The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir

May 20, 2025

The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir

A novel based on the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Lord Chancellor, cardinal of York, and chaplain to Henry VIII. Wolsey was easily the most powerful man in England, also one of the richest. Henry was poorly prepared to become king, kept almost in seclusion by his father Henry VII who worried over losing his only remaining son and heir, and deliberately prevented him from learning about the duties of statecraft (I think his father feared he would blab to his hinky friends about state secrets). Consequently, when Henry became king at 18, he was far more interested in cutting loose and having fun, and naturally his closest friends wielded the worst possible influence over him. Wolsey grabbed the reigns of state with both hands, attending council meetings in Henry's place and then giving him the Cliff's Notes version of the proceedings, making sure to sugarcoat the more unpalatable parts, even giving up the love of his life to keep his position at Henry's chief councillor.

Things were great for Wolsey, until they weren't. Unable to bring about a divorce for Henry so he could marry Anne Boleyn, Wolsey's star rapidly descended until it crashed. I love Alison Weir's books, her historical fiction as well as her nonfiction. They are always well-researched and based on historical fact, yet highly readable. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy well-written historical fiction about the Tudor era.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

The Twilight Queen by Jeri Westerson

November 6, 2024

The Twilight Queen by Jeri Westerson

Will Somers, jester to Henry VIII, is back to investigate another murder, this time at the request of Queen Anne Boleyn. When a dead courtier is found in the queen's apartments, Will suspects a conspiracy aimed at discrediting the queen.

The second book in Westerson's historical mystery series featuring Will Somers. As the king's jester, Will moves among the courtiers and has direct access to the king and queen, and no one questions his presence. A mixture of fictional and real characters, I enjoyed this second installment more than the first book. Will's dog Nosewise also appears in the story. It should appeal to readers of historical mysteries, especially those set in Tudor England.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

A supposedly contemporary portrait of Anne Boleyn, but there is a similarity in many of the portraits of the time - portraits of Henry VIII's sister Mary look very similar. There is some dispute about what Anne actually looked like - the only thing her contemporaries agree on is her sparkling dark eyes.

Courting Dragons by Jeri Westerson

October 20, 2024

Courting Dragons by Jeri Westerson

Will Somers, professional fool to Henry VIII, navigates the intrigues of the Tudor court. His job is to learn the weak points and secrets of the courtiers, to entertain Henry. But Will has a secret of his own: he is hiding his bi-sexuality, which would be an affront to Henry and would cost Will his job if Henry found out. When someone attempts to blackmail Will, instead of finding the blackmailer at the meeting place, Will finds a dead body.

The first book of a new series by the author of the Crispin Guest historical mysteries. Not as engaging as Westerson's other series, maybe because there is more emphasis on Will jumping in and out of the beds of various members of the king's household of both sexes. Well researched and historically accurate regarding politics and events with fictional characters mixed with real people. The next book in the series comes out in November so I will read that one before I make my final judgment about this series. For fans of historical fiction set in the Tudor period.

Drawing of Will Somers

The Passionate Tudor by Alison Weir

June 22, 2024

The Passionate Tudor by Alison Weir

Mary I, aka Bloody Mary, was the oldest surviving child of Henry VIII and had a happy childhood until her tenth year, when her father became obsessed simultaneously with the need for a male heir and Anne Boleyn. Her life pretty much went downhill from there, as she was first named Henry's heir, then was declared illegitimate, then was reinstated after her brother, then was persecuted for her Catholic faith, finally becoming queen. She inherited her suspicious nature from her father, looking for conspiracies around her, suspecting the motives of her suitors, and even believing that her half-sister Elizabeth was not Henry's child. After she became queen, her two obsessions were restoring Catholicism as the state religion and her husband, Phillip of Spain. She wanted a child so desperately that she suffered two phantom pregnancies. Overall, she lived a sad and lonely life, dying at age 42.

Although Henry VIII was obsessed with the idea that he had to have a son to rule after him and to carry on his dynasty, his councillors didn't agree with him. They felt Mary was intelligent and well-educated, and also that she would undoubtedly marry and her husband would rule with her. Mary wasn't a great ruler or even a good ruler, but what made her memorable was the 300+ Protestants that she burned. Ironically, Mary's attempt to stamp out Protestantism by executing its followers only convinced many of her subjects that Protestantism was a faith worth dying for. Modern historians have tried to improve Mary's reputation and legacy, but there is not much that you can say about Mary that is positive and Weir's well-research book doesn't try to sugar coat Mary's actions. Recommended for readers of historical fiction and those interested in the Tudor period.

Mary I, aka Bloody Mary - she looks kind of like Gerald Ford

The Last White Rose by Alison Weir

May 23, 2024

The Last White Rose by Alison Weir

Elizabeth of York was the oldest daughter of Edward IV, and the wife of Henry VII at the end of the War of the Roses. Elizabeth was a sweet, beautiful girl, beloved by her family, who became the heir to the throne when her two brothers (aka the Princes in the Tower) disappeared. Henry VII became king by right of conquest when he overthrew Richard III, but he needed to marry Elizabeth to solidify his claim to the throne. Surprisingly, it was a successful marriage and Henry was devoted to Elizabeth. When she died at age 37 after the birth of their last child, he mourned her deeply for the rest of his life.

Most books about the Tudors focus on Henry VIII and his six wives (which is really the only thing he is remembered for - he was actually a very mediocre king), but this novel is about his mother, Elizabeth of York. Elizabeth had a large and complicated family: she herself had nine siblings, while her mother Elizabeth Woodville had over a dozen siblings, and her father Edward IV had at least seven siblings. There is a certain amount of confusion at some points regarding which Edward, Richard, Elizabeth, Katherine or Margaret we are talking about. There is also a lot of crying. Alison Weir has written extensively about the Tudors and the Plantagenets, and she brings her nonfiction research to this novel. Recommended for readers of historical fiction and about the Tudors in particular.

Elizabeth of York

Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor

April 30, 2023

Hope for the Best by Jodi Taylor

The historians from St. Mary's are back for another adventure, this time working in conjunction with the Time Police. Somehow, 16th century England has gone completely off the rails. There is a Tudor queen on the throne but it's the wrong one - it's Jane Grey rather than Elizabeth. Drake lost to the Spanish Armada, France and Scotland are both invading, and evil Queen Jane has fled to the Continent. Meanwhile, arch-villain Clive Ronan continues to evade the Time Police, traveling up and down the time map. Which, incidentally, Max's son Matthew broke. Completely by accident. Meanwhile, nasty Malcolm Halcombe has taken over St. Mary's and is trying to figure out where everyone is (they're in hiding in some prehistoric time somewhere in the western U.S., probably Wyoming or Montana). 

Another entertaining entry in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series. Most of the regulars appear, including Adrian and Mikey and their teapot time travel pod, still just two hours ahead of the Time Police. The Time Police prove they are just as unprincipled as ever, even if they are supposed to be allied with St. Mary's. And Max travels to the lost kingdom of Kush with a couple of gangsters, who do the usual gangster double-cross. Great fun, looking forward to getting the next book, where I seriously hope they will finally catch Clive Ronan, since I'm a little tired of him.

The Lost Kingdom of Kush, where Max and two mobsters cause a riot during a religious festival

To Die For by Sandra Byrd

July 26, 2020

To Die For by Sandra Byrd

Meg Wyatt and her siblings grew up with the Boleyn children, Mary, George, and Anne.  Meg's brother Thomas adores Anne from the time they are small children, but Anne flirts with him in the same way she flirts with everyone.  As Anne catches the eye of Henry VIII and rises in the court, she takes her best friend Meg to court with her.  At first, the two girls are maids of honor to Katharine of Aragon, Henry’s queen.  But as Katharine falls farther out of Henry’s favor and Henry seeks to divorce her to marry Anne, Meg finds herself sought after by those who want to find favor with Anne.  But as Anne’s star begins to fall, Meg’s fortunes fall with her.

Anne Boleyn is one of those historical figures whose lives fascinate us.  We keep reading books about them in the hope that somehow their stories will change and have a happy ending.  Other tragic figures include Mary Queen of Scots, Marie Antoinette, Alexander Hamilton, Amelia Earhart, the Princes in the Tower, and the Romanov family.  There have been a few books recently about Queen Elizabeth II's sister, Princess Margaret, who spent most of her life trying to figure out her role in the royal family.  I think Diana, Princess of Wales, and members of the Kennedy family will eventually join this group as well.

I was reading a book called A Saint from Texas  and the story was so dismal, that I needed a break about halfway through.  This title had been on my reading list for a while and it seemed the perfect antidote.  It was like mental sorbet, refreshing to my reading palette.  I thoroughly enjoyed the angle that this book had, written in the voice of one of Anne’s closest friends and a lady in waiting.  Not only do we get Anne’s story from the point of view of a loyal friend, we also get a good look at what life was like for a well-born woman of the 16^th century in this well-researched novel.  Daughters and sisters were often used by their families as pawns, entering arranged marriages that would be advantageous for political, social or monetary reasons.  Anne Boleyn and her cousin Catherine Howard (who was Henry VIII's fifth wife) were no different - the Howard family used both girls to their advantage, and when they fell from favor, distanced themselves as much as possible.  A very enjoyable read.

Time to go slog through some more of A Saint from Texas - I have an eARC from the publisher, so I feel obligated to finish the book and write a review. 

The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory

January 4, 2020

The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory

Hello, and Happy New Year!  My latest book is part of Philippa Gregory's series about the Tudor & Plantagenet women, focusing on the three Grey sisters.  Their mother was Frances, Duchess of Suffolk and a princess of the blood, since she was Henry VIII's niece and the daughter of his favorite sister.

Most people have heard of Lady Jane Grey, who was King Edward VI’s first cousin once removed, queen of England for nine days, and executed at the age of 17.  Jane was one of the most educated girls in England and a devout Protestant.  When Henry VIII’s two daughters Mary and Elizabeth were declared illegitimate and out of the line of succession, the protestant King Edward VI (age 15) named Jane as his successor.  Her ambitious family forced her claim to the throne, while Jane herself only wanted to live a godly life.  Although Jane was an intelligent young woman, she was unable to understand the political machinations of the Grey and the Dudley families, and why they wanted to put her on the throne.

Almost unknown are Jane’s two sisters, Katherine and Mary.  Per Henry VIII’s will, they were to follow Jane in the succession if she did not produce an heir.  Each sister has a section in the book, with Katherine having the longest part.  Jane comes off as grave and scholarly, especially with her younger sisters.  At first Katherine is more light-hearted, focused on her pets, new gowns, and getting a handsome husband, but after Jane’s death, Katherine becomes more interested in being named as Elizabeth I's official heir.  Katherine falls in love with Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford.  Katherine realizes that Elizabeth will never give her approval for her to marry, so Katherine and Edward enter into a forbidden secret marriage (Edward entered into no fewer than three secret marriages in his lifetime).  They believe that while Elizabeth would never give them permission to marry, once they are married, she will forgive them.  How wrong they were.

Youngest sister Mary is a dwarf or little person, but that doesn’t stop her family from using her for political reasons.  Since no one notices her, Mary is excellent at eavesdropping on the other courtiers and counts Sir Robert Dudley and Sir William Cecil among her friends.  She remains loyal to her sister Katherine while still serving Elizabeth, even as Elizabeth imprisons Katherine and her husband.  Like Katherine, Mary also enters into a secret marriage, earning her years of the queen's anger.  Lady Mary Grey never pursued her claim to the throne, wanting only to be freed from house arrest and to be reunited with her husband and her sister.

Like several of Gregory's books in the Tudor/Plantagenet series, The Last Tudor focuses on sisters.  It's not the best book in the series - for one thing, it is very long, over 500 pages, and Katherine's section in particular could have been shortened to make for a better narrative.  There is a lot of repetition as Katherine is moved from castle to castle, constantly trying to be reunited with her husband.  Gregory notes in the afterword that this will be her last book in the series, since she has begun a new series set in 17th century England during the English Civil War.  I had the impression that Gregory wanted to pack everything she had into this one final book, rather than splitting it into three separate titles about the Grey sisters.  There is a decent movie about Lady Jane Grey titled Lady Jane, starring Helena Bonham Carter (who is currently portraying Princess Margaret in The Crown on Netflix) - it's old, but your local library may own a copy.