Tudor History Lovers discussion

I'm new to the group, but a huge tudor era fan. I've read almost all of P.Gregory's books on the era, and those reexcited my interest in this era. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on books to read about either Henry's other family members, or on how Queen Mary, got the nickname "Bloody Mary" (besides because of her crusades).

You have joined the right site! Welcome! There are so many great books out there (more accurate than Gregory) who is more fiction than fact, even though I enjoy some of her books also. I'm not sure which of her's you have read, but The Queen's Fool gives you some insight on Mary's reign based on a ficitonal Joker. I also recommend The Last Boleyn for a more accurate story on Mary and Anne. I also like The Queen's Governess. Also, check out Goodreads giveaway section under "explore."

I really liked I, Elizabeth, by Rosalind Miles.

I have enjoyed Sovereign LadiesSovereign Ladies: The Six Reigning Queens of EnglandWell written and loaded with information.

I happen to work in a library, processing in new books. I had one come across my desk the other day which looked interesting and am wondering if anyone has read it.

:) I thank everyone for the recommendations! It looks like I have a lot of reading to do! And on a topic that I LOVE!

If you like non-fiction, I recommend Antonia Fraser's The Wives of Henry VIII.

I love all David Starkey's books as well as his documentaries'. I also read Alison Weir. Have not read Life and Death of Anne Boelyn but will put it on my winter list.

I have read Carolley Erickson's Bloody Mary and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Have any of you read Anne Easter Smith's books. I read The Rose and the Crown found it overlong and a tedious read. So much did not have to be in the book. Purely fiction about a love with Richard lll.

For Queen Mary in particular, Linda Porter's and Anna Whitlock's biographies are good reads:

The Myth of "Bloody Mary": A Biography of Queen Mary I of England

Mary Tudor

The American edition of this book,"The First Queen of England," is only offered in print versions, according to B&N anyway. I wonder why the publishers do that? http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first...

Karen wrote: "The American edition of this book,"The First Queen of England," is only offered in print versions, according to B&N anyway. I wonder why the publishers do that? http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fir..."

That's a shame. I hope an e-version is produced eventually.

Karen wrote: "The American edition of this book,"The First Queen of England," is only offered in print versions, according to B&N anyway. I wonder why the publishers do that? http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fir..."

Some publishers wish ebooks would just go away, I think.

Susanna wrote: "Karen wrote: "The American edition of this book,"The First Queen of England," is only offered in print versions, according to B&N anyway. I wonder why the publishers do that? http://www.barnesandn..."

I didn't explain in my original post that I don't understand why publisher's don't have the same editions here as they do across the pond, they don't have to translate; well maybe a tad :)

Well, there's the spelling differences, and then there's the places where we use different words.

I have no idea why the titles often change, though!

Ashley, there are so many good books out there. There is the Tudor Court series by D.L. Bogdan, book one "Secrets of Tudor Court", book two "Rivals of Tudor Court. There's "The Secret Bride: In The Court of Henry VIII" and "The Queen's Mistake: In the Court of Henry VIII" by Diane Haeger. "The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn" by Alison Weir. "Bloody Mary" by Carolly Erickson. "The Tudors: The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty" G.J. Meyer. I hope this help's, good luck.

Stephanie wrote: "What a bummer that this perhaps is the only reason we miss out on some really great books."

If you're not limited to the e-version, you can always get it through Book Depository or Amazon UK.

To Shephanie and Ashley, i can highly recommend In the Lions Court by Derek Wilson a very impressive piece of Tudor history focusing on six pivotal figures at Henry VIII's court. He presents it as a counterpoint to the usual books on the six queens and I feel does an excellent job in placing them in the centre of the competition for power and privilage that transformed Tudor England. As for fiction I strongly suggest PF Chisholm/Patricia Finney, Rory Clements and CJ Sansom for Tudor adventure and mysteries and watch out for the new tudor period novel by Susan Higginbotham, (her blog is always a treasure trove). Or I may offer my humble efforts with the Red Ned Tudor Mysteries Series for a light hearted romp through the period.

Regards Greg
http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot....


The Queen's Oranges
The Cardinal's Angels

Greg- Thank you for the book/author recommendations! I will have to look into those books!

Carolly Erickson has some really good books on the Tudors as does, Alison Weir, Margaret George, Karen Harper, Diane Haeger, Barbara Kyle, and Jean Plaidy. I especially love one by Diane Haeger called The Queen's Rival, it is about Elizabeth (Bessie) Blount, Henry the VIII's mistress.

What do readers think of Hilary Mantel's 'Wolfe Hall'?
I started it, but couldn't get into it, very 'murky' and heavy-going at the start.

I thought Wolf Hall was excellent; but not an easy read.

It helps if you remember that "he" is almost always Cromwell.

I loved it!!! But like someone said, its easier if you remember that its always cromwell. give it time, it grows on you. :O)

I found reading it in sustained stretches helped.

I love that whole series, Marjorie. The next one is Dark Fire.

To Majorie Dissolution was Sansom's first novel and one a personally feel wasn't his best. However I kept going with this series and his later novels are astounding. The series by S J Parris looks to be interesting as does Rory Clements. Then there is also P F Chisholm / Patricia Finney or James Forrester for Elizabethan mystery. CW Gortner is currently producing a mid Tudor period set of stories and soon to be released one by Susan Higginbotham (Author). Then after all those if you feel like a romp in Tudor London then there is always my Red Ned series starting with The Liberties of London.
Regards Greg

Greg, Susan Higginbotham is a GR author. See her author page atSusan Higginbotham and the page for her new Tudor novel is Her Highness, the Traitor.

Besides all of the fantastic recommendations above, there is a great book about the Tudor court and Henry when he was starting to rumble. It is:

It is a really interesting read, and tells some of the peripheral repercussions of Henry procuring his divorce. Vanora Bennett is an amazing author, and put out another book, albeit a little different time period, called:
.
Enjoy!

For non-fiction, I recommended Alison Weir's new book, MARY BOLEYN and her book THE LADY IN TOWER (The fall of Anne Boleyn).
Also JANE BOLEYN by Julia Fox and Suzannah Lipscomb new book, 1536 THE YEAR THAT CHANGED HENRY VIII.

All very good reads, some with controversial ideas but that is what reading and writing history is all about.

Phillipa Gregory writes very good reads, not necessarily accurate history but very good reads. I recommend her to be read first and then for the reader to search out a historian for the truth.

Thanks for give the correct links Shomerset, I'd tried to embbed Susan's GR links but that's what came up.
Regards Greg

My Tudor reads for the next few months: Death And The Virgin: Elizabeth, Dudley And The Mysterious Fate Of Amy Robsart
Elizabeth's Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen
Am currently reading Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings

Hi Jeannepw,

I picked up the "Death and The Virgin" book the other day from the library. Had borrowed the Mary Boleyn book, then decided I wanted a copy for my own. So stopped reading it until my copy arrived. The "Elizabeth's Women" book sounds interesting!

Hey guys! I was wondering, even though its a little outside the "tudor" dynasty, if any one had any good Plantagenent recommendations? I read a book that has them in it and now I want to learn a little bit about them as well....

Ohhhh...I'm with Ashley! I want to learn more about them as well.

Anne: If you dont mind it being romantic 'fluff' I would recommend The Virgin Widow.. its about Anne Neville and Richard III...

Hi Ashley, don't mind the romantic "fluff" as long as it's not out and out historical rewrite. Thanks for the recommendation. You know, I think I've seen this title in the past day or so...somewhere!

It's not historical rewrite, it takes place before Richard is King, his brother is still king Edward :) But it is really good.

It sounds good! Will definitely add it to the List!!

An older novel, and very much a "historical romance," that I like about the Plantagenets, is Katherine, by Anya Seton.

Thanks, Susanna...will add that one to The List as well.

Two great historical fiction series on THE PLANTAGENETS are Sharon Kay Penman's series and Juliet Dymoke's. Although I think Penman's is the best by far. Another author you might consider is ELIZABETH CHADWICK, a British author. Look for her books like THE GREATEST KNIGHT and SCARLET LION. While these books center on the life of William Marshal, a knight at the court of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitane. Chadwick reveals the Planagenets in all their glory and unrest. All of her books would qualify for the term, thumping good reads.

Ashley wrote: "Hey guys! I was wondering, even though its a little outside the "tudor" dynasty, if any one had any good Plantagenent recommendations? I read a book that has them in it and now I want to learn a li..."

I learned a lot about the Plantagenets from reading Alison Weir's The Wars of the Roses, and enjoyed it. And of course the Princes in the Tower were Plantagenets, and Weir wrote a great book on that topic, as well. I did read a biography of Richard III by Paul Murray Kendall, but it was really long and rather dry, and took me forever to get through it. All of these are nonfiction, BTW.

Sometimes when you're returning to it for another session, you forget that "he" is almost always Cromwell.

A lot of times the book is describing something from someone's point of view, like "he thought about it as he worked", and you wont be sure who "He" is, but its always cromwell. LOL

I just finished reading The Queen's Rival by Diane Haeger. VERY GOOD book! I had a hard time putting it down.

Yes, I also like to read about the common people during the Tudor era. This was the English Renaissance with a tremendous flowering of culture. So the commoners could be very interesting in their own right.

I am a big fan of the Matthew Shardlakes.

has anyone ever read:
by Chris SkidmoreDeath And The Virgin: Elizabeth, Dudley And The Mysterious Fate Of Amy Robsart

I am in a search for it, but am wondering if it will be worth it or not?

Sounds very interesting, Marjorie.

I am curious as to what he has to add to the story as well Marjorie, and I think it sounds good too Stephanie, just hard to find, may resort to buying it and putting it on my kindle eventually. Thought I would ask though since I am slowly picking up more and more tudor-era books :)

And I think they're having a giveaway of it here on GR, for those of us in the US.