Tag: Katherine of Aragon

Book Review: “Henry VIII’s Quest for an Heir: The King’s Great Matter” by Helene Harrison

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The Tudor period in English history was marked by significant change for England and Europe as a whole. Yet, there was one moment that defined the dynasty. For centuries, the Great Matter has been viewed as Henry VIII’s desire to divorce his first wife, Katherine of Aragon, to marry Anne Boleyn. Of course, to get what he wanted, Henry had to fight against the Pope and change England’s religious landscape to do it. But if he just wanted a divorce, why go through so much trouble? The answer has to do with his desire for a son. What if the Great Matter lasted much longer than what is normally told? Helene Harrison explores this topic in great depth in her latest book, “Henry VIII’s Quest for an Heir: The King’s Great Matter.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed Helene Harrison’s previous books, so when I heard she was writing about Henry VIII’s quest for an heir, I wanted to see what new information she would bring to this topic.

When we think of the Great Matter, the period we tend to think about is when Henry VIII asks for a divorce from Katherine of Aragon in 1526, until he finally marries Anne Boleyn in 1533. However, Harrison argues that the Great Matter lasted much longer. She believes that the Great Matter extended from the birth of Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519, to the birth of his legitimate son Edward VI in 1536. In other words, the Great Matter was the quest for a legitimate male heir for King Henry VIII to continue the Tudor dynasty.

So, where does that leave the men and, more importantly, the women who had their lives upended by Henry’s quest for an heir? While the Great Matter was detrimental for men like Thomas Wolsey, it helped elevate men like Thomas Cromwell. Then there are the women who were caught in the middle: Katherine of Aragon, Princess Mary, Anne Boleyn, Princess Elizabeth, and Jane Seymour. The psychological toll that this must have taken on these women was immense, especially when you consider that Henry did not count either marriage to Katherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn as legitimate. Which in turn, meant that Mary and Elizabeth were declared illegitimate. It’s not how things normally work, but Henry was on a mission, and he didn’t care who got hurt. 

This was another brilliant book by Helene Harrison. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the women who were caught in the middle of Henry’s hunt for an heir. I have always thought that the Great Matter ended after Henry married Anne, but the matter was much deeper than that. If you want a book that explores the Great Matter, I highly recommend you read “Henry VIII’s Quest for an Heir: The King’s Great Matter” by Helene Harrison.

Guest Post: “Catalina of Aragon’s Story Before England” by Wendy J. Dunn

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I am pleased to welcome Wendy J. Dunn back to my blog to share a guest post about Catalina of Aragon, also known as Katherine of Aragon, and her story before England for the Spanish release of her novel, “The Duty of Daughters.” I would like to thank Wendy J. Dunn and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to participate in this blog tour. 

She was born in winter, as another year closed on her mother’s Holy War—the crusade that drove the Moors from Spain. The last and fifth child of two reigning monarchs, Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, Catalina of Aragon deeply loved and revered her mother, one of the strongest queens in history. 

In England, later events proved Catalina very much her mother’s daughter. Yet the history-changing measures enforced by Isabel—measures her children witnessed through long seasons of war and conquest, and a land often rent by constant change—were lessons she never forgot. In some ways, she proved herself a wiser and nobler woman than Isabel. 

Her parents signed and sealed her future before her third birthday, agreeing to wed her to another infant: Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, the first-born son of a new English royal family and heir to England’s throne. 

That wasn’t unusual. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, early betrothals were common for princesses. They were pawns for their families, brokered and discarded whenever needed.  

Especially so in Catalina’s case—her parents were gaining a reputation for marrying rather than warring to increase their power base. Their descendants continued this policy, so much so it was said: Bella gerant alii, tu, felix Austria, nube (‘Let others make war, you, fortunate Austria, marry’). 

In modern society, we take for granted the fact that our children are more than likely to reach adulthood. Advances in medical knowledge give us confidence our children will outlive us. We face childbirth knowing the great likelihood of a fortunate outcome. Women no longer ready themselves for the possibility of death when they give birth. Far too many times, childbirth meant death for mother or child in the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries—sometimes both. For people of this time, death was almost a daily companion. Times were hard and living a daily proposition. 

Despite their greater familiarity with death in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, losing loved ones still struck people to the quick. 

When Catalina’s eldest sister, Isabel, lost her husband, Alfonso, Prince of Portugal, in a riding accident, she cut off her hair, locked herself away in a dark room, and refused to eat or sleep. Her parents brought their daughter home, but young Isabel never stopped grieving. 

Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon gave their eldest child five years of widowhood—then made another marriage for her, this time to Alfonso’s kinsman, now Portugal’s king. 

Isabel only went through the motions. She married the king, did her duty by giving him a son, and let go of life. It broke her parents’ hearts when this same baby died in his grandmother’s arms less than two years later. 

When Catalina came to marry Arthur Tudor, she already bore this cross of grief. But her belief in God, and the world to come, kept her moving forward. 

At fifteen, thirteen years after the first negotiations, Catalina journeyed overland from Granada to the seaports of A Coruña. Ships waited there to take her to England, where she would marry Arthur, now also fifteen. 

The dangerous journey across Castile took Catalina months. Her mother, ill and broken by grief, could not bear to accompany her youngest child for any part of it. With her other daughters, she had made a habit of travelling far with them, handing them over to their new lives with joy. But within months, that joy turned to grief. 

By the time her youngest child left her side, death had sliced the number of her living children from five to three. Her only son, Juan, died at nineteen. Loved and doted on, his death cast a dark shadow over all his parents’ hopes for a unified Castile and Aragon.  

Shortly after Juan’s death, Isabel’s eldest child, a daughter also named Isabel, died after giving birth to a son. 

Queen Isabel kept Catalina, her youngest child, by her side as long as she could, giving excuses to the English for all the delays. But the day came when the Queen could delay no more. Catalina left her mother’s arms for the last time in Granada. They both knew they would never see one another again in life. 

Coming to England from Castile meant braving a treacherous sea crossing. Storms forced Catalina’s ships back the first time; the second attempt was worse. After many times blowing Catalina’s ship away from England’s shores, the hurricanes finally managed to bring her safely into an English harbour. One of the first things Katherine (the name we know her best by) did was go to a church and give thanks for surviving. She feared then for her future. Future events proved her right. 

Already, grief had interwoven its dark threads thickly in Katherine of Aragon’s life; in England, this weave continued its criss-cross to the very end. 

Book Title and Author Name: 

The Duty of Daughters  

El Deber de Las Hijas (Spanish version) 

by Wendy J. Dunn 

Blurb: 

Castile, 1490. 

Doña Beatriz Galindo is an uneasy witness to the Holy War of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband, Ferdinand, King of Aragon. A holy war pushing the Moors out of territories ruled by them for centuries. 

Beatriz does not want a life like other women. She desires power over her own destiny. Even if this means walking a far harder road. 

A passionate and respected scholar, Beatriz serves her friend Queen Isabel of Castile as her advisor. She also tutors the queen’s youngest child, Catalina of Aragon. 

Dedicated to Queen Isabel and her children, Beatriz guides the young Catalina of Aragon to walk her own hard life road. 

But can she prepare Catalina to be England’s queen?
 

Buy Links: 

Universal Buy Link – The Duty of Daughters: https://mybook.to/FPS 

Universal Buy Link – El Deber de las Hijas: books2read.com/u/mVoKBA  

Author Bio: 

Award-winning Australian author of Tudor historical fiction, specialising in Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon novels.  

Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian author, playwright and poet fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of her first Anne Boleyn novel narrating the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder. Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their own holdings. It seems likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally. 

Her second novel, The Light in the Labyrinth, set during final days of Anne Boleyn’s life, revisits the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of her niece Catherine Carey. The Duty of Daughters and All Manner of Things tell the story of Katherine of Aragon. Shades of Yellow tells the story of a woman writing a novel about Amy Robsart.  

All Dunn’s award-winning works weave together the lyricism of poetry with the pulse of history, creating stories of love, loss, and the endurance of the human spirit. 

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.wendyjdunn.com/   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyjdunn/  

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

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendyjdunnauthor  

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyjdunn  

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/wendyjdunn  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/197156.Wendy_J_Dunn  

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-wendy-dunn-6358181a/ 

Newsletter: https://wendyjdunn.substack.com/  

Book Review: “Mary Tudor: The Spanish Tudor” by H.F.M. Prescott

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Mary Tudor, the daughter of Katherine of Aragon and King Henry VIII, has been viewed as a villainess for centuries due to her treatment of Protestants. She has unfortunately been given the nickname of “Bloody Mary.” However, if we really take a look at this woman’s life, we will see that it is full of tragedies and the search for love. Who was Mary Tudor, later known as Queen Mary I, the first ruling Queen of England, and why has she been misunderstood for centuries? H.F.M. Prescott explores the life of this much-maligned queen in her biography, “Mary Tudor: The Spanish Tudor.”

This was a used bookstore find for me. When I began studying the Tudors when I was younger, I fell into that category of seeing Mary I as a horrible villainess, but as I have gone on with my adventures into the Tudor dynasty, I have felt more sympathetic towards Mary’s story. I wanted to read a biography about her, so when I saw this thick tome, I decided to give it a try.

Mary Tudor, later Queen Mary I of England, was the only child of Katherine of Aragon and King Henry VIII. Since she was the only legitimate child of Henry VIII at the time, she was named Princess of Wales. Things were going well until Henry decided to divorce Katherine to marry Anne Boleyn. By the time Anne Boleyn had her daughter, Elizabeth, Mary was declared a bastard, separated from her mother, Katherine, forever, and forced to serve her half-sister. The humiliation as she was forced to submit to her father’s authority as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Only after she submitted to her father was she able to return to his favor for a bit, and Mary and Elizabeth were returned to the line of Succession until he died in 1547.

Mary’s younger half-brother, Edward, was now King, which meant that he could bring forth a more Protestant-leaning government, putting Mary, a devout Catholic, in a dangerous predicament. Mary thought about running away, but she ultimately decided to stay and wait it out because she believed that she would be queen after Edward died. She was right, but it took a few days to figure it out as Edward chose Lady Jane Grey to be the next queen. Eventually, Mary did become the first ruling Queen of England, but she soon learned that just because she wore the crown did not mean she would gain the love she so wanted. She fought for her religion, the love of her husband, Philip II of Spain, and the child she would never have. In the end, Mary’s life and legacy were tarnished for centuries, which is a sad conclusion to such a tragic tale.

Prescott does a great job telling Mary’s story with a more sympathetic look. While I did enjoy this biography, I wish we had a bit more about Mary’s reign, as it felt a bit rushed compared to the rest of the biography. I also wish she had provided translations of the Latin texts she had within the biography for those of us who are not familiar with Latin. Overall, I found this biography informative and well-researched. If you want a solid biography about Queen Mary I, I recommend you read “Mary Tudor: The Spanish Tudor” by H.F.M. Prescott.

Book Review: “The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens” by Nicola Clark

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When we think about queens of the Tudor dynasties, we often think about films and dramas that show the queen with a gaggle of girls following behind, gossiping, and just being best friends with their queen. However, things on TV and on the screen are not always truthful. The ladies-in-waiting during the Tudor dynasty lived on a tightrope on whether to live their truths or to stay neutral and silent. For centuries, these women tended to be in the shadows of those whom they served, until now. Nicola Clark, in her debut book, “The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens,” tells the stories of these hidden figures of Tudor history.

I have been following Nicola Clark on social media and her research. When I heard that she was writing a book about the ladies-in-waiting for the Tudor queens, I was intrigued. I wanted to see what new information Clark could provide to the study of the Tudor court.

Clark has decided to focus on the ladies-in-waiting during the reign of the six wives of Henry VIII. While there were numerous ladies-in-waiting during Henry’s 36-year reign, Clark has made a conscious decision to focus on a select few of the women who served. She has chosen seven women to highlight: Maria de Salinas, Lady Willoughby, Elizabeth Stafford, Duchess of Norfolk, Mary Howard, Duchess of Richmond, Gertrude Blount, Marchioness of Exeter, Jane Parker, Viscountess Rochford, Anne Basset, and Katherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk. Some of these figures, such as Maria de Salinas, Jane Parker, and Katherine Willoughby, are relatively familiar to average Tudor fans; however, including other women from different levels of service, from novices to more experienced ladies, adds depth to this area of study.

Clark shows us as readers what life was like for a lady-in-waiting, what they would deal with daily at court, and how, after they got married, home life was like. We get to see how they navigated an ever-changing world, from switching between queens quickly to figuring out what they were willing to sacrifice for their position and their families, as well as discovering whether their faith was strong enough to survive the dynasty. It was all a matter of time and patience.

 I found this an enjoyable read with stories about women who were often on the sidelines. Clark shed light on more obscure Tudors, and I think it gave more dimension to the tumultuous Tudor court. I am curious what Clark will write about next. If you want to learn more about the ladies-in-waiting for the wives of Henry VIII, I recommend you read “The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens” by Nicola Clark.

Book Review: “Bring Up the Bodies” by Hilary Mantel

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The year is 1535, and Henry VIII is growing bored with his current wife, Anne Boleyn. His eyes are wandering yet again, and this time his sights are set on Jane Seymour. Anne Boleyn had failed to give him his desired son, so Henry decided that it was only fitting for his right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell, to take down a queen. It’s Cromwell’s biggest challenge yet, but it could also become Cromwell’s defining moment. Hilary Mantel explores the pivotal months that pitted Cromwell against the Boleyns in her second book in the Wolf Hall trilogy, called “Bring Up the Bodies.”

Although the first book in the series, “Wolf Hall,” was a challenging read, I still wanted to continue reading the series. We all know Thomas Cromwell’s story, but since I started the Mantel retelling of his life, I wanted to see how she will handle the fall of Anne Boleyn.

We pick up where we left off in the first book, at Wolf Hall in 1535, where Henry VIII meets Jane Seymour and her family. The King is tired of Anne Boleyn, even though she is pregnant with what is hopefully Henry’s heir. Once they get back from Wolf Hall, rumors begin to spread about Anne’s infidelity while Cromwell is working on the dissolution of the monasteries. Anne has alienated so many people at court that they wonder if it’s time for a change and if perhaps Henry will take back Katherine of Aragon.

But it is too little too late. Katherine of Aragon will pass away without seeing her daughter, Mary. Anne believes that she is safe; however, fortune’s wheel is always turning. A jousting accident will rock the court and change the trajectory of Anne’s life forever. After Anne suffers a miscarriage, Henry decides now is the time to send in Cromwell to bring down the queen. We get the opportunity to see the downfall of Anne Boleyn and the men around her through the eyes of the man who brought about her fall from grace and her untimely death.

I enjoyed this novel more than Wolf Hall because there was that sense of drama and danger. We see Cromwell at his most impactful moment, but we also see that he is not some monster, but a human who was following orders. Mantel’s writing style may still be a bit difficult, but I felt this one was easier to follow along with than the first book. I cannot wait to see how Mantel will finish this trilogy. If you want to continue the Wolf Hall trilogy and see how the Cromwell/ Boleyn feud ends, I highly recommend you read “Bring Up the Bodies” by Hilary Mantel.

Book Review: “Thomas More: A Life” by Joanne Paul

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The year is 1535, and an educated scholar, father, writer, and the former Chancellor of England marches to his demise. His crime was staying silent on an issue that the King deemed extremely important: the idea that the King of England should be the Supreme Head of the Church of England, not the Pope. As a Catholic, Sir Thomas More does not agree with this decree and must die. How did one of the most prominent Tudor scholars of his age fall so quickly? Joanne Paul explores the rise and dramatic fall of this infamous Tudor figure in her latest biography, “Thomas More: A Life.”

Joanne Paul is slowly becoming one of my favorite nonfiction writers. Her debut, “The House of Dudley,” was spectacular, and when I heard that she was writing a biography about Thomas More, I knew I wanted to read it. I know the basic information about Thomas More’s life and his books about the Wars of the Roses and Utopia, but I wanted a book that gives more details about his life.

Thomas More was the son of the lawyer John More and his wife Agnes, born in 1478. A child of the Wars of the Roses, the shifting sands of the political landscape of his youth will prepare him for the tumultuous Tudor court of his adulthood. While he recalls the reign of King Richard III in his book about the period, it should be noted that he was a boy during the king’s reign. 

Thomas became a scholar who specialized in Humanism and created a community of like-minded scholars and artists, including men like Desiderius Erasmus. Thomas More would marry twice, to Jane Colt, the mother of his children, Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily, and John, and Alice Harpur. He would ensure that all his children received a proper Humanist education, and his children, especially Margaret, were praised for their scholarly abilities. He would begin to write like he was running out of time and create one of his most famous works about politics, Utopia, as well as go toe to toe against Martin Luther himself. 

 More would continue his academic pursuits, even when he captured the attention of King Henry VIII, who would appoint him Chancellor of England. While a great honor, Thomas did not agree with the King on the Great Matter as he believed Queen Katherine of Aragon was the rightful wife of King Henry VIII. He would persecute those whom he deemed as heretics as a devout Catholic man, and it was ultimately his faith that would lead to his earthly doom. When Henry VIII decided that he wanted his people to swear an oath that Henry VIII was the Supreme Head of the Church of England instead of the Pope. As a devout Catholic, Thomas More’s silence was deafening, and he was condemned as a traitor to the crown, destined to be executed.

Even though Thomas More was a controversial figure of the Tudor era for Ricardians and Protestants alike, we in the modern age can learn a lot from his life and apply it to our own time. Paul does it again, as this is a stunning biography of a man who was a scholar and an outspoken Catholic in a time when the King’s power was becoming dangerous.  The way she weaves the historical facts, including More’s numerous pieces of writing, with a narrative that is easy to follow is astounding. Truly, this is the definitive biography on Sir Thomas More. If you want a fabulous biography on such an infamous figure of the Tudor age, I highly recommend you read “Thomas More: A Life” by Joanne Paul.

Book Review: “The Cardinal” by Alison Weir

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During the reign of King Henry VIII, the king would elevate well-qualified men to positions of power and prestige. We all know the story of Thomas Cromwell, but it is his mentor, Sir Thomas Wolsey, whose story shows how one can rise from humble beginnings, but whose fate is ultimately tied to the mood of the monarch. The son of a butcher turned scholar who became a priest, a lover, a father, and the closest advisor to the king. His life, his loves, his successes, and his struggles are told in Alison Weir’s latest novel, “The Cardinal.”

I would like to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I am a fan of Weir’s novel, so when I saw her writing a new one about Sir Thomas Wolsey, I knew I wanted to read it. Wolsey is someone who tends to be a side character, so to have a novel dedicated to his life was an exciting idea.

Weir begins her story with Thomas (known in this novel as Tom) at the age of 11, going to school. His father, Robert Wolsey, is a butcher from Ipswich who wants his son to climb the social ladder in the church. Tom will eventually rise to the level of becoming King Henry VII’s chaplain and will begin working with King Henry VIII. Life for Tom is thrilling with the twists and turns of court life, but the one thing that is missing in his life is someone to share it with. Since he is a member of the church, he cannot marry or have his own family, but things change for Tom when he meets Joan Larke. Their love for each other is genuine, even though it is taboo in the eyes of the church and King Henry VIII, which comes across as quite hypocritical.

It was under King Henry VIII that Tom’s star rose to remarkable heights. He became a Cardinal, was the King’s right-hand man and best friend, and was able to create the architectural marvel of Hampton Court Palace. But his rise in prominence came with a cost. Tom must help the king navigate not only international affairs, such as the Field of Cloth of Gold, but also more personal matters, such as the divorce of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, which would become known as The Great Matter. Tom would have many enemies at court, including Anne Boleyn, the future wife of King Henry VIII, who would ultimately lead to Tom’s fall from grace.

This is such an engrossing novel about one of the most complex figures of the Tudor dynasty. Thomas Wolsey’s story shows the struggle of fighting for those you love over the ambitions and prestige of the glittering court life. If you want an excellent novel about one of Henry VIII’s closest advisors and his life, I would highly recommend you read “The Cardinal” by Alison Weir.

Guest Post: “Snippet from ‘The Duty of Daughters’ by Wendy J. Dunn

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I am pleased to welcome Wendy J. Dunn to my blog today to share a snippet from her novel “The Duty of Daughters” as part of the blog tour for her omnibus “Falling Pomegranate Seeds Duology.” I would like to thank Wendy J. Dunn and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to be part of this blog tour.

Snippet:

“Josefa, you mistake my meaning.” Beatriz stared at the coverlet of Josefa’s bed. “All of us must walk our own roads, but ’tis wrong to prevent women from walking so many roads just because we’re women. Even Plato said, ‘Nothing can be more absurd than the practice of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half.’ I so agree. Our world cuts off its nose to spite its own face by insisting the only purpose for women is to bear children and perpetuate the human race, as also said Plato. Surely ’tis far too hard a view to forever blame women for Eve’s sin.”

Blurb: 

In the Falling Pomegranate Seeds Duology, readers are transported to the rich historical tapestry of 15th and 16th-century Europe, where the lives of remarkable women unfold against the backdrop of political upheaval and personal struggles.  

In the first book, beginning in 1490, Castile, Doña Beatriz Galindo, a passionate and respected scholar, serves as an advisor to Queen Isabel of Castile. Beatriz yearns for a life beyond the constraints imposed on women, desiring to control her own destiny. As she witnesses the Holy War led by Queen Isabel and her husband, King Ferdinand of Aragon, Beatriz dedicates herself to guiding Queen Isabel’s youngest child, Catalina of Aragon, on her own path. Beatriz’s role as a tutor and advisor becomes instrumental in shaping Catalina’s future as she prepares to become England’s queen.  

Fast forward to the winter of 1539 in the second book, where María de Salinas, a dear friend and cousin of Catalina (now known as Katherine of Aragon), pens a heartfelt letter to her daughter, the Duchess of Suffolk. Unable to make the journey from her London home due to illness, María shares her life story, intricately woven with her experiences alongside Catalina. Their friendship has endured through exile and tumultuous times. María seeks to shed light for her daughter on the choices she has made in a story exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, hatred, and forgiveness. Through María’s narrative, the eternal question Will love ultimately triumph? 

Buy Link: 

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bax5n6  

Author Bio: 

Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so, she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder.  

Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their own holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally. 

Author Links: 

Website: www.wendyjdunn.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyjdunn 

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@wendyjdunnauthor  

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/wendy-j-dunn  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004FRTZFA  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/197156.Wendy_J_Dunn

Book Review: “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem’” by Heather R. Darsie

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We all know the gist of the tragic tale of Katharine of Aragon. A Spanish princess who was brought to England to marry the heir of the Tudor throne, Prince Arthur Tudor. When the prince died mere months after their wedding day, Katharine was left in limbo and desolate as the Kings of Spain and England bickered over her dowry. Eventually, she would marry King Henry VIII, was his wife for over twenty years, and have numerous miscarriages before Henry decided to divorce her and marry Anne Boleyn. We know how Katharine’s story ends, but how did the stories of her Trastamara family influence her life and her reign as Queen of England? Heather R. Darsie explores Katharine’s Spanish origins in her latest book, “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem.’”

I would like to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed Darsie’s books, “Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister” and “Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings.” While her previous books focus on German history and sources, Darsie decided to shift her attention to Spain with this particular book. I was curious how much new information and insight Darsie would provide about Katharine’s life.

Darsie begins by having lovely family trees and a timeline listing the numerous figures that will be covered in this book, because as stated before, this book covers the origins of Katharine of Aragon’s family, the Trastamaras. The book is broken down into three sections. The first focuses on the Trastamaras and the history of the crowns of Castile and Leon and Aragon, culminating with Katharine’s parents, Isabella I of Castile and Leon, and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The second focuses on Katharine’s early life, how she became the bride of Prince Arthur Tudor of England, and how his death affected Katharine. Finally, part three explores Katharine of Aragon’s life as queen consort of King Henry VIII.

To me, the true highlight of this book is the exploration of the Trastamara family tree. While I do know a bit about the origins of Isabella I of Castile and Leon from a book I just read on her life, I did not know the origins of the family. Starting with the origins of both the elected composite crown of Aragon and the inherited composite monarchy of Castile and Leon, we see how the Trastamara dynasty started like the Tudor dynasty. It was a dynasty full of drama, civil wars, a member who married a corpse, a king who died due to alcohol burns, and many mistresses. It is through these stories that you can see where Katharine of Aragon and her daughter Mary I got their strength and determination to keep on fighting for what they believed in, even when the odds were very much against them.

This is yet another triumph by Darsie. It is extremely informative, meticulously researched, and easy to read. It gives the reader a better understanding of not only Spanish royalty and its complexity, but also a better appreciation of Katharine of Aragon. If you want an excellent book exploring the life of King Henry VIII’s first wife from a different perspective, I highly recommend you read “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem’” by Heather R. Darsie.

Book Review: “Holbein: The Ambassadors” by Tracy Borman

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Do you have a favorite painting? One that grabs your attention whenever you look at it and discover something new. Most paintings are from da Vinci, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, or Michelangelo, just to name a few. However, there is one artist that I feel doesn’t get a whole lot of attention unless you study the 16th century: Hans Holbein the Younger. While Holbein is known for his single portraits, his double portrait, known as The Ambassadors, is stunning to look at and is filled with symbolism. Tracy Borman, in collaboration with the National Gallery, has written a short book about this remarkable painting entitled “Holbein: The Ambassadors.”

Since this is a small book (less than a hundred pages), I will keep this review brief. The Ambassadors is a painting most likely commissioned in 1533 by Hans Holbein the Younger. For years, the identity of the sitters has been debated, but they were finally identified as Jean de Dinteville, the French ambassador to England, and Georges de Selve, ambassador to Emperor Charles V. At the time of the painting of this double portrait, England was in the midst of the Great Matter, the divorce of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, so a few elements are alluding to the changes happening in Europe during this time, which Borman explores in depth. She also explores the life of “the King’s Painter” Hans Holbein the Younger and how you can see his distinct style in this piece. Finally, Borman also explores how the painting was kept for centuries, as well as the research that was conducted on it, and the preservation processes that the National Gallery

This was a fun and informative little book about one of my favorite paintings. It gave me a new appreciation for Holbein and this stunning painting. If you want a book about a piece of art from the 16th century, you should check out “Holbein: The Ambassadors” by Tracy Borman.