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The Complete Tudors
The nine Tudor novels by beloved novelist Jean Plaidy are now available as one complete series spanning sixteenth-century England. This exciting collection includes a brand-new character guide, along with reading group guides for seven books. Read all nine novels in order for the first time digitally and delve into the lives of this fascinating dynasty—full of intrigue, betrayal, marriages, and deaths, in a complete package, never before available. 1. To Hold the Crown In this sweeping tale of marriage and power, love and heartbreak, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York’s troubled ascension to the throne of England ultimately launches the Tudor dynasty. 2. Katharine of Aragon Katharine of Aragon held her husband Henry VIII’s affection—but only for so long. 3. Murder Most Royal One powerful king. Two tragic queens. Sophisticated Anne Boleyn and innocent Catherine Howard meet with the all-consuming—and fickle—passions of tempestuous King Henry VIII. 4. The King’s Confidante The King’s servant, but God’s first. The English lawyer Sir Thomas More rises to become King Henry VIII’s most trusted advisor, but his refusal to recognize Henry as the supreme head of the Church of England ends his political career . . . and leads to his trial for treason. 5. The Sixth Wife Dangerous court intrigue and affairs of the heart collide during the story of Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six queens. 6. The Thistle and the Rose The story of Princess Margaret Tudor, whose life of tragedy, bloodshed, and scandal would rival even that of her younger brother, Henry VIII. 7. Mary, Queen of France The story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe—her older brother. 8. For a Queen’s Love Power-hungry monarch, cold-blooded murderer, obsessive monster—who could love such a man? Set against the glittering courts of sixteenth-century Europe, the Spain of the dreaded Inquisition, and the tortured England of Bloody Mary, this is the story of Philip II of Spain—and of the women who loved him as a husband and father. 9. A Favorite of the Queen Torn between her heart’s passion and duty to her kingdom, Elizabeth I must make a decision that will shape her country and place her name in history forever.
3776 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2010
86 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Jean Plaidy
194 books1,596 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 27, 2018
Loosely based on historical events and written with a great deal of speculation, The Complete Tudors is a collection of 9 separate novels from the era of Henry VII and the infamous Henry VIII. Each novel details events from the perspective of a different historical figure--again, with a substantial amount of the author's imagination to supplement the generally known facts. If you are a reader that requires strict adherence to historical authenticity, this may not be the collection for you, but as a whole, I found the collection entertaining and well-written. It is, after all, historical FICTION. Since the 9 novels are available separately, I would suggest trying one to see if it's the type of thing you enjoy. (It is not necessary to read the books in any particular sequence.) I also enjoyed reading the familiar story from the point of views of some of the less-popularly covered, yet no less significant individuals living in that infamous era.
February 11, 2017
She nails it all. The Tudor period is brilliantly described and wonderfully told.
January 27, 2014
I MADE IT Wow, that was a LONG time in the world of Tudor England.
I'm glad the books were all together, though some were a bit more on the fringes of the well-known action. I'd encountered before with this author a frustration at her tendency to just STOP a book. In the book on Philip's wives we're given his back story growing up, through the drama of three wives, the aftermath of two, only to have the story stop dead the moment Elizabeth of Valois dies. Right there, that sentence. Without the surrounding books to continue with and get the varying perspectives I think I would have come away much more dissatisfied.
As I said in my "progress update" (my first, I felt some need for connection in the middle of nine novels!) the first few books are an interesting thought and writers' exercise on the different perspectives of what is supposed to be the same situation with the same people. It highlights not only differences in perception but also how little we know of what is actually true of people and events so long ago. Plaidy presents a completely different Mary Boleyn from the dignified and put-upon lady popularized by "The Other Boleyn Girl." As the books go on, the author's development of the character of Henry VIII and especially his motivations becomes more sure of itself. While I could agree with her, and his actions certainly proved him a monster, I missed some of the ambiguity of his earlier portrayals. Perhaps that also reflects the author's feeling of how he became more entrenched in his need to be right as he aged. We meet a number of different Henrys, even at the same age.
While I definitely feel as though I've run a marathon, looking back I find it enjoyable and enlightening. There are so many interesting parts to having all these stories run together, and hopefully after I've given myself the time to digest the huge undertaking I will come back with more insights. But for now: if you want a book that will take your attention, and keep it, for a LONG time, this is it. Don't come here looking for light fare or a quick passage or two! Take it as it is, and you'll have entertainment for weeks.
I'm glad the books were all together, though some were a bit more on the fringes of the well-known action. I'd encountered before with this author a frustration at her tendency to just STOP a book. In the book on Philip's wives we're given his back story growing up, through the drama of three wives, the aftermath of two, only to have the story stop dead the moment Elizabeth of Valois dies. Right there, that sentence. Without the surrounding books to continue with and get the varying perspectives I think I would have come away much more dissatisfied.
As I said in my "progress update" (my first, I felt some need for connection in the middle of nine novels!) the first few books are an interesting thought and writers' exercise on the different perspectives of what is supposed to be the same situation with the same people. It highlights not only differences in perception but also how little we know of what is actually true of people and events so long ago. Plaidy presents a completely different Mary Boleyn from the dignified and put-upon lady popularized by "The Other Boleyn Girl." As the books go on, the author's development of the character of Henry VIII and especially his motivations becomes more sure of itself. While I could agree with her, and his actions certainly proved him a monster, I missed some of the ambiguity of his earlier portrayals. Perhaps that also reflects the author's feeling of how he became more entrenched in his need to be right as he aged. We meet a number of different Henrys, even at the same age.
While I definitely feel as though I've run a marathon, looking back I find it enjoyable and enlightening. There are so many interesting parts to having all these stories run together, and hopefully after I've given myself the time to digest the huge undertaking I will come back with more insights. But for now: if you want a book that will take your attention, and keep it, for a LONG time, this is it. Don't come here looking for light fare or a quick passage or two! Take it as it is, and you'll have entertainment for weeks.
July 5, 2022
I had to renew this book about 3 or 4 times. Slow reading because of all the names. Used a lot of ancestry and wiki lookups to keep names and relationships straight.
To me, the author made this time come alive. The descriptions of daily life, meals, clothing, personalities, cultures of the 5-6 l “major loose countries” during these time periods gave me a broader understanding of how western civilization came into being.
My childhood education was acquired over 9 military moves. While history was one of my more loved subjects, I couldn’t quite make the connections of England became the United Kingdom and how it came to be ruled by people born in other countries. This book connected those dots. It clarified all the Marys, Henrys, Edwards, Matildas, etc. It brought to light the powers of male/female and child/adult rulers and their limitations which often were controlled by nobles, regents and husbands. I had not realized the intertwining connections between England and Spain.
I would would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys putting “flesh” into historical characters to gain a firmer grasp on relationships of England’s and Europe’s ruling class during the Early and Middle Ages.
To me, the author made this time come alive. The descriptions of daily life, meals, clothing, personalities, cultures of the 5-6 l “major loose countries” during these time periods gave me a broader understanding of how western civilization came into being.
My childhood education was acquired over 9 military moves. While history was one of my more loved subjects, I couldn’t quite make the connections of England became the United Kingdom and how it came to be ruled by people born in other countries. This book connected those dots. It clarified all the Marys, Henrys, Edwards, Matildas, etc. It brought to light the powers of male/female and child/adult rulers and their limitations which often were controlled by nobles, regents and husbands. I had not realized the intertwining connections between England and Spain.
I would would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys putting “flesh” into historical characters to gain a firmer grasp on relationships of England’s and Europe’s ruling class during the Early and Middle Ages.
August 28, 2012
If you are like me and love the Tudors and their history, then you will definitely love the books in this collection. Jean Plaidy does a wonderful job and I finished the complete saga with excitement and a sadness that it had ended.
January 23, 2014
I love the Tudor period tons and Jean Plaidy does it the best I believe.
September 8, 2013
I loved this complete collection!!
August 28, 2016
Well written. A long read with much referencing in the beginning, middle and end of each book. Thanks to Dr B for facilitating my love of the study of Tudor England? The 'what ifs' are next!
July 16, 2016
These are the books that got me hooked on the Tudors and eventually the histories prior to them.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews