The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

Their lives and relationships, 28 Oct 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.

While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.

In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.

Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.

While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.

Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.

King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.

Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.

Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.

When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."

The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.

Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.

informative, concise and well worth reading., 18 Apr 2000
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.

No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy!, 23 Aug 1999
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!

Jane Grey the Queene, 04 Jul 1999
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!

Very good book keeps you interested throughout., 04 Jun 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

Their lives and relationships, 28 Oct 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.

While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.

In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.

Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.

While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.

Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.

King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.

Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.

Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.

When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."

The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.

Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.

informative, concise and well worth reading., 18 Apr 2000
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.

No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy!, 23 Aug 1999
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!

Jane Grey the Queene, 04 Jul 1999
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!

Very good book keeps you interested throughout., 04 Jun 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

An unfamiliar Tudor, 13 Oct 2007
Jessie Childs' biography of Surrey is excellent. He is probably one of the lesser known figures at the Tudor court, a poet, soldier and member of the powerful Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. It's refreshing to have a book about someone other than the usual suspects, Henry & his Queens, Wolsey, Cromwell etc. Although little is known about Surrey compared to these other figures, Childs manages to make him come alive. His poetry is open to many interpretations and Childs is frank about the limitations of any attempt to interpret his work as personal. Yet, she does throw some light on his personality through his poetry. Similarly, his relationship with his wife is a mystery, yet Childs doesn't overburden the narrative with speculation. There are more portraits of Surrey than almost any other figure at Henry VIII's Court, yet only one chalk drawing of Frances exists. At least it's by Holbein! She has used the available information to present a picture of an arrogant, impulsive young nobleman which also exposes his vulnerabilities. Surrey's relationship with his father, Norfolk, is also a fascinating portrait of Tudor life. Norfolk was one of the great survivors at Court. He managed to survive two of his nieces marrying the King and then being executed. He only avoided his son's fate because the King died first. Yet, he comes across as an unfeeling father and husband and a past master at disowning responsibility for any problem. Surrey's insecurities don't seem so strange. A wonderful portrait of a young man who never really found his place in life.

A brilliant and balanced biography on the Earl of Surrey. , 29 Aug 2007
`Henry VIII's Last Victim: the Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey' is the debut work from historian Jessie Childs. This informative and well researched book is certainly a fantastic start for Childs.

The book examines the life and career of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey who lived during the reign of Henry VIII. Surrey is primarily remembered on two accounts; that he was a gifted advanced poet and for the fact that he was the last man executed on Henry VIII's orders (Henry literally signed the warrant on his deathbed whilst Surrey's father the Duke of Norfolk managed to escape by sheer luck that Henry died before signing his death warrant). However Childs strives to not only examine these important elements but also look at Surrey's career as a whole and discovers within this the diversity of his achievements. He was very intelligent which was acknowledged by several scholars and had a general passion for learning. He was also a soldier, as most noblemen were expected to be, and he took his military obligations seriously. Furthermore he had an immense love of poetry which ensured his admiration for Thomas Wyatt and that he too wrote poetry, which is careful examined throughout the biography. Yet simultaneously he was an aristocrat who was capable of behaving like a spoiled reckless youth.

Childs does not attempt to degrade Surrey's enemies or make him appear more powerful or important than he actual was. Nor does she try to romanticise his character which she mentions some Victorian writers have had a tendency of doing due to his vocation as a poet and his pathetic demise. Instead she attempts a balanced approach and greatly succeeds. We are presented with a young man who was intelligent, loyal to his country, was a gifted poet yet was also capable of severe arrogance, of believing greatly in his superiority and sometimes committing absolute reckless behaviour. For example Childs refers in detail to Surrey's several offences. We are told of the incident in Jan 1543 in which Surrey and his cronies went out after the London curfew, smashed windows of self-made men and insulted and throw stones at the prostitutes they spotted across the South Bank of the Thames. Naturally the evening ended with the company visiting an inn, oblivious to the damage they caused. As Childs reminds us, Surrey who had a passionate nature could not use poetry as a form of therapy to express such frustrations; instead his outlet was sometimes violence. As a result of the drunken night of vandalism or slapping the faces of various men at court, he was given punishment which didn't deal with his temper or attitudes in the long run. Childs also presents the other less admirable side to Surrey; his ambition that undoubtedly stemmed from his domineering and often detached father. For example Surrey's own sister, Mary Howard, admitted around the time Surrey was arrested in 1546 that her brother had urged her to become the king's mistress so that she could hold influence over him and win favours for her family. Child's examines the authenticity of the claim and comes to the brilliant conclusion that unfortunately the evidence weighs in favour for its validity and that previous biographers on Surrey who have rejected this are being to over zealous in their admiration.

That is not to say that the whole biography is dedicated to degrading Surrey; indeed it is more sympathetic than anything else. But what Childs brilliantly does is not let her admiration for Surrey and his literary work cloud all his mistakes. Instead he is presented as a human being in that he was capable of great achievements yet suffered from many weaknesses.

Overall Child's work on Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, is fantastic in the level of research she has undergone not only in respects to his life but also into examination of his poems and their meanings. She stresses how advanced his writings were and throughout highlights the struggle Surrey had with living up to the responsibilities that came with his prestigious position. She also manages to examine well the important events throughout Surrey's life like Henry VIII's prolonged struggle for a divorce from his first wife, although her views on Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon are slightly too simplistic especially in regards to Anne where more criticism is applied than praise (Childs is particularly unfair to hint that Anne's piety was intentionally conspicuous for political purposes rather than being done out of general zeal for the reformist cause of which Anne had been interested in even prior to her relationship with Henry). However that aside, the biography is a superb account on the Earl of Surrey and is accessible and highly informative. It certainly promotes me to read other works by Jessie Childs.


Awesome, 30 Sep 2006
A thrilling read - history comes alive in the words of a young and brilliant author. Awesome ...

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

Their lives and relationships, 28 Oct 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.

While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.

In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.

Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.

While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.

Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.

King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.

Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.

Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.

When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."

The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.

Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.

informative, concise and well worth reading., 18 Apr 2000
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.

No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy!, 23 Aug 1999
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!

Jane Grey the Queene, 04 Jul 1999
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!

Very good book keeps you interested throughout., 04 Jun 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

An unfamiliar Tudor, 13 Oct 2007
Jessie Childs' biography of Surrey is excellent. He is probably one of the lesser known figures at the Tudor court, a poet, soldier and member of the powerful Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. It's refreshing to have a book about someone other than the usual suspects, Henry & his Queens, Wolsey, Cromwell etc. Although little is known about Surrey compared to these other figures, Childs manages to make him come alive. His poetry is open to many interpretations and Childs is frank about the limitations of any attempt to interpret his work as personal. Yet, she does throw some light on his personality through his poetry. Similarly, his relationship with his wife is a mystery, yet Childs doesn't overburden the narrative with speculation. There are more portraits of Surrey than almost any other figure at Henry VIII's Court, yet only one chalk drawing of Frances exists. At least it's by Holbein! She has used the available information to present a picture of an arrogant, impulsive young nobleman which also exposes his vulnerabilities. Surrey's relationship with his father, Norfolk, is also a fascinating portrait of Tudor life. Norfolk was one of the great survivors at Court. He managed to survive two of his nieces marrying the King and then being executed. He only avoided his son's fate because the King died first. Yet, he comes across as an unfeeling father and husband and a past master at disowning responsibility for any problem. Surrey's insecurities don't seem so strange. A wonderful portrait of a young man who never really found his place in life.

A brilliant and balanced biography on the Earl of Surrey. , 29 Aug 2007
`Henry VIII's Last Victim: the Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey' is the debut work from historian Jessie Childs. This informative and well researched book is certainly a fantastic start for Childs.

The book examines the life and career of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey who lived during the reign of Henry VIII. Surrey is primarily remembered on two accounts; that he was a gifted advanced poet and for the fact that he was the last man executed on Henry VIII's orders (Henry literally signed the warrant on his deathbed whilst Surrey's father the Duke of Norfolk managed to escape by sheer luck that Henry died before signing his death warrant). However Childs strives to not only examine these important elements but also look at Surrey's career as a whole and discovers within this the diversity of his achievements. He was very intelligent which was acknowledged by several scholars and had a general passion for learning. He was also a soldier, as most noblemen were expected to be, and he took his military obligations seriously. Furthermore he had an immense love of poetry which ensured his admiration for Thomas Wyatt and that he too wrote poetry, which is careful examined throughout the biography. Yet simultaneously he was an aristocrat who was capable of behaving like a spoiled reckless youth.

Childs does not attempt to degrade Surrey's enemies or make him appear more powerful or important than he actual was. Nor does she try to romanticise his character which she mentions some Victorian writers have had a tendency of doing due to his vocation as a poet and his pathetic demise. Instead she attempts a balanced approach and greatly succeeds. We are presented with a young man who was intelligent, loyal to his country, was a gifted poet yet was also capable of severe arrogance, of believing greatly in his superiority and sometimes committing absolute reckless behaviour. For example Childs refers in detail to Surrey's several offences. We are told of the incident in Jan 1543 in which Surrey and his cronies went out after the London curfew, smashed windows of self-made men and insulted and throw stones at the prostitutes they spotted across the South Bank of the Thames. Naturally the evening ended with the company visiting an inn, oblivious to the damage they caused. As Childs reminds us, Surrey who had a passionate nature could not use poetry as a form of therapy to express such frustrations; instead his outlet was sometimes violence. As a result of the drunken night of vandalism or slapping the faces of various men at court, he was given punishment which didn't deal with his temper or attitudes in the long run. Childs also presents the other less admirable side to Surrey; his ambition that undoubtedly stemmed from his domineering and often detached father. For example Surrey's own sister, Mary Howard, admitted around the time Surrey was arrested in 1546 that her brother had urged her to become the king's mistress so that she could hold influence over him and win favours for her family. Child's examines the authenticity of the claim and comes to the brilliant conclusion that unfortunately the evidence weighs in favour for its validity and that previous biographers on Surrey who have rejected this are being to over zealous in their admiration.

That is not to say that the whole biography is dedicated to degrading Surrey; indeed it is more sympathetic than anything else. But what Childs brilliantly does is not let her admiration for Surrey and his literary work cloud all his mistakes. Instead he is presented as a human being in that he was capable of great achievements yet suffered from many weaknesses.

Overall Child's work on Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, is fantastic in the level of research she has undergone not only in respects to his life but also into examination of his poems and their meanings. She stresses how advanced his writings were and throughout highlights the struggle Surrey had with living up to the responsibilities that came with his prestigious position. She also manages to examine well the important events throughout Surrey's life like Henry VIII's prolonged struggle for a divorce from his first wife, although her views on Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon are slightly too simplistic especially in regards to Anne where more criticism is applied than praise (Childs is particularly unfair to hint that Anne's piety was intentionally conspicuous for political purposes rather than being done out of general zeal for the reformist cause of which Anne had been interested in even prior to her relationship with Henry). However that aside, the biography is a superb account on the Earl of Surrey and is accessible and highly informative. It certainly promotes me to read other works by Jessie Childs.


Awesome, 30 Sep 2006
A thrilling read - history comes alive in the words of a young and brilliant author. Awesome ...

It depends on what you are looking for, 12 Jun 2008
Apart from having her love for Seymour set aside so the King could marry her and managing to never put herself, Edward or those around them at risk of his jealousy; Parr was a stepmother to Mary, Elizabeth and Edward who tried to create a united family, she was a religious reformer who asserted herself too strongly and Henry arranged her arrest only to be persuaded otherwise at the last minute. If she hadn't been able to win Henry back round with some swift grovelling she could have lost her life. She probably would have been a great regent for Edward VI's minority. She's a exciting and vibrant figure.

This book lost a sense of Catherine the woman though by throwing a dozen dates and a family tree in every sentence. I appreciate the need for the dates and the genealogy but the way they were presented in this book made it hard work to read and not particularly satisfying. 3/10 I'm afraid for me as a lay reader. Parr deserves a warmer, more readable biography. That said, it is amazingly well researched and if you are reading it for study rather than pleasure this is definitely a 8/10.

His 'most dearly and most entirely beloved wife' No. 6 - the one who was neither divorced nor beheaded but survived, 19 Mar 2008
For a long time this is the first proper biography on Katherine Parr. Of course she features in all of the works on Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth but very often it only covers the parts of her life after she had become a member of the Royal Family.

Susan James's work on Queen Katherine gives a full picture of Katherine's life. The parts related to the life before her marriage to the King are most interesting and already shed a lot of light on Katherine Parr. Her relationship with her mother Maud and her mother's example how to manage as a widow her own life, her family and her estate and her valuing education for females is quite revealing. The same applies to her relationship with her sister and brother. Susan James corrects the strangely often repeated notion that Katherine married the 2nd Baron Borough of Gainsborough while in reality she was married to his son and heir who happened to carry the same first name. Her second marriage to the 3rd Baron Latimer seems to be a dry run for the marriage with the king: she married an older, sickly man of higher social standing and got two step children which were becoming quite close to her. The marriage to the king seems to be a repeat of this situation. But Katherine as Queen managed to fulfil her role in an excellent way. She was made even regent during the King's absence. She seemed to have liked the power.

Susan James puts Katherine in perspective of the role of woman at the time, deals with aspects of education for females, covers Katherine's role to foster these, her own achievements and of course with her political and religious importance. She is not blind to her faults and describes her own misjudging of the situation and relationship with the King leading and causing the crisis of 1546 which nearly cost Katherine her position and properly her life. However, it is prove of her flexibility, intelligence and calm how she solved the situation.

Most interesting are the descriptions how she hoped to become regent for young Edward VI.

Her last marriage after the King's death to Thomas Seymour might have been a love match, but cost Katherine her reputation. Susan James tries to do justice to Thomas Seymour, tries to paint him in a better light as historic reputation has it, but even she has to give finally in.

All in all a book I enjoyed as covers all aspects of Katherine's life, not just her few years as Queen Consort. It shows one of the many remarkable Tudor women. She was much more than simply wife No. 6.

My only regret is that the book itself is quite badly printed. Parts of the descriptions of the photos are missing. The publisher could have done a much better job, however that does not undermine the value of Susan James's work.

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

Their lives and relationships, 28 Oct 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.

While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.

In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.

Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.

While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.

Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.

King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.

Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.

Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.

When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."

The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.

Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.

informative, concise and well worth reading., 18 Apr 2000
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.

No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy!, 23 Aug 1999
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!

Jane Grey the Queene, 04 Jul 1999
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!

Very good book keeps you interested throughout., 04 Jun 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

An unfamiliar Tudor, 13 Oct 2007
Jessie Childs' biography of Surrey is excellent. He is probably one of the lesser known figures at the Tudor court, a poet, soldier and member of the powerful Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. It's refreshing to have a book about someone other than the usual suspects, Henry & his Queens, Wolsey, Cromwell etc. Although little is known about Surrey compared to these other figures, Childs manages to make him come alive. His poetry is open to many interpretations and Childs is frank about the limitations of any attempt to interpret his work as personal. Yet, she does throw some light on his personality through his poetry. Similarly, his relationship with his wife is a mystery, yet Childs doesn't overburden the narrative with speculation. There are more portraits of Surrey than almost any other figure at Henry VIII's Court, yet only one chalk drawing of Frances exists. At least it's by Holbein! She has used the available information to present a picture of an arrogant, impulsive young nobleman which also exposes his vulnerabilities. Surrey's relationship with his father, Norfolk, is also a fascinating portrait of Tudor life. Norfolk was one of the great survivors at Court. He managed to survive two of his nieces marrying the King and then being executed. He only avoided his son's fate because the King died first. Yet, he comes across as an unfeeling father and husband and a past master at disowning responsibility for any problem. Surrey's insecurities don't seem so strange. A wonderful portrait of a young man who never really found his place in life.

A brilliant and balanced biography on the Earl of Surrey. , 29 Aug 2007
`Henry VIII's Last Victim: the Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey' is the debut work from historian Jessie Childs. This informative and well researched book is certainly a fantastic start for Childs.

The book examines the life and career of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey who lived during the reign of Henry VIII. Surrey is primarily remembered on two accounts; that he was a gifted advanced poet and for the fact that he was the last man executed on Henry VIII's orders (Henry literally signed the warrant on his deathbed whilst Surrey's father the Duke of Norfolk managed to escape by sheer luck that Henry died before signing his death warrant). However Childs strives to not only examine these important elements but also look at Surrey's career as a whole and discovers within this the diversity of his achievements. He was very intelligent which was acknowledged by several scholars and had a general passion for learning. He was also a soldier, as most noblemen were expected to be, and he took his military obligations seriously. Furthermore he had an immense love of poetry which ensured his admiration for Thomas Wyatt and that he too wrote poetry, which is careful examined throughout the biography. Yet simultaneously he was an aristocrat who was capable of behaving like a spoiled reckless youth.

Childs does not attempt to degrade Surrey's enemies or make him appear more powerful or important than he actual was. Nor does she try to romanticise his character which she mentions some Victorian writers have had a tendency of doing due to his vocation as a poet and his pathetic demise. Instead she attempts a balanced approach and greatly succeeds. We are presented with a young man who was intelligent, loyal to his country, was a gifted poet yet was also capable of severe arrogance, of believing greatly in his superiority and sometimes committing absolute reckless behaviour. For example Childs refers in detail to Surrey's several offences. We are told of the incident in Jan 1543 in which Surrey and his cronies went out after the London curfew, smashed windows of self-made men and insulted and throw stones at the prostitutes they spotted across the South Bank of the Thames. Naturally the evening ended with the company visiting an inn, oblivious to the damage they caused. As Childs reminds us, Surrey who had a passionate nature could not use poetry as a form of therapy to express such frustrations; instead his outlet was sometimes violence. As a result of the drunken night of vandalism or slapping the faces of various men at court, he was given punishment which didn't deal with his temper or attitudes in the long run. Childs also presents the other less admirable side to Surrey; his ambition that undoubtedly stemmed from his domineering and often detached father. For example Surrey's own sister, Mary Howard, admitted around the time Surrey was arrested in 1546 that her brother had urged her to become the king's mistress so that she could hold influence over him and win favours for her family. Child's examines the authenticity of the claim and comes to the brilliant conclusion that unfortunately the evidence weighs in favour for its validity and that previous biographers on Surrey who have rejected this are being to over zealous in their admiration.

That is not to say that the whole biography is dedicated to degrading Surrey; indeed it is more sympathetic than anything else. But what Childs brilliantly does is not let her admiration for Surrey and his literary work cloud all his mistakes. Instead he is presented as a human being in that he was capable of great achievements yet suffered from many weaknesses.

Overall Child's work on Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, is fantastic in the level of research she has undergone not only in respects to his life but also into examination of his poems and their meanings. She stresses how advanced his writings were and throughout highlights the struggle Surrey had with living up to the responsibilities that came with his prestigious position. She also manages to examine well the important events throughout Surrey's life like Henry VIII's prolonged struggle for a divorce from his first wife, although her views on Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon are slightly too simplistic especially in regards to Anne where more criticism is applied than praise (Childs is particularly unfair to hint that Anne's piety was intentionally conspicuous for political purposes rather than being done out of general zeal for the reformist cause of which Anne had been interested in even prior to her relationship with Henry). However that aside, the biography is a superb account on the Earl of Surrey and is accessible and highly informative. It certainly promotes me to read other works by Jessie Childs.


Awesome, 30 Sep 2006
A thrilling read - history comes alive in the words of a young and brilliant author. Awesome ...

It depends on what you are looking for, 12 Jun 2008
Apart from having her love for Seymour set aside so the King could marry her and managing to never put herself, Edward or those around them at risk of his jealousy; Parr was a stepmother to Mary, Elizabeth and Edward who tried to create a united family, she was a religious reformer who asserted herself too strongly and Henry arranged her arrest only to be persuaded otherwise at the last minute. If she hadn't been able to win Henry back round with some swift grovelling she could have lost her life. She probably would have been a great regent for Edward VI's minority. She's a exciting and vibrant figure.

This book lost a sense of Catherine the woman though by throwing a dozen dates and a family tree in every sentence. I appreciate the need for the dates and the genealogy but the way they were presented in this book made it hard work to read and not particularly satisfying. 3/10 I'm afraid for me as a lay reader. Parr deserves a warmer, more readable biography. That said, it is amazingly well researched and if you are reading it for study rather than pleasure this is definitely a 8/10.

His 'most dearly and most entirely beloved wife' No. 6 - the one who was neither divorced nor beheaded but survived, 19 Mar 2008
For a long time this is the first proper biography on Katherine Parr. Of course she features in all of the works on Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth but very often it only covers the parts of her life after she had become a member of the Royal Family.

Susan James's work on Queen Katherine gives a full picture of Katherine's life. The parts related to the life before her marriage to the King are most interesting and already shed a lot of light on Katherine Parr. Her relationship with her mother Maud and her mother's example how to manage as a widow her own life, her family and her estate and her valuing education for females is quite revealing. The same applies to her relationship with her sister and brother. Susan James corrects the strangely often repeated notion that Katherine married the 2nd Baron Borough of Gainsborough while in reality she was married to his son and heir who happened to carry the same first name. Her second marriage to the 3rd Baron Latimer seems to be a dry run for the marriage with the king: she married an older, sickly man of higher social standing and got two step children which were becoming quite close to her. The marriage to the king seems to be a repeat of this situation. But Katherine as Queen managed to fulfil her role in an excellent way. She was made even regent during the King's absence. She seemed to have liked the power.

Susan James puts Katherine in perspective of the role of woman at the time, deals with aspects of education for females, covers Katherine's role to foster these, her own achievements and of course with her political and religious importance. She is not blind to her faults and describes her own misjudging of the situation and relationship with the King leading and causing the crisis of 1546 which nearly cost Katherine her position and properly her life. However, it is prove of her flexibility, intelligence and calm how she solved the situation.

Most interesting are the descriptions how she hoped to become regent for young Edward VI.

Her last marriage after the King's death to Thomas Seymour might have been a love match, but cost Katherine her reputation. Susan James tries to do justice to Thomas Seymour, tries to paint him in a better light as historic reputation has it, but even she has to give finally in.

All in all a book I enjoyed as covers all aspects of Katherine's life, not just her few years as Queen Consort. It shows one of the many remarkable Tudor women. She was much more than simply wife No. 6.

My only regret is that the book itself is quite badly printed. Parts of the descriptions of the photos are missing. The publisher could have done a much better job, however that does not undermine the value of Susan James's work.


Controversial, readable and provocative, 09 May 2008
This is undoubtedly a controversial book and one which has split its readers (both academic and popular) but for that very reason is worth reading. Prof Warnicke takes a quite provocative stance in reading Anne as the victim of superstition and Henry's desperation for a male child; and attributes her fall and execution to the 'fact' that she gave birth to a deformed child which Henry needed to disassociate himself from.

The fact that Warnicke is prepared to challenge centuries of male interpretations of Anne is to be applauded; and positioning her within the cultural superstitions about witchcraft and the mysteries of a woman's body (from a male persepctive) is an interesting take on this period. That doesn't, of course, make it 'right' any more than very alternative views are 'right'.

I'm not sure that we are ever able to recuperate 'history' as it happened (we are all, after all postmodern!) so to dismiss this book as innaccurate or wrong, is itself perhaps limiting. Personally I think this is an interesting read which adds another dimension and way of seeing to what has now become a familiar story in both the academic and popular imagination. Read it and make up your own mind.

A most unreadable book, 06 Jun 2006
This book on Anne Boleyn is has little to recommend it. The book is littered with historical inaccuracies (for example: it has now been proven that Anne WAS born in 1501 NOT 1507) and it is very hard to get to grips with it on any level. Warnicke proposes some interesting theories but there is simply not enough evidence to back up the (often sweeping) statements she makes.

Review of Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn, 04 Sep 2004
I bought this book and I really didn't like it. It goes against everything that I have read from other books and what I myself personally believe. For example, the 1507 birthdate is completely wrong in my opinion-what Retha Warnicke presents as evidence is a letter written by Anne from Margaret of Austria's court. In her opinion the fact that the letter has bad spelling mistakes obviously means that a child of seven wrote it and not a young woman of 14. She does not make allowances for the fact that at this time Anne was still learning the language, and would make mistakes. The handwriting of the letter confirms in my opinion that it was written by a young woman not a child.
She also asks us to believe that Anne became the accomplished courtier she was whilst still in the nursery.
Retha Warnicke also asks us to believe that a deformed foetus was the reason Anne was disposed of and that Anne and Cromwell were never in alliance. Other biographies I have read completely contradict this fact.
I could recommend better books about the life of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives "The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy" is one of the best I have read. Don't buy this if you are new to the period-it will mislead you.

Certainly intriguing, 22 Nov 2003
There is no denying that Professor Warnicke's book has an almost revolutionary outlook on both the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. The key areas in which Warnicke's thesis challenges conventional historical opinion on Anne Boleyn's life are on the subjects of her date of birth, physical appearance and fall from power.

It has to be said that for the first part of the book, Warnicke is remarkably successful. She convincingly demonstrates that the current historical belief that Anne Boleyn was born sometime around 1501 is incorrect, and that the more likely date is 1507. Similarly, few can dispute her arguments that refute the age-old rumours of certain deformities (namely the infamous sixth finger/extra nail and warts.) However, it is in her assessment of Anne Boleyn's demise that Professor Warnicke disappoints.

Her entire thesis is based on the assumption that Anne Boleyn gave birth to a deformed foetus in early 1536, something that led to her arrest on charges of witchcraft, incest and adultery in May of that year. She also alleges that the men arrested with her were known homosexuals, something that allowed their 16th-century contemporaries to accuse them of gross sexual indecency. However, there is almost no evidence at all that Anne Boleyn's "lovers" were homosexuals, indeed some of them were active womanisers. The evidence for the deformed foetus idea is also disappointingly scarce, and Warnicke bases much of her idea on 'ifs' and a kind of 'if A happened, then B,C,D and E must also have happened' mentality, often disregarding evidence that she finds inconvienient. She latches onto a comment made in the virulently anti-Boleyn work of Nicolas Sander, who Warnicke spent the rest of her book discrediting (and very convincingly, it has to be said.) Therefore, it seems utterly ludicrous that she should suddenly place such emphasis on his comments that alleged Anne Boleyn gave birth to a "shapeless mass" in January 1536.

Other areas of the book are disappointing. It is at times dry and ponderously academic. Warnicke also fails to place enough emphasis on Anne Boleyn's role in religion and instead focuses on "harem politics" at the king's court, whilst ignoring the wider socio-economic impact of the king's marriage.

Nonetheless, despite these draw-backs, Warnicke's work on the rise of Anne Boleyn should be commended - even if her work on the fall remains seriously questionable.

Comments, 14 Jul 2003
I enjoyed this book and it was interesting. The only downside to it, is that the author I felt was very bias towards Anne. I had to ask myself while reading it, whether the author attached any responsibility to Anne for her downfall. I would say this is more a book suited to academic study rather than recreational reading.

The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy, 18 Nov 2008
I have been looking for a truly historical analysis that neither confinces this complex character to one chapter in a book on the reign of Henry VIII, portrays her as a saucy temptress nor eulogises her in sickeningly romantic tones in the manner of the unprofessional outpourings of Joanna Denney, who should be ashamed to call herself a historian with a one-sided diatribe such as England's Tragic Queen.

This book is it. A well researched and analysed construction, that really builds up the layers of historical evidence to present a picture of Anne Boleyn's life, character, and influence, and shows an interest in considering whether there was any merit in the charges that led to her death. I this is quite simply a must for anyone interested in getting as close to historial accuracy as is possible given the limited sources available, yet is done in an entirely readable way. Hats off to Mr Ives!

Extremely well researched, 04 Oct 2008
An exhaustively researched but generally very readable biography. In a few places (esp. the chapters on image, art and costume) the level of detail does get a little too much, but this is a testament to the author's endeavours. It is difficult to see how this can be bettered as a biography of this subject, absent the discovery of some significant new primary source.

One of the best biographies ever written about Anne Boleyn, 23 Jan 2008
This highly informative account of Anne Boleyn brings to life a Tudor woman once seen as elusive and obscure.
Due to the high volume of biased primary accounts of Anne Boleyn written by the likes of Chapuys (the Spanish ambassador to England at the time) and others, it has been notoriously difficult to make an objective and impartial assessment of Anne Boleyn however Ives succeeds in bringing the true character of Anne Boleyn to life using a variety of sources, challenges biased accounts of Anne's life (such as Chapuys' accounts of the ailing marriage) and also presents compelling evidence to support his assertions, such as the controversy surrounding Anne's birth date.

Whilst at times, Ives presents the not so endearing qualities of Anne Boleyn, on the whole Ives' account of Anne is largely sympathetic, particularly in the last two chapters of the book where politics and religion appear to play a pivotal role in Anne's downfall and destruction.

It is also refreshing to see Anne portrayed as human and not demonized as she has so often been portrayed.
Ultimately, this is a balanced, magnificently researched and a tribute to Anne, whose efforts helped shape the reformation in England, a sentiment even echoed by Thomas Cromwell, one of her bitterest enemies who helped bring down the "most controversial queen consort" of England.

Detailed and enlightening about Anne Boleyn!, 29 Nov 2007
If one is looking for mere entertainment, this is not the book to buy. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" written by Antonia Fraser, which contained only the most necessary historical facts in order to present the six Queens properly.

When I have given Eric Ives' book five stars, it's because this book is probably the most detailed and enlightening book ever written about Anne Boleyn. But the book is not an easy read, not if one is searching for pure entertainment. For me it is more a book of facts about Anne which I can go back to whenever I'm searching for more information about her. That does not mean the book lacks for numerous enjoyable anecdotes from Anne's life and vivid descriptions of her as a person.

The book tells about Anne's family and background, which was far more important than one is often led to believe. Originally, the family made its fortune in trade, but later on its relations with the Tudors became significant and Anne was by no means an unsuitable match for King Henry.

What I found most interesting was the picture of Anne as a very cultured and highly educated young woman. The time she spent at the Continent and how this influenced her in her role as Queen of England. It thoroughly explains why she became as powerful and politically important as she did. And not the least, the circumstances leading to her death.

For a complete picture of Anne Boleyn, look no further. This book gives all the answers.

A wonderful work on an interesting lady, 05 Feb 2007
By far the most famous of Henry's queens, Anne Boleyn is also the most controversial. Any biography of her must be objective, thoroughly researched and carefully portrayed. Ives succeeds on all counts. This book is a brilliant life of Anne Boleyn and goes into great detail without ever being boring. 10/10.

Their lives and relationships, 28 Oct 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.

While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.

In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.

Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.

While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.

Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.

King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.

Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.

Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.

When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."

The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.

Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.

informative, concise and well worth reading., 18 Apr 2000
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.

No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy!, 23 Aug 1999
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!

Jane Grey the Queene, 04 Jul 1999
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!

Very good book keeps you interested throughout., 04 Jun 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

An unfamiliar Tudor, 13 Oct 2007
Jessie Childs' biography of Surrey is excellent. He is probably one of the lesser known figures at the Tudor court, a poet, soldier and member of the powerful Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. It's refreshing to have a book about someone other than the usual suspects, Henry & his Queens, Wolsey, Cromwell etc. Although little is known about Surrey compared to these other figures, Childs manages to make him come alive. His poetry is open to many interpretations and Childs is frank about the limitations of any attempt to interpret his work as personal. Yet, she does throw some light on his personality through his poetry. Similarly, his relationship with his wife is a mystery, yet Childs doesn't overburden the narrative with speculation. There are more portraits of Surrey than almost any other figure at Henry VIII's Court, yet only one chalk drawing of Frances exists. At least it's by Holbein! She has used the available information to present a picture of an arrogant, impulsive young nobleman which also exposes his vulnerabilities. Surrey's relationship with his father, Norfolk, is also a fascinating portrait of Tudor life. Norfolk was one of the great survivors at Court. He managed to survive two of his nieces marrying the King and then being executed. He only avoided his son's fate because the King died first. Yet, he comes across as an unfeeling father and husband and a past master at disowning responsibility for any problem. Surrey's insecurities don't seem so strange. A wonderful portrait of a young man who never really found his place in life.

A brilliant and balanced biography on the Earl of Surrey. , 29 Aug 2007
`Henry VIII's Last Victim: the Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey' is the debut work from historian Jessie Childs. This informative and well researched book is certainly a fantastic start for Childs.

The book examines the life and career of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey who lived during the reign of Henry VIII. Surrey is primarily remembered on two accounts; that he was a gifted advanced poet and for the fact that he was the last man executed on Henry VIII's orders (Henry literally signed the warrant on his deathbed whilst Surrey's father the Duke of Norfolk managed to escape by sheer luck that Henry died before signing his death warrant). However Childs strives to not only examine these important elements but also look at Surrey's career as a whole and discovers within this the diversity of his achievements. He was very intelligent which was acknowledged by several scholars and had a general passion for learning. He was also a soldier, as most noblemen were expected to be, and he took his military obligations seriously. Furthermore he had an immense love of poetry which ensured his admiration for Thomas Wyatt and that he too wrote poetry, which is careful examined throughout the biography. Yet simultaneously he was an aristocrat who was capable of behaving like a spoiled reckless youth.

Childs does not attempt to degrade Surrey's enemies or make him appear more powerful or important than he actual was. Nor does she try to romanticise his character which she mentions some Victorian writers have had a tendency of doing due to his vocation as a poet and his pathetic demise. Instead she attempts a balanced approach and greatly succeeds. We are presented with a young man who was intelligent, loyal to his country, was a gifted poet yet was also capable of severe arrogance, of believing greatly in his superiority and sometimes committing absolute reckless behaviour. For example Childs refers in detail to Surrey's several offences. We are told of the incident in Jan 1543 in which Surrey and his cronies went out after the London curfew, smashed windows of self-made men and insulted and throw stones at the prostitutes they spotted across the South Bank of the Thames. Naturally the evening ended with the company visiting an inn, oblivious to the damage they caused. As Childs reminds us, Surrey who had a passionate nature could not use poetry as a form of therapy to express such frustrations; instead his outlet was sometimes violence. As a result of the drunken night of vandalism or slapping the faces of various men at court, he was given punishment which didn't deal with his temper or attitudes in the long run. Childs also presents the other less admirable side to Surrey; his ambition that undoubtedly stemmed from his domineering and often detached father. For example Surrey's own sister, Mary Howard, admitted around the time Surrey was arrested in 1546 that her brother had urged her to become the king's mistress so that she could hold influence over him and win favours for her family. Child's examines the authenticity of the claim and comes to the brilliant conclusion that unfortunately the evidence weighs in favour for its validity and that previous biographers on Surrey who have rejected this are being to over zealous in their admiration.

That is not to say that the whole biography is dedicated to degrading Surrey; indeed it is more sympathetic than anything else. But what Childs brilliantly does is not let her admiration for Surrey and his literary work cloud all his mistakes. Instead he is presented as a human being in that he was capable of great achievements yet suffered from many weaknesses.

Overall Child's work on Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, is fantastic in the level of research she has undergone not only in respects to his life but also into examination of his poems and their meanings. She stresses how advanced his writings were and throughout highlights the struggle Surrey had with living up to the responsibilities that came with his prestigious position. She also manages to examine well the important events throughout Surrey's life like Henry VIII's prolonged struggle for a divorce from his first wife, although her views on Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon are slightly too simplistic especially in regards to Anne where more criticism is applied than praise (Childs is particularly unfair to hint that Anne's piety was intentionally conspicuous for political purposes rather than being done out of general zeal for the reformist cause of which Anne had been interested in even prior to her relationship with Henry). However that aside, the biography is a superb account on the Earl of Surrey and is accessible and highly informative. It certainly promotes me to read other works by Jessie Childs.


Awesome, 30 Sep 2006
A thrilling read - history comes alive in the words of a young and brilliant author. Awesome ...

It depends on what you are looking for, 12 Jun 2008
Apart from having her love for Seymour set aside so the King could marry her and managing to never put herself, Edward or those around them at risk of his jealousy; Parr was a stepmother to Mary, Elizabeth and Edward who tried to create a united family, she was a religious reformer who asserted herself too strongly and Henry arranged her arrest only to be persuaded otherwise at the last minute. If she hadn't been able to win Henry back round with some swift grovelling she could have lost her life. She probably would have been a great regent for Edward VI's minority. She's a exciting and vibrant figure.

This book lost a sense of Catherine the woman though by throwing a dozen dates and a family tree in every sentence. I appreciate the need for the dates and the genealogy but the way they were presented in this book made it hard work to read and not particularly satisfying. 3/10 I'm afraid for me as a lay reader. Parr deserves a warmer, more readable biography. That said, it is amazingly well researched and if you are reading it for study rather than pleasure this is definitely a 8/10.

His 'most dearly and most entirely beloved wife' No. 6 - the one who was neither divorced nor beheaded but survived, 19 Mar 2008
For a long time this is the first proper biography on Katherine Parr. Of course she features in all of the works on Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth but very often it only covers the parts of her life after she had become a member of the Royal Family.

Susan James's work on Queen Katherine gives a full picture of Katherine's life. The parts related to the life before her marriage to the King are most interesting and already shed a lot of light on Katherine Parr. Her relationship with her mother Maud and her mother's example how to manage as a widow her own life, her family and her estate and her valuing education for females is quite revealing. The same applies to her relationship with her sister and brother. Susan James corrects the strangely often repeated notion that Katherine married the 2nd Baron Borough of Gainsborough while in reality she was married to his son and heir who happened to carry the same first name. Her second marriage to the 3rd Baron Latimer seems to be a dry run for the marriage with the king: she married an older, sickly man of higher social standing and got two step children which were becoming quite close to her. The marriage to the king seems to be a repeat of this situation. But Katherine as Queen managed to fulfil her role in an excellent way. She was made even regent during the King's absence. She seemed to have liked the power.

Susan James puts Katherine in perspective of the role of woman at the time, deals with aspects of education for females, covers Katherine's role to foster these, her own achievements and of course with her political and religious importance. She is not blind to her faults and describes her own misjudging of the situation and relationship with the King leading and causing the crisis of 1546 which nearly cost Katherine her position and properly her life. However, it is prove of her flexibility, intelligence and calm how she solved the situation.

Most interesting are the descriptions how she hoped to become regent for young Edward VI.

Her last marriage after the King's death to Thomas Seymour might have been a love match, but cost Katherine her reputation. Susan James tries to do justice to Thomas Seymour, tries to paint him in a better light as historic reputation has it, but even she has to give finally in.

All in all a book I enjoyed as covers all aspects of Katherine's life, not just her few years as Queen Consort. It shows one of the many remarkable Tudor women. She was much more than simply wife No. 6.

My only regret is that the book itself is quite badly printed. Parts of the descriptions of the photos are missing. The publisher could have done a much better job, however that does not undermine the value of Susan James's work.


Controversial, readable and provocative, 09 May 2008
This is undoubtedly a controversial book and one which has split its readers (both academic and popular) but for that very reason is worth reading. Prof Warnicke takes a quite provocative stance in reading Anne as the victim of superstition and Henry's desperation for a male child; and attributes her fall and execution to the 'fact' that she gave birth to a deformed child which Henry needed to disassociate himself from.

The fact that Warnicke is prepared to challenge centuries of male interpretations of Anne is to be applauded; and positioning her within the cultural superstitions about witchcraft and the mysteries of a woman's body (from a male persepctive) is an interesting take on this period. That doesn't, of course, make it 'right' any more than very alternative views are 'right'.

I'm not sure that we are ever able to recuperate 'history' as it happened (we are all, after all postmodern!) so to dismiss this book as innaccurate or wrong, is itself perhaps limiting. Personally I think this is an interesting read which adds another dimension and way of seeing to what has now become a familiar story in both the academic and popular imagination. Read it and make up your own mind.

A most unreadable book, 06 Jun 2006
This book on Anne Boleyn is has little to recommend it. The book is littered with historical inaccuracies (for example: it has now been proven that Anne WAS born in 1501 NOT 1507) and it is very hard to get to grips with it on any level. Warnicke proposes some interesting theories but there is simply not enough evidence to back up the (often sweeping) statements she makes.

Review of Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn, 04 Sep 2004
I bought this book and I really didn't like it. It goes against everything that I have read from other books and what I myself personally believe. For example, the 1507 birthdate is completely wrong in my opinion-what Retha Warnicke presents as evidence is a letter written by Anne from Margaret of Austria's court. In her opinion the fact that the letter has bad spelling mistakes obviously means that a child of seven wrote it and not a young woman of 14. She does not make allowances for the fact that at this time Anne was still learning the language, and would make mistakes. The handwriting of the letter confirms in my opinion that it was written by a young woman not a child.
She also asks us to believe that Anne became the accomplished courtier she was whilst still in the nursery.
Retha Warnicke also asks us to believe that a deformed foetus was the reason Anne was disposed of and that Anne and Cromwell were never in alliance. Other biographies I have read completely contradict this fact.
I could recommend better books about the life of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives "The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy" is one of the best I have read. Don't buy this if you are new to the period-it will mislead you.