The King's Mother: Book Three of The Beaufort Chronicle: Mother of the Tudor dynasty

Beaufort Chronicles #3

by Judith Arnopp

October 1485
With the English crown finally in his possession, Henry Tudor’s endeavours to restore order to the realm are hindered by continuing unrest. While the king is plagued with uprisings and pretenders to his throne, Margaret in her capacity as The King’s Mother oversees the running of his court.

The warring houses of York and Lancaster are united, the years of civil strife are at an end but, as the royal nursery fills with children, the threats to Henry’s throne persist and Margaret’s expectation of perfect harmony begins to disintegrate.
As quickly as Henry dispatches those whose move against him, new conflicts arise and, dogged by deceit and the harrowing shadow of death, Margaret realises that her time for peace has not yet come.

Intrigue, treason and distrust blights the new Tudor dynasty, challenging Margaret’s strength of character and her steadfast faith in God.

The King’s Mother is the third and final book in The Beaufort Chronicles, tracing the life of Margaret Beaufort.

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

341 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2019

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

[Janina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book in the trilogy that chronicles Margaret Beauforts life.
Beautifully written from Margarets point as mother to King Henry VII. Judith Arnopps presents a likeable strong woman who I had sympathy and respect for ,never felt like this before about Margaret as she is often portrayed as a bitter hard woman , this book shows her in a different light and hope this is a reflection of how she truely was. Highly recommended reading .

[Terry Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Beaufort is one of my favourite women of history. Being known not for her beauty or charm but for her piety and single-minded dedication to the fortunes of her son, Henry VII, she is often overlooked as an historical heroine. I give a round of applause to this exploration of her character in Judith Arnopp's trilogy.

The King's Mother covers the period of her life when her beloved Henry had become king, and travels through the triumphs, the threats to the security of the new Tudor reign, the births of her grandchildren, and the deaths. All the deaths. It's always a challenge to write a historical novel from this time from the point of view of a woman, because the reader does not get to see the battles and other decisive moments that fill the history books; mostly, women were excluded from these. But Ms Arnopp works around this masterfully, and I was engrossed in this book all the way through, completely absorbed in Margaret's life.

There are some lovely passages; as she gets older, she reflects on her life. On her marriage to Henry Stafford: '..at the time I had not know I was happy. Perhaps happiness is a feeling that can only be enjoyed in retrospect'

Also: 'As I grow older I realise our lives are nothing but a collection of memories, flawed recollections of a time and place that will never come again. Once life is extinguished ... we become nothing more and an imperfect jumble of half-recollected stories in the minds of our children'.

I enjoyed how fact was so seamlessly merged with the author's imagination; especially entertaining were the prophetic scenes featuring Henry VIII as a child. From a midwife, when he is less than one hour old: '..with a temper like that, if he is not given what he wants, he will stop at nothing until he gets it'. And, later, Henry himself saying that he wanted to be a king not like his father, but like his grandfather; of course, he would come to make the lusty, ebullient Edward IV look positively abstemious. I also liked Margaret's mention of a certain adventurer called Mr Cabot who had gone in search of new lands and had no idea of what awaited him...!

For all Margaret's good intentions, Ms Arnopp shows us well how far removed the aristocracy and nobility were from the common man, and how Henry VII gained a reputation for miserliness, with his insistence on heavy taxes that meant extreme poverty for some. Margaret says: 'The people grumble against us. I fail to understand why they cannot see if is for the good of England.' Yet Arnopp shows Margaret as an extraordinarily strong but modest and contemplative woman who acknowledges her own faults, and, in later life, gives much to one of her favourite causes: education.

There are a few punctuation and editing errors that were a mild irritation (including my pet 'grrrr': the use of the word 'I', as in 'Henry and I', in instances when it should be 'Henry and me'), but I am sure they would not bother many readers as they did me, and I still have no hesitation in giving this book 5 stars, which I give neither lightly nor frequently. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend the whole trilogy most highly.

[Chasity Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful last installment in Margaret Beaufort, The Queen's Mother.

She stands strong in her faith no matter the treasonous plots that have flew around the court. She was a role model to her grandchildren, even if she was a little strict and rough around the edges. She loved her grandchildren. She is always by King Henry VII side in the council rooms, even when her health started to fail.

When I started out reading this series, Margaret left a bad taste in my mouth and she was the type of character that I couldn't help but hate a little. However this series made me realize this woman wanted the best for her son, she was ambitious and knew how to fill the role she played in creating a Tudor Dynasty and so many institutions that remain today. It's an eye opener to say the least.

I absolutely recommend reading this series.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spell binding story telling.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific ending to the series

You have to come away with a whole new appreciation for Margaret after finishing the series. Wonderfully written with continuous dialogue will have you experiencing difficulty putting it down. I've found another author to follow.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of Margaret Beaufort, who played an important role in establishing the Tudor dynasty. However, this last book in the trilogy was not nearly as good as the first two. It covers many years and feels more like chonological highlights than a story.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I have always imagined that once Henry was safely in possession of his throne, our trials would be trivial, or vanish altogether. I never envisaged anything as horrible as this…”


Lady Margaret Beaufort had waited her whole life for this. It had been fourteen very long years since she had last seen her son. But now the impossible has happened. Henry has won the crown in the bloody fields of Bosworth, and now he was by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland. Henry’s reign would be one of peaceful unity.

But for a country that has lived in the shadow of a savage civil war for so long, peace does not come easily. There will always be those who smile in the sunlight and yet, whisper words of treachery in the shadows. The early years of Henry’s reign would see him fight to keep his newly acquired crown.

Margaret knows this is not a time to be weak. It is a time for strength and steadfastness. The Tudor dynasty would endure, no matter what.

From the grandeur of Henry’s coronation at Westminster Abbey to his demise at Richmond Palace, The King’s Mother: Book Three of The Beaufort Chronicle by Judith Arnopp is the shamelessly compelling story of the latter part of Lady Margaret Beaufort’s life and the reign of Henry VII.

I was so looking forward to reading Book 3 of The Beaufort Chronicles, and I am pleased to say that Arnopp did not disappoint. Arnopp has crafted not only an immensely readable retelling of Henry VII reign, but she has also created an exceptionally appealing character in Margaret. I adored Arnopp’s interpretation of Margaret, she has not portrayed her as a cold and unfeeling woman, as many historical fiction authors do, but as a warm and loving mother and grandmother, who only wants what is best for her family and the country that she loves. Margaret is a stickler for rules and is nobodies fool, but I think that is what made her all the more appealing. I think Arnopp’s interpretation of Margaret is by far more believable than others that I have read.

Arnopp has taken great pains to stick to the documented history of this period. This was a time of rebellions and pretenders, who threatened Henry’s rule. At the same time, Henry was desperately trying to bring unity between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. It was a terrible struggle for him and one that is not always appreciated. Whether you like it or not, Henry did bring an end to this bitter rivalry, and he proved that he had what it took to be a very strong and on the most part, successful King.

When you mention the name Tudor, one automatically thinks of Henry VIII or Elizabeth I, but Henry VII is just as fascinating. Henry lives in the shadows of his son for the wrong reasons. Henry is vastly different from his son. Anropp has given us a very calm and collected character in Henry VII, who struggle with the responsibilities that comes with being the king. I thought Arnopp’s interpretation of Henry was brilliant. The young Arthur is also portrayed as having the same calm temper as his father. This book did make me wonder what history would have been like if Arthur had lived and ruled instead of his brother. Can you imagine that? No Henry VIII. No controversy.

Nevertheless, we cannot get away from Henry VIII. In the pages of this book, he is conceived, and he grows into a very boisterous and flamboyant young man who longs for adventure and sport. He resents having to learn to be a king when his brother dies. Politics does not interest him, hunting and jousting do. Henry has temper tantrums, he is very good at sulking, but he can also be incredibly caring and feels things very deeply. Arnopp has captured the young Henry very well, and she has undoubtedly paved the way for the king he was to become.

Told in the first person from Margaret’s perspective, Arnopp brings fresh eyes to this thoroughly documented time in history and gives it life. The fear that Margaret has, as Queen Elizabeth did as well, that Perkin Warbeck, was, in fact, Richard, Duke of York which would have made him Elizabeth’s brother, was approached with incredible sensitivity. Margaret does not want Perkin to be Richard, because she loved Richard, but she is torn because if he is Richard, it would be a disaster for her son and her grandchildren. This terrible conflict that Margaret feels was masterfully written.

I enjoyed Margaret, the grandmother. She is a very loving lady, who adores her grandchildren and in return they adore her. I was so happy for her that at last she is surrounded by children, which was from the very beginning what she wanted. I could not help but like her.

Margaret is not a vain woman, but I enjoyed some lighter moments when she reflects upon her appearance and how she dresses. She knows she has never been a great beauty, but Arnopp has given her a very beautiful soul, which shines through the pages of the book so brightly. She is a very compassionate woman, which may surprise those who are more used to Margaret being very cold and stern. I think Arnopp's interpretation of her is lovely. Arnopp is one of those writers who can make history come alive and breathe life into characters that have long been dead.

If you are a fan of the Tudor era, then The Beaufort Chronicle should definitely be on your to-read list, and even if you know nothing about the War of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors, but are interested, then this series is also the one for you. You can learn a lot about this era while reading this series, and the storytelling is sublime. You will not be disappointed.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of wars that engulfed England for over thirty years finally comes to its conclusion. The Plantagenet dynasty is no more and the once outlaw is now the first king of the brand new dynasty, the Tudors. Margaret Beaufort is reunited with her beloved son, Henry Tudor as he is crowned King Henry VII. As Henry faces the numerous challenges of being a father and a king, his mother is right by his side to guide and protect him and his family. In the epic conclusion to her Beaufort Chronicle series, Judith Arnopp explores the transition for Margaret Beaufort in the early years of the Tudor dynasty in, “The King’s Mother”.

Since I have read the previous books in this series, it was only natural that I read “The King’s Mother”. I have thoroughly enjoyed Judith Arnopp’s writing in the past and I wanted to know how she would conclude this ingenious series.

We reunite with Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry as they prepare for the event that she has been dreaming of, his coronation. To unite both the houses of York and Lancaster to ensure peace would prevail, Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York. Their young family grows with their sons and daughters: Arthur, Margaret, Henry, and Mary. There were other children, but they died very young. Margaret Beaufort watches her grandchildren grow and acts as an advisor to Henry as the Mother of the King.

For the most part, peace and harmony reign throughout the land. However, trouble was never too far off from the comforts of the Tudor court. Pretenders lurch around every corner and rebellions are on the edge of boiling over. Henry tries to navigate the intricate European marriage market to make the best possible matches for his children.

To see these events full of hope and sorrow from the eyes of Margaret Beaufort was a delight. This was all she ever wanted, to see her son happy and alive, but for her to realize that even after the war there would be danger around every corner. Margaret was not a monster mother-in-law to Elizabeth like she is portrayed in other historical fiction novels, yet she is not a saint. Arnopp’s Margaret Beaufort is simply a human mother and grandmother who is just trying to do her best for her family.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Arnopp’s Beaufort Chronicle and this is the perfect conclusion. I have always been a fan of Margaret Beaufort and her life story. This series made me love her story even more. It made Margaret feel like a regular human being instead of the monster that other novels portray her to have been. If you want an insider’s look into the early years of the Tudor dynasty through the eyes of its matriarch, I highly recommend you read The Beaufort Chronicle by Judith Arnopp, especially the third book, “The King’s Mother”.

[HalKid2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third and final installment of the Beaufort Chronicle provides a strong finish to the interesting and well-researched story of Margaret Beaufort, mother to King Henry VII of England and likely the chief reason there was a Tudor dynasty at all.

This volume picks up the story of her life once son Henry becomes king. A powerful figure behind the throne, Margaret continues to be someone Henry relies on for strategy and political advice. Good thing too because the Tudors have their hands full in the early days of Henry’s reign. It was Margaret who negotiated Henry’s marriage to Elizabeth of York, thereby uniting the warring Lancaster and York factions of the Plantagenet dynasty, that had formed the basis for the War of the Roses. But despite this shrewd move, Henry continues to face challenges to his legitimacy as a monarch for years to come. And Margaret remains by his side throughout, supporting his claim with a resolute iron will and a deep understanding of the needs of the English people.

Arnopp’s portrait of Margaret is of a woman who has come into her own. She has finally become the most powerful woman in the land. And she performs her role well, demonstrating both considerable intelligence and piety. Her influence on the lives of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren is unmatched. She also provided money for a significant expansion at Cambridge University.

One criticism I have of the book is that it has a somewhat abrupt ending. There is so much detail about her role while her son’s health declined, but much less about the influence that continued once he died. Still, this entire series is strongly recommended for Tudor fans since it provides such a rich portrait of an important woman in British royal history.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good ending to the trilogy. After everything that had happened leading up to it, I could see why Margaret and her son were so paranoid about holding on to the crown. The writing style was still a bit slow though, and my biggest complaint was that there were sooooo many spelling and grammatical errors. It’s almost as if it had not been proof read before being published. It was a bit distracting at times. Overall, I think that this is an ok series IF you already have a pretty solid understanding of the history of the War of the Roses and the key players involved. If not, then I would not recommend reading it. It glosses over the majority of the battles and events because it is told from Lady Margaret’s perspective, and she was getting her information from letters. It’s mostly a historical fiction about her personal life, and her relationship with her son, and not so much about the actual political upheaval and battle for the crown.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Arnopp writes historical novels quite well, and has fine attention to detail and period. This was not my favorite of the trilogy, and am not completely sure why. Was it because I knew a lot about Margaret or that there was not a lot of happiness in this period from Henry ascension to Margaret's death?

I was pleased to get some sense of the years between when Elizabeth Plantagenet dies and Margaret's own demise. That was definitely worth the read. Henry VIII is not a favorite of mine and apparently his father as well as his Grandmother, Margaret had misgivings about his reign. Premonitions perhaps?

The Beaufort Chronicle, all three books is well worth reading. The first two can be bought as one for $7.95 and then purchase this one. Enjoy!

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty calm, compared to the others. (This isn't the first time I've read this book...I've just not reviewed it previously, apparently.)

One thing that confuses me—and I suspect this may be a matter of the author and/or editor(s) not reading back—is that Isabel and Fernando make it very clear that they have no intention of sending Catalina to be married to Arthur until Perkin and all other threats are eliminated; but later on, it says they formally agreed not to support Perkin or any of his claims.

Why would they ever support him in the first place if they'd said they wanted him dead before the wedding? That makes no sense!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5* rating for this book as well ending the trilogy about Margaret Beaufort! What a journey for Margaret!!! A woman living for her son, has reached the highest rank after her son in the kingdom. Loneliness was however never far off: deaths, feelings being repressed in order to survive, pride, fear, all has taken its toll to shape Margaret into what she has become. Judith Arnopp has lent her voice to an unforgettable woman. One whom we can only admire for her strength of will in a time when survival was most crucial to the highest in the kingdom.

[Bonnie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King’s mother

I really enjoyed this novel, it is hard to put down! The writer is so good with her descriptions that it feels as though you are in the scene with the characters. It is also based on historical facts which is the reason why I wanted to read it. I found the book much better than some historical novels, and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Tudor era.

[Pam Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow!

After reading this book I feel as if Margaret Beaufort is a close friend. I'm not sure I've ever read a book that has such a living, breathing character before now. This book should be required reading for everyone who is interested in Tudor history. I will be spending the next few days reading every word that Judith Arnopp has ever written. An amazing book by an amazing author.

[Jenny Spen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story Itself Wonderful Kindle Version Not So Much

I loved this series on Margaret Beaufort. This book was fantastic, but the Kindle version was full of typos and inconsistent name spellings. Still, I very much enjoyed this interpretation of Margaret’s life and came to appreciate her trials all the more! (If you know nothing of Tudor history you may be confused reading this trilogy, though.) Series overall five stars.

[Paula Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this book by J. Arnopp a good series; you can not put it down or stop at book 1, 2 or 3.
What makes this historical book part of a great series; it is a well researched & written saga of the "War of the Roses Era. Told via King Henry VII's mother: Margaret Beaufort; through her existing years. It's a fascinating historical story, embellished with beleivable characters and incedences.
Very sad to have finished it.

[NayNay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beaufort Chronicle - The Beaufort Bride (book 1), The Beaufort Woman (book2), The Kings Mother (book 3) by Judith Arnopp

It is a portrait of Margaret Beaufort's life as she comes into her own, and becomes one of the most powerful woman in England as she demonstrates both intelligence and piety. Arnopp makes the character come alive and transports you back in time. If you want a entertaining, quick to read series about Margaret Beaufort from her early life, I would recommend this one.

[Beverley Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story!

This is a fascinating story of love, loss, and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, and picked it up at every spare moment.
I particularly enjoyed reading about King Henry the eighth's childhood, and found him to be a very likable child, and later a very likable youth. I wonder how much his mother's death affected him and whether it had any bearing on the man he later became. A thoroughly good read. Highest recommendations!

[Diane Brownstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mix of fact and fiction

I read all three of the Beaufort Chronicle books and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I gained great respect and admiration for Margaret Beaufort. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, you will love the Beaufort Chronicle series. Wonderful reading, Judith Arnopp!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the conclusion to this solid Margaret Beaufort trilogy better than I did the first two volumes. As mother to the king and in the full of her power, we see more of her complexity and regrets than just her piety and hopes. I think it served the story well. Each of the novels is short enough that I would recommend the series be read at one time; the third installment is really the main course of a single meal, not a meal itself.

[Mark Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I have always read and heard and seen depicted in many movies, tv shows, documentaries etc the harshness and extreme ambitions Margaret Beaufort, but I've never read such a great book/s on Margaret just being human. While I know these stories are fiction I truly enjoyed these books and the author's colorful descriptions of the characters

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books 1 & 2 build to book 3 - read them all, please

What a comprehensive and well-researched telling of Margaret Beaufort's life and times. If you need a background to the life and times of Henry VII, this fills in many dark corners. Read all three of the books in the trilogy if you can. They build and build to the final book.

[MzIce2u · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful conclusion to the series!! While you may not like Margaret Beaufort you do have to respect her. She set her goal and come hell or high water she achieved it. I would recommend this series to other Tudor historical novel fans.

[Mrs Nicole M Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most enjoyable books

Well written trilogy, keeping the reader’s interest throughout the three books, as the tale of Margaret Beaufort’s life unwinds.
Tragic at times, a true portrayal of life in the Tudor times.

[Jolene Neri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done portrait

I had little knowledge if Margaret Beaufort, as I take. York lean in my readings. However, I found this portrait of her to be quite human, a women dealing with incredible life events in turbulent times. Excellent pace, depth, action.

[Melissa Everly-kosek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent end to a trilogy on Margaret Beaufort

The final chapter of the trilogy picks up with the early reign and marriage of Henry the seventh. All celebrations, revolts, and deaths are explored. Margaret Beaufort was an extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times.

[Sandy Popp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator’s joyful approach and the author’s attention to emotional detail cast Margaret Beaufort in a kinder light. Though often vilified, she was more than just the ultimate stage mom—she was a visionary and an extraordinary woman.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read these books in order, one after the other. While I did enjoy the series, this last book, was just a repeat of Margaret, lamenting all that had happened to her. It was light on the actual history. And ended rather abruptly

[MTahtakran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I love how Judith can being history to life as if you’re right there! Looking forward to her next books!