jjares reviewed House of Tudor: Discover the Remarkable Lives of the Tudors on + 3278 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Hourly History boxed the story of the five English Tudor royals in one large book. This helps the reader to understand the problems the Tudor royals faced. I thought each of them was clear and very interesting reading.
HENRY VII --
Henry VII was the last English king to earn his crown on the battlefield, by defeating and killing King Richard III. Henry VII worked hard for his nation and searched for new sources of revenue for the country. Henry also modernized the government and legal system during his 23-year reign.
Hourly History gives a clear explanation of the War of the Roses and the major combatants. This was a battle between the Lancasters and Yorks, two houses that were part of the Plantagenets (the ruling class of England at the time). It also told the story of Henry VII's son, Arthur, and his bride, Catherine of Aragon. I'd wondered why Henry VIII would later claim that he shouldn't have married his dead brother's wife, and this book tells the reasons for the initial marriage and the reason that Henry VIII married his dead brother's widow (to keep her dowery and maintain the alliance with the Spanish {if a war with France came about}).
HENRY VIII --
Henry Vlll became king at the tender age of 17. I was surprised to learn that Henry's court was considered to be sophisticated and splendid. Henry was also considered to be one of the most accomplished and charismatic kings of England (after all, he was able to convince 6 women to marry him -- and dozens more into his bed).
Henry was the lucky recipient of a stable English throne thanks to his father who ended the War of the Roses. However, Henry was aware of his tenuous hold on the throne and sought a male heir to cement the Tudor line as rightful kings. Before long, it became an obsession.
There are lots of fascinating snippets in this book. The author explains the probable reason that Henry Vll had no siblings; Lady Margaret gave birth at the age of 13 years and this was thought to have caused physical trauma. Time was taken to explain the role of each of the women Henry married and what led to her downfall.
EDWARD VI --
Edward, as the only legitimate son of Henry Vlll, came to the throne at the age of 9 years. In a word, his goal was 'religion.' He renounced Catholic ceremonies and rituals; the Church of England became truly Protestant during Edward's reign. Another concern Edward faced was the line of succession; there were only females remaining and England had never had a woman rule. He pushed for Lady Jane Grey to lead England but his choice did not come to pass.
MARY I --
Until Mary actually became the first queen regnant of England (at which time she was vicious about returning England to Catholicism and killed dissenters), she had the most popular support from the citizens. Although she was only on the throne for 5 years, they were tumultuous years in England.
This book makes a point of saying that Henry VIII remained a Catholic throughout his life; he sparked the Reformation for personal convenience (so he could divorce at will), not religious beliefs. It also says that Henry never demanded that his citizens abandon their Catholic beliefs.
ELIZABETH I --
I thought this book was amazing; it was a very clear explanation of the trials Elizabeth faced, particularly with Mary, Queen of Scots. Elizabeth was truly her father's daughter. She ruled with guile and guts for 45 years. The religious rebellion was still rife in England under Elizabeth and she did all she could to be tolerant (and not prosecute Catholics).
I walked away with a firm understanding of the conditions of England before, during, and after each of these Tudors ruled. A great set of stories.
HENRY VII --
Henry VII was the last English king to earn his crown on the battlefield, by defeating and killing King Richard III. Henry VII worked hard for his nation and searched for new sources of revenue for the country. Henry also modernized the government and legal system during his 23-year reign.
Hourly History gives a clear explanation of the War of the Roses and the major combatants. This was a battle between the Lancasters and Yorks, two houses that were part of the Plantagenets (the ruling class of England at the time). It also told the story of Henry VII's son, Arthur, and his bride, Catherine of Aragon. I'd wondered why Henry VIII would later claim that he shouldn't have married his dead brother's wife, and this book tells the reasons for the initial marriage and the reason that Henry VIII married his dead brother's widow (to keep her dowery and maintain the alliance with the Spanish {if a war with France came about}).
HENRY VIII --
Henry Vlll became king at the tender age of 17. I was surprised to learn that Henry's court was considered to be sophisticated and splendid. Henry was also considered to be one of the most accomplished and charismatic kings of England (after all, he was able to convince 6 women to marry him -- and dozens more into his bed).
Henry was the lucky recipient of a stable English throne thanks to his father who ended the War of the Roses. However, Henry was aware of his tenuous hold on the throne and sought a male heir to cement the Tudor line as rightful kings. Before long, it became an obsession.
There are lots of fascinating snippets in this book. The author explains the probable reason that Henry Vll had no siblings; Lady Margaret gave birth at the age of 13 years and this was thought to have caused physical trauma. Time was taken to explain the role of each of the women Henry married and what led to her downfall.
EDWARD VI --
Edward, as the only legitimate son of Henry Vlll, came to the throne at the age of 9 years. In a word, his goal was 'religion.' He renounced Catholic ceremonies and rituals; the Church of England became truly Protestant during Edward's reign. Another concern Edward faced was the line of succession; there were only females remaining and England had never had a woman rule. He pushed for Lady Jane Grey to lead England but his choice did not come to pass.
MARY I --
Until Mary actually became the first queen regnant of England (at which time she was vicious about returning England to Catholicism and killed dissenters), she had the most popular support from the citizens. Although she was only on the throne for 5 years, they were tumultuous years in England.
This book makes a point of saying that Henry VIII remained a Catholic throughout his life; he sparked the Reformation for personal convenience (so he could divorce at will), not religious beliefs. It also says that Henry never demanded that his citizens abandon their Catholic beliefs.
ELIZABETH I --
I thought this book was amazing; it was a very clear explanation of the trials Elizabeth faced, particularly with Mary, Queen of Scots. Elizabeth was truly her father's daughter. She ruled with guile and guts for 45 years. The religious rebellion was still rife in England under Elizabeth and she did all she could to be tolerant (and not prosecute Catholics).
I walked away with a firm understanding of the conditions of England before, during, and after each of these Tudors ruled. A great set of stories.
