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Royal Court #2
The Lady's Crown
The tragic tale of the Lady Jane Grey — the Nine Day Queen is well known.
Sentenced to die as martyr her story would become legendary.
But the tale of her mother is not so well-known.
She was an ambitious woman who survived in turbulent times and sought to claim as much power for herself and her family as she could. History does not always look kindly on those who failed and she is no exception. Eclipsed first by her beautiful mother and then by her daughter — Frances Grey became known as a cruel mother. She would be doomed to obscurity. But before the fall there was her rise...
This is the story of her beginnings.
Sentenced to die as martyr her story would become legendary.
But the tale of her mother is not so well-known.
She was an ambitious woman who survived in turbulent times and sought to claim as much power for herself and her family as she could. History does not always look kindly on those who failed and she is no exception. Eclipsed first by her beautiful mother and then by her daughter — Frances Grey became known as a cruel mother. She would be doomed to obscurity. But before the fall there was her rise...
This is the story of her beginnings.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
499 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Anne R. Bailey
23 books114 followersAnne is a novelist, entrepreneur and when she can find the time: wife.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 25, 2020
The second book in the Royal Court Series was interesting, but not as good as the first one.
This one is about Lady Jane Grey's Mother, Frances Grey, who I had no idea was also Princess Mary and Charles Brandon's daughter. That making her Henry's niece. Frances was very uncaring towards her children, Jane especially. All Frances wanted was to be Queen, which obviously she never got. She was greedy and cold-hearted. Not sure if it was because of how her Mom raised her or if she was just entitled.
Having read this, I'd like to read more about the Grey family someday.
This one is about Lady Jane Grey's Mother, Frances Grey, who I had no idea was also Princess Mary and Charles Brandon's daughter. That making her Henry's niece. Frances was very uncaring towards her children, Jane especially. All Frances wanted was to be Queen, which obviously she never got. She was greedy and cold-hearted. Not sure if it was because of how her Mom raised her or if she was just entitled.
Having read this, I'd like to read more about the Grey family someday.
March 2, 2020
Wonderful
I have always read that Frances Grey was a horrible mother. A selfish and unloving person. This story tries to explain more about her and how she developed into the woman she became. Very engaging.
I have always read that Frances Grey was a horrible mother. A selfish and unloving person. This story tries to explain more about her and how she developed into the woman she became. Very engaging.
April 29, 2018
This novel focuses not on Lady Jane Grey 'The Nine Day Queen' but her forgotten and villainized mother, Lady Frances Grey (née Brandon), the daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France and The Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon, the niece of Henry VIII and cousin to Mary I, Edward VI, James V and Elizabeth I. It's nice to read a novel based on Frances herself, as in her own right, she was a very interesting figure and lived through the most dramatic events that changed England.
However, there were a number of things that slightly, first it depicted Frances' mother as a cold and distant mother and how everything that Frances did, annoyed Mary. Also, Frances was depicted as a proud and jealous girl/woman, especially when she has children, she is portrayed as being jealous of husband spending time with their children and not her. I appreciate this novel, as the author tries to change the perception of Frances and you do have sympathy for everything that she had to go through. A good novel to find out more about Frances Grey!
However, there were a number of things that slightly, first it depicted Frances' mother as a cold and distant mother and how everything that Frances did, annoyed Mary. Also, Frances was depicted as a proud and jealous girl/woman, especially when she has children, she is portrayed as being jealous of husband spending time with their children and not her. I appreciate this novel, as the author tries to change the perception of Frances and you do have sympathy for everything that she had to go through. A good novel to find out more about Frances Grey!
June 11, 2020
I've always enjoyed novels with darker heroines. Maybe I'm a fan of poetic justice. Obviously, no one alive or dead deserved what happened to Frances Brandon, but it was interesting to see Bailey's Frances reevaluate herself and recognize her shortcomings one moment, and then say or do something that completely negated her refining or epiphanic moment the next.
I think it's pretty obvious what inferences are to be understood from this novel. In To Crown a Rose, Bailey seems to suggest that Frances's early nurturing (or lack thereof) may have been the reason for her failed reputation as a mother. There were a couple of times that I felt beaten over the head with it (Frances and her mother Mary were so similar that they sometimes felt like the same character), but overall I appreciated the implication that Frances may not be entirely to blame for her lack of maternal instincts.
I felt the story was rushed by the end as there were time jumps every couple pages. I was hoping the story would at least progress to Frances's second marriage, but I understand that this book wasn't supposed to span her entire life.
However, I really enjoyed Bailey's writing. It was a short and relaxing read, which is exactly what I needed. I'm interested in reading more in this series when time permits.
I think it's pretty obvious what inferences are to be understood from this novel. In To Crown a Rose, Bailey seems to suggest that Frances's early nurturing (or lack thereof) may have been the reason for her failed reputation as a mother. There were a couple of times that I felt beaten over the head with it (Frances and her mother Mary were so similar that they sometimes felt like the same character), but overall I appreciated the implication that Frances may not be entirely to blame for her lack of maternal instincts.
I felt the story was rushed by the end as there were time jumps every couple pages. I was hoping the story would at least progress to Frances's second marriage, but I understand that this book wasn't supposed to span her entire life.
However, I really enjoyed Bailey's writing. It was a short and relaxing read, which is exactly what I needed. I'm interested in reading more in this series when time permits.
September 18, 2018
I've seen the movie, The 9 days Queen, at least I think that was the title. I've read about the Dudley's and the Grey's from other perspectives in other books and could never quite understand what drove Jane Grey's parents to what they did to push her onto the throne. Well this book shows how one mother treats her daughter just passes down to another and of course at this time we know how ruthless everyone was to get near Henry the Eighth and it was a cruel time as well. Amazing to find out who was related to who as I had forgotten about that. If you are into history and enjoy this type of fiction based on real life historical people, you will enjoy it even though it may slow down in spots it will still give you a good read and give you a refresher course in English history.
August 13, 2018
A wonderful read!
Born to the former Queen of France and sister of Henry VIII, Francis Brandon, a Tudor Princess struggles with her Mother's expectations. She hopes and dreams of becoming a Queen and finds herself in the succession to the English throne. Her daughter, Jane, is crowned Queen after Prince Edward's death.
I enjoyed Anne's version of Francis. Like her own mother she was not a very doting parent. However, she did hope for an heir which never came.
Born to the former Queen of France and sister of Henry VIII, Francis Brandon, a Tudor Princess struggles with her Mother's expectations. She hopes and dreams of becoming a Queen and finds herself in the succession to the English throne. Her daughter, Jane, is crowned Queen after Prince Edward's death.
I enjoyed Anne's version of Francis. Like her own mother she was not a very doting parent. However, she did hope for an heir which never came.
September 24, 2018
Proofreading is important
The story itself wasn't bad but I was distracted by the errors. Bells don't peel, they peal. Pages are pored over, not poured. Anyway is correct, not anyways. Those are examples of vocabulary errors on almost every page. The grammar errors are only a little less frequent.
The author must have done a good amount of research in order to write this book. It's a shame the writing was so carelessly done.
The story itself wasn't bad but I was distracted by the errors. Bells don't peel, they peal. Pages are pored over, not poured. Anyway is correct, not anyways. Those are examples of vocabulary errors on almost every page. The grammar errors are only a little less frequent.
The author must have done a good amount of research in order to write this book. It's a shame the writing was so carelessly done.
January 6, 2022
A different view
The story is as was, with extras. This was an attempt at remembering other people who played their own small part in a much bigger story. I like the idea of that; exploring the part that generally overlooked women in history took. However the language could have been more precise and may have given the story more credibility. I didn't like the authors way of using the word 'anyways', On the whole it made for an entertaining read.
The story is as was, with extras. This was an attempt at remembering other people who played their own small part in a much bigger story. I like the idea of that; exploring the part that generally overlooked women in history took. However the language could have been more precise and may have given the story more credibility. I didn't like the authors way of using the word 'anyways', On the whole it made for an entertaining read.
May 10, 2020
Mary Tudor’s daughter Frances Brandon
The Tudor problem of having healthy male children plays a part in this story. Francis is not portrayed in an unvarnished light. Instead she seem to be unhappy with her lot in life , with her husband, children even her parents. She would be unhappy but not surprised on how history has treated her.
The Tudor problem of having healthy male children plays a part in this story. Francis is not portrayed in an unvarnished light. Instead she seem to be unhappy with her lot in life , with her husband, children even her parents. She would be unhappy but not surprised on how history has treated her.
January 31, 2023
2.75/5. For her claims that she wanted to give more depth to Frances Grey, the author came up quite short. All the woman in this novel seem to be one dimensional and Frances just seems to be the typical hateful driven woman that’s been engraved in history. Even her friend turned stepmother doesn’t have much to her. There are better novels out there that Frances Grey appears in.
June 23, 2018
fairly well written, keeps the interest, I would recommend
story of King Henry VIII's niece Frances Gray & her daughter Jane Gray, the 9 day queen. fairly well written, keeps the interest, I would recommend
story of King Henry VIII's niece Frances Gray & her daughter Jane Gray, the 9 day queen. fairly well written, keeps the interest, I would recommend
February 21, 2021
Enjoyable
**** I enjoyed the book, but I didn't like the American way of missing and out of sentences. Also it was written about England so there should have been U in colour etc.,not spelt the American way.
**** I enjoyed the book, but I didn't like the American way of missing and out of sentences. Also it was written about England so there should have been U in colour etc.,not spelt the American way.
July 7, 2021
I enjoyed this telling of Frances' story.
I was spellbound personally from the first word. I enjoyed the style and the way it was presented. I am definitely going to check out her other series.
I was spellbound personally from the first word. I enjoyed the style and the way it was presented. I am definitely going to check out her other series.
January 3, 2023
Not the best
I found the main characters to be quite unpleasant and unsympathetic and the book to be carelessly written. The poor grammar and awkward wordings were quite distracting. Disappointing that such a fascinating topic and time period were so poorly handled.
I found the main characters to be quite unpleasant and unsympathetic and the book to be carelessly written. The poor grammar and awkward wordings were quite distracting. Disappointing that such a fascinating topic and time period were so poorly handled.
August 5, 2018
Enjoyed both books in the series
August 31, 2018
Good book
I enjoyed this book. It keeps your interest and has a good story line. I look forward to reading more from this author
I enjoyed this book. It keeps your interest and has a good story line. I look forward to reading more from this author
May 4, 2019
Wonderfully written
As a fan of this period of history, I couldn't wait to read this book.
What an amazing story. I thought it was well written and rich in detail. A pleasure to read.
As a fan of this period of history, I couldn't wait to read this book.
What an amazing story. I thought it was well written and rich in detail. A pleasure to read.
January 23, 2021
01/22/2021
May 30, 2021
The story of Frances Brandon mother of Lady Jane Grey a fabulous read
April 18, 2022
Interesting read
Its,interesting getting other authors views i rather enjoyed this book it held it interest throughout and have u food for thought
Its,interesting getting other authors views i rather enjoyed this book it held it interest throughout and have u food for thought
July 2, 2023
conspiracy
I enjoy reading about king Henry the 8 and all of the women and men at court. Story kept my interest
I enjoy reading about king Henry the 8 and all of the women and men at court. Story kept my interest
January 29, 2023
Very good. I enjoyed reading about some of the less royal lives during the Tudor tones.
June 2, 2025
I thought the book was decent but not something to rave about I wish it was a little longer and didn’t have a time jump.
April 15, 2020
This book is about Frances Grey, mother to Jane Grey, the "Nine Day Queen". This book gives us a different perspective of Frances Grey, attempting to give her a more personable character than history or other fictional accounts have done. It was an interesting read. The book starts off with her as a child and gives us a glimpse into her relationship with her mother, Mary Tudor (youngest sister to King Henry VIII). Her relationship with her mother helps to shape the woman she becomes. Her ambition is highlighted but she is not made into a monster as in some other accounts. This is a work of fiction as no one can truly know what was in Frances Grey's heart, but this book is light reading and interesting. It's a short book but well written and engaging. Overall I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews