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Six Tudor Queens #0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 2.6, 3.5, 3.6, 4.
In the Shadow of Queens: Tales from the Tudor Court
Behind every great king stands a queen. And behind every queen, the whole court watches on...
Over the years of his reign, six different women took their place beside King Henry VIII of England as his wife and queen.
But the real stories of the six Tudor queens belong to those who lived among them. Played out in glittering palaces and whispering courts, these are tales of the people who loved and served these women, and those who lied and betrayed them.
Collected together for the first time, In the Shadow of Queens reveals thirteen startling stories from the Tudor court, told by those at the very heart of that world.
Over the years of his reign, six different women took their place beside King Henry VIII of England as his wife and queen.
But the real stories of the six Tudor queens belong to those who lived among them. Played out in glittering palaces and whispering courts, these are tales of the people who loved and served these women, and those who lied and betrayed them.
Collected together for the first time, In the Shadow of Queens reveals thirteen startling stories from the Tudor court, told by those at the very heart of that world.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2021
75 people are currently reading
1549 people want to read
About the author
Alison Weir
81 books8,294 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 25, 2021
* Please note that I received a free advance copy of this book, but I’m under no obligation to leave a goodreads reviews which is of my own choice.
An amazing collection of short-stories. Admittedly, I had never read any of the individual Ebooks, but that made this ever so more exciting. Small insights into those who were “in the shadow of” the Tudor Queens, was very rewarding. I particularly enjoyed “The Blackened Heart”, “The Curse of the Hungerfords” and the magnificent final title “In the New Sepulchre”.
The introductory essay was also very interesting to read.
If you enjoyed Alison’s Six Tudor Queens series, then this is really perfect for you. I’d pre-order it now if I were you!
* Unrelated to the book, but the cover art is gorgeous!
An amazing collection of short-stories. Admittedly, I had never read any of the individual Ebooks, but that made this ever so more exciting. Small insights into those who were “in the shadow of” the Tudor Queens, was very rewarding. I particularly enjoyed “The Blackened Heart”, “The Curse of the Hungerfords” and the magnificent final title “In the New Sepulchre”.
The introductory essay was also very interesting to read.
If you enjoyed Alison’s Six Tudor Queens series, then this is really perfect for you. I’d pre-order it now if I were you!
* Unrelated to the book, but the cover art is gorgeous!
January 7, 2022
This was a great read from Alison Weir covering the Tudor series. This was different stories about the wives and the ladies in waiting at the court of Henry the eighth. I haven’t read all the earlier books but it didn’t matter as I know the history of this king’s reign as do most people. A very enjoyable book to read.
November 6, 2021
A wonderful set of short stories. So glad they were finally published, and in such a gorgeous hardback too.
October 7, 2022
This is a collection of thirteen short stories and novellas written by Alison Weir over the last few years to accompany her Six Tudor Queens series of novels. The stories were released as individual ebooks one by one as they were written, but are now available all together in one volume.
I have read all six of the full-length novels in the Six Tudor Queens series, each one exploring the life of one of the wives of Henry VIII. These short stories fill in the gaps between the novels, providing more insights or looking at things from a different perspective. They are arranged in roughly chronological order, starting before Henry’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon and ending after the death of Katherine Parr. I had already read one of them – The Tower is Full of Ghosts Today, about a Tower of London tour guide with a strange resemblance to Anne Boleyn – but the rest were all new to me.
Several of the stories are written from the perspectives of members of the Tudor dynasty whose voices weren’t heard in the main series. Arthur: Prince of the Roses, about Henry VIII’s ill-fated elder brother Arthur Tudor, The Unhappiest Lady in Christendom, narrated by the future Mary I, and The Princess of Scotland, about Henry’s niece Margaret Douglas, all fall into this category. Others provide more background and depth to the stories of the six wives themselves – for example The Chateau of Briis: A Lesson in Love explores Anne Boleyn’s years at the French court as maid of honour to Queen Claude and her potential link with a tower at Briis-sous-Forges called the Donjon Anne Boleyn.
The stories that were of most interest to me were the ones that follow characters on the periphery of the Tudor court or those who are living ‘in the shadow of queens’, as the title suggests. I particularly enjoyed reading about the court painter Susannah Horenbout, sent to Cleves to investigate the background of a potential bride for the King, and Lady Rochford, wife of George Boleyn, who was instrumental in the downfalls of both Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard. Naturally, given the time period and subject matter, some of the stories are quite sad, involving executions, imprisonments, betrayals and infant deaths. If you’re of a squeamish disposition, be aware that the final story, In This New Sepulchre, describes in graphic detail the shocking desecration of Katharine Parr’s tomb and corpse.
My favourite story in the collection was probably The Curse of the Hungerfords, which introduces us to Agnes Cotell, the second wife of Sir Edward Hungerford, who becomes involved in a 16th century murder case. Her narrative alternates with that of Anne Bassett, whom many people believed would become one of Henry VIII’s wives, although obviously that never happened. Weir keeps us waiting to see how the lives of these two women are connected and I thought this could easily have been developed into a longer novel, which would have allowed for more depth and detail.
I haven’t discussed all of the thirteen stories here, but I hope I’ve given you a good idea of what the book contains. I would have been disappointed if I’d paid for some of these stories individually in the e-short format, but as a collection I found this a worthwhile read. If you’ve read some or all of the Six Tudor Queens series it works well as a companion volume, but it’s not essential to have read any of those books before reading this one.
I have read all six of the full-length novels in the Six Tudor Queens series, each one exploring the life of one of the wives of Henry VIII. These short stories fill in the gaps between the novels, providing more insights or looking at things from a different perspective. They are arranged in roughly chronological order, starting before Henry’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon and ending after the death of Katherine Parr. I had already read one of them – The Tower is Full of Ghosts Today, about a Tower of London tour guide with a strange resemblance to Anne Boleyn – but the rest were all new to me.
Several of the stories are written from the perspectives of members of the Tudor dynasty whose voices weren’t heard in the main series. Arthur: Prince of the Roses, about Henry VIII’s ill-fated elder brother Arthur Tudor, The Unhappiest Lady in Christendom, narrated by the future Mary I, and The Princess of Scotland, about Henry’s niece Margaret Douglas, all fall into this category. Others provide more background and depth to the stories of the six wives themselves – for example The Chateau of Briis: A Lesson in Love explores Anne Boleyn’s years at the French court as maid of honour to Queen Claude and her potential link with a tower at Briis-sous-Forges called the Donjon Anne Boleyn.
The stories that were of most interest to me were the ones that follow characters on the periphery of the Tudor court or those who are living ‘in the shadow of queens’, as the title suggests. I particularly enjoyed reading about the court painter Susannah Horenbout, sent to Cleves to investigate the background of a potential bride for the King, and Lady Rochford, wife of George Boleyn, who was instrumental in the downfalls of both Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard. Naturally, given the time period and subject matter, some of the stories are quite sad, involving executions, imprisonments, betrayals and infant deaths. If you’re of a squeamish disposition, be aware that the final story, In This New Sepulchre, describes in graphic detail the shocking desecration of Katharine Parr’s tomb and corpse.
My favourite story in the collection was probably The Curse of the Hungerfords, which introduces us to Agnes Cotell, the second wife of Sir Edward Hungerford, who becomes involved in a 16th century murder case. Her narrative alternates with that of Anne Bassett, whom many people believed would become one of Henry VIII’s wives, although obviously that never happened. Weir keeps us waiting to see how the lives of these two women are connected and I thought this could easily have been developed into a longer novel, which would have allowed for more depth and detail.
I haven’t discussed all of the thirteen stories here, but I hope I’ve given you a good idea of what the book contains. I would have been disappointed if I’d paid for some of these stories individually in the e-short format, but as a collection I found this a worthwhile read. If you’ve read some or all of the Six Tudor Queens series it works well as a companion volume, but it’s not essential to have read any of those books before reading this one.
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August 22, 2021In the Shadow of Queens - Alison Weir gives the reader an alternative viewpoint of some of the possible characters that may have been served alongside Henry the eighth's wives.
The individual stories all seem to have a different tone, one or two are written using a vast amount of historical language whereas others are plainly written.
I particularly loved reading about Anne of Cleeves and her journey to become Henry's very short-lived spouse.
The stories are incredibly well written and Weir is a master of historical fiction.
The individual stories all seem to have a different tone, one or two are written using a vast amount of historical language whereas others are plainly written.
I particularly loved reading about Anne of Cleeves and her journey to become Henry's very short-lived spouse.
The stories are incredibly well written and Weir is a master of historical fiction.
September 1, 2021
As someone who has always been fascinated and obsessed with anything Tudor. This book had me hooked.
This book is a collection of stories about the Tudors but in a way I wasn't expecting. It follows people that lived in the shadows of the queen's and tells their story from their perspectives.
I particularly enjoyed the authors notes that clarified what was truth, what was assumed from evidence and what was put together for fiction.
The story that struck me the most was the last, I had no idea the history that followed Katherine Parrs death, and I am already planning a visit to Sudeley Castle.
If you enjoy English History or Tudors, make sure you give this a read!
This book is a collection of stories about the Tudors but in a way I wasn't expecting. It follows people that lived in the shadows of the queen's and tells their story from their perspectives.
I particularly enjoyed the authors notes that clarified what was truth, what was assumed from evidence and what was put together for fiction.
The story that struck me the most was the last, I had no idea the history that followed Katherine Parrs death, and I am already planning a visit to Sudeley Castle.
If you enjoy English History or Tudors, make sure you give this a read!
November 4, 2023
I’m not normally a fan of short stories but these were so good.
November 12, 2021
An interesting, different character per chapter based faction book on those we know from history, and those who skirted around those we know. As we’re well aware, a woman’s lot back then wasn’t always a happy one, and often depended upon the man/men who had her charge, whether that was father, brother, husband, or son.
I found the notes after each section handy, as it helped clarify the facts behind the fanciful possible story.
3.5 cast off wives, rounded up to 4.
I found the notes after each section handy, as it helped clarify the facts behind the fanciful possible story.
3.5 cast off wives, rounded up to 4.
October 10, 2025
Definitely recommend getting this if you're interested in the shorts! That way you don't have to buy all of them separately. I would say only half of them give more insight to the series, the other half is skippable. I have reviewed each short separately on their own pages here on GR.
October 18, 2021
Enjoyed these short stories especially those around the second three queens. Alison Weir’s historical notes are helpful in sifting fact from fiction.
Not the best narrations sadly, hence 4 rather than 5 stars overall.
Not the best narrations sadly, hence 4 rather than 5 stars overall.
October 24, 2025
Wer an Heinrich VIII. und seinen Hof denkt, hat in aller Regel zunächst den gewichtigen Monarchen selbst und seine zahlreichen Ehefrauen vor dem geistigen Auge, vielleicht auch noch seine Töchter und die wichtigsten Würdenträger in seinem Umfeld (die oft genug im Laufe der Zeit einen Kopf kürzer gemacht wurden). In ihrer Kurzgeschichtensammlung mit dem Untertitel "Tales from the Tudor Court" richtet Alison Weir ihren Blick jedoch auf Personen, die sonst nicht so sehr im Mittelpunkt der Aufmerksamkeit stehen oder zumindest in zweiter Reihe hinter all den bekannten schillernden Charakteren stehen.
Die erste Geschichte wird aus der Sicht von Heinrichs Bruder Arthur erzählt, dem bis zu seinem frühen Tod designierten Thronfolger, und wirkt ein wenig blutleer, doch die restlichen Storys, die der Chronologie der Königinnen folgen, sind so vielfältig und abwechslungsreich wie ihre Protagonist:innen. Unter anderem hätten wir da so grundverschiedene Hauptfiguren wie Thomas Cranmer und die Amme von Katherine Parrs kleiner Tochter aus ihrer letzten Ehe, es gibt eine verzweifelte Hofdame, die von ihrem Angebeteten von jetzt auf gleich fallengelassen wird, weil sie schwanger ist und die intrigante Jane Rochford, Gattin von George und Schwägerin von Anne Boleyn, um nur ein paar zu nennen. Ein (mit ein paar unappetitlichen Details gespicktes, aber faszinierendes) Kapitel widmet sich dem mehrfach geschändeten Grab von Katherine Parr, auf einem französischen Adelssitz mit Bezug zu Anne Boleyn geschehen seltsame Dinge, und eine meiner Lieblingsgeschichten war eine ganz besondere Geistergeschichte aus dem Tower of London.
Ein ganz bunter Reigen an verschiedenartigen Erzählungen, die ursprünglich mal online als "E-Shorts" veröffentlicht wurden, findet sich in diesem schönen Buch, das einen krönenden Abschluss der Tudor-Queens-Reihe bildet und mir richtig viel Freude gemacht hat. Dass Alison Weir als Historikerin weiß, wovon sie schreibt, ist immer spürbar, nicht zuletzt anhand vieler kleiner erstaunlicher Details. Gleichzeitig schafft sie es in so gut wie allen Storys, Geschichte lebendig werden zu lassen, ohne dass es trocken oder langweilig würde. Als Einstieg in das Tudor-Universum würde ich das Buch nicht empfehlen, weil einem sonst vermutlich viele Anspielungen entgehen würden. Wenn man sich am Hof von Heini 8 ein wenig auskennt, lohnt sich die Lektüre aber auf jeden Fall.
Die erste Geschichte wird aus der Sicht von Heinrichs Bruder Arthur erzählt, dem bis zu seinem frühen Tod designierten Thronfolger, und wirkt ein wenig blutleer, doch die restlichen Storys, die der Chronologie der Königinnen folgen, sind so vielfältig und abwechslungsreich wie ihre Protagonist:innen. Unter anderem hätten wir da so grundverschiedene Hauptfiguren wie Thomas Cranmer und die Amme von Katherine Parrs kleiner Tochter aus ihrer letzten Ehe, es gibt eine verzweifelte Hofdame, die von ihrem Angebeteten von jetzt auf gleich fallengelassen wird, weil sie schwanger ist und die intrigante Jane Rochford, Gattin von George und Schwägerin von Anne Boleyn, um nur ein paar zu nennen. Ein (mit ein paar unappetitlichen Details gespicktes, aber faszinierendes) Kapitel widmet sich dem mehrfach geschändeten Grab von Katherine Parr, auf einem französischen Adelssitz mit Bezug zu Anne Boleyn geschehen seltsame Dinge, und eine meiner Lieblingsgeschichten war eine ganz besondere Geistergeschichte aus dem Tower of London.
Ein ganz bunter Reigen an verschiedenartigen Erzählungen, die ursprünglich mal online als "E-Shorts" veröffentlicht wurden, findet sich in diesem schönen Buch, das einen krönenden Abschluss der Tudor-Queens-Reihe bildet und mir richtig viel Freude gemacht hat. Dass Alison Weir als Historikerin weiß, wovon sie schreibt, ist immer spürbar, nicht zuletzt anhand vieler kleiner erstaunlicher Details. Gleichzeitig schafft sie es in so gut wie allen Storys, Geschichte lebendig werden zu lassen, ohne dass es trocken oder langweilig würde. Als Einstieg in das Tudor-Universum würde ich das Buch nicht empfehlen, weil einem sonst vermutlich viele Anspielungen entgehen würden. Wenn man sich am Hof von Heini 8 ein wenig auskennt, lohnt sich die Lektüre aber auf jeden Fall.
August 10, 2024
“Her breath coming in short pants, Jane lay rigid, bracing herself for the blow. Her last thought before the axe fell was that she had deserved this.
It was her punishment.”
This was so good!! I really wanted to read more about the tudors as they have always interested me, and have wanted to try an Alison Weir book. I loved the structure the most, how she explains the fact and the fiction after each chapter and how she found the evidence for it. You can definitely tell the difference between books written by a historian and ones by people just obsessed with history. But Weir is a combination of both in an incredible way.
My favourite section was Katherine Parr, best till last. Mainly because it was a much more moving story, her always wanting children but losing her life because of that desire. It was so sad how her daughter Mary also had a short life, just overall proving how none of these women had entirely happy endings. Even if Anne of Cleves ended up rich, she still had to suffer through a portion of her life married to Henry VIII which is punishment enough.
My only complaint is the lack of names as you go on to each chapter, and having to find them on the family tree and still being confused. I know google exists, but i would have found it easier if Weir just named the character in the first sentence, rather than letting it be a mystery until a different character asks for her. It would just make it a smoother read, but i’m sure it works for people that have a better of knowledge of these people in the court. I did also feel like I didn’t learn that much about the queens themselves, but more about the people and family that cared for them. If that was the main point, then it achieved that, but i didn’t feel any closer to understanding the six wives.
Overall, this was an incredible read. I felt like i was learning, but never lost interest. I did have to re read several pages to understand what was happening, but that happens with majority of historical fiction. I also loved the modern tour at the tower of London, even if it was a bit of author promotion for tourists, and adding a ghost here and there to just show how Weir feels the presence of them at these sites. Weir is the perfect historian as she shows so much care towards the topic, and the individuals that have suffered. There is also humour, showing the ridiculousness of the tudor court such as mocking the king for his annoying personality or women being disgusted by the idea of marriage. It also made me consider how important the lady in waiting are and how they can become mothers to their children and friends that they can confide in. Even when it leads to treason with Katherine Howard, it does show a level of friendship that you forget has always existed. This book does an incredible job with humanising historical figures, and finding surprising ways that we can relate to them.
It was her punishment.”
This was so good!! I really wanted to read more about the tudors as they have always interested me, and have wanted to try an Alison Weir book. I loved the structure the most, how she explains the fact and the fiction after each chapter and how she found the evidence for it. You can definitely tell the difference between books written by a historian and ones by people just obsessed with history. But Weir is a combination of both in an incredible way.
My favourite section was Katherine Parr, best till last. Mainly because it was a much more moving story, her always wanting children but losing her life because of that desire. It was so sad how her daughter Mary also had a short life, just overall proving how none of these women had entirely happy endings. Even if Anne of Cleves ended up rich, she still had to suffer through a portion of her life married to Henry VIII which is punishment enough.
My only complaint is the lack of names as you go on to each chapter, and having to find them on the family tree and still being confused. I know google exists, but i would have found it easier if Weir just named the character in the first sentence, rather than letting it be a mystery until a different character asks for her. It would just make it a smoother read, but i’m sure it works for people that have a better of knowledge of these people in the court. I did also feel like I didn’t learn that much about the queens themselves, but more about the people and family that cared for them. If that was the main point, then it achieved that, but i didn’t feel any closer to understanding the six wives.
Overall, this was an incredible read. I felt like i was learning, but never lost interest. I did have to re read several pages to understand what was happening, but that happens with majority of historical fiction. I also loved the modern tour at the tower of London, even if it was a bit of author promotion for tourists, and adding a ghost here and there to just show how Weir feels the presence of them at these sites. Weir is the perfect historian as she shows so much care towards the topic, and the individuals that have suffered. There is also humour, showing the ridiculousness of the tudor court such as mocking the king for his annoying personality or women being disgusted by the idea of marriage. It also made me consider how important the lady in waiting are and how they can become mothers to their children and friends that they can confide in. Even when it leads to treason with Katherine Howard, it does show a level of friendship that you forget has always existed. This book does an incredible job with humanising historical figures, and finding surprising ways that we can relate to them.
Read
September 30, 2021Behind every ill-fated Tudor Queen is a plethora of fascinating stories about the shadowy people who lingered on the periphery of court life but whose connection, with the women who had the misfortune to be married to Henry VIII, is as fascinating as the lives of the Tudor Queens themselves.
Beautifully presented with its colourful Tudoresque endpapers we are treated to a potted history of the six wives of Henry VIII before starting on a series of fascinating short stories which take us from the golden possibility of the short life of Arthur, Prince of the Roses, right through to the sad, and rather tragic, end to the life of Henry's last Queen, Katharine Parr.
For any lovers of Tudor fiction In the Shadow of Queens is an absolute gem and if you have followed the author's comprehensive series of novels about the Six Tudor Queens then I am sure you will find much to enjoy in this addition to the Tudor series. This compilation of short stories, and novellas, enhance the series and bring the Tudor court alive in fascinating detail, adding little extra snippets of information you never knew you needed to know about those who hovered on the edge of Tudor court life.
In the Shadow of Queens now completes the mammoth task the author set of completing six Tudor Queen novels in six years. There is no doubt that Alison Weir's passion, determination and undeniable expertise has given a new voice to the six women whose lives were dominated by a King, whose irascible moods swung, from peevish belligerence, to violent malevolence, and whose lives, little they knew it, were in danger from the moment they accepted the title of Tudor Queen.
Beautifully presented with its colourful Tudoresque endpapers we are treated to a potted history of the six wives of Henry VIII before starting on a series of fascinating short stories which take us from the golden possibility of the short life of Arthur, Prince of the Roses, right through to the sad, and rather tragic, end to the life of Henry's last Queen, Katharine Parr.
For any lovers of Tudor fiction In the Shadow of Queens is an absolute gem and if you have followed the author's comprehensive series of novels about the Six Tudor Queens then I am sure you will find much to enjoy in this addition to the Tudor series. This compilation of short stories, and novellas, enhance the series and bring the Tudor court alive in fascinating detail, adding little extra snippets of information you never knew you needed to know about those who hovered on the edge of Tudor court life.
In the Shadow of Queens now completes the mammoth task the author set of completing six Tudor Queen novels in six years. There is no doubt that Alison Weir's passion, determination and undeniable expertise has given a new voice to the six women whose lives were dominated by a King, whose irascible moods swung, from peevish belligerence, to violent malevolence, and whose lives, little they knew it, were in danger from the moment they accepted the title of Tudor Queen.
April 7, 2023
Most of these stories are incredibly compelling. Weirs research is astounding and I love that she explains exactly how she pieced the stories together so you can make up your mind whether you believe them or not. While I may not agree with some of the conclusions she draws from said evidence, she always explains how she got there. There are a few issues with relationships with minors but I understand that it is difficult to write given the historical context. I also felt again that some chapters were going over a lot of scenes which had happened in previous books so I ended up skimming. That being said, the large majority of the book which wasn’t in previous books had me deeply emotionally invested. She really brought these powerful women back to life and beautifully handled their treatment even after death. The final chapter in particular is massively evocative and heart breaking.
July 2, 2024
alison weir is a beautiful storyteller, a skillful historian, with immersive descriptive writing. women who were merely shadows in the lives of henry’s queens have now been afforded the spotlight, with weir’s dialogue capturing their voices and personalities.
December 24, 2021
A good read.
February 17, 2024
I loved this book! I love all of the Alison Weir 6 Tudor Queen novels! And this is no different - I’m so glad she wrote all of these short stories! A must read for fans of her work!
January 30, 2022
Interesting stories about the people nearest to the Tudor Queens. Fiction, for sure, but Weir makes you believe it and writes the stories as if she was part of them.
January 20, 2022
Alison Weir is a highly respected historian and prolific writer of nonfiction history books, but recently she has begun to write historical fiction as well. She recently finished the last book in her series about the wives of Henry VIII; one book per wife. I read her 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞. This book was kind of an afterthought of that series. She wrote short stories about people connected to the queens to put her in the mood, so to speak. Those stories are gathered here.
She begins with a short synopsis of Henry's marriages. The book is divided into a section for each queen, with an historically accurate timeline of important dates in their lives. The stories often have Introductions at the beginning, or Author's Notes at the end. The tales are told about or by both the great and the lowly. Some are about real historical people and events, others are about ficional people.
I won't go into every story but will give an overview based on some particular ones. The first is 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓, 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔. It is from the perspective of the young prince from his earliest memory. Of special note is the part of the story of his meeting and marriage to Catharine of Aragon. It certainly gives a new perspective to Catherine's claim many years later that she was a virgin when she married Henry VIII.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 is particularly very sad and dark. I really don't want to give anything else away on this one. That's called a teaser!
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 is told by Princess Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII, in the section on Queen Jane Seymour. It tells the tale of the death of Queen Jane and what went on as Cromwell and the Council searched for a new wife for Henry.
In the Anne of Cleves section is the tale 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. Everyone loves a good ghost story and this one tells two seemingly unrelated ones; until the end. This one has a really interesting Author's Note on the historical realities of the family ties.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒇𝒆 is a real tour de force tale. It is the story of Lady Jane Rochford, a person who has been vilified throughout history as the woman who brought down her sister-in-law Anne Boleyn, and her husband George Boleyn. She then went on causing trouble until she made her biggest mistake and assisted Queen Katherine Howard in her clandestine love affair with Thomas Culpepper. But fate has a way of biting back, and Jane can't stop it no matter how much she screams!
Honestly, this book was a really good one. The stories are interesting and really well crafted. It helps if you know some of the history but you don't need it to enjoy the tales. I highly recommend it.
She begins with a short synopsis of Henry's marriages. The book is divided into a section for each queen, with an historically accurate timeline of important dates in their lives. The stories often have Introductions at the beginning, or Author's Notes at the end. The tales are told about or by both the great and the lowly. Some are about real historical people and events, others are about ficional people.
I won't go into every story but will give an overview based on some particular ones. The first is 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓, 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔. It is from the perspective of the young prince from his earliest memory. Of special note is the part of the story of his meeting and marriage to Catharine of Aragon. It certainly gives a new perspective to Catherine's claim many years later that she was a virgin when she married Henry VIII.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 is particularly very sad and dark. I really don't want to give anything else away on this one. That's called a teaser!
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 is told by Princess Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII, in the section on Queen Jane Seymour. It tells the tale of the death of Queen Jane and what went on as Cromwell and the Council searched for a new wife for Henry.
In the Anne of Cleves section is the tale 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. Everyone loves a good ghost story and this one tells two seemingly unrelated ones; until the end. This one has a really interesting Author's Note on the historical realities of the family ties.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒇𝒆 is a real tour de force tale. It is the story of Lady Jane Rochford, a person who has been vilified throughout history as the woman who brought down her sister-in-law Anne Boleyn, and her husband George Boleyn. She then went on causing trouble until she made her biggest mistake and assisted Queen Katherine Howard in her clandestine love affair with Thomas Culpepper. But fate has a way of biting back, and Jane can't stop it no matter how much she screams!
Honestly, this book was a really good one. The stories are interesting and really well crafted. It helps if you know some of the history but you don't need it to enjoy the tales. I highly recommend it.
December 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me insight into life in the tutor court from the perspective of lesser known characters. As always very well written. If you enjoy history this is a recommended book.
December 22, 2021
I was sorry when I completed the Six Tudor Queend series, so this volume was an unexpected bonus!
I normally do not particulary like short stories, but the common thread running through these stories held my attention well. It was also interesting to learn about some of the peripheral chracters from the original series and to look at some of the events from a fresh perspective.
My attention did wane a little in the second half of the book, but that changed with the final story regarding what happened to the coprse of Katherine Parr, which was quite unbelievable.
I'm sad to come to the end of what has been an excellent series, but I'm sure that there are more fantastic books to come from Alison Weir.
I normally do not particulary like short stories, but the common thread running through these stories held my attention well. It was also interesting to learn about some of the peripheral chracters from the original series and to look at some of the events from a fresh perspective.
My attention did wane a little in the second half of the book, but that changed with the final story regarding what happened to the coprse of Katherine Parr, which was quite unbelievable.
I'm sad to come to the end of what has been an excellent series, but I'm sure that there are more fantastic books to come from Alison Weir.
August 11, 2022
I am an avid lover of this period of history and the queens of King Henry VIII have always been a subject of fascination for me so this book was an instant intrigue! I haven’t read any of the books in the Six Tudor Queens series before but I figured I knew a little enough about each of the main historical tales to be able to still enjoy these and boy I definitely did! 5 stars for sure.
They were an absolutely fantastic set of short stories, told through the perspectives of ‘side characters’ to the main queens or stories from the queens themselves at a certain time in their lives. Alison has the amazing ability to change the narrative and give you a ‘feel’ for the person who is telling the story. Each person is represented in how the story is written and I loved that there were some historical and some written in the present day too! Really stunning stories.
They were entertaining, insightful, clever and thoroughly engrossing. I’ve added the main series to my list to read as after this book, I definitely want to go into reading the individual books dedicated to each queen by this author. If this one is any indication to the others, I know they’ll each be 5 stars reads!
Alison Weir is such a fantastic writer of historical fiction and you can really feel her love and enthusiasm for this period burst through the pages. She is dedicated to her research and you know she knows this era inside and out. Her historian roots really shine through. I loved that there was elements of non fiction wound through this, with authors notes and historical accurate timelines. I loved the accuracy and how everything was as true to history as possible (with a few bridging of gaps in areas that were unknown and based on facts as much as possible). It was great.
The author really brings history to life and it was truly a joy to read.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
They were an absolutely fantastic set of short stories, told through the perspectives of ‘side characters’ to the main queens or stories from the queens themselves at a certain time in their lives. Alison has the amazing ability to change the narrative and give you a ‘feel’ for the person who is telling the story. Each person is represented in how the story is written and I loved that there were some historical and some written in the present day too! Really stunning stories.
They were entertaining, insightful, clever and thoroughly engrossing. I’ve added the main series to my list to read as after this book, I definitely want to go into reading the individual books dedicated to each queen by this author. If this one is any indication to the others, I know they’ll each be 5 stars reads!
Alison Weir is such a fantastic writer of historical fiction and you can really feel her love and enthusiasm for this period burst through the pages. She is dedicated to her research and you know she knows this era inside and out. Her historian roots really shine through. I loved that there was elements of non fiction wound through this, with authors notes and historical accurate timelines. I loved the accuracy and how everything was as true to history as possible (with a few bridging of gaps in areas that were unknown and based on facts as much as possible). It was great.
The author really brings history to life and it was truly a joy to read.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
September 11, 2021
This book has left me aching for more! I’ve only recently got into HF from the Tudor period, and now I am obsessed!
I loved that this was a collection of short stories, you get all the action from each plotline in a relatively short timeframe, which I enjoyed. My favourites from the book are The Chateau of Briis, The Curse of the Hungerfords, The Princess of Scotland, The Wicked Wife and The Queen’s Child. I was enthralled with each story and enjoyed seeing events from each individual’s perspective. It was also helpful to have the section at the start explaining a bit about each of Henry VIII’s wives, as well as what is truth, based on truth, and pure fiction.
The author’s ability to portray the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters really bonds you to them and makes it an immersive read.
I haven’t yet read Alison Weir’s Six Tudor Queens series, but I will now, they shall be my next book purchases! I will also read each of these short stories again as they coincide with each book, is it a bit nerdy of me to say that makes me very excited with anticipation?!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher Headline for the e-arc to review.
I loved that this was a collection of short stories, you get all the action from each plotline in a relatively short timeframe, which I enjoyed. My favourites from the book are The Chateau of Briis, The Curse of the Hungerfords, The Princess of Scotland, The Wicked Wife and The Queen’s Child. I was enthralled with each story and enjoyed seeing events from each individual’s perspective. It was also helpful to have the section at the start explaining a bit about each of Henry VIII’s wives, as well as what is truth, based on truth, and pure fiction.
The author’s ability to portray the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters really bonds you to them and makes it an immersive read.
I haven’t yet read Alison Weir’s Six Tudor Queens series, but I will now, they shall be my next book purchases! I will also read each of these short stories again as they coincide with each book, is it a bit nerdy of me to say that makes me very excited with anticipation?!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher Headline for the e-arc to review.
September 18, 2021
It's somehow poetic that Alison Weir was responsible for my love of all things Tudor and now it feels a bit emotional to have finished the series of six books on each #tudorqueen. This compilation of the short stories to accompany the series helped me cling on just a little bit longer to the magic of the Tudors and also it padded out a few behind the scenes details. It tied up a few loose ends...what happened to May Seymour, what happened to Katharine Parr's remains, what exactly was Lady Jane Rochford thinking when she gave evidence against her husband and sister in law for the most heinous crimes? I'm fascinated by it and I truly think anyone would be caught up in the intrigue of Henry VIII's court.
Thank you @netgalley for this advance copy which is due out on September 30th 2021.
Thank you @netgalley for this advance copy which is due out on September 30th 2021.
February 5, 2022
The last of Weir's Queen's Series, I have mixed feelings. On the whole, the series hasn't been my favourite. Some of the leaps and suggestions that Weir has made have felt like slander, while other books have been extraordinary in their ability to completely ignore all modern scholarship on the subject (my favourite example is her story here, The Wicked Wife, in which Weir desperately pretends that she has never heard of Julia Fox.)
But there has been entertainment. The stories collected here are a similar mixture of mild entertainment, with the occasional moment of outrage, and the occasional moment of genuine interest. I don't know that I can sit here and honestly say that it's a good read, but it's been a hell of a ride.
But there has been entertainment. The stories collected here are a similar mixture of mild entertainment, with the occasional moment of outrage, and the occasional moment of genuine interest. I don't know that I can sit here and honestly say that it's a good read, but it's been a hell of a ride.
December 24, 2022
Some stories were better than others, 3.5 rounded up
January 28, 2022
This collection of tales, told (mostly) from the points of view of incidental characters from the main series, are a lovely little insight into the events of King Henry's Court and wider events from outside the normal perspective.
I think my favourite is probably the condensed story of Jane Parker, sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn and the person most blamed for providing the evidence that sent her and her own husband to the scaffold. Having recently read a non-fiction tome about the lady in question, I was able to follow the factual thread of her life, while revelling in the life, depth and emotion the author brought to the character. Very much the pantomime villain in traditional tales, Weir does not shy away from trying to offer justification for her actions from Jane's own lips.
There are a couple of stories in there which are different; a story of a modern day tour round the Tower of London with a tour guide who may be more than she seems, and another that tells the story of the remains of Katharyn Parr down the centuries. That one made me think... it's perfectly acceptable to go to Egypt and dig up their old rulers to oogle at, but do it to one of our own monarchs and it suddenly becomes horrifying! I grant you, the Pharoahs are being exhumed by experts and Katharyn definitely wasn't, but it does still raise a question!
However, I'd say they actually add very little of value to the main series. Instead, I'd advise looking at them as a nice little bonus feature - standalone short stories in their own right, which can be quickly digested and enjoyed even if you haven't read the main series.
I'll admit to being suckered and buying most of these stories on my Kindle, then immediately going out and buying the book upon its release so that the main series is complete on my bookshelf. I'd say they were worth paying for once, but maybe not twice!
I think my favourite is probably the condensed story of Jane Parker, sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn and the person most blamed for providing the evidence that sent her and her own husband to the scaffold. Having recently read a non-fiction tome about the lady in question, I was able to follow the factual thread of her life, while revelling in the life, depth and emotion the author brought to the character. Very much the pantomime villain in traditional tales, Weir does not shy away from trying to offer justification for her actions from Jane's own lips.
There are a couple of stories in there which are different; a story of a modern day tour round the Tower of London with a tour guide who may be more than she seems, and another that tells the story of the remains of Katharyn Parr down the centuries. That one made me think... it's perfectly acceptable to go to Egypt and dig up their old rulers to oogle at, but do it to one of our own monarchs and it suddenly becomes horrifying! I grant you, the Pharoahs are being exhumed by experts and Katharyn definitely wasn't, but it does still raise a question!
However, I'd say they actually add very little of value to the main series. Instead, I'd advise looking at them as a nice little bonus feature - standalone short stories in their own right, which can be quickly digested and enjoyed even if you haven't read the main series.
I'll admit to being suckered and buying most of these stories on my Kindle, then immediately going out and buying the book upon its release so that the main series is complete on my bookshelf. I'd say they were worth paying for once, but maybe not twice!
September 13, 2021
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
3.5 stars
This is a collection of short stories and novellas from Alison Weir's 6-book series of the wives of Henry VIII. They flesh out the court and the lives primarily of the women in it. Fittingly, for a series that looked at queens, this collection is almost entirely focused on the women of Tudor nobility.
There are the stories of women at court, watching - and often trying to avoid being dragged into - all the drama. There is a story about Katherine Parr's daughter by her second marriage, and chilling tale about a woman who has her abusive husband killed to marry her lover. Key characters from history who are often ignored or made secondary characters get the spotlight - Jane Boleyn and Margaret Douglas.
I think it would be hard to find someone brought up in the English school system who doesn't know the basic history here, and a lot of the stories cover the same ground (with some extensions or reductions.) They are from different perspectives, but the plot itself doesn't have any tension because you know what's going to happen. Most of these stories were released individually as ebooks or included in the main series' editions. I think they might have been a bit more engaging like that - read in bursts.
They aren't the happiest of stories. Being focused on women, a lot die in childbirth. Being people of the 16th century, a lot die of illness. Accusations of treason abound and people lose loved ones, even if they're lucky enough to survive. It's interesting, but not happy. And the many deathly endings can make it feel a bit abrupt at times, because there isn't really closure for these people - they just die.
3.5 stars
This is a collection of short stories and novellas from Alison Weir's 6-book series of the wives of Henry VIII. They flesh out the court and the lives primarily of the women in it. Fittingly, for a series that looked at queens, this collection is almost entirely focused on the women of Tudor nobility.
There are the stories of women at court, watching - and often trying to avoid being dragged into - all the drama. There is a story about Katherine Parr's daughter by her second marriage, and chilling tale about a woman who has her abusive husband killed to marry her lover. Key characters from history who are often ignored or made secondary characters get the spotlight - Jane Boleyn and Margaret Douglas.
I think it would be hard to find someone brought up in the English school system who doesn't know the basic history here, and a lot of the stories cover the same ground (with some extensions or reductions.) They are from different perspectives, but the plot itself doesn't have any tension because you know what's going to happen. Most of these stories were released individually as ebooks or included in the main series' editions. I think they might have been a bit more engaging like that - read in bursts.
They aren't the happiest of stories. Being focused on women, a lot die in childbirth. Being people of the 16th century, a lot die of illness. Accusations of treason abound and people lose loved ones, even if they're lucky enough to survive. It's interesting, but not happy. And the many deathly endings can make it feel a bit abrupt at times, because there isn't really closure for these people - they just die.
March 17, 2024
Na knihu završující románovou sérii o manželkách Jindřicha VIII., jsem se těšila, ale příliš mě neosnila.
(Popravdě tohle je poněkolikáté, co "bojuji" se systémem hodnocení knih, že nelze dávat půl hvězdičky. Nejraději bych dala 2,5 hvězdy).
Povídky mi na jedné straně vyhovovaly, protože už ani nevzpomínám, kdy jsem četla něco jiného než román nebo odbornou literaturu. Zároveň jsem si ale nedokázala (nestihla?) k postavám v jednotlivých povídkách (kromě několika, které více známe z románů) vytvořit hlubší pouto, pochopit je a vžít se do příběhu. Některé pasáže mi přišly tak zmateně napsané, že jsem si je musela číst opakovaně (tady nevím, zda to není chyba překladu?), abych se zorientovala co-kdo je tím myšleno.
U většiny povídky jsem měla dojem, že se autorka nevěnuje tolik samotné postavě v povídce jako spíš výčtu historických událostí, které postavě vkládá do úst (pak uznávám, že je název "Ve stínu královen" velmi trefný). S tímto dojmem jsem trochu bojovala už u jejího posledního románu o Kateřině Parrové. Nenadchlo mě ani to, že většina povídek má jakýsi mysteriózní nádech. U Alison Weirové se tyto "nadpřirozené" prvky objevují i v některých jejích románech a nemám nic proti tomu - ale tady mi to upřímně lezlo na nervy, když to bylo skoro v každé povídce...
Na autorku tímto určitě nezanevřu, ale tato kniha mi nesedla.
(Popravdě tohle je poněkolikáté, co "bojuji" se systémem hodnocení knih, že nelze dávat půl hvězdičky. Nejraději bych dala 2,5 hvězdy).
Povídky mi na jedné straně vyhovovaly, protože už ani nevzpomínám, kdy jsem četla něco jiného než román nebo odbornou literaturu. Zároveň jsem si ale nedokázala (nestihla?) k postavám v jednotlivých povídkách (kromě několika, které více známe z románů) vytvořit hlubší pouto, pochopit je a vžít se do příběhu. Některé pasáže mi přišly tak zmateně napsané, že jsem si je musela číst opakovaně (tady nevím, zda to není chyba překladu?), abych se zorientovala co-kdo je tím myšleno.
U většiny povídky jsem měla dojem, že se autorka nevěnuje tolik samotné postavě v povídce jako spíš výčtu historických událostí, které postavě vkládá do úst (pak uznávám, že je název "Ve stínu královen" velmi trefný). S tímto dojmem jsem trochu bojovala už u jejího posledního románu o Kateřině Parrové. Nenadchlo mě ani to, že většina povídek má jakýsi mysteriózní nádech. U Alison Weirové se tyto "nadpřirozené" prvky objevují i v některých jejích románech a nemám nic proti tomu - ale tady mi to upřímně lezlo na nervy, když to bylo skoro v každé povídce...
Na autorku tímto určitě nezanevřu, ale tato kniha mi nesedla.
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