Tudor History Lovers discussion

What book about the Tudors or Tudor England would you like to read in April?

Two nominations to a person.

Six Wives by David Starkey

The First Queen of England: The Myth of "Bloody Mary" by Linda Porter

1.) My Lady Viper by E. Knight
2.) Just a Girl by Jane Caro

Anne Boleyn is my favourite of Henry's Queens

Samantha wrote: "The First Queen of England: The Myth of "Bloody Mary" by Linda Porter"

Samantha, I would support the reading of this book. I used it as one of the secondary sources for my chapter on Mary in my own book, and its very informative on most aspects of Mary. The one issue I have in opposition to it is that the title is somewhat sensational in that it seems to suggest that Mary did not actually burn the many Protestants history has claimed. The author (Porter) does not deny that they occurred but relegates the discussion to a couple of pages. The reality is they took place over three years of Mary's reign. Porter also claim's Mary was not a zealot and dismisses her culpability with the idea that the burnings were a normal occurrence for the times. In a sense, Porter is right, medieval Europe had accepted Augustine's eschatology that civil government should enforce heresy laws. But the idea that Mary was not a zealot is a little much, and in my opinion, Porter certainly did not shatter the misperceptions we have of Mary, as one critic claimed. But on the other hand, this book can give us a lot of fodder for discussion.

Samantha, I would support the reading of this book. I used it as one of the ..."

Thanks, Kevin. I'm actually researching Margaret Pole and was hoping for some tidbits about their relationship. I've not found many sources that have a lot to say about her.

Cor Rotto: A novel of Catherine Carey sounds like an interesting read, growing up as the niece of Henry VIII would be interesting, also perilous.

My current read might be interesting - it's Non Fiction if that means anything

The Rise of the Tudors: The Family That Changed English History by Chris Skidmore

Ooh yes, I've heard good things about that book. How are you finding it?

Really good, it's shaping up to be a 4+ star read

I'm at the point where Henry is preparing his invasion.

Ooh, that single event really changed England. If he had been sunk for example or bad weather had crippled his fleet then everything would've changed.

Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir about the first Tudor queen to Henry VII !

Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World was our group read last January.

(There's a shelf for our past group reads at the group bookshelf, by the way.)

Samantha wrote: "Samantha, I would support the reading of this book. I used it as one of the ..."

Thanks, Kevin. I'm actually researching Margaret Pole and was hoping for some tidbits about their relationship. I'v..."

Samantha, you might find some luck on Margaret by researching her by way of her son, Reginald. There's quite a bit more on him. Worldcat has a good list of primary and secondary sources on him at

http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lc...

Can I throw 'Heartstone' by CJ Sansom into the mix - next on my list in the Shardlake series.

Jonathan wrote: "Can I throw 'Heartstone' by CJ Sansom into the mix - next on my list in the Shardlake series."

Me too!

Kevin wrote: "Samantha, you might find some luck on Margaret by researching her by way of her son, Reginald...

Thanks, Kevin. :-)

Well, we read the first Shardlake, and this is a series where order counts - how about we nominate the second one, Dark Fire?

I'll make a nomination myself:

The Children of Henry VIII, by John Guy.

The Tudor Secret
and
Wondering if To the Tower Born: A Novel of the Lost Princes can be considered for nomination? It's during the reign of Richard III and centers around the Princes in the Tower but there is a large focus on Elizabeth, later wife of Henry VII. I'll nominate something else if this book won't work.

Yes, if there's a lot of focus on Elizabeth of York, I don't see why not.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Yes, if there's a lot of focus on Elizabeth of York, I don't see why not."

Thanks. Those are my two nominations then.

Alrighty, I'll close nominations and start a poll.

And the poll is here: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1... - or on the bottom of the front page of the group.

The winner: The First Queen of England: The Myth of "Bloody Mary", by Linda Porter. We'll be discussing it here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... .