Lady Jane Grey Reference Guide

My review of ‘La Reine Blanche: Mary Tudor, A Life in Letters’ by Sarah Bryson

Posted on 21st May 2018 by Tamise

Sarah Bryson’s biography of Mary Tudor (youngest sister of Henry VIII) goes a long way towards restoring this Tudor princess to the spotlight she once enjoyed.

Although once described as one of the most beautiful women in Christendom, Mary’s death at the age of 37 was barely noted in diplomatic circles. From the potential bride of Charles V, to her brief reign as Queen Consort of France, Mary’s life was decided by the whims of European politics.

Ruled first by her father, Henry VII, then by her brother, Mary defied Henry VIII by marring a second time, for love. Through this marriage to Charles Brandon, she became the grandmother of Lady Jane Grey.

Bryson’s full use of Mary’s letters, allows Mary’ personality to emerge and we can see how she used letter writing as one of the few political tools at her disposal.

Thank you to Amberley Publishing for my review copy

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged Book Reviews, Books 2018, La Reine Blanche, Mary Tudor (Duchess of Suffolk), Sarah Bryson | Comments Off

To celebrate the publication of the paperback of ‘The King is Dead’ by Suzannah Lipscomb…

Posted on 17th May 2018 by Tamise

The paperback of Suzannah Lipscomb’s ‘The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII’ is published today.

Here is my 2015 interview with Suzannah.

The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII

Posted in Interview | Tagged Books 2018, Henry VIII, Interviews, Suzannah Lipscomb | Comments Off

Books 2018 – on sale today – Juana I: Legitimacy and Conflict in Sixteenth-Century Castile (Queenship and Power) by Gillian B Fleming

Posted on 17th May 2018 by Tamise

‘This book examines the deep and lengthy crisis of legitimacy triggered by the death of Prince Juan of Castile and Aragon in 1497 and the subsequent ascent of Juana I to the throne in 1504. Confined by historiography and myth to the madwoman’s attic, Juana emerges here as a key figure at the heart of a period of tremendous upheaval, reaching its peak in the war of the Comunidades, or comunero uprising of 1520–1522. Gillian Fleming traces the conflicts generated by the ambitions of Juana’s father, husband and son, and the controversial marginalisation and imprisonment of Isabel of Castile’s legitimate heir. Analysing Juana’s problems and strategies, failures and successes, Fleming argues that the period cannot be properly understood without taking into account the long shadow that Juana I cast over her kingdoms and over a crucial period of transition for Spain and Europe.’

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Amazon.co.uk

Posted in Books 2018 | Tagged Books 2018, Juana I | Comments Off

Books 2018 – on sale today – The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII’ by Suzannah Lipscomb (paper back)

Posted on 17th May 2018 by Tamise

‘On 28 January 1547, the sickly and obese King Henry VIII died at Whitehall. Just hours before his passing, his last will and testament had been read, stamped and sealed. The will confirmed the line of succession as Edward, Mary and Elizabeth; and, following them, the Grey and Suffolk families. It also listed bequests to the king’s most trusted councillors and servants.

Henry’s will is one of the most intriguing and contested documents in British history. Historians have disagreed over its intended meaning, its authenticity and validity, and the circumstances of its creation. As well as examining the background to the drafting of the will and describing Henry’s last days, Suzannah Lipscomb offers her own, illuminating interpretation of one of the most significant constitutional documents of the Tudor period.’

From Amazon.co.uk

Further details – Amazon.co.uk