Intractable Heart: A story of Katheryn Parr

by Judith Arnopp

1537. As the year to end all years rolls to a close, King Henry VIII vents his continuing fury at the pope. The Holy Roman Church reels beneath the reformation and as the vast English abbeys crumble the royal coffers begin to fill.
The people of the north, torn between loyalty to God and allegiance to their anointed king, embark upon a pilgrimage to guide their errant monarch back to grace.
But Henry is unyielding and sends an army north to quell the rebel uprising. In Yorkshire, Katheryn Lady Latimer and her step-children, Margaret and John, are held under siege at Snape Castle …
The events at Snape set Katheryn on a path that will lead from the deprivations of a castle under siege to the perils of the royal Tudor court.

Katheryn Parr has for many years been depicted by historians and novelists alike as a staid, rather dull woman. Her role little more than a nursemaid to a succession of elderly spouses, but she was much more than this.
The novel, Intractable Heart, is told via four narrators, Katheryn’s step daughter, Margaret Neville; Katheryn herself; her fourth husband Thomas Seymour; and her step-daughter Elizabeth, later to become Queen Elizabeth I.
Katheryn Parr emerges as an intelligent, practical woman; a woman who sets aside her love for Thomas Seymour to do her duty and marry the aging king.
Katheryn becomes Henry VIII’s partner in all things, acting as Regent for England during the French war, embracing and guiding Henry’s three motherless children, and providing a strong supporting voice for religious reform.
It is not until the king’s death, when she is finally free to follow the desires of her heart that her life descends into chaos … and wretchedness.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Tudor Period, British Literature

274 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2014

About the author

.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.

Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,

You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....


For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com

author.to/juditharnoppbooks

Reviews

[Grace Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to Ms Arnopp's work was The Winchester Goose, which was significantly different from other historical fiction books to intrigue me. With trepidation I read, The Kiss of Concubine, (after all, Anne Boleyn is one hell of a major historical figure to take liberties with) and was swept away by her story telling skill. OK, so could the story of one of Henry VIII's lesser known wives live up to expectations? Oh yes!
Ms Arnopp has grown and matured as a writer and can proudly hold her head up amongst the best. This faultless telling of a little known story is addictive from beginning to end. If you give Ms Arnopp as chance, she will create a world that is shudderingly real, peopled with saints, sinner, rogues, and survivors.
Bravo! What now for an encore?

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Katheryn Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII, told in the first person from four perspectives, each with a part of the book, and their own part of the tale to tell.

First is Katheryn's step-daughter, Margaret Neville, then Katheryn herself, followed by Thomas Seymour (Katheryn's fourth husband), and finally another of Katheryn's step-daughter's, Princess Elizabeth.

I already knew the story, and this is a good retelling. It flows, it's easy to read and the changes of perspective are well timed in each instance.

For someone who doesn't already know Katheryn's story, this would certainly be a good introduction and the author's note is good (I have issues with bad author's notes).

[Mary Grand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, I love Philippa Gregory books and this was easily as good. Very well researched and relaxed story telling. If you like historial fiction do give this a go x

[Quinby6696 Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lively novel about Katheryn Parr, one of my favorite historical characters. Arnopp takes an interesting approach by chronicling events mostly toward the end of the reign of Henry VIII through the eyes of four of the key players. We hear from Margaret Neville, Katheryn's stepdaughter, Katheryn herself, Lord Thomas Seymour, and a teenage Elizabeth Tudor. Along with Anne of Cleves, Katheryn was the last surviving of Henry's unlucky wives. She was intelligent and educated and was adept at managing an aging and bitter king.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnopp presents Katheryn Parr's life from her second husband onwards from four points of view - her step-daughter Margaret, daughter of her second husband, Katheryn Parr herself, her fourth husband Thomas Seymour and, finally, her step-daughter Princess Elizabeth.

We see the impact she had on those around her as well as how she was trying to maintain a careful balancing act when married to her third husband, Henry VIII, desperate to keep the title of 'the last wife' and showing how close she came to true danger. There are a lot of highs and lows in her life, and Arnopp does an excellent job showing how much she influenced those around her and those who came after in then-revolutionary ideas about religion, politics, literature, and women in power.

[Melisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this take on Katherine Parr. At first, I didn't like the change in narrator, but I grew to appreciate seeing some different perspectives. I always thought of Thomas Seymour as being extremely shallow and self-centered. This book showed that very well. definitely one I would recommend.

[Shiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love history and everything to do with the Tudors and when I saw a fictional novel about Katheryn Parr, I knew that I needed to read it. When first starting the book, I had very high expectations as I have read the author's other books and loved them. I did enjoy the book, but for me personally, there was something lacking and I cannot put my finger on it. I really enjoyed reading more about Katheryn before she was married to Henry VIII and seeing her love for her two stepchildren. It was also interesting getting Katheryn's point of view about her marriage to Henry and how she, at first, was horrified and hated what came with being Henry VIII's queen. However, as her marriage progressed, she came into her own and came to see Henry as a companion and knew how to keep Henry from losing his temper, especially knew what say and do after she was given her warrant for her arrest. She was a clever lady and Arnopp definitely shows this side to Henry VIII's last queen.

I loved how the book was split into different sections to tell Katheryn's story from the point of views of the people who knew and loved her; Margaret Neville (her stepdaughter), Katheryn (herself), Thomas Seymour (her husband after Henry VIII) and Princess Elizabeth (to be Elizabeth I, who was her stepdaughter when Katheryn married Henry VIII and Elizabeth lived under her care).

I must admit that I did feel uncomfortable when reading about Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth. I understand that maturity and childhood were seen differently in the Tudor period, but the author portrayed Elizabeth as a seducer of Thomas Seymour. However, I am able to understand that the author is trying to use historical events and turn it into drama for fictional purposes.

This was a dramatic and entertaining novel and I love all of the author's works and cannot wait to see what is produced next. However, as state before, there was something lacking but still enjoyed it!

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, the first factual error I catch (apx p19 in the epub edition) is actually where the author contradicts herself. That's a new one!

...the man who ordered the death of my betrothed.

Margaret literally said two or three pages ago that it was her fiancé's father that was executed, and that she couldn't figure out what that had to do with breaking off her engagement.

In fact, a search for Francis Bigod (outside of wiki, which was vague) turns up Ralph's death year as being 1569, a good thirty-two years later. (Of course, my source said he both had a daughter and died without issue, so take that with a grain of salt.)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ so far, primarily because when I started a book about Catherine Parr, I was expecting to read about Catherine Parr, not her stepdaughter Margaret.

=====

1544 (p 85, epub):

But John is now a man grown and a soldier, gone to help the Duke of Hertford vent the king’s fury on the Scottish border.

And now Judith is off inventing titles. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hertford only got as high as marquis (I hate French, but I hate "marquess" worse), and the first one wasn't created until 1641, when Charles I promoted my second cousin (11x removed) William Seymour from earl. She was probably referring to William's great grandfather Edward, who stayed in Henry VIII's favor even after the death of his sister.

The one thing that really drives me nuts (and I'm not subtracting a star because everyone does it) is calling a child an "infant".

Prince Edward was EIGHT in 1544. Infancy ends at one year. THAT'S NOT INFANCY! WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP CALLING THEM INFANTS?! (*puff, pant, die*)

[Candace Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

How much we have to learn from those who have gone before us. Learning from an author who aptly places her fingertips on the throbbing pulse of their characters and then places them upon her keyboard is something to behold!
Never before have I given much thought of Kathryn Parr nor in fact to Thomas Seymour. How much that has now changed. The tremendous wisdom, ability and bravery Kathryn undoubtedly possessed in order to pacify and stroke the ego of an unhealthy, undesirable, impotent yet all powerful husband is something all women can glean from! She deserves many rewards in heaven for handling King Henry with such wisdom.
Her love for the Lord Himself and the courage she displayed in her earnest endeavors to know Him better by seeking to understand and translating scriptures in such a perilous time earns her much praise!
Her compassion for her step children and her desire to love and help mold their characters regardless of the challenges and injuries each of them had endured should guide us all.
I am coming to an end of my Arnopp novels available in publication, and am hoping there are others shortly to the printing press!

[Amy McElroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intractable Heart, the story of Kateryn Parr. I found this to be a bit different from other Katheryn Parr works as it covers part of her life prior to Henry VIII, it is a fiction book but there are elements of fact which have been included to create an interesting view of Henry's last queen.

This book is split in to four parts each the view of a different person, the first is Katheryns step daughter Margaret, followed by Katheryn, then Thomas Seymour and finally Elizabeth Tudor.

I particularly liked how each part picked up from the previous view point without becoming disjointed.

Judith Arnopp has successfully manages to tell the story of these four individuals in a unique way. Definitely recommend this one!

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book was structured, ie, the whole story told from four different first person points of view. It starts off during the Pilgrimage of Grace, the uprisings in the north following Henry's reformation of the English church, and this part is told from the point of view of Margaret, Katherine's stepdaughter from her second marriage. Showing events at court and in the country from this young girl's point of view was an artful way of giving the backdrop to Katherine's life before she married the King, and I very much liked Ms Arnopp's invention about Margaret being infatuated with well-known rake Francis Bryan.

Next, Katherine's own section. I liked it, but thought it a little rushed through; I had no sense of years passing, and occasionally I felt I was having facts about her life related to me, rather than being told a story. One minute Katherine would be hoping she could reconcile Henry's family, and in the next paragraph it would be done, and the Anne Askew affair/the threat of Katherine's own arrest was over and done with in a few pages. But I did still like it, which is a nod to Ms Arnopp's ability to keep the reader turning the pages - and I'm the first one to moan if a book is too long-winded! Henry VIII was portrayed so well, and it got much better towards the end, with Katherine's desperation at being ousted as soon as people like Edward Seymour realised Henry was dying.

And then we come to the other well-known rake, Thomas Seymour. This part was excellent. I like that Ms Arnopp did not tell the story of Seymour and Katherine as star-crossed lovers; her insight into the chancer that he probably was is a terrific piece of writing. I've read before about the sexually orientated rough and tumbles between him and the young Elizabeth Ist and found the scenario most peculiar, as Katherine was not only aware of but actually witnessed them (and even joined in) on occasion, but in this book I had the feeling that she would put up with anything just to keep Thomas's love, rather than being naive about what was really going on.

The story is ended with a short part from Elizabeth's point of view, as we learn about the aftermath of Katherine's time as queen and subsequent errors of judgement, though, indeed, some would say that she at last found some true happiness. I liked the viewpoint that Katherine had an influence on how Elizabeth conducted herself in later years, too; she probably did.

I am sure I will be back for another book by this author in the not too distant future.

[Marilyn Carol Mayhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intractable Heart: both of Henry and Katheryn

I love the way Judith puts emotion into these well known historical figures and so brings them to life. I always felt Katherine had the choice of foregoing her love of Thomas or Losing her head . There were no other options in those days. You could not just say no to Henry without very dire consequences.

This book is a delight to read

Katherine was a very stoic lady, who carried the gentle wifely character of Jane Seymour, Henry's adored Queen, Catherine of Aragon's strength, Catherine Howard's love of family, Anne of Cleaves compliance and Anne Boleyn's religious zeal. What more could Henry want?

[Sophie Meulemans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book about Katheryn Parr, and her view on life, the court, and her marriage with Henry VIII.

What is great about this book is that it overlaps small pieces of time and is written from 4 characters, Mary, Elisabeth, Katheryn and Thomas Seymour ... which gives an excellent picture of the events and feelings that it creates among all these people who connected to each other.

The author is very clear about the feelings of Katheryn and how she thought about the fact that Henry took her as his wife👰🏼: total horror (and We can all understand her)

The description about Katheryn's character is wonderful 💜.... she came into a situation where she could not get away and she tried to make the best of it, Well we can learn from her! It was a loving, intelligent woman, Henry had found a good wife in her ... if he really realized that? Probably not!!! 😠Because ofcourse we know about Henry's dreadful character, which Katheryn had to deal with every day .....
Despite her difficult relationship with Henry, she was a sweet stepmother and her caring character is lavishly addressed !

A beautiful book about the loving woman who assisted the most selfish monarch in the last years of his life.🤴🏻

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite historical fiction writers!! Again I was not disappointed! Cleverly done through 4 narrators I learned a good deal more about Katheryn Parr! The story begins before Katheryn married Henry VIII and gives a good overview about the tensions around his previous wives. As always, Judith Arnopp keeps close to known historical facts and events which makes this book (as well as all her other books) highly recommended.

[Chasity Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Rainy Day Spent

I love how Mrs. Arnopp takes us through Katheryn Parr's time as King Henry VIII's queen. She navigated the religious turmoil and court intrigues to keep her head. She is caring and nurturing to the motherless children of Henry VIII. Katheryn sacrificed true love to be a great queen and companion to Henry in his last years. But what happens after the King's death? Loose yourself in the drama and deadly love affairs.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book which sheds light on Catherine Parr

I enjoyed this book because, unlike Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, you don’t hear a lot about Catherine Parr. However, i think she was the cleverest of Henry’s wives. He was a monster, intent on getting his own way, but she kept her head!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully-written story about Katherine Parr and her relationship and marriage to King Henry VIII. The author also delves into Katherine’s relationship with her stepchildren (including Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth) and her fourth husband, Thomas Seymour.
I absolutely loved it and and will definitely read Judith Arnopp’s other books.

[Sara Rueben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I liked the book. However 3/4 through it got pretty weird. Perhaps the historical accounts were that weird, perhaps the artistic license was weird. Interesting to read a book on Catherine Part, though.

[Christine Pease · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always want more!

I am totally going to have a story “hangover” after this one! So well written, I felt like I was a fly on the wall during the story, I could hear and smell and really see the history taking place! Another book well done, Judith Arnopp!

[Robbi Leah Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting information and story on Henry VIII last queen.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent read

[Alan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good.....
awesome read......

[Louise Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I've always found Katheryn Parr interesting. Would've been better if the story was told totally from her point of view.

[Caroline Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

I enjoyed this book but spotted I think passages from others. Copy and paste! But a good book nonetheless I think

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katheryn Parr is one of those historical characters that we tend to dutifully study, preparing ourselves for a stolid, tedious effort. I think Charles Laughton said it best at the end of his PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII: "Six wives, and the best is the worst of them all." Or maybe it would be better to say that I, for one, was unfairly influenced by his delightful portrayal which took years of education to rectify. Yet poor Katheryn didn't budge very far in my estimation. Luckily, Judith Arnopp sheds some welcome light on this stalwart lady.

Kathryn was so much more than a survivor. Fatally attracted to Thomas Seymour, she must have had something going for her to keep him interested enough to marry her after her third widowhood. She made a family for Henry's motherless children. I was surprised to see her as acting Regent during Henry's final French war, which implies a certain competence. Of course, she was a staunch Protestant, which almost led to her undoing. I was also surprised to see the tyrant King Henry depicted almost as a pussycat in her presence, as though her influence on him was invariably soothing. Even the pivotal event where she was nearly arrested comes across to me as the machinations of her enemies, and Henry's role seems almost incidental. I found this all a little disconcerting, since it seems to redefine the King as a kind of nice guy after all. Maybe this is true? I'd like to think so, but I'm not sure I can accept it.

All these characteristics and more are depicted in this novel, which is quite a page turner. As you would expect, there is not a tremendous amount of action, but the writing is smooth and enjoyable. Katheryn comes across as a lady I very much would have liked to have known.

The story was written from the first person point of view in four distinct sections: by her step-daughter Margaret, by Katheryn herself, by Thomas Seymour then by Princess Elizabeth. It speaks to the skill of the author that these four voices were very different from each other and their personalities were well depicted. However, to me, lurching from one first person voice to another was uncomfortable, like taking a side trip and never making it back to the main road. The last voice, Elizabeth, was really all about Elizabeth, so I thought the thread of the story got kind of lost. Nonetheless, if you take the book as four vignettes, it works very well. Overall, I certainly enjoyed it.

[HalKid2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Voices Tell the Story of KIng Henry VIII's Final Wife

Queen Katherine Parr is usually portrayed as a keenly intelligent and dutiful wife. Married three times to much older men - including Henry VIII - she was known as a skilled caretaker and faithful companion. Her fourth, short-lived marriage - to Thomas Seymour, brother to former Queen Jane Seymour and uncle to Henry VIII's successor, King Edward VI - is usually portrayed as the major passion of Katherine's life. She and Thomas were involved before Henry VIII chose to make her queen.

What I like most about Arnopp's novel is its construction. There are four sections, each narrated by a different character.
- First, there is Katherine's step-daughter from the second marriage. From her we witness Katherine's loving and supportive presence and extreme kindness.
- Katherine herself narrates the second section of the book, describing her initial horror at being chosen to marry the King, followed by her dutiful commitment to being both a good wife and Queen.
- After Henry VIII's death, Thomas Seymour takes over as narrator -- and his character was the most interesting to me. Instead of his customary portrayal -- as someone deeply in love with Katherine Parr but having to step aside for a King -- Arnopp's Thomas is a scheming, ambitious egotist who cares primarily for pleasure and his own personal advancement. And that sets up to the story of Thomas's "flirtation" with Katherine's step-daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I.
- Princess Elizabeth is the fourth narrator, lamenting the errors of her own relationships with both Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour and using those experiences to formulate her own public demeanor.

The combination of these four voices paints a believable and very human portrait of Queen Katherine Parr, because it's based on a small group of historical figures who juggle the same conflicting emotions and responsibilities we all face -- ambition, duty, romantic passion, love, mistakes, and bad judgement.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Katheryn Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII, told in the first person from four perspectives, each with a part of the book, and their own part of the tale to tell.

First is Katheryn's step-daughter, Margaret Neville, then Katheryn herself, followed by Thomas Seymour (Katheryn's fourth husband), and finally another of Katheryn's step-daughter's, Princess Elizabeth.

I already knew the story, and this is a good retelling. It flows, it's easy to read and the changes of perspective are well timed in each instance.

For someone who doesn't already know Katheryn's story, this would certainly be a good introduction and the author's note is good (I have issues with bad author's notes).

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katheryn Parr's life has been retold it in a thought provoking and enlightening manner in this fine novel. Judith Arnopp has researched the early life Henry's last wife and using known facts of those times, speaks for Katheryn,Thomas Seymour, Elizabeth I and Margaret Neville Katheryn's stepdaughter.

The story is thus told in four parts and the three others, using known facts, speak and give voice to Katheryn Parr's early life. A delightful and innovative way to weave a narrative. The events that transpired on the Pilgrimage of Grace at Snape Castle can be surmised from other similar sieges.

Arnopp tells us in the author's note that we know little about Katheryn's early life so she allows the others to speak for her.It works so very well that I am saddened to realize that this fine woman may have had so little true happiness in her life. I cling to the fact that she was so resilient and astute that there were good times as well as laughter for her.

Recommended for everyone and especially for Tudor and Royalty fiction fans.

[Ramona Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intractable Heart: A story of Katheryn Parr

A wonderful story written by a masterful storyteller. She brings to life all the people who surround Katheryn Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII It is worth reading even though it's fiction. I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did. Happy reading.

[Jonathan Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and insightful

A very readable and enjoyable take on the life of Katheryn Parr, told through the eyes of Katheryn herself and three of her closest family. It’s a device that gives both Katheryn’s own perspective, as well as the objective view of those who loved her. It confirmed her as one of the historical figures I would most like to meet!