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battspierre's review against another edition
4.0
Weir's books are a wonderful combination of interesting, informative and hard to put down. I really enjoyed The Children of Henry VIII and can't wait to start her book on Elizabeth.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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Several months ago Audible.com had a non-fiction book sale and included several titles by Alison Weir about Tudor England that I have owned in print form for years but never got around to reading them. Last month I reviewed The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and now it’s time to take a closer look at The Children of Henry VIII. The book was originally published in 1996.
I’m rather new to reading or listening to Tudor history. I mostly watched one hour documentaries about Henry VIII and Elizabeth I or watched movies like Anne of the Thousand Days starring Richard Burton and Lady Jane starring Helena Bonham-Carter. Then, not too long ago, I was offered an ARC of the last book in the historical fiction series by Weir of the Six Wives of Henry VIII, Katherine Parr.
This book picks up where The Six Wives of Henry VIII left off. After the passing of old Henry, the succession passed to his nine-year old son, Edward. While Weir keeps the book in chronological order, she intertwines events that occurred to each person highlighted in their lives at the same time. What I found most interesting is that as I listened to the book, I noticed a lack of coverage about Elizabeth. Knowing that Weir followed up this book with The Life of Elizabeth I, it is partly understandable. Besides, anyone that has studied the subject knows Elizabeth’s story well but may not know her brother, sister, and cousin’s since they had such short reigns.
Edward kept a diary, but kept it mostly business-like and didn’t pour out his emotions like you’d expect in a typical diary. He was taught from birth to never show his playing hand and keep no counsel. He trusted his advisors, who were all scheming behind his back about various political matters. But most of the machinations for power were ignored in the book. Rather, Weir tries to relate what the children and niece of Henry VIII were like as people.
I found the section on Lady Jane Grey fascinating because of my viewing of the aforementioned movie many years ago. I just can’t imagine the nobles who pushed for Jane to sit on the throne actually thought they could get away with it. I know they were scared of the Catholic Mary, but come on! As often seen during Tudor England, indeed, in many parts of history, innocent people were killed because they were deemed a “threat”. Mary had “no choice” but to put her to death.
Mary’s phantom pregnancies are fascinating, heartbreaking, and downright befuddling. Her antagonistic relationship with Elizabeth is detailed, including Elizabeth’s time in the Tower of London. Despite Mary ordering the death of hundreds of Protestants who were deemed threats to her throne and her push to bring England back to Catholicism, she didn’t take her half-sister’s life. The book ends with Mary’s death and Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne.
As I found out in the Henry VIII book, Weir quotes from source material like letters and diaries and meticulously annotates throughout the book. It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve read such thorough work from a historian. I especially enjoy a well-researched book, and this clearly is.
Several months ago Audible.com had a non-fiction book sale and included several titles by Alison Weir about Tudor England that I have owned in print form for years but never got around to reading them. Last month I reviewed The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and now it’s time to take a closer look at The Children of Henry VIII. The book was originally published in 1996.
I’m rather new to reading or listening to Tudor history. I mostly watched one hour documentaries about Henry VIII and Elizabeth I or watched movies like Anne of the Thousand Days starring Richard Burton and Lady Jane starring Helena Bonham-Carter. Then, not too long ago, I was offered an ARC of the last book in the historical fiction series by Weir of the Six Wives of Henry VIII, Katherine Parr.
This book picks up where The Six Wives of Henry VIII left off. After the passing of old Henry, the succession passed to his nine-year old son, Edward. While Weir keeps the book in chronological order, she intertwines events that occurred to each person highlighted in their lives at the same time. What I found most interesting is that as I listened to the book, I noticed a lack of coverage about Elizabeth. Knowing that Weir followed up this book with The Life of Elizabeth I, it is partly understandable. Besides, anyone that has studied the subject knows Elizabeth’s story well but may not know her brother, sister, and cousin’s since they had such short reigns.
Edward kept a diary, but kept it mostly business-like and didn’t pour out his emotions like you’d expect in a typical diary. He was taught from birth to never show his playing hand and keep no counsel. He trusted his advisors, who were all scheming behind his back about various political matters. But most of the machinations for power were ignored in the book. Rather, Weir tries to relate what the children and niece of Henry VIII were like as people.
I found the section on Lady Jane Grey fascinating because of my viewing of the aforementioned movie many years ago. I just can’t imagine the nobles who pushed for Jane to sit on the throne actually thought they could get away with it. I know they were scared of the Catholic Mary, but come on! As often seen during Tudor England, indeed, in many parts of history, innocent people were killed because they were deemed a “threat”. Mary had “no choice” but to put her to death.
Mary’s phantom pregnancies are fascinating, heartbreaking, and downright befuddling. Her antagonistic relationship with Elizabeth is detailed, including Elizabeth’s time in the Tower of London. Despite Mary ordering the death of hundreds of Protestants who were deemed threats to her throne and her push to bring England back to Catholicism, she didn’t take her half-sister’s life. The book ends with Mary’s death and Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne.
As I found out in the Henry VIII book, Weir quotes from source material like letters and diaries and meticulously annotates throughout the book. It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve read such thorough work from a historian. I especially enjoy a well-researched book, and this clearly is.
twincam59's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Much more than a dry history tome, the author manages to bring the characters to life through her extensive use of primary sources. I will be looking for more books from this author.
stumpymcknob's review against another edition
5.0
I've taken an interest in Tudor England (particularly with regard to Henry VIII’s wives) recently and have been consuming as much as I can on the subject. I didn't want to learn about the history of my country at school due to uninspired, insipid teachers, but I've discovered a passion for it since I've entered adulthood.
I enjoyed the fact that this book was clearly very well researched, without being too dry or monotonous as other historical tomes often are. There isn't much by way of Weir's personal opinions in this book, so she allows the evidence to speak for itself. Sometimes I just like to be presented with lots of sources and be able to digest it at my own pace without being beaten about the head with the author's conclusions.
I have heard that George R. R. Martin based his "Game of Thrones" series on medieval English history, and it's easy to see why: the Tudor dynasty is rich pickings for a historical royal drama in that there were sibling rivalries, bitter familial disputes, backstabbing and scheming galore, sex, power-hungry and ruthless nobles, and plenty of senseless violence and murders. It's all truly fascinating, if ultimately tragic.
I liked the constant references to contemporary sources too as it really helped to bring these extraordinary people to life, although I did struggle with the "olde worlde" wording and sentence structure of those quotes on occasion. Of course, that is in no way a criticism of Weir or her book, but it is a warning to anyone with no patience for such things.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of Alison Weir's historical books. I think my bank account will get a hammering come payday!
I enjoyed the fact that this book was clearly very well researched, without being too dry or monotonous as other historical tomes often are. There isn't much by way of Weir's personal opinions in this book, so she allows the evidence to speak for itself. Sometimes I just like to be presented with lots of sources and be able to digest it at my own pace without being beaten about the head with the author's conclusions.
I have heard that George R. R. Martin based his "Game of Thrones" series on medieval English history, and it's easy to see why: the Tudor dynasty is rich pickings for a historical royal drama in that there were sibling rivalries, bitter familial disputes, backstabbing and scheming galore, sex, power-hungry and ruthless nobles, and plenty of senseless violence and murders. It's all truly fascinating, if ultimately tragic.
I liked the constant references to contemporary sources too as it really helped to bring these extraordinary people to life, although I did struggle with the "olde worlde" wording and sentence structure of those quotes on occasion. Of course, that is in no way a criticism of Weir or her book, but it is a warning to anyone with no patience for such things.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of Alison Weir's historical books. I think my bank account will get a hammering come payday!
cruziegirl's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent
Informative, readable, clear history. I so enjoy Weir's books and this one in particular. To understand Elizabeth I I think it's important to read this.
Informative, readable, clear history. I so enjoy Weir's books and this one in particular. To understand Elizabeth I I think it's important to read this.
unsolvedmysteries1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Extremely informative. I especially enjoyed learning about Edward VI. Fanaticism is not a good quality to have. Edward VI and Mary certainly had this personality trait! Mary did have admirable qualities in the beginning of her reign. Edward was still a child when he died, but may have turned out tyrannical had he lived. Elizabeth I was kept in fear from birth, but was extremely intelligent and savvy. Or should I say “Wiley”? How different were these children but alike in some ways! I felt most sorry for Lady Jane Grey. Another child who was abused and used! Yet she did die with amazing dignity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Violence