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The Children of Henry VIII Paperback – July 8, 1997
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At his death in 1547, King Henry VIII left four heirs to the English throne: his only son, the nine-year-old Prince Edward; the Lady Mary, the adult daughter of his first wife Katherine of Aragon; the Lady Elizabeth, the teenage daughter of his second wife Anne Boleyn; and his young great-niece, the Lady Jane Grey. In this riveting account Alison Weir paints a unique portrait of these extraordinary rulers, examining their intricate relationships to each other and to history. She traces the tumult that followed Henry's death, from the brief intrigue-filled reigns of the boy king Edward VI and the fragile Lady Jane Grey, to the savagery of "Bloody Mary," and finally the accession of the politically adroit Elizabeth I.
As always, Weir offers a fresh perspective on a period that has spawned many of the most enduring myths in English history, combining the best of the historian's and the biographer's art.
“Like anthropology, history and biography can demonstrate unfamiliar ways of feeling and being. Alison Weir's sympathetic collective biography, The Children of Henry VIII does just that, reminding us that human nature has changed--and for the better. . . . Weir imparts movement and coherence while re-creating the suspense her characters endured and the suffering they inflicted.”—The New York Times Book Review
- Print length423 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRandom House Publishing Group
- Publication dateJuly 8, 1997
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.96 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100345407865
- ISBN-13978-0345407863
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“[Weir] writes in a pacy, vivid style, engaging the hearts as well as the mind. This, her fourth book on the Tudors, affirms her preeminence in the field.”—The Independent
“This fascinating tale of murder, jealousy, religious fanaticism, and political scandal among sixteenth-century British royals makes the modern dysfunctional royal family appear quaint b comparison. . . . Weir’s narrative brings to live both the tangled relationships of these figures and the violent religious tensions that dominated England during the sixteenth century.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Weir can always be counted on to tell a superb story as she relates particularly dramatic episodes in English royal history.”—Booklist
From the Publisher
--Margaret Sanborn/Publicity
From the Inside Flap
--The Philadelphia Inquirer
At his death in 1547, King Henry VIII left four heirs to the English throne: his only son, the nine-year-old Prince Edward; the Lady Mary, the adult daughter of his first wife Katherine of Aragon; the Lady Elizabeth, the teenage daughter of his second wife Anne Boleyn; and his young great-niece, the Lady Jane Grey. In this riveting account Alison Weir paints a unique portrait of these extraordinary rulers, examining their intricate relationships to each other and to history. She traces the tumult that followed Henry's death, from the brief intrigue-filled reigns of the boy king Edward VI and the fragile Lady Jane Grey, to the savagery of "Bloody Mary," and finally the accession of the politically adroit Elizabeth I.
As always, Weir offers a fresh perspective on a period that has spawned many of the most enduring myths in English history, combining the best of the historian's and the biographer's art.
"Like anthropology, history and biography can demonstrate unfamiliar ways of feeling and being. Alison Weir's sympathetic collective biography, The Children of Henry VIII does just that, reminding us that human nature has changed--and for the better. . . . Weir imparts movement and coherence while re-creating the suspense her characters endured and the suffering they inflicted."
--The New York Times Book Review
From the Back Cover
As always, Weir offers a fresh perspective on a period that has spawned many of the most enduring myths in English history, combining the best of the historian's and the biographer's art.
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The relationships between the royal siblings were never easy ones for several reasons: all had very dissimilar characters, and while they took after their father in many ways, they had each inherited diverse characteristics from their mothers, who had been the first three of Henry VIII's six wives. Each child had spent its formative years in vastly different circumstances, and had enjoyed--or suffered--varying relations with its formidable father. Mary's mother had been supplanted in King Henry's affections by Elizabeth's mother, who had, in her turn, been supplanted by Edward's mother. And while the King's daughters suffered several vicissitudes of fortune in Henry's lifetime, his son grew up secure in his august father's love and protection.
In the pages of this book, which begins at the point where my earlier book The Six Wives of Henry VIII came to an end, I have tried to portray the characters of these royal siblings and their cousin Jane Grey as realistically as possible, and to describe how their personal relationships with each other were affected by political and religious considerations. In order to achieve this, I have consulted a wealth of documentary evidence contemporary to the period, including numerous private and official letters, the great calendars of state and the masses of diplomatic papers, as well as memorials and chronicles by contemporary writers, including Edward VI's own journal, and more mundane records, such as lists of privy purse expenses, which can in fact yield fascinating information.
There have been many biographies of the later Tudor monarchs, but never a book in which their personal lives and relations with each other, and the effect of these factors upon the history of England, have been the central theme. One cannot of course write about kings and queens without touching on the political and social issues of their times, but what I have tried to bring into focus here is personal information that has until now been treated as generally subsidiary to the political ethos of other works. This book is not intended to replace such works, but to complement them.
In these pages, we go back in time to an age in which the personalities of monarchs and their familial connections had the power to influence governments, and it is vital to our knowledge of the period to understand what shaped the characters of these four monarchs, who were among the most charismatic and vivid personalities ever to have graced the throne of England. Naturally, our human condition makes us eager to learn about the private things, the everyday trivia, the scandals, and the sheer "feel" of ages long gone. We want to bridge the gap, to discover that even these long-dead kings and queens felt as we do, and come to know them through the writings and mementos they have left behind. We are fortunate, therefore, that the Tudor period is one rich in source material, in which fascinating--and sometimes astonishing--discoveries may be made. These, and one or two tantalizing mysteries, are the things I have included in this book, the things that bring us closer to the past.
Set against a background of turbulent change and intrigue, the story that unfolds will, I hope, bring to life four Tudor sovereigns and those whose lives they touched, and will portray them not only as Renaissance princes, but as individuals, who, in the final analysis, were people not so very unlike ourselves.
Product details
- Publisher : Random House Publishing Group (July 8, 1997)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 423 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0345407865
- ISBN-13 : 978-0345407863
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.96 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #478,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #512 in Historical British Biographies
- #643 in Royalty Biographies
- #656 in England History
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Alison Weir lives and works in Surrey. Her books include Britain's Royal Families, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Children of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry VIII: King and Court, Mary, Queen of Scots and Isabella: She-Wolf of France.
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Customers find the book informative and engaging. They appreciate the well-researched information and the writing style as readable and accessible. Readers describe the narrative as interesting and full of drama. The author humanizes the historical figures and provides insight into their personalities.
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Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the writing engaging and informative. The narrative is accessible and never boring. Readers appreciate the many plots, subplots, intrigues, and politics of the time.
"...The book describes the many plots and subplots, intrigues and politics of the time. Long imprisonments and beheadings were common...." Read more
"...book never seems like an overstuffed suitcase of a biography, but has a very good (and accessible) narrative that flows well in tone, and where..." Read more
"...weaving of English history during the Tudor dynasty to be an entirely captivating and informative introduction to some of the most influential - and..." Read more
"...like the proverbial "fly on the wall", in which the story is never dull...." Read more
Customers find the book provides interesting and well-researched information about Henry VIII's children. They appreciate the author's weaving of English history during the Tudor dynasty, as well as the constant historical references and actual letters. The book is described as a thorough account of two of Henry's three children.
"...The author managed to insert constant historical references, including actual letters, into the narrative. I learned a lot...." Read more
"...to Tudor history when I first read it, and I found her elucidative weaving of English history during the Tudor dynasty to be an entirely captivating..." Read more
"...itself, I find this work by Alison Weir to be quite essential to understanding the underpinnings of what was happening in the world that gave shape..." Read more
"...interesting, but she takes a non-fiction history book and turns it into an exciting novel...." Read more
Customers find the book well-written and readable. They appreciate the diary-like style and factual content. The author does a good job describing how Henry VIII's children interacted. The writing is easygoing and accessible to Tudor enthusiasts.
"...This all seems so simple, but, it fact it is quite complicated. The book describes the many plots and subplots, intrigues and politics of the time...." Read more
"...All in all, I recommend this. Weir's book is easygoing in tone, and accessible to the most diehard Tudor fans and beginners starting to take an..." Read more
"...of historical happenings; I think Ms. Weir has done a fine job of putting the reader in a place where getting one's head into the mindset of others..." Read more
"...This was another great read by Alison Weir, and it won't be my last." Read more
Customers enjoy the engaging narrative style of the book. They find the story fascinating and full of drama, with a good flow in tone. The book provides interesting details about Henry VIII's children's childhood.
"...suitcase of a biography, but has a very good (and accessible) narrative that flows well in tone, and where events fall like dominoes...." Read more
"...In this vein, I find this book a fascinating discovery of information written in a narrative style that makes the reader feel like the proverbial &#..." Read more
"...The book is really a detailed account of events in England from the time of Henry's death to the accession of Elizabeth, including the issues and..." Read more
"...this book is more about the interactions of this fascinating and ruthless family, and Elizabeth will always deserve a book of her own!" Read more
Customers find the book relatable and engaging. It provides insights into the personalities of the historical figures and their lives. They appreciate the author's ability to humanize them and bring them to life. The book also details the relationships between these three sovereigns and their circle.
"...Each figure is fascinating, and a tragedy in his or her own fashion; as she went on to a successful reign, Elizabeth is spared from this portrayal,..." Read more
"...uses the Tudors to illustrate a more thorough and complete perspective of Renaissance history than you'll even be aware of until you finish the book..." Read more
"...his three children and his great niece, Lady Jane Grey, she brings these people to life...." Read more
"...Alison Weir has such a talent for minutiae of daily life juxtaposed with major historical events. Don't miss this one!" Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2008Recently I've become interested in the Tudors. I've been following the series on television and have also read a few historical novels. This book, however, is different because it is not a novel. It is a biography. All I can say is WOW - truth really is stranger than fiction - and much more fascinating.
It starts with a short history of the three Tudor siblings. Then, we meet King Edward VI I, a child being manipulated by the men in power. We get to know him as he grows more and more aware of his own power. He believes in the Protestant religion and he and his advisers have put restraints on Catholicism. Of course his oldest sister, Mary, who is in her late twenties and has been raised Catholic is unhappy and resists all the new laws, but he is firm in his own beliefs. By the age of 15, though, he is dying. It is a painful and tragic death and takes a long time. The reader is not spared any of the details. In order to keep England Protestant, on his dying bed, he chooses the next in succession - his cousin Lady Jane Grey, merely 15 years old at the time. She didn't want to be Queen, but was forced into it. Her reign was short (only nine days) and tragic. Soon, Mary became Queen.
This all seems so simple, but, it fact it is quite complicated. The book describes the many plots and subplots, intrigues and politics of the time. Long imprisonments and beheadings were common. And later, during Mary's reign, Protestant heretics were burned at the stake. The reader is not spared any of the grisly details. There were times I got the shivers but I was glad this was not whitewashed history. This was real, it happened, and the writing was so good that I felt I was right there. The author managed to insert constant historical references, including actual letters, into the narrative.
I learned a lot. I didn't know that Queen Mary had been married to a Spanish prince. I hadn't realized that the younger sister, Elizabeth, had spent much of her life imprisoned. I didn't understand the complexities of the constant warfare with other countries. And, even though I knew about the division between the Protestants and Catholics, this book really described the ends that Mary went to in order to force Catholicism on the English people.
It's all here, packed into a mere 366 pages. Well, almost. The book ends with Mary's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. It then simply mentions that Elizabeth enjoyed a 45-year reign. I definitely plan to read some other biography about that reign. But I now have the background to understand it better.
I loved this book and was sorry it ended. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2010Reading a book about Tudor rulers can be confusing, or seem like a lecture that's going far too long with antiquated language.
This is not that book.
The Children of Henry VIII is told deftly, with a breezy, fairly uncomplicated tone. The book never seems like an overstuffed suitcase of a biography, but has a very good (and accessible) narrative that flows well in tone, and where events fall like dominoes. Starting from Henry VIII's death in 1547, the book covers the reigns of Edward VI, Jane Grey, Mary Tudr, and ends with Elizabeth I's 1558 accession against the backdrop of scheming relatives and Catholic-Protestant dispute.
Addressing the lives and reigns of Henry VIII's children- Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth- while including the life of the ill-fated Jane Grey, author Alison Weir portrays each with shades of quantified characterization. Each figure is fascinating, and a tragedy in his or her own fashion; as she went on to a successful reign, Elizabeth is spared from this portrayal, but her early life is written.
All in all, I recommend this. Weir's book is easygoing in tone, and accessible to the most diehard Tudor fans and beginners starting to take an interest in this tumultuous period of English history.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2013Alison Weir has brought to life a most fascinating over-view of the lives, loves, and losses of Henry VIII's children and heirs in The Children of Henry VIII. I was a relative new-comer to Tudor history when I first read it, and I found her elucidative weaving of English history during the Tudor dynasty to be an entirely captivating and informative introduction to some of the most influential - and interesting - figures of the Renaissance period. She draws the reader in as she illuminates her subjects with the same narrative approach you might find in a great work of fiction, and indeed I felt more like I was reading about characters in a juicy novel than a biography about old, dead monarchs. This book will quickly school you in so many aspects of 16th century England without ever making you feel like you're reading a scholarly work of non-fiction. Weir uses the Tudors to illustrate a more thorough and complete perspective of Renaissance history than you'll even be aware of until you finish the book and begin to realize how much you suddenly know about not just this place in time and the people who lived it, but also the undercurrent of political and religious turmoil that defined the period, far exceeding what you'd expect to learn from a biographic analysis of Tudor children. She manages to accomplish all of this while maintaining what a reader will feel is a deeply personal connection to the Tudors as human beings, affording special attention to the stories of the passionately Catholic Mary and moderate Protestant Elizabeth and their rivalry as siblings and figure-heads of opposing religious movements, and shattering our popular concepts of Bloody Mary and Elizabeth as The Virgin Queen. Simultaneously educational and entertaining, it serves wonderfully as a primer for her Life of Elizabeth I, and also as a follow-up to Henry VII: The King and His Court.
It should be noted, however, that this book is in no way the complete, authoritative account on the Tudor children, and your average history professor or expert would likely take great exception to it being regarded as such. Weir's work is a wonderful gateway to the Tudors and how they related with and influenced the Renaissance period for those of us who are more concerned with the human element and the bigger picture of who, where, and why than whether or not Elizabeth was taken to the Tower of London in February or March.
Top reviews from other countries
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StephanieReviewed in France on April 10, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Au tour des enfants
Les livres biographiques d'Alison Weir se dévorent presque comme des romans. Passionnée par la période des Tudors, je souhaitais en savoir davantage sur les grands personnages de cette époque. On a l'impression de rentrer dans leur intimité et de vivre les scènes qu'Alison décrit. Très agréable à lire ! A savoir qu'il y a également tout un autre ouvrage d'Alison Weir consacré à Elizabeth I.
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Amazon CustomerReviewed in Japan on September 1, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars I will read it again.
This is the most exciting moment for religions, politics,warships and rights of women.
Which leads to the world of today.
I appreciate to the way of storytelling by Alison Weir Who is always being in the middle of an affair and
not too romantic or dramatic as a writer.
I started to read her books from "Lancaster and York", and one by one, finally came to "Elizabeth I".
It gave me a really deep emotion, understanding and imagination How they felt or Why they did it.
Now I became a very enthusiastic one to The English history of those times.
Thank you.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on March 11, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written
I love everything Tudor related and consider myself a mini Tudor historian. I loved this book. Alison Weir to me is the foremost Tudor historian and she paints a compelling tale of the little known siblings (Edward V and Mary). My favourite pet is she dissects their relationships with each other and how people who haven't done much historical reading tend to think of them. "Bloody Mary" about Mary for example. She was lauded as being an evil stern woman but historians disagree and a lot of what good was done in Elizabeth's 1 reign was started in Mary's. Although she unfortunately received no or little credit. This also writes about he doomed Lady Jane Grey (granddaughter of Henry VIII) and her ill fated 9 day reign. If you wish to read a well researched book about Tudor history pick up this one.
- Jean D. AndrewsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
This is an interesting and detailed account of the period after the death of Henry VIII until the accession of Elizabeth and makes one realise just how wise and sensible ruler she was. It is a period marked by religious intolerance culminating in the cruel burnings instigated by "Bloody Mary". I had not realised that Edward VI was as intolerant in his Protestantism as Mary in her Catholicism. It is one of Alison Weir's better books, though I nearly always enjoy her histories, with the one exception of her account of Elizabeth of York which contained far too much uninteresting detail of clothes worn, their cost and equivalent value in today's money.
- nina richardsonReviewed in Australia on April 5, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Most interesting read didnt want it to finish