things to say and I cannot thank you enough for sharing them so readily!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another short story from Weir's Six Tudor Queens. Admittedly, this one gets a little confusing and the reader may wonder what the curse may entail as we switch between Anne and Agnes. Anne Bassett - who was one of Henry VIII amours before marrying the current Walter Hungerford - is living at the family estate and sees a ghostly figure of a woman in the shadows that no one talk about. Apparently, Anne believes it's Agnes who was a previous Lady Hungerford before she arranged for her previous husband's murder in order to marry her lover, Farleigh, and was sent to the Tower for her crimes.

Bit of a ghost story and one has to wonder what exactly happened to Anne in those final moments of the story. And perhaps who the curse was actually directed at.

Nice vignette that appeared in the time while Weir was writing the fourth book.

2021-268

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow but interesting

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm a sucker for back and forth chapters between two different characters so this really scratched that itch for me

still stand by introducing short stories in between each book has been the best palate cleanser and really sets you up for the next book

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25🌟

[Helene Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review - I normally really enjoy these short stories that accompany the Six Tudor Queens series, but I thought this one was just OK. It felt disjointed in the telling - the stories of two completely different women that didn't really seem to connect, and even knowing the connection between them didn't make me like it any more. This was a pity because the story of the Hungerfords sounds fascinating, though I don't know much about it. I had heard of Anne Bassett, and rumours about her involvement with the king so that was interesting to read.

Genre? - Historical / Short Story

Characters? - Agnes Hungerford / Anne Bassett / Katherine Bassett / Walter Hungerford

Setting? - Farleigh Hungerford & London (England), Calais (France)

Series? - Six Tudor Queens #4.6

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 15/20

[ann white · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok short read

I love Alison Weir's collection of Tudor novels but for an e-read i found this book too short and felt that I was wanting more. It was a lovely companion which started to bring to life some characters from the tudor court

[Kitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popsugar 2020: A book featuring one of the seven deadly sins, i.e. lust and greed.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing that would have made this better would have been a story specific family tree in the front of it, especially when you have Walter Hungerford and Walter Hungerford Jnr both as major players!
Otherwise, easily my favourite of these short stories so far.

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now that I've read it a second time (and have Alison's commentary in this version), I understand things a little better.

It's still a crappy read, though, and an obvious mechanism for Alison to remark on the murders she discovered without actually having to write a whole book about the,

[Constance Latshaw Jaffray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

Usually I disdain faction. This however,proved a vary good read. Perfect for as a very welcome from the miseries of the flu.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two very interesting storys Anne Basset and Agnes Hungerford, I knew of Anne from her time at court but did not know much about her and Agnes I knew nothing.

Both stories where fascinating and offered good potential insight into their lives (the parts unknown) and especially interesting that both married into the Hungerford family, I really enjoyed both stories the only issue I had was the constant switching from Anne to Agnes especially as their names both start with A made it confusing at times

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about two women: Anne Basset, who we already know as a minor character in the series, who married Sir Walter Hungerford - and Agnes Cotell, who married Sir Edward Hungerford, his grandfather. It's an okay story, but doesn't add much to the series, so you can skip it if you're not interested.

[Victoria Frow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Nice accompanying short story to fit in between books 4 and 5 of the six book series.

[Paul Servini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining little vignette

[Claireybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the dual time line and story that was woven together very well. Thoroughly enjoying the E-Novellas in this series!