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The Forgotten Tudor Women: Gertrude Courtenay. Wife and Mother of the last Plantagenets
Gertrude Courtenay led a dangerous life, both in a personal and political sense. Daughter of a prominent courtier, she started her career as maid of honour and then lady-in-waiting to Katharine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife.
She sided with the Queen during the Great Matter, as the divorce case between Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon was then often known. A bitter enemy of the King’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, Gertrude plotted and intrigued with Henry VIII’s enemies, brushing with treason on many occasions.
Wife and mother of the last Plantagenets of the Tudor court, Gertrude was an ambitious and formidable political player. The story of her life is a thrilling tale of love and loss, conspiracies and plots, treason and rebellion.
This is Gertrude’s story.
She sided with the Queen during the Great Matter, as the divorce case between Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon was then often known. A bitter enemy of the King’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, Gertrude plotted and intrigued with Henry VIII’s enemies, brushing with treason on many occasions.
Wife and mother of the last Plantagenets of the Tudor court, Gertrude was an ambitious and formidable political player. The story of her life is a thrilling tale of love and loss, conspiracies and plots, treason and rebellion.
This is Gertrude’s story.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2021
94 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 31, 2021
I always enjoy this author's books.I've read several now and I'm never disappointed.I thought this was a fresh perspective on the Tudor court and an interesting addition to the players on the scene.I really liked the writing and detailed story telling and when I read these historical works I'm usually reading on the Tudor side so it was nice to take a peak into the Plantagenet viewpoint.
November 21, 2021
The Forgotten Tudor Women, Gertrude Courtenay, provides a tremendous amount of information and detail beautifully woven together to tell a story so captivating I didn’t want to put it down. The extent of Gertrude’s loyalty, sharp intelligence, political savvy and sheer guts is simply incredible and I can’t believe that her story hasn’t been told more often. Like many others, I have a healthy library of Tudor-related books, mostly about the same high-profile people. Here is an opportunity to get to know some of the others who played critical roles in the stories we know; those who influenced, protected, supported and manipulated, sometimes in the periphery and sometimes found out. I highly recommend this book and am planning to read all of the books in The Forgotten Tudor Women series by Sylvia Barbara Soberton.
January 10, 2022
This thoroughly researched exploration of the life of Gertrude Courtenay, daughter of influential courtier William Blount and wife of Henry Courtenay, cousin of Henry VIII, gives fascinating insights into the perilous world of the Tudor court. Life was full of risk and intrigue for anyone with connections to the House of York and Gertrude was embroiled in plots and conspiracies throughout her life. She emerges as an ambitious, strong and determined woman. Sylvia Barbara Soberton brings into the limelight a forgotten woman who might have been remembered as the mother of a King of England had events run a different course. It is high time her story was told. I enjoyed this book enormously and will be looking out for more from Sylvia in future. Rosemary Griggs.
March 7, 2022
In any dynasty, those closest to the throne are the most at risk of dealing with suspicions and conspiracies. Those who were not next in line for the throne were seen as threats, especially those whose bloodline was a bit stronger than those who sat on the throne. The Tudor dynasty’s biggest threat was the few Plantagenets who still lived at court. The family that had the most Plantagenet blood in their veins and poised the most significant threat was the Pole family. However, one woman who was very close to Henry VIII and his family married a man who had Plantagenet blood in his veins. Her name was Gertrude Courtenay, the Marchioness of Exeter, and her story is finally getting the light it deserves in Sylvia Barbara Soberton’s latest book, “The Forgotten Tudor Women: Gertrude Courtenay: Wife and Mother of the Last Plantagenets.”
I want to thank Sylvia Barbara Soberton for sending me a copy of this book. I am always looking for new stories from the Tudor dynasty, especially about strong women, so I was intrigued when I heard about this title.
Gertrude Blount (later Courtenay) was the daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy, a distinguished humanist scholar and chamberlain to Katherine of Aragon. William would marry one of Katherine of Aragon’s ladies-in-waiting, Inez de Venegas, and was made a Knight of the Bath by King Henry VIII. As the daughter of such an esteemed gentleman at court, Gertrude received an outstanding education and served Katherine of Aragon as one of her maids of honor.
In 1519, Gertrude married Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter and the first cousin of Henry VIII; his mother was Katherine Plantagenet of York, the younger sister of Elizabeth of York. Gertrude and Henry would stay loyal to Katherine of Aragon and her daughter Mary through The Great Matter, even when Anne Boleyn was queen; Gertrude was a godmother to Anne’s daughter Elizabeth. Even though Henry Courtenay and his son Edward was seen as a potential opponent to Henry VIII, they continued to curry royal favor.
Gertrude’s life was by no means perfect as she was involved in several scandals, including the one around Elizabeth Barton and the Exeter Conspiracy, which resulted in the death of her husband in 1538. Gertrude and Edward would spend time in the Tower, but fate had another twist to their story as young Edward was seen as a potential husband for Queen Mary I.
The strength and tenacity of Gertrude Courtenay are nothing short of admirable. To survive so many conspiracies and scandals during the Tudor dynasty was nothing short of extraordinary. Soberton’s writing style brings to life Gertrude’s story and illuminates one of the forgotten women of the Tudor dynasty. I hope others will appreciate Gertrude Courtenay’s story as much as I did when they read Sylvia Barbara Soberton’s latest book, “The Forgotten Tudor Women: Gertrude Courtenay: Wife and Mother of the Last Plantagenets.”
I want to thank Sylvia Barbara Soberton for sending me a copy of this book. I am always looking for new stories from the Tudor dynasty, especially about strong women, so I was intrigued when I heard about this title.
Gertrude Blount (later Courtenay) was the daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy, a distinguished humanist scholar and chamberlain to Katherine of Aragon. William would marry one of Katherine of Aragon’s ladies-in-waiting, Inez de Venegas, and was made a Knight of the Bath by King Henry VIII. As the daughter of such an esteemed gentleman at court, Gertrude received an outstanding education and served Katherine of Aragon as one of her maids of honor.
In 1519, Gertrude married Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter and the first cousin of Henry VIII; his mother was Katherine Plantagenet of York, the younger sister of Elizabeth of York. Gertrude and Henry would stay loyal to Katherine of Aragon and her daughter Mary through The Great Matter, even when Anne Boleyn was queen; Gertrude was a godmother to Anne’s daughter Elizabeth. Even though Henry Courtenay and his son Edward was seen as a potential opponent to Henry VIII, they continued to curry royal favor.
Gertrude’s life was by no means perfect as she was involved in several scandals, including the one around Elizabeth Barton and the Exeter Conspiracy, which resulted in the death of her husband in 1538. Gertrude and Edward would spend time in the Tower, but fate had another twist to their story as young Edward was seen as a potential husband for Queen Mary I.
The strength and tenacity of Gertrude Courtenay are nothing short of admirable. To survive so many conspiracies and scandals during the Tudor dynasty was nothing short of extraordinary. Soberton’s writing style brings to life Gertrude’s story and illuminates one of the forgotten women of the Tudor dynasty. I hope others will appreciate Gertrude Courtenay’s story as much as I did when they read Sylvia Barbara Soberton’s latest book, “The Forgotten Tudor Women: Gertrude Courtenay: Wife and Mother of the Last Plantagenets.”
December 14, 2021
Admittedly I have an obsession with the Tudors but I have an even bigger obsession for the Plantagenets. I do know some about the Courtenays, especially Gertrude’s son who spent his young adulthood in the Tower and bid for the hand of Queen Mary after he was released by her. However, I knew almost nothing about his savvy, brave and intelligent mother. This book shines a light on Gertrude and brings you into the life of a true courtier! So many of my books are about the men of the era or the monarchs and we need more books about these great ladies like this one. This book was well researched and hard to put down. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
July 16, 2022
I don't know why I enjoy these Tudor books but I do for some reason. They are all related to one another somehow and couldn't get along if they had to. Just figuring who they're talking about is a challenge. I don't think there was but a few names back then so they used them over and over. None of them live very long either. I wouldn't have wanted to live during that time. It is a good read though.
July 26, 2022
Gertrude appears in most books about this period but this is the first full-length bio of this Tudor woman. Superb. I thought there's not much to say about her but she was a feisty character, very loyal to her friends. Staunchly Catholic, she supported Catherine of Aragon and Princess Mary and was Anne Boleyn's enemy. It's interesting how the well-known story changes when you shift the perspective. Highly recommended.
August 9, 2022
This was a very interesting history of a women who is not well-known, but was at the center of the last Plantagenets during the Tudor reigns. This is not a novel (I saw some reviews of persons who did not like this novel), but a well-documented history of the life and times of Gertrude Blount Courtenay who fortunately left many records. Very well done.
April 20, 2024
Great History
Very compelling read. The last Plantagenet women was a strong woman of great reason. She was in the midst of some of the biggest happenings of her time. History buffs will live this book.
Very compelling read. The last Plantagenet women was a strong woman of great reason. She was in the midst of some of the biggest happenings of her time. History buffs will live this book.
December 8, 2021
An interesting and very good read about Gertrude Courtenay so captivating
December 26, 2021
My reading has been focused primarily around people she served or schemed for or against. This biography is pleasantly written and documented, making Gertrude a real person, not just a footnote.
May 2, 2022
A little dry, but interesting fallout from War of the Roses
December 31, 2025
Fascinating read
I have learnt many new facts about the Tudor court. The cruelty of the time is so vicious and often seems arbitrary. Well worth a read.
I have learnt many new facts about the Tudor court. The cruelty of the time is so vicious and often seems arbitrary. Well worth a read.
May 24, 2022
Gertrude was a name who had popped up in both of the previous books and hinted to having been an interesting woman so I'm really glad that Soberton decided to write this biography on her.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Soberton's writing style, each chapter moving so smoothly and easy to read. I have loved finding out more about the lesser known women who played an active part in Tudor events and I would love if Soberton wrote more of these accounts in the future.
I will definitely be collecting the other books written by her and I believe this series will remain on "always recommend" lists for me from now on.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Soberton's writing style, each chapter moving so smoothly and easy to read. I have loved finding out more about the lesser known women who played an active part in Tudor events and I would love if Soberton wrote more of these accounts in the future.
I will definitely be collecting the other books written by her and I believe this series will remain on "always recommend" lists for me from now on.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews