Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose

Tudor Rose #1

by Alison Weir

Alison Weir, Sunday Times-bestselling author of the SIX TUDOR QUEENS series, returns with a captivating new trio of novels spanning three generations of history's most iconic family, the Tudors.

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Mother. Trailblazer. Queen.

The spellbinding story of Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor queen.

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

525 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2022

About the author

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

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

Reviews

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Whenever a new book is out by British Royal author Alison Weir my interest is immediately piqued. I have many of her excellent royal biographies on my bookshelves which I have enjoyed and treasured over the decades. My main focus and passion has been on The Tudors, but was delighted to reach backward when I watched "The White Queen" and "The White Princess" series where Philippa Gregory historical fiction novels were translated to the screen. This was a game changer for me because although I hadn't read these books it finally put faces and a human touch to the story of The War of the Roses- which launched the Tudor era. Now I could understand who King Henry VIII's parents were and delve further back into their history.

This book is about Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of King Edward IV. When her father died, chaos ensued when her uncle Richard III seized the throne, her two younger brothers/princes having gone missing from The Tower. For a time it was actually considered that she might become a bride of her uncle, but when he was defeated by Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth, she was designated to marry the victor. Either way she would become Queen of England, but as history turned out, her union with Henry united the long warring factions of the Lancasters and Yorks, in the hope of a settled peace once and for all. This was signified by the overlaid white and red rose motif. In fact, as the eldest living child of King Edward IV, she was entitled to be The Queen in her own right and not just a Consort, but at this time females were not accepted as monarchs. Therefore, her marriage to Henry Tudor strengthened his somewhat weak claim to the throne. They are the parents of King Henry VIII.

This book is over 500 pages and really felt like it! Editing it down some would make it far more palatable. There was a lot of repetition that became tiresome. The endless threats to the throne that simmered throughout this book from the unresolved mystery of what happened to the Queen's two little brothers (the legendary Princes in the Tower) and other pretenders, usurpers, etc. were a constant. I also found it difficult keeping a handle on the characters because these British royals often re-use names such as Elizabeth, Margaret, Edward, Katherine, etc. I felt guilty because I was excited to read this, knew the author was stellar, but wasn't quite enjoying it as I had hoped. It made me wonder if the problem was the actual historical story was unpleasant, or just a failing on the writing craft itself. Maybe it's a combination.

Thank you very much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

felt this book lacked her usual style and should of been a lot shorter

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and brilliantlly written story that blends historical fact with the imagined thoughts and feelings of Princess Elizabeth of York—the daughter, niece, wife and mother to some of the most infamous Kings of England and through her proximity to them all; bore witness to some of the most turbulent years in English history.

Given how interconnected her life was to so many important and powerful men, I’m surprised at how little fiction is centred around her —though given the drama of her son, Henry VIII’s reign I can sort of understand why. All the same, I am soo glad that Alison Weir has picked up the mantle and crafted an interesting glimpse into the repercussions Edward IV, Richard III and Henry VII’s actions had on the women around them.

It’s easy to forget the hardships many of these women went through (yo-yoing back and forth between between being the most beloved to the most reviled). Not to mention how terrifying it would’ve been living at the whims of these men— lives uprooted and marriages dissolved to suit the political machinations of whoever currently sat on the throne… that uncertainty is practically maddening (but so skilfully written).

Through it spans 40 years of Elizabeth’s life, I did find the first half a little slow to get into but it does start to pick up during the Richard III years. The day to day descriptions and details were really interesting and I enjoyed Elizabeth’s interactions with her mother and sisters quite a bit, their grief, joy and anxiety was well written really brought these women to life in my mind.

I really enjoyed the exploration of her relationship with her children (Henry in particular given what we know transpired later in his life) but, I was rather astonished at how little time noble women seemed to spend with their own children (or get to spend), especially given how perilous infancy could be.

Overall, this was superb exploration into the life of woman who, along with her husband gave us the Tudor dynasty and possibly the most infamous King, Henry VIII. A wonderfully accurate and addictive read that history buffs and Tudor fans are definitely going to enjoy.

Also, a huge thank you to Random Things Tours and Headline for the proof.

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV of England, lives out the end of the War of the Roses and the start of the Tudor dynasty, but throughout she remains haunted by the unknown fate of her younger brothers.

This book covers the story of Elizabeth of York from her early memories of taking sanctuary in Westminster Abbey to the end of her life. Most of my understanding of this period of English history comes from the show The White Queen, so it was interesting to get a more serious look at these events and characters.

I enjoyed the clear way that Weir managed to distill complicated events into the narrative, though I think it helped to follow what was going on because I already knew a bit about the story. I also liked how Elizabeth was put at the fore of the story, and the ways in which she engages with and enforces her own agency in a world that was very limited for women.

However, I wished there was less distance between the characters and the reader. Though Elizabeth deals with a lot of problems - being on the run, the deaths and disappearances of family members, and the pursuit of her uncle - I never really felt her emotions. I also wished we better understood the other characters. Elizabeth is the narrator, and so we must go more off her impressions than the actual actions of the other characters to get to know them.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Alison Weir for a long time - I love the way she writes and brings historical figures to life through her mastery of written dialogue. This book was thoroughly enjoyable and informative too… just what I needed at this time of year. Highly recommend. ❤️

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another hefty novel from one of my favorite authors about Elizabeth of York, perhaps the most important woman in medieval English history. Normally I keep an eye on publication dates for upcoming books by Weir, but this one completely took me by surprise! Somehow I was expecting that she would be done writing novels for awhile when she completed the Six Tudor Queens series, especially as she mentioned that her son had passed away. I was excited to receive a galley from the publisher and hope this means Weir will continue writing more novels about royal women.

This book is nearly 600 pages, so it took me awhile to get through. I couldn't shake the feeling that it seems like it was written or at least started before the Six Tudor Queens series. In the afterword, Weir mentions that it was heavily influenced by her biography of Elizabeth (I highly recommend reading) which was written in 2013. Some of the characterizations feel off, for example Elizabeth Woodville comes across as a hysteric gossip until she retires from court. Some of the conversations veer wildly from Arthur being sick to someone offending King Henry and his needing to exact revenge.

I live for the moments of introspection in this book. When Arthur dies and Elizabeth wonders if she loved him enough. When she's fed up with Henry and decides that she needs to do something for herself. When she defends and cares for her sisters as they lose their husbands and children to various circumstances. It's impossible to know what kind of person Elizabeth was, because the historical record leaves us so little, so it's one of the reasons I love when an author who knows the record so well makes their best guess.

[eyes.2c · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Tudor Queen!

Ah! Tudor times! I’ve always been fascinated by those Tudors, tantalised by the cut and thrust and their political jousting, and the sheer ruthlessness of those who would be King, or kingmakers. After all the stakes were high.
Technically, this is a fascinating look at the life of Elizabeth of York and the plots surrounding her family as the highest role in the land is grappled for. Thoroughly researched and explained, the complexity of regal politics is well described. I must say I found the characters difficult to relate to and harder to engage with as events unfolded. The conversations between them were often stilted. The result for me? Somewhat flat and my interest flagged.

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite time periods and one my favorite historical figures to read about. The daughter of a King ,the wife of a King and the mother of a king. Elizabeth of York is endlessly fascinating to me and Alison Weir did a wonderful job with the story of her life.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[HalKid2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOTE #1: I was given early access to this manuscript through netgalley in exchange for writing an impartial review. Thank you Ballantine Books. Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Generally I’m a fan of Historian Alison Weir’s fiction (I LOVED her Six Tudor Queens series) but I found more flaws (especially during Elizabeth’s early years) in this book, the first of Weir's new series (Tudor Rose). I would rate this one 3.5 stars.

ELIZABETH OF YORK, THE LAST WHITE ROSE is a fictional account of the life of the oldest daughter of King Edward IV of England and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville. Elizabeth eventually becomes the wife of King Henry VII and together they found the Tudor Dynasty, ancestors of all English monarchs since 1509.

Weir’s account of Elizabeth’s life is solid and comprehensive. The traumas of her childhood, uncertainties surrounding prospective marriages, marriage to Henry, and threats to the legitimacy of their claim to the throne are all handled believably. If the author had stuck with just that, I’d have given this book four or five stars.

But Weir, an historian by training, felt compelled to include a lot of additional historical detail that felt superfluous to Elizabeth’s story and made the book feel long and in some places clunky. Let me try to explain.
• When Elizabeth is still a child, I felt the narrative kept shifting. I think Weir was trying to maintain Elizabeth’s child-appropriate perspective, like referring to “Mother” (instead of Queen Elizabeth Woodville) and “Grandmother” (Jacquetta Woodville). But then Weir would include information or observations that would not be possible coming from a five-year-old. As though the narrator suddenly became omniscient, with the language and sensibilities of an adult.
• Weir includes a lot of detail about the politics and shifting allegiances associated with the Wars of the Roses, some of which have little or no impact on Elizabeth’s interests or life. This, I believe, made the book feel overly long.
• To include a lot of this extraneous information, Weir again and again resorts to the same literary device: someone overhearing a conversation between others. WAY overused!

I certainly recommend the book for historical fiction fans, those who want to know more about this remarkable woman (the mother of King Henry VIII), and, of course, anyone who loves Tudor England.

NOTE #2: If you, like me, believe Richard III innocent of the controversial deaths of the two princes in the Tower, be warned that Weir does not agree.

[Nilo0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

برای من که عاشق تاریخ انگلیسم و تا الان هر کتابی از آلیسون ویر ترجمه شده رو خوندم، این کتاب فوق‌العاده قشنگ و جذاب و دلنشین بود.
یکی از قشنگ‌ترین و پرفرازونشیب‌ترین دوران تاریخ انگلیس یعنی یورک و تئودور.
خاندان یورک که با رز سفید شناخته می‌شن و الیزابت یورکه آخرین رز سفید از خاندان یورکه که با ازدواجش با هنری تئودور از خاندان لنکستر (رز قرمز)، اتحادی به اسم خاندان تئودور شکل می‌دن که دشمنی دیرینه رز سفید و قرمز رو پایان بدن.
کتاب از کودکی الیزابت تا مرگش با تمام اتفاقاتیه که رخ داده.
اون‌قدر زندگی الیزابت بالا و پایین داره که باورنکردنیه و تاریخ همیشه مبهوت‌کننده‌س و می‌شه ازش درس گرفت و غرق دنیای عجیب و تلخ و شیرینش شد.
تا الان بین تموم کتاب‌های آلیسون ویر که ترجمه شده، این کتاب برام در رده اولین و بهترین قرار گرفت.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this was hard going at times I enjoyed it. You do have to concentrate very hard to keep up with all the characters especially as alot of them had the same names. Babies seem to always be named after a dead king or relative. I learnt alot about this era and knew some of it from the TV series The White Queen but, this book goes further on from that so it was interesting.

[Giorgia Legge Tanto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finita la serie delle mogli di quel furbone e simpaticone di Enrico VIII, questo romanzo è incentrato sulla figura della madre di Enricone nostro, Elisabetta di York appunto. Figlia di un re, nipote di un re, sorella di un re e madre di un re. Infatti suo padre era Edoardo IV, suo fratello Edoardo V, suo zio era Riccardo III e suo figlio Enrico VIII. Elisabetta vive in uno dei periodi più difficili per l’Inghilterra, durante la Guerra delle Due Rose. Primogenita di Edoardo IV ed Elisabetta Wydeville, fin da piccola sa di essere importante, la sua nascita viene celebrata dalla sua famiglia come quella di un erede maschio. Ha i capelli rossi e gli occhi azzurri, non è bella come la madre, ma ha un suo perché. È promessa sposa del Delfino di Francia, ma le alleanze politiche contano più di ogni cosa, e quando suo padre muore, lo zio Riccardo III diventa re. Il primo atto del re è privare lei e i suoi fratelli dei loro titoli. Al centro dello scontro fra i Lancaster e gli York, Elisabetta dimostra tutto il suo coraggio e la sua intraprendenza, diventando la progenitrice della dinastia Tudor.
Questo libro, come gli altri titoli di Weir, incanta il lettore portandolo in un’epoca affascinante, nell’Inghilterra che esce dal Medioevo per affrontare il nuovo mondo, ma di cui ritroviamo le tradizioni millenarie ancora oggi. In un mondo prettamente maschile, dove era contro la legge di Dio e della natura che una donna governasse un paese, incontriamo Elisabetta, una donna che non si è mai tirata indietro sulle cause i principi in cui credeva. La storia descritta rende vividi i personaggi, mostrando l’umanità di alcuni di loro, scrivendo con un stile che chi conosce questa autrice già conosce. La documentazione affrontata per scrivere questo libro è evidente: come sempre sono descritti alla perfezione gli ambienti e il vestiario, tutto senza essere mai ridondante o rendere la lettura pesante.

[Jennifer N · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I love Tudor novels and I normally love Weir. This book felt a little too long and there were parts where reading just got tedious - endlessly describing their life in sanctuary. Much focused on the disappearance of her brothers which was necessary but I was not convinced by Weir's account. I had previously read The Sun in Splendor by Anne Easter Smith and she convinced me that it was far more likely that the Tudor's had the boys killed rather than Richard. I know that Weir wrote a non-fiction account of Elizabeth of York but I wish she gave us more of a historical afterward as I have many questions about her evidence around certain claims.
This was also intriguing because everything I had read before portrayed Henry's mother as being very domineering, totally taking over and regulating Elizabeth to a much minor role. She wouldn't even let her make any decisions about her children. In this novel she is very involved but the 2 women have a great relationship.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel of Elizabeth of York, Princess of England, Elizabeth is the oldest child of the golden King Edward IV, and his fabled and beautiful wife Elizabeth Woodville. She is a lovely child fated for a spectacular marriage to the French heir. Then suddenly her father dies in his prime, leaving her young brother Edward as king. But before he is crowned her beloved uncle Richard declares all his brother's children illegitimate and takes the throne for himself. Elizabeth is an intelligent and well educated woman, but she doesn't know what to believe. Her mother has taken them all except young Edward who is in the Tower of London, into sanctuary. The Queen is eventually convinced to send her son Richard, Duke of York, to join his brother for safety. There both brothers disappear from history, and Elizabeth becomes a pawn in the deadly game of succession between Richard III, the Yorkist claimant, and Henry Tudor, the Lancastrian claimant. Both seek Elizabeth's hand in marriage as she is the next surviving heir to the late king.

This is a sweeping saga, in four parts, told from the time Elizabeth is old enough to have a voice until her untimely death, on her birthday, after childbirth at age 37. It is a very intimate story of the the girl who would unite the two waring houses of York and Lancaster, to end the War of the Roses. We participate in the events from the time her father was briefly chased from his throne, through the war, her marriage to Henry VII, family and political intrigues, childbearing, to her death in 1503. Through her eyes and voice we learn of those people who surround her, and her deepest feelings. Often overlooked because of her sweet nature, we see in Weir's portrayal, a woman who spent her life aware of her place in history and willing to take what actions she could to keep her extended family safe.

And, of course, because this is fictional portrayal is done by noted historian Alison Weir, the history is correct. At the end of the novel Ms. Weir includes a short Author's Note about the historical accuracy. Just as important, this novel is wonderful to read, and I couldn't put it down, not because I didn't know the history and what would happen, but because her voice in this novel was so spellbinding. Read it as a good historical novel; read it as a voice for a woman often neglected in history; most of all read it because it is compelling.

[Sherry Chiger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read several of Alison Weir's novels as well as some of her nonfiction, I think she should stick to the nonfiction. She seems to think that adding a bit of dialogue and opting for a particular historical theory rather than weighing several of them as she would in a historical biography is all that's needed to transform nonfiction into fiction.

There are so many pages in "Elizabeth of York" devoted to things that no doubt happened but that do nothing to move the story forward or add to our understanding of the characters. For instance, at one point Elizabeth is poorly and has to stay in bed for several months. Weir could have used these months in bed to show Elizabeth pondering something or coming to an epiphany (say, about her brothers, the Princes in the Tower, who she seems to think about only when outside events call for it) or to foreshadow upcoming events. Instead we're told she's ill and then told she's now better. Why not omit that from the book altogether.

And oh, the telling! So much telling, so little showing. We're told she's sad, we're told she misses her brothers, we're told she mistrusts Richard but is also attracted to him, but we're shown very little. There's so much intriguing about Elizabeth—the complexity of wanting to marry someone who might have been responsible for murdering her brothers, for starters—but it's never really explored, and we never get a sense of what Elizabeth, as a fictional character or as a royal, might have thought or felt. By the end I was reading this more in anger than anything else: Why didn't she ever visit her cousin in the Tower, especially given what happened to her brothers? Why did she all but forget about her closest sister after the sister's death? What are those signs of hidden sweetness in her mother-in-law that we've repeatedly been told about?

I don't usually like to compare one author unfavorably to another, but I have to say that Philippa Gregory's "The White Princess," also about Elizabeth of York, is a much better novel. Less historically accurate, I'm sure, but a better novel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV of England, sister of the Princes in the Tower, wife of Henry VII, and mother of Henry VIII, is the central figure in this novel and the women who emerges in the narrative is certainly plausible for what is known about this historical figure. I found the author's description of Elizabeth's actions and efforts between her father's death and her marriage to Henry VII the most interesting portion of the novel and made me wish more sources exist for this time in Elizabeth's life. Overall, this was an easy read and highly recommended for fans of the Tudor era.

[Nicoletta Carboniero · Rating 3 out of 5]

devo dire che mi ha conquistata per gran parte del libro, diciamo fino ai tre quarti. Seguire la vita di Elisabetta di York è stato coinvolgente e doloroso allo stesso tempo: le sue sofferenze, le perdite continue, i lutti familiari che sembrano non darle mai tregua. Mi ha colpito soprattutto la sua morte, arrivata troppo presto, a nemmeno quarant’anni, e il fatto che suo marito non abbia fatto nulla di concreto per evitarlo.

Quello che mi ha amareggiata è anche l’idea che, in fondo, Elisabetta non abbia mai regnato davvero al fianco del marito, come isabella e ferdinando di spagna. È come se Enrico le avesse tolto il suo diritto, quasi usurpandole il trono, e questa cosa mi ha fatto pensare: con quale diritto lui poteva farlo?

Il finale mi ha lasciato tanta amarezza: troppe morti, troppa sofferenza accumulata. E poi c’è il destino del figlio, Enrico (Harry), che resta sospeso… e questo non fa che aumentare quella sensazione di vuoto che ti lascia l’ultima pagina.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Weir returns to dazzle with another trilogy that depicts her beloved Tudors. In this series debut, the story behind Elizabeth of York develops, paving the way for the powerful Tudors to ascend to the English Throne. At the heart of the story is Elizabeth of York, whose role as the eldest child of the king sends her on many adventures and travails, all of which cement the Tudor name in English history. Weir’s storytelling abilities surpass many other authors who seek to tackle this time period and the Tudor intricacies. An exciting series debut that has me wanting to read on, as Alison Weir never does things had-heartedly!

Elizabeth of York was not only a beautiful woman, but she had smarts like no other. The eldest daughter of King Edward IV, Elizabeth was a fiery red-head, but gentle to those who knew her well. Growing up around numerous siblings, Elizabeth knew the important of keeping loved ones close and always helping, making sure to advocate for what she felt right. However, her life is torn apart when her father dies in the prime of his life, leaving the family without a clear leader and the country in a void.

In a swift move, Elizabeth’s uncle, the nefarious Richard III, takes the throne and imprisons Elizabeth’s two brothers, the rightful heirs. This creates panic across England and Elizabeth is beside herself. When the boys disappear and are not seen again, Elizabeth is further incensed, knowing that her uncle likely did away with them for his own power hungry needs. Elizabeth’s ire only increases after Richard seek to make her his rightful wife and cement the throne with all powers alongside it. Elizabeth wants none of it, but knows her place is weakened without a male figure in her household.

Henry Tudor arrives to challenge Richard at the Battle of Bosworth and claims victory. Elizabeth sees greatness in his and they choose to wed, thereby staking their roots and lineage in a new direction for England. This begins the Tudor reign and paves the way for the powerful dynasty. Elizabeth and Henry have four children who live past infancy and begin laying the groundwork for many intriguing pieces of history, including the future Henry VIII, whose tale is of great importance and serves as Weir’s second novel in this series. A brilliant start to what will surely be a stunning collection for the patient reader.

I have long been a fan of Alison Weir and her work. She is one author whose work spans both fiction and non-fiction, based mostly in the world of the Tudors. The narrative of this series debut pulls on a great deal of Weir’s research about Elizabeth of York for an earlier penned biography. Using known history and some writer’s flourish, Weir weave a tale that is well worth the reader’s attention. Strong themes emerge, as well as characters who enrich the reading experience. Weir adds her own flavouring and keeps the reader eager to learn about the many faces who grace the pages of the book. Plot points, steeped in the same English history, come to life in Weir’s control. I was excited to see all the twists that took place to fire up the reader in this series starter. Now, it is time for another look at the. Tudors, through the life of Henry VIII!

Kudos, Madam Weir, for never failing to impress.

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

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The other books in her "Tudor" series were a hit and miss for me.
This first book, "The Last White Rose" in a next to be series worked for me.
I haven't read any Fictional books on Elizabeth Of York, so it worked for me I guess for that reason maybe?
Anyways...the historical detail and the characters were good.
Look forward to "Henry's book" his side of the story next.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all of the Tudor stories out there, I think that maybe the last few decades of the War of the Roses time period is my favorite. And yes, technically it’s the Plantagenets time, but the Tudors are in there.

I haven’t read many books about the earlier Tudor times with Edward IV so I really only knew the story from one other author who wrote a bit of a different version from this one. I believe that Alison Weir’s version is closer to being much more accurate and I couldn’t get enough of it.

In Elizabeth of York, Last of the White Roses, the story follows Bessy’s life starting from when she was just a little girl in her father’s (King Edward IV) Plantagenet court throughout her life to eventually being the mother of Henry Tudor the VIII. Out of all the historical figures in the Tudor world, I think that Elizabeth of York is my favorite!

It felt like Weir really captured the historical aspects and I’m so happy she switched to writing fiction. I had a hard time putting this book down and can’t wait to find out what Alison Weir comes out with next in this Tudor Rose series!

*Thank you so much to Random House, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the advance copy!*

[ya.vl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це однозначно 5⭐️
Я напевно закохалась у їхню історію🥰
почну з того що мене завжди цікавила і захоплювала королівська родина, коли я побачила цю книгу в анонсах я зразу знала що придбаю її
Сама книга неймовірної краси😻😻 ну дуже гарно виглядає а форзац який🤤
Зразу коли я почала читати мене ужасно бісили батьки Єлизавети я навіть писала своїм дівчатам і виговорюватась як то кажуть😄
Її мати яка тупо кожен рік народжувала дитину, 10 дітей🤯 батько її взагалі вроді як був королем але він нічого толком не робив (ну окрім дітей😂😂😂)
Ну хоча б він був хорошим батьком для Бетті він чогось і справді її як першу дочку дуже любив
Сама Бетті була дуже чарівною дитиною і мені так подобалось як вона з любов’ю ставилась до своїх братів і сестер, згадую себе як в дитинстві я терпіти не могла свою сестру а вона з так їх любила і допомагала з їхнім вихованням
Якщо чесно то оті мутки з короною (після смерті короля) це був повний треш
Нє ну додуматись одружити дядька з племінницею це 🤯🤯
Я на тих вияснюваннях дуже чекала коли зʼявиться Генріх і вони одружаться
Переходим до них я якщо чесно захоплена їхньою історією кохання 😻
Вони такі прекрасні двоє
Як вони один одного любили🥹💔
Сам факт того що вони були єдині один в одного ну і перші звісно 🥹
Оте як Генріх називав Бетті cariad (означає кохана) 🥹💔
Вони постійно один одного підтримували і довіряли хоча були моменти коли хотілось вдарити чимось Генріха адже він ще той віслюк (моментами) 😄😄
Бетті просто прекрасна королева, мені і так завжди здавалось що вона народжена щоб правити👸🏽
Стосовно дітей ну це якось не ок (для мене) одразу після народження віддавати їх годувальницям і переселяти в інших маєток ну і навідуватись час від часу🤦🏿‍♀️
До речі згадала собі я раніше дивилась міні серіал (3 серії) про Генріха 8 (Сина Бетті) і Анну Болейн тому після нього мене так сильно зацікавила їхня родина (можливо комусь потрібна назва? Тоді пишіть👇🏿)
Ще скажу що авторка дуже дуже гарно писала і описувала події, чомусь думала що читати буду довго і нудно але ні, дуже гарно авторка підбирала слова а може це переклад такий🤷🏿‍♀️
Рекомендую цю книгу від щирого серця але звісно якщо вам таке цікаво🤗

[Manuela Rotasperti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elisabetta di York è la figlia primogenita di re Edoardo IV e di Elisabetta Woodville. Pur essendo la prima figlia, ma di sesso femminile, il trono spetta di diritto al fratello Edoardo. In seguito alla morte del padre, i fratelli vengono eliminati dallo zio usurpatore, che ambisce al potere. Ma Elisabetta lotta con tutte le sue forze per riprendersi ciò che le spetta e diventa regina sposando EnricoVII, fautore della sconfitta dello zio. La loro unione pone fine alla lotta tra le due casate inglesi York e Lancaster. Ma il loro regno sarà condizionato da rivendicazioni, guerre, alleanze e gravi perdite.
Elisabetta di York è un romanzo storico che delinea, in forma romanzata, la biografia di questa grande regina. Conoscevo già la penna di Alison Weir, avendo letto la saga delle regine Tudor, ed ancora una volta non posso che apprezzare il suo grande lavoro di documentazione e di analisi. La trama è sempre ricchissima di particolari e le vicende vengono raccontate in modo più che dettagliato. L'autrice si concede solo alcune piccole licenze, anche perché poche sono le testimonianze sui pensieri, le speranze, le paure di Elisabetta in seguito al suo matrimonio. Ne traspare una figura determinata, molto legata agli affetti familiari, protettiva e ligia ai suoi doveri di figlia, di sorella, di moglie e di madre. Anche la contestualizzazione è molto ben curata ed evidente è il fatto che tutto ruoti intorno al potere: non c'è spazio per l'amore ed i sentimenti, tutto si riduce ad un gioco politico di alleanze, che viene sempre anteposto a tutto. Elisabetta probabilmente muore per un'anemia da carenza di ferro dopo l'ultimo parto. Diciamo che le perdite importanti sono largamente anticipate con l'aggravarsi delle situazioni. Indubbiamente una lettura interessante.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk it felt too much as her simply being a vessel to tell the war of the roses story… still stan allison weir tho!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical fiction novel about Elizabeth of York: daughter of Edward IV; niece of Richard III; wife of Henry VII; mother of Henry VIII and grandmother of Elizabeth I. This is my first time reading this author. I know she's written many non fiction books set in Medieval and Tudor times. I enjoyed this read although only rated at 3 stars. As a historian she's done her homework on the historical events that impacted the life of Elizabeth from early childhood until her death in early 1500's. Unfortunately I felt that too much of this novel was "telling" not showing. I prefer historical novels where the reader is immersed in the actions that shape history. We see most of the events through conversations between Elizabeth and her contemporaries. On the plus side I really felt Elizabeth's anguish and grief with the death of her children, especially when the oldest child Arthur dies. And the author dealt with the disappearance of Elizabeth's brothers, The Princes in the Tower controversy, in a realistic manner even though history has never been able to confirm their deaths. Would I read this author again: not sure.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose is my sixth book by Alison Weir, and astonishingly (or not) they've all been five star reads.... including this one! Elizabeth of York was the first Tudor queen and was born in 1466. Thanks to reading a number of books by Philippa Gregory over the years - namely The White Queen, The Red Queen and The Lady of the Rivers - I was reasonably familiar with the Houses of Lancaster and York and of course the War of the Roses. Given the number of Richards, Elizabeths and Henrys of the period, I was grateful for this foundational knowledge and able to relax immediately into the story.

The novel begins in 1470, when Elizabeth is just 4 years old and takes the reader through to her death from childbed fever (or post partum infection) in 1503. It should be noted that Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose is a standalone historical fiction novel, and unconnected to her Six Tudor Queens series. In following her life, the novel does seem to take the same chronological structure as her Tudor Queens novels, and could easily be read alongside any of the novels I've linked in this review.

The reader gets a great sense of Elizabeth, and her portrayal by Jodie Comer in the historical drama miniseries The White Princess, in addition to Michelle Fairley's portrayal of Lady Margaret Beaufort, were both firmly in my mind as I was reading.

"I will be Queen of England! I care not whether I hang, burn or drown in the attempt, for otherwise my life is not worth living." Page 220

The novel covers the disappearance and potential murder of the two Princes in the Tower in 1483, a case from history that still fascinates historians today. The Princes were Elizabeth of York's younger brothers and I enjoyed exploring this topic in To The Tower Born by Robin Maxwell back in 2011. Alison Weir has her own take on Richard III and what transpired in the Tower of London, which is very different to Philippa Gregory's version of events. However, it should be said that a centuries old unsolved disappearance lends itself to multiple interpretations and I enjoyed Alison Weir's here.

The future King Henry VIII is one of many children born (yes, Elizabeth of York is the mother of Henry VIII) and we see him grow as a charming young boy at the periphery of this novel, only to lose his brother Arthur to the sweating sickness in 1502. When Elizabeth dies Henry is just 12 years old, so it was comforting to know what happens to him and his siblings long after the book concludes. No cliffhangers here!

As in her previous books, Weir's writing in Elizabeth of York was evocative and I managed to keep up with the various betrothals, alliances, rebellions, pretenders, usurpers, treasonous plots, royal progresses, betrayals and executions.

Researching in preparation for this review, I just learned that Elizabeth of York - The Last White Rose is the first in a new series by Alison Weir called Tudor Rose. As I write this, there are a further two books planned and the series will be about a mother (Elizabeth of York), a son (Henry VIII) and a daughter (Mary I); a series spanning three generations. I can tell this is going to be an epic series and I'm eager to keep reading. Will the next one continue the 5 star streak? Let's see.

* Copy courtesy of Hachette Australia *

[Katie Bogdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Elizabeth of York is a fascinating figure in British history due to her proximity to such famous kings as her uncle Richard III and her son Henry VIII. Weir points out in her author's note that while she should have reigned as England's first female monarch based on succession, her importance as the ancestress of every reigning English ruler from 1509 on cannot be understated.

Elizabeth lived through perhaps some of the most turbulent decades in English history, which are shown to great effect throughout the book. From the first scene in the novel, violence over the question of succession reigns supreme and impacts every facet of Elizabeth's life. Perhaps because I was not as familiar with the history discussed in the first part of the book, I did feel like the story dragged with the same few scenes (death, violence, and peace) repeating over and over again on a loop. Things definitely get more interesting with Richard's reign and then continues to pick up steam once Elizabeth marries Henry VII. From a history perspective, it's an ambitious and mostly successful endeavor.

The biggest problem, however, is the character of Elizabeth herself. It is acknowledged both by the author and by Wikipedia that little is known about Elizabeth's emotions and feelings and despite being in proximity to these massive events, she played little part in politics. Weir has the tough job of having to really craft a character out of very little and I found that for a large part of the novel, Elizabeth becomes less of a character with thoughts and feelings and more of a vehicle through which to view the events being discussed. This does improve as the book goes along, but I would have loved to see more development of Elizabeth as an individual especially since the historical aspect is so well-rendered.

Overall, it's an compulsively readable, if slightly flawed, piece of historical fiction that I think Tudor fanatics should consider picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

[Bryony Indecisive Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve not read much if any historical fiction before, but I was really interested to try this. There’s a line at the end of SIX where the wives are arguing and say, “Who knows the name of Henry VII’s wife?” This felt like the perfect opportunity to learn what I could about her.
I liked the book. Although Elizabeth’s passivity and reluctance to be more than just a wife is sometimes frustrating, it made sense in the context of the time period – she did all she could given the restraints put on her and that was almost admirable in its own way.
It was interesting to see her explore her role as a mother and Queen, and how she dealt with regret and love.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is well written. I'm just not sure that this character is the most interesting person in history. This is the eventual wife of Henry VII, mother to Henry VIII, and the sister of the princes in the tower, niece of Richard III. You would think that would make her fairly interesting. I guess it's hard to write something truthful to history but also interesting and exciting. There was just something about this that fell flat for me.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Prather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a LONG book - 520 pages! I really enjoyed it, though!

I didn’t know much about Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII. As we prepare to see @sixthemusical tomorrow, I was glad to learn about Henry VIII as a child and what the monarchy was like leading up to his reign.

I thought the story was well laid out - and I was thankful for the family tree at the beginning so I could refer back to it. It was interesting how Elizabeth of York and Henry VII brought about a stability to the monarchy after the war of the roses.

The only criticism I would have is that some of the writing (the dialogue specifically) sounded quite modern - almost out of place for that time period. The author’s emphasis was on telling their history, not so much making it vivid and descriptive.

I will be reading her newest book about Henry VIII in the near future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Tudor fiction especially from this author!
She has a special way of drawing her readers into the story before we know it. I couldn't put it down.
I loved learning where the Tudor dynasty came from.
In my opinion, this is the most interesting era in English history!
Wonderful characters that I enjoyed seeing again new ones that I loved meeting!
I didn't want the story to end, but I can't wait to see what else she comes out with! I'm never disappointed in her books.
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review
All opinions expressed are my own.