Tag: Biography

Book Review: “Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart” by John Guy

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Women rulers in the past have either been praised or pushed down. They are either seen as ideal women or power-hungry villains. One such figure who suffered the worst from having her image raked through the mud for centuries was Mary Stuart, known throughout history as Mary, Queen of Scots. The Queen of Scotland who was married three times, was once the Queen of France, the mother of the future King of both England and Scotland, accused of having a hand in her second husband’s murder, plotted to overthrow Elizabeth I, and was executed for treason. Her story is well known, but what does the archival information tell us about Mary Stuart? John Guy scoured the archives to find the truth about this queen and presented his research in his biography, “Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart.”

I have heard about this particular title for a few years, as it inspired the Mary Queen of Scots movie. I have read similar books about Mary Queen of Scots, but this biography is so revered that I wanted to give it a shot. 

Guy begins at the end of Mary’s life, with the day of her execution and the details that made her death legendary. Mary Stuart was the daughter of King James V and Mary of Guise of France. Five days after she was born, her father James V died after the battle of Solway Moss, and the young girl was proclaimed Queen of Scotland; it was solidified nine months later at her coronation. She didn’t have much time to enjoy her youth as she had to deal with the Rough Wooing from England, which was Henry VIII’s attempt to have Mary marry his son Edward VI, which did not end well. Guy shows how Mary’s education began in Scotland before she moved to France, where she would continue to learn how to become a queen before she married Francis II. While in France, Mary started to fight for her claim to the English throne as her father James V was the son of Margaret Tudor. Francis II and Mary would become King and Queen of France for a short time as Francis would tragically die from an ear infection, which meant that Mary had to go back to her native Scotland.

It is in Scotland where we get to see Guy’s research truly shine as he shows how Mary had to navigate her tumultuous court. Mary had to navigate being a queen while searching for her next husband, who ended up being Henry Stuart Lord Darnley. To say their relationship was rocky would be an understatement. Even though Henry was the father of the future James VI/I, he was not the most liked person in court and it ended up costing him his life. Shortly after the death of Darnley, Mary married for a third and final time, to James Hepburn Earl of Bothwell, who was one of the men who allegedly was behind Darnley’s murder. It is the last portion of this book where Guy focuses on the trial, the Casket Letters, and the schemes that led to Mary’s imprisonment and ultimate execution. 

I found this a very rich and well-researched biography. I found myself taking my time reading this book as I wanted to fully understand the points Guy was making about Mary and her reign. If you want an excellent biography about a queen whose reputation has been tarnished for centuries, I highly recommend you read, “Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart” by John Guy.

Guest Post: “Spotlight for ‘Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of England, Lord of Le Mans’ by Gabrielle Storey”

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Today, I am pleased to welcome Gabrielle Storey to share a blurb from her latest book, “Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of England, Lord of Le Mans.”

berengaria of navarreBlurb

‘Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of England, Lord of Le Mans’ is a biography of one of our least-known queens of medieval England. Wife of Richard the Lionheart, daughter-in-law of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and a participant of the Third Crusade, Berengaria sat at the crossroads of several major political figures and events of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Yet her story has received scant attention by historians and the public until now.

This biography, including material not previously discussed in English scholarship, brings a new light to Berengaria’s life, covering her journeys from Navarre, across Europe to Sicily, Cyprus, the Holy Land, and then to the Angevin domains in France. It shows how women exercised power in medieval Europe, and brings to the fore a greater understanding of the life of one of England’s most forgotten queens. Grounded in academic research and written for the interested reader, this biography gives a welcome insight into Berengaria as a woman, queen, widow, and lord.

Buy Link: https://www.routledge.com/Berengaria-of-Navarre-Queen-of-England-Lord-of-Le-Mans/Storey/p/book/9781032121475

Launch 20% discount code for purchases made through the Routledge website: EFLY01

Gabrielle StoreyAuthor Bio: 

Dr Gabrielle Storey is a historian of monarchy, gender, and sexuality. Her research interests include the exercise of power, rulership, and monarchs in the medieval West. She has featured on several podcasts including the BBC ‘You’re Dead To Me’ on Eleanor of Aquitaine and writes regularly for several history magazines including History Extra and Medieval World: Culture and Conflict.

She is currently working on her first non-fiction book for the wider public. Her first book, the academic and accessible biography of Berengaria of Navarre, is published with Routledge in June 2024.

You can find more about her work here: https://gabriellestorey.com/public-engagement/

Author Links:

Website: https://gabriellestorey.com/

X: https://twitter.com/GabbyStorey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabbystorey/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gabbystorey.bsky.social

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Gabrielle-Storey/author/B0CVSCZVFY

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/30441642.Gabrielle_Storey

 

Book Review: “Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer?” by Danielle Burton

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Anthony WoodvilleThe Woodvilles were a family synonymous with the Wars of the Roses and the rise of King Edward IV. Some of the more notable names from this family include Jacquetta Woodville, the family’s matriarch, and Elizabeth Woodville, the controversial choice for King Edward IV’s wife. However, it was not just the women of the Woodville family who made a name for themselves. Anthony Woodville, the son of Jacquetta and brother of Elizabeth Woodville, would become famous for his unexpected execution at Pontefract Castle. Still, there was so much more to his story than his death. Who was Anthony Woodville and what is his legacy? Danielle Burton hopes to answer these questions and more in her debut biography, “Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer?”

I would like to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have had an eye for new takes on the Wars of the Roses and so when I heard about a biography about Anthony Woodville, I jumped at the chance to read it as I knew very little about the man and I wanted to know more.

Burton begins by exploring how Anthony Woodville’s legacy has been overshadowed by other figures in the fifteenth century, like Richard III and Anthony’s sister Elizabeth Woodville. Anthony’s connections with William Caxton, who helped bring the printing press to England, and the education of Edward Prince of Wales, made Anthony a formidable figure all on his own. In fact, unlike the common misconception about the Woodville family, Anthony earned every title on his merits alone. He was not only a scholar and a bibliophile, but also a warrior who fought alongside his brother-in-law King Edward IV.

Anthony Woodville would marry twice in his short life. His first wife was Elizabeth Scales, the daughter and heiress of Thomas Lord Scales and his second bride was Mary FitzLewis. Unfortunately, Anthony had no legitimate children, but he did have an illegitimate daughter named Margaret who would marry Robert Poyntz. It was his connection to the young Prince of Wales that led to his ultimate downfall and rather unjust execution after the meeting with Richard Duke of Gloucester at Stony Stratford.

Burton does have a passion for sharing Anthony Woodville’s story and clearing the air about his legacy. It is a very well-researched biography and Burton does show potential, but there were points where it felt a bit muddled for me. I am interested in seeing who she will write about next. If you want a solid biography about the brother of Elizabeth Woodville and how he impacted the 15th century, I would suggest you read, “Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer?” by Danielle Burton.

Book Review: “Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife” by Laura Adkins

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kateryn parrThe final wife, the one who survived. These words are what people think about when it comes to Katherine (Kateryn) Parr. However, before she even met Henry VIII, she had already lived quite a life, being married twice before meeting the king. She was a scholar, reformer, daughter, stepmother, wife, and mother. A woman who lived a rather intriguing life and happened to marry the King of England, Kateryn Parr’s life has been told in numerous mediums for centuries. Now, Laura Adkins has chosen to write about this famous Tudor wife in the biography, “Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. Katherine Parr is my favorite wife of Henry VIII and one of my favorite Tudor queens. I have read a few novels and nonfiction books that featured Katherine Parr, but I have yet to read a biography about the titular woman, until now.

Adkins begins her dive into the past not in the Tudor era, but in the 18th century as we see a group of ladies finding the tomb of Kateryn Parr at Sudeley Castle and her tomb being opened several times. We then jump back into the past and explore the Parr family. Kateryn was the eldest child of Thomas and Maud Parr. We get to see Kateryn’s childhood with her siblings William and Anne and how the Parr siblings continued the Parr legacy in their own ways.

We then dive into Kateryn’s marriages, starting with Edward Borough, then John Neville Lord Latimer, King Henry VIII, and finally Thomas Seymour. With each relationship, we get to see Kateryn change from a young teen who was trying to survive to a strong woman who is willing to fight for those she loves and the faith she believes in. We see Kateryn become a stepmother to the Latimer children, Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth, and finally become the mother of her child, Mary Seymour. Adkins chooses to focus on the different elements of Kateryn’s life instead of having a traditional chronological biography, which is a unique take on Kateryn’s story. I will say that because of the format of this book, there was some repetition of different stories and facts in this book.

Overall, I think this was a decent biography about Kateryn Parr. It was easy to read and included actual letters written to and by Kateryn. A loyal wife and stepmother who influenced those around her long after she died. If you want to read a solid biography about this remarkable woman, I suggest you read, “Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife” by Laura Adkins.

Book Review: “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life” by Wendy J. Dunn

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Henry VIII's True DaughterIllegitimate royal children have been known to make an impact on history. Take Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, and Bessie Blount, whom Henry VIII acknowledged as his son. There were discussions about Henry Fitzroy becoming the heir apparent if Henry VIII did not have a legitimate son. But what about the illegitimate children that a king did not acknowledge? What might their lives have been like? The story of Mary Boleyn and her affair with King Henry VIII has been told many times, but the story of her daughter born during that time is lesser known. In her first full-length nonfiction book, “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life,” Wendy J Dunn has taken on the task of discovering the truth of Catherine Carey’s parentage and how it impacted her life.

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I just finished reading Wendy J. Dunn’s novel, “The Light in the Labyrinth” about Catherine Carey, which is the book that inspired her to research and write this biography. I wanted to see if Dunn could write nonfiction as well as she writes historical fiction novels.

Dunn begins her biography by exploring what life was like in Tudor England before diving into the main point of her book, that Catherine Carey and her brother Henry Carey, were the illegitimate children of Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII. This was a point that she made in “The Light in the Labyrinth,” but it is in this biography that Dunn is able to expand on her theories even further, including the theory that Catherine was in the Tower and on the scaffold when her aunt, Anne Boleyn, was executed as a young woman. It is a sad theory, but it might explain why she was so close to her potential half-sister, Elizabeth Tudor.

Dunn shows how Catherine Carey grew up in the shadows of Henry VIII’s court. It is there where she met and fell in love with Francis Knollys, whom she married in April of 1540. As an audience, we get to see Catherine become a mother during the last years of the reign of Henry VIII and Edward VI’s tenure as king. It was during Mary I’s reign that life became dangerous for Catherine, Francis, and their family as they were Puritans, so they fled to Germany for three years. It was not until the reign of her potential half-sister Elizabeth that Catherine returned to court to serve her queen until Catherine died in 1569.

I think Dunn does a great job of combining her knowledge of Catherine Carey with her writing style as a historical fiction novelist. It creates a unique reading experience. I think for a first try at a full-length nonfiction book, it is pretty good. If you want a full-length biography of Catherine Carey that is informative with theories that will make you question what you think you know about the Tudors, I would suggest you read “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life” by Wendy J Dunn.

Book Review: “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye” by Sharon Bennett Connolly

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Nicholaa de la HayeThe year is 1217, and Lincoln Castle is being attacked. King John is dead, and his son Henry III is now king, but chaos still reigns. Noblemen are fighting against each other, and amid this conflict is a woman in her sixties. She is used to the instability of England as she is not only the constable of the castle being besieged, but she has earned the right to be named the first female sheriff of England. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a widow, and someone the Plantagenets could depend on. The name of this remarkable woman is Nicholaa de la Haye, and her unbelievable story is told in Sharon Bennett Connolly’s latest book, “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I remember first hearing the name Nicholaa de la Haye from one of Sharon Bennett Connolly’s other books, “Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England.” I wanted to learn more about this woman, how she gained the trust of King John, and why she was not only a constable of Lincoln Castle but a sheriff for Lincolnshire.

To understand how Nicholaa de la Haye became the constable of Lincoln Castle, we have to explore the origins of the Haye family and their connection to the Plantagenets. Connolly tracks the family back to the Norman Conquest, but the main focus is on the direct family of Richard de la Haye and Matilda de Verdun, Nicholaa’s parents. The Haye family has a legacy and a deep sense of duty to protect the English royal family from invaders or rebels, which passed on to Nicholaa and her sisters as they were their father’s heiresses. With Richard de la Haye’s death, Nicholaa inherited his role as constable of Lincoln Castle.

Nicholaa de la Haye was married twice to William Fitz Erneis and Gerard de Camville, and she had several children. When her husbands were away or had died, Nicholaa could uphold her birthright as a constable. It was not an easy road, but she did have the backing of King John during the First Baron’s War. Connolly takes the time to explore how John became king, his connection with Nicholaa de la Haye, the Magna Carta crisis, and the First Baron’s War. Before his death, King John named Nicholaa the first female sheriff of England in charge of Lincolnshire. Finally, she had to deal with the siege of Lincoln Castle for three months in 1217, which was just a cherry on top of her whole life experience.

A strong, independent woman who lived a thrilling life and was willing to defend her home of Lincoln Castle even at the age of sixty, Nicholaa de la Haye was an unsung heroine of the thirteenth century. Connolly’s passion for telling Nicholaa’s tale of trials and tribulations exudes on every page. “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye” by Sharon Bennett Connolly is the perfect book for anyone who wants a story about the Plantagenets, King John, and the first female sheriff of England. A true triumph in exploring the life of a more hidden figure from the thirteenth century.

Book Review: “Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires” by Sara Cockerill

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eleanor of aquitaineWhen we think of the infamous queens of England, some names come to mind, but one rises to the top for the number of black myths and influence surrounding her name: Eleanor of Aquitaine. The orphaned Duchess of Aquitaine, who married the future King Louis VII of France, went on the Second Crusades with her husband, survived battles and kidnappings, and ended up divorcing her first husband because she couldn’t give a male son. So, she married the young Count of Anjou, who would become the first king of the Plantagenet dynasty, King Henry II, who had a large family and split her time between England and France. Eleanor would eventually side with her sons, rebel against Henry, and spend 15 years in prison. A fire-cracker of a queen, but how many of the stories surrounding the titular queen are true? In her latest biography, “Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires,” Sara Cockerill dives deep into the archives to tell the true story of this much-maligned queen of England and France.

I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed reading books about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and when I heard about this biography, I was fascinated. A few of my history friends have read this book and enjoyed it, so I wanted to see what the hype was about regarding this particular title.

Cockerill begins by showing what myths are typically associated with Eleanor of Aquitaine and how these myths have developed over time. She explains that Eleanor was a much more subdued queen than we imagined her to be and that her dive into the primary sources will show her readers the true Eleanor of Aquitaine. Cockerill then moves into the history of the Duchy of Aquitaine and Eleanor’s family, shaping her into the ruler and mother she would become.

The bulk of this book explores Eleanor of Aquitaine’s married life, first to King Louis VII of France and then to King Henry II of England. As Queen of France, Eleanor had two daughters, went on the Second Crusades, was kidnapped by pirates, and saw numerous battles. Eleanor’s reputation was blackened during the Crusades with the alleged Affair at Antioch. Still, Cockerill takes the time to go through the origins of each myth and show what might have happened according to the primary sources available. With the demise of the marriage of Eleanor and Louis VII, we see how Eleanor met Henry II and how her time as Queen of England was different than her time as Queen of France. We see her relationships with her sons and daughters and how her marriage with Henry went sour.

Most of the primary sources Sara Cockerill explores are charters that Eleanor of Aquitaine worked on as Duchess of Aquitaine and as Queen of France and England. This means it is more academic, and for casual history lovers, it can come across as a bit dry in some places. Overall, I found this a compelling retelling of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s story that gave me a lot to think about her and her time. Suppose you want a new biography that will present a fresh approach to the life and times of Eleanor of Aquitaine. In that case, I highly recommend you read “Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires” by Sara Cockerill.

Book Review: “Matilda: Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England” by Tracy Borman

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MatildaOne of the most critical years in English history was 1066, when William Duke of Normandy invaded England in the Norman Conquest. Known as William the Conqueror, his strength and ruthlessness made him a legend, but William would not have been the Duke or King of England without his equally formidable wife. Matilda of Flanders stood her ground, became the Duchess of Normandy, had a large family with William, and would become the first crowned Queen of England. Although much has been written about William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest, Matilda of Flanders has not received the same attention until now. Tracy Borman has written the first biography dedicated to this remarkable woman entitled, “Matilda: Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England.”

I enjoyed reading her previous book about Henry VIII and the men who made him, and I wanted to read more books by Tracy Borman. When I heard about this book, it drew me in because I did not know much about Matilda of Flanders and her time, so I wanted to learn more.

Matilda of Flanders, the daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders and his wife, Adela, was one of the prominent women in 9th-century Europe. Borman shows how Flanders grew from a lawless society to a significant court that drew the attention of the dukedom of Normandy. Normandy was the home of William, the illegitimate son of Duke Robert I and his mistress Herleva. William shocked Europe when he became his father’s heir as Duke of Normandy and chose Matilda as his wife. To say they had a rocky start was an understatement, but Matilda and William had a large family and solidified Normandy as a powerhouse of Europe.

With the death of Edward the Confessor, William and Matilda saw their opportunity to take a bigger prize, the crown of England. While William had the military know-how to win the crown, it was Matilda who was able to help William with his conquest financially and took care of Normandy while he was taking care of his new kingdom. In return, William had Matilda crowned Queen of England.

However, not everything was perfect for William and Matilda. When their eldest son, Robert Curthose, was fed up with not getting the chance to become the Duke of Normandy as was his birthright, he rebelled, and Matilda decided to support her son over her husband. Matilda was not afraid to speak her mind, even if it felt like she was going beyond what was expected of a woman during that time. Matilda’s death in 1083 impacted the rest of William’s reign as King of England as the king mourned for the woman who could stand toe to toe with the great conqueror.

Borman has taken on the arduous task of telling the tale of Matilda of Flanders, and she absolutely smashes it. This biography is engaging and thought-provoking, revealing who Matilda was when you remove the myths surrounding her life. If you want a delightful biography about the first crowned Queen of England, I highly suggest reading “Matilda: Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England” by Tracy Borman.

Book Review: “Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother” by Gareth Russell

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63140301The House of Windsor has been attracting worldwide attention in recent decades with scandals, deaths, weddings, and the birth of royal children. As living symbols of England, the Windsors are seen as an above-average family with numerous jobs and responsibilities. We know their names; King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Prince (now King) Charles, Princess Diana, and Prince William. We know their stories from the numerous books, tabloids, and documentaries about their lives, but what about their lives when they go home to relax? Gareth Russell peels back the gilded curtain to explore the life of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, lovingly known as the Queen Mother, in his latest biography, “Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.”

This is not my usual area of interest, especially for my blog, but I have always wanted to learn more about the House of Windsor. A few years ago, I read “The King’s Speech” about King George VI, and I wanted to learn more about his wife, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. When Gareth Russell announced that he was writing this biography about the Queen Mother, it sounded enchanting, and I wanted to read it.

This biography is not like your typical biography. It goes in chronological order, but unlike others that include copious details of the person’s life, Russell decided to give his readers a different experience by telling the Queen Mother’s story in 101 vignettes, one for each year of her life. It is a unique and fun way to tell the tale of a member of the royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who lived through both World Wars and saw her husband and daughter become King and Queen of England, respectively.

The short stories of her life as a young Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon were heartfelt and full of personality. I learned some fun facts about her early life, such as George VI had to propose to Elizabeth three separate times until she said yes, to the relief of George’s mother, Queen Mary. Elizabeth had a colorful way of looking at life and was not afraid to speak her mind, especially after a few cocktails or what she would call “drinky-poos.” Her life drastically changed when her brother-in-law Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, leaving the throne to his brother George VI and Elizabeth, the new King and Queen of England.

As Queen of England and later the Queen Mother, we see her tenacity and humorous side emerge as Elizabeth could be herself. She was a lover of life, and even though she had feuds with members of her family, such as Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana, she truly loved and fought for her family until the very end of her long life.

Russell does a magnificent job telling the story of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother thoughtfully and engagingly. The stories included in this book range from utterly hysterical to gut-wrenching, with every other emotion in between. Another masterpiece by Gareth Russell, “Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother,” is the perfect gift for fans of the English Royal Family.

Book Review: “Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France” by Leonie Frieda

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255134When we think about women rulers in the 16th century, some names, like Queen Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots, come to mind. However, another woman should be included in this list as her life helped keep the Valois dynasty alive and well in France, even though she was Italian by birth. Her name has been tainted with dark legends of poisoning, deadly incidents, and the infamous St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. This notorious queen was Catherine de Medici, and Leonie Frieda has chosen to shed some light on the myths and mysteries surrounding this misunderstood woman in her biography, “Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France.”

Catherine de Medici’s life was rough as her parents, Lorenzo II de Medici Duke of Urbino and Madeleine de La Tour d’ Auvergne, died shortly after she was born. A wealthy young heiress who was now an orphan, Catherine’s marriage was vital for the success of her family. The union meant for the young woman was with Henry II of France, the son of Francis I. Catherine fell deeply in love with Henry II. Still, another person in this marriage was Henry II’s mistress Diane de Poitiers. It took a while for Catherine and Henry to have the heirs necessary for their union to prove successful, but they did have ten children, including three sons that would become King of France; Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III.

When her beloved husband, King Henry II, died in a jousting accident, a lance in the eye, Catherine had to step up and protect her family, no matter what. Her first son to be King was Francis II, alongside his Scottish bride, Mary Queen of Scots, but he died after only a year on the throne from a severe earache. Catherine had to act as regent for her third son, King Charles IX, as he was too young to rule independently. Unfortunately, his reign was mired by several wars of religion between Catholics and Protestants. One of the most tumultuous events of his reign occurred in August 1572, known as the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, which left a massive black mark on the legacy of Catherine de Medici for her supposed role in the disaster. After the death of Charles IX, Catherine had to once again act as regent as her fourth and favorite son, Henry III, had to make the journey back to France after being named King of Poland. Catherine de Medici died in 1589, and her favorite son Henry III died a few months later, ending the Valois dynasty and making way for the Bourbon dynasty in France.

In my opinion, I found this book a tad dry in areas, especially concerning the eight wars of religion in France. As someone who doesn’t read much about 16th-century France and its politics, this book was a bit of a challenge for me, and I felt that in some places, Catherine de Medici was more of a side character than the principal character in her biography. I also felt that Frieda focused on the black myth of Catherine de Medici and her supposed evil deeds instead of trying to debunk them.

Overall, I think this was a decent biography. Frieda does have a passion for her subject, and it shows from the political quagmire that she tries to navigate to the fun facts about Catherine and her family. If you know the story of Catherine de Medici and 16th-century France, you might find this book fascinating, but it might be challenging for novices in this area of research. If you want to know more about Catherine de Medici, “Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France” by Leonie Frieda could be the book for you.