Tag: Mary I

Book Review: “Sisters of Treason” by Elizabeth Fremantle

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Sisters of TreasonThose born of royal blood are either blessed by being able to sit on the throne or cursed to be under intense scrutiny for fears of treason. That is the case for the Grey sisters. Jane, Katherine, and Mary were the daughters of Henry and Frances Grey and the granddaughters of Mary and Charles Brandon. Their bloodline made them cousins to Mary I and Elizabeth I, which meant they threatened the two queens, especially when Edward VI named Lady Jane Grey his heir. After Mary I executes Jane and their father Henry for treason, the remaining Grey sisters, Katherine and Mary, must survive the treacherous Tudor court or end up like their sister. Can Katherine and Mary survive in a court where their royal blood leaves a target on their backs? Elizabeth Fremantle tells the tale of the lesser-known Grey sisters in her novel, “Sisters of Treason.”

A few years ago, I read the first book in The Tudor Trilogy by Elizabeth Fremantle called, “Queen’s Gambit: A Novel of Katherine Parr,” and I adored it. I have always been fascinated with Tudor heroines that do not get enough attention. I feel like Katherine and Mary Grey fit that bill and another woman Fremantle included in this novel, Levina Teerlinc. When I read the description of this book, I knew I would enjoy it.

We begin with the tragic execution of Lady Jane Grey as her mother Frances and Levina Teerlinc, a family friend, watch in horror in the middle of the crowd. They know they cannot save her, but they can protect her sisters from the same grisly fate by keeping a close eye on them from themselves and the schemes of others. Mary Grey can keep herself from major scandals and close to her cousins because of her misshapen body. She knows that she cannot threaten the house of Tudor because she cannot have children. On the other hand, Katherine Grey only cares about love and having her own family; she does not care about the consequences that she may have to deal with if she marries without the queen’s permission.

While Mary Grey is a constant companion for Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, Katherine is on the outside looking in, wanting her own life and to marry Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford. Eventually, they marry secretly, much to the chagrin of Queen Elizabeth I. Katherine and Hertford suffer the consequences of their love match by spending time in the Tower. Mary on the other hand knows her duty to the throne and how it is important to keep her family safe from the Tudor queens’ ire, even when she falls in love with Thomas Keyes. We also have the perspective of the artist Levina Teerlinc, a family friend of the Greys and a surrogate mother to Katherine and Mary after the death of Frances. The Greys and Teerlinc must also navigate the ever-changing religious world as they are reformers when Catholicism battles it out with Protestantism.

This is yet another sublime novel by Elizabeth Fremantle. It is full of tension, intrigue, romance, and love for one’s family, whether a friend as close as a mother or the bonds of blood. Even though I knew how the stories of Katherine and Mary Grey played out, it was still a thrilling read, especially with the addition of Levina Teerlinc. I have loved every novel that I have read by Fremantle so far and I look forward to reading more. If you want an excellent novel about the Grey sisters, I highly recommend you read “Sisters of Treason” by Elizabeth Fremantle.

Book Review: “The Passionate Tudor: A Novel of Queen Mary I” by Alison Weir

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The Passionate TudorA king’s eldest child is usually the next in line to inherit the throne and become the next ruler. At least that is how the line of succession is supposed to work if the heir is male. Mary I knew this better than anyone. As the eldest daughter of King Henry VIII, she knew that once her mother Katherine of Aragon had a son, Mary would become a pawn in the marriage game. She was willing to accept this fate until her father fell in love with Anne Boleyn. Mary is declared a bastard and must fight for her inheritance and the crown of England while maintaining her Catholic faith. Alison Weir tells the tale of this remarkable woman, from her tumultuous childhood to her short reign that marked her legacy, in her latest novel, “The Passionate Tudor: A Novel of Queen Mary I.”

I would like to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed the previous novels in The Tudor Rose trilogy by Alison Weir about Elizabeth of York and King Henry VIII, so when I heard she was writing a book about Mary I, I knew I wanted to read it. Mary I is one of those figures who shows how devastating it can be to be close to the throne and the hard decisions one makes when king or queen of a country.

Weir began her novel with Mary at the age of nine in 1525. She is her parent’s pride and joy as she is their only child. Her mother Katherine of Aragon is arranging an advantageous marriage for Mary that would create a strong alliance for England. Not even the birth of her half-brother Henry Fitzroy could dampen Mary Tudor’s spirits. However, that all changed when Anne Boleyn entered the picture and the Great Matter was made public. Katherine of Aragon is no longer queen, Anne Boleyn is Mary’s stepmother, and Mary is now declared a bastard in favor of her half-sister Elizabeth Tudor.

Mary’s life after the birth of Elizabeth Tudor begins to become even more tragic. Her mother Katherine of Aragon dies before she can see her daughter again and Anne Boleyn is executed for treason soon afterwards. Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour, has his desired male heir Edward VI, before Jane tragically dies quickly. As the Supreme Head of the Church of England, Henry wants his daughter Mary, a devout Catholic, to submit to his will, which she ultimately does. We also get to see how Mary interacted with her other stepmothers, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Katherine Parr, until the death of her father Henry VIII. Before he died, Henry VIII revised his Act of Succession, making Mary Edward’s heir if he did not have children. However, Edward VI has his idea for who will succeed him after he dies and he names Lady Jane Grey as his heir, although that plan does not last long and Mary is proclaimed the first queen of England to rule on her own.

Weir shows Mary’s life and reign in a very sympathetic way. Even though she does still give her the nickname “Bloody Mary”, we can see a woman who is concerned about the faith of her kingdom and the well-being of her family, especially Edward, Prince Philip her husband, and Elizabeth, who she argues with on matters that matter to her. It is such a tragedy that Mary never had a child that she desperately wanted to have as she suffered through phantom pregnancies. At the end of the day, whether it was matters of faith or family, Mary was someone who was passionate and someone who desired to be loved.

This is a delightful novel about a woman who has often been vilified but maybe we should have sympathy for everything she had to endure starting at a young age. I enjoyed this novel very much and I look forward to the next novel by Weir. If you have enjoyed the previous books in the Tudor Rose trilogy or you just want a different take on Mary I’s story, I highly suggest you read, “The Passionate Tudor: A Novel of Queen Mary I” by Alison Weir.

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: “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd

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TudorsThe royal dynasties of English history are some of the most popular in European history. We have the Normans, the Angevins, the Plantagenets, who occupied the throne for 300 years, the Scottish Stuarts who saw religious change and political upheaval, the haughty Hanovers, and the current Windsor dynasty. However, one dynasty that has captured the imagination of history nerds for centuries has been the tumultuous Tudors. In book two of Peter Ackroyd’s “The History of England: Tudors,” he explores the stories that made the Tudor dynasty so infamous.

I saw this book at a used bookstore and picked it up. I just read the previous book in this series, “Foundation” and wanted to see how Ackroyd would tackle the tricky Tudors.

Ackroyd, unfortunately, does not start with the patriarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, instead, he starts with his infamous second son, Henry VIII, and his coronation. Ackroyd did include a bit of information about Henry VII’s reign in his previous volume, but I think it would have made much more sense to have included his story in this book to show the dynasty from beginning to end. When it comes to the reign of Henry VIII, his martial affairs take a backseat to the more religious and political aspects of his reign. The theme of religious changes goes throughout this book as Ackroyd explores the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, the children of Henry VIII.

While I did find some of the facts in this book informative, I did have issues with this book. When it comes to the characterization of the women in this book, especially Mary I, it felt like a repetition of some of the old tropes (like Bloody Mary). There were also stories and dialogue that Ackroyd had included that felt similar to historical fiction rather than historical facts, which was a bit distracting, especially for a chronicle.

Overall, I felt like this book was just okay, but quite a bit of the information presented in this book could be disproven with the latest research about the Tudors (of course this book is over 10 years old). I think this is a fine introductory book to the Tudor dynasty and the religious changes that happened during the 16th century in England. If this sounds intriguing to you or if you have read “Foundation,” “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd might be something you would be interested in reading.

Book Review: “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell

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The PalaceWhen we think of old homes, we often think of the phrase, “If walls could talk,” because the true treasure of any home is not the floorboards or the walls, but rather the stories of those who lived inside its walls. Take, for example, Hampton Court Palace in England. A home for over 500 years that has seen many architectural and artistic changes in its hallowed halls, but it is the stories of those who stayed for brief periods that truly make this palace spectacular. Stories full of salacious scandals, religious implications, and revelations that would shake England to its core through revolutions. Hampton Court Palace has been the center of English court drama for centuries and finally, these tantalizing tales are being told in a truly remarkable book, “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell.

I would like to thank Gareth Russell and Atria Books/Simon and Schuster, for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed Russell’s previous biographies about The Queen Mother and Catherine Howard, so when I heard that he was writing a new book about Hampton Court Palace, I knew I wanted to read it.

Russell structures this book similarly to how he structured, “Do Let’s Have Another Drink” in that each chapter is a different tale from this palace’s half a century of history, which is a ton of historical fun to explore. He starts with a story of a ball attended by Elizabeth Windsor, soon to be Queen Elizabeth II, a few days before her coronation in 1953. Full of glitz and glamor, we soon transition to the origins of the land that Hampton Court Palace resides on and how the palace came to be after its humble beginnings as an estate for the Knights Hospitaller. It was not until the Wars of the Roses that the manor gained prominence under a favorite of Henry VII, Giles Daubeney, 1st Baron Daubeney.

By understanding how this phenomenal manor became a palatial palace, we can appreciate the stories that are the bulk of this book. Russell takes his readers through 500 years of English royal history, starting with the tumultuous Tudors, moving to the saucy Stuarts, the haughty Hanovers, the gossiping Georgians, and finishing with the worldly Windsors. Each chapter focuses on one character from each dynasty and one room of the palace.

While I was relatively well aware of the Tudor tales of Cardinal Wolsey, Catherine Howard’s run down the Haunted Gallery, and Mary I’s phantom pregnancies, it was the other dynasties that drew me into an engrossing book. The Stuarts especially shocked me with the colorful cast of characters who ranged from King James I with the King James Bible, Charles II and his many mistresses, and Oliver Cromwell. Russell shows the tragic moments, which included the death of several queens of England, the chaotic period known as the English Civil Wars, the creation of “The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior,” and the story of The Grand Duchess Xenia, the last living sister of Tsar Nicholas II. There are also stories full of art, scientific research, love, humor, and even chocolate and court life.

Russell’s narrative style of writing combined with his meticulous research has created another smash hit. I could not put this book down and I was very sad when I finished reading it, I did not want it to end. I don’t want to spoil much about this book, but it is my new favorite book by Gareth Russell. If you want a book full of fascinating history that you can binge-read, I highly suggest you read, “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell.

Book Review: “How to Survive in Tudor England” by Toni Mount

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How to Survive in Tudor EnglandTime travel is a dream for history and science fiction nerds alike. To be able to go to a different period in history to witness major events sounds like it would be tons of fun, but it can also be treacherous if you do not know the era well. What should you wear? Where would you live? What would your occupation be and what should you eat? If you are invited to court, how do you navigate the crazy court intrigue and the ever-changing religious dilemma? Toni Mount has created the ideal book for those who wish to travel to the 16th century called, “How to Survive in Tudor England.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have read Mount’s medieval books, both her nonfiction and a few of her Sebastian Foxley murder mystery novels, but when I heard that she was writing a nonfiction book about the Tudor dynasty, I was fascinated to see how she would tackle the period.

Mount begins by exploring the origins of the Tudor dynasty and how they came into power through a little conflict that we know today as the Wars of the Roses. As this is an area of expertise for Mount, I think she did a great job condensing the conflict, which included a quick interview with King Richard III, for those who are being introduced to the Tudors.

The bulk of this book focuses on different aspects of life in 16th century England and how a time traveler could use this information for their benefit while traveling. Starting with the ever-important Tudor social structure, Mount shows how drastically different the levels of the hierarchy were, from the poor beggars who relied on the church to the lords and ladies of the court. We are introduced to Tudor education and the English scholars in the field of science, careers for those who did not receive a higher education, as well as the constant religious struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism.

From spies, traveling, and decoding ciphers to dresses, dining, and what to do in your downtime, Mount covers quite a range of topics in an easy-to-follow travel guide. However, my absolute favorite aspect of this book was the fictional interviews Mount included. She does not stick with the Tudors that everyone knows but rather includes lesser-known figures like Thomas “The Rackmaster” Norton, Christopher Kit Marlowe, and the scientist Thomas Digges. These interviews added context and a bit of levity in some rather dark subjects.

As a historical time travel guide, I found this book informative and fun. If you do indeed get the chance to travel back to the Tudor era, or you just want to know a bit more about life in Tudor England, “How to Survive in Tudor England” by Toni Mount is a book you should have on your shelf as a go-to guide.

Book Review: “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant” by Robert Hutchinson

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The Last Days of Henry VIII

King Henry VIII, who ruled as a tyrant for almost 40 years, is dying. He caused mayhem and mischief by marrying six wives, killing two of them, with the dissolution of the monasteries, the creation of the Church of England, and his international policies. In short, it was a hot mess towards the end of his reign. So how did the last few months of King Henry VIII play out and how was he honored by those closest to the throne? Robert Hutchinson takes an in-depth look into this tumultuous period in history in his book, “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant.”

I found this particular book in a used bookstore one day and decided to try it. I have heard of Robert Hutchinson, but I have never read any of his books. 

Hutchinson begins with the day that King Henry VIII breathed his last breath on January 28, 1547. He is no longer the glamorous Renaissance prince, but rather he is a hugely obese man with festering wounds on his legs. The years have taken their toll on the king, but no one feels sympathy for the man. He has made so many around him live in abject terror for decades. Now, it is time for a fresh start with the reign of King Edward VI, his beloved son.

We then jump back in time so that Hutchinson can show his readers exactly why King Henry VIII was feared towards the end of his life. He starts with the last three marriages of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. The way that Hutchinson characterized Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard in this book irked me quite a bit, even though I know this book is older and there is new research about both queens that contradicts Hutchinson’s perspective. 

Multiple marriages were not the only concern during the last years of Henry VIII’s life as he had to deal with heretics, international politics, and how the country should be run after his death. What I found truly fascinating about this book is the sources that Hutchinson used to tell the tale of the last years of Henry VIII’s life. They show how chaotically terrifying Henry’s court was towards the end. Hutchinson shows how the ambitious men around Edward VI tried to take control, but failed miserably as Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I ruled with just as much vigor as their powerful father. Finally, we see what happened to Henry VIII’s earthly remains and why his marvelous tomb vanished, leaving a simple marker to indicate where he and his beloved Jane Seymour were buried. 

Hutchinson does his due diligence to show how maniacal Henry VIII was, especially towards the end of his life. He does not mince words in his opinions about Henry and his court, which I may not agree with completely, but he makes strong arguments for his opinions. Overall, a very well-written and informative book. If you want a book that explores the final years of the infamous king, I would suggest you check out, “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant” by Robert Hutchinson.

Book Review: “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget” by Alex Anglesey

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The Great SurvivorRulers cannot govern alone. They require a team of men and women behind them to operate as a cohesive unit. The same can be said for rulers during the Tudor dynasty. We know the stories of men like Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell, two men who rose through the ranks to prominent seats of power to ultimately have disastrous falls from grace. However, there was a third Tudor politician who should be in this discussion about rags-to-riches stories. He was the son of a common merchant who went to serve most of the Tudor monarchs as an advisor. Conspiracies and rebellions kept him on his toes, but he ultimately survived the Tudor dynasty, which was a difficult thing to achieve. His name was Lord William Paget and his story is told by his descendant Alex Anglesey in his debut book, “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard the name William Paget in previous books that I have read about the Tudors, but he is one of those figures that felt like a footnote to me. When I heard that there was going to be a biography about Paget, I wanted to read it and learn more about this Tudor politician.

Alex Anglesey, the current Marquess of Anglesey, tells the story of how when he was a child living in the family home of Plas Newydd. Anglesey was able to use family letters to piece together the story of his ancestor, William Paget, a man of low status who rose through the ranks and served four Tudor monarchs.

The beginning of Paget’s international political career was traveling all across Europe to convince other European countries to accept the Great Matter. During this time, William married Anne Preston and they had nine children. He was the secretary for both Queen Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves, and he witnessed the dissolution of the monasteries before making his way into the Privy Council as a clerk.

Paget’s first major role was as the English ambassador to France during the reign of King Francis I and gave news to the king about the downfall of Katherine Howard, but it did not last long as he was needed back in England to become Secretary of State. He was King Henry VIII’s private secretary towards the end of his life and helped craft Henry’s last will and testament. After siding with Edward Seymour during the reign of Edward VI, William barely survived a stay in the Tower of London, but he did. During Mary I’s reign, he helped organize the marriage between Mary I and Philip and witnessed the infamous burnings of Protestants. Paget only saw a few years of Elizabeth’s reign before he passed away.

Anglesey shows how Paget and his family were able to survive the Tudor dynasty by staying neutral on matters like religion while still promoting peace. I did find this book a bit dry in places and some of the references to the modern age felt a bit out of place. Overall, it was informative and not a bad read for a debut book. If you want to learn more about a lesser-known political figure who lived during the Tudor dynasty, I suggest you read, “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget” by Alex Anglesey.

Book Review: “How to Dress Like a Tudor” by Judith Arnopp

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How to dress like a TudorHave you ever watched a historical drama and wondered what it might have been like to wear the outfits for that period? You see so many reenactment groups online and you are envious of their talents for being able to bring clothing from the past, especially clothes from the 16th century, to life in the modern age. What might it have been like to dress like a lord or a lady? What about a commoner or a monk? How did fashion change throughout the Tudor dynasty? Judith Arnopp answers all of these questions and more in her latest book, “How to Dress Like a Tudor.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am not usually one who has an interest in fashion, but historical fashion and its evolution is an area that does pique my interest. When I heard that there was going to be a book about Tudor fashion by Judith Arnopp, I jumped at the opportunity to read it.

Arnopp begins by explaining how the Tudor dynasty marked a big change when it came to fashion and the sumptuary laws that determined what people could and could not wear according to their social status. We see how different the clothing styles were during the reign of Henry VII compared to his over-the-top son Henry VIII and how Edward VI acted like his father in portraitures. Mary I paved the way for what it meant to be a female ruler in England, but it was Elizabeth I who exemplified the importance of iconography and one’s legacy through fashion and portraits.

The bulk of this book focuses on the individual clothing items for each gender, age, and social status in Tudor England. We begin with Tudor women and their garments, the type of materials that would be used to create the garments, and what colors and different flowers symbolized. Arnopp explores menswear, including the infamous codpiece in both court dress and on the battlefield. We see how the typical court dress differs from how children and clergy dress every single day. Finally, Arnopp shares her tips as an experienced reenactor to help novices get into the field of reenactments.

Overall, I found this book rather enjoyable and an easy-to-understand guide to 16th-century English fashion. I would read novels about the Tudor era and I would get confused about the individual garments, so this helped me with the terminology. The part that was a little flat for me was the practical element where Arnopp would describe step by step how to make each garment. I am not versed in sewing terminology so it was a bit hard for me to follow along. However, I think if you are interested in reenactments or just Tudor fashion in general, I would highly suggest you read, “How to Dress Like a Tudor” by Judith Arnopp.

Book Review: “The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories and Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty” by Carol Ann Lloyd

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The Tudors by NumbersThe story of the Tudor dynasty has been told in numerous different ways. We know the major figures, the significant events, and the stories of their love lives. We understand how they changed the history of England and Europe forever, but these are just the basic facts. If we look at the numbers surrounding the dynasty, what type of story does it tell? This is the approach Carol Ann Lloyd has taken in her debut book, “The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories and Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. When I heard about the concept for this book, I was intrigued to see how statistics and history could combine to make a fascinating read.

Lloyd begins her book by exploring how the Tudors came to the throne through the conflict known as the Wars of the Roses, typical for Tudor nonfiction books. However, unlike many nonfiction books about the Tudors, Lloyd has decided not to stick with the chronological order. Instead, she has chosen to highlight certain aspects of the Tudor dynasty to discuss in each chapter with a number corresponding to the topic, such as one rose, two crowned queens, etc.

I found this a refreshing take on telling the Tudor story. To see the stories of the monarchs of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, told through numbers and statistics was unique. Lloyd also tied these statistics to other English dynasties, before and after the Tudors, to show how this dynasty differed from the rest.

However, I wish Lloyd included facts about the nobility and common people in this book. Of course, it is important to discuss the monarchs of the Tudor dynasty, but that is only part of the story of the Tudors. What about the statistics of religious victims of the Tudors? How about statistics that showed the difference between the common people and the nobility? If Lloyd writes another book similar to this one, it would be a fun twist to share statistics from every walk of life during the dynasty featured in the book.

Overall, this was a fascinating fresh look into the Tudor dynasty from the statistics surrounding the monarchs. Lloyd has a unique way of approaching her Tudor dynasty research, making this a great debut book. If you want a stellar introductory book for the Tudor dynasty, check out “The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories and Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty” by Carol Ann Lloyd.