Dear friends. I am an avid reader of Tudor history. So much so, I wondered if there was still anything new to learn.
I'm glad to say a new voice (to me) on the Tudor scene, Jessica Carey-Bunning, brings a fresh and welcome perspective to the six wives of Henry VIII.
We all think we "know" the six women.
But actually we know very little about their views, how they saw their regal roles, and their stance on religion beyond being labelled either Catholic or Protestant.
I like how Carey-Bunning develops a couple of key themes for each queen.
For Catherine of Aragon (I'm using the author's spellings of the queens' names) Carey-Bunning discusses how her upbringing, and knowledge at a very young age that she would be queen of England, dictated her refusal to relinquish her throne and marriage.
When she was widowed at a young age following the death of her first husband Arthur, she was forced to live an impoverished life. Her father and father-in-law disagreed over the dowry, half of which was unpaid, and neither would take responsibility for her household. This had an impact on her reaction many years later when she was set aside by Arthur's brother, Henry VIII.
Below: Catherine of Aragon by unknown artist circa 1520, by permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Church Commissioners, on loan to National Gallery, UK
For Anne Boleyn, her choice of headwear hints at her feelings about her Royal role. Carey-Bunning also writes about Anne's prominent participation, as a relative newcomer to the English court, in an elaborate pageant. Below: portrait of Anne Boleyn by an unknown artist, copyright National Gallery, UK.
For Jane Seymour, the main topic is: how popular was she with the people?
My "favourite" wife, fourth wife Anna of Cleves, had several disadvantages. She was, on arrival in England, unable to speak the language and unfamiliar with the ways of the court. She hadn't been schooled in some of the requirements of ladies such as music and dancing. She had only been seen by her husband in a painting. And she had failed an important test when Henry visited her, in disguise, and she didn't recognise him (or show any interest).
We all think she emerged relatively unscathed after just 7 months of marriage, but her settlement was much less than that offered to Catherine, although to be fair her marriage was a lot longer. During the reign of Edward VI, she often had to fight for her stipend and her main residence was withdrawn.
Below: Anna of Cleeves by Wenceslaus Holler, after Hans Holbein the Younger, 1648. Copyright National Gallery, UK
For Katherine Howard, some long overdue kindness as Carey-Bunning examines how she performed as queen consort. It turns out she was a warm hearted girl who did her best. She had been subjected to sexual abuse at a young age and not protected as she should have been.
Finally, for Kateryn Parr, how this highly intelligent and intensely religious woman nearly suffered the same fate as Boleyn and Howard. Below: portrait by an unknown artist, 16th century. Copyright National Gallery UK.
Enticingly, Carey-Bunning reveals her belief that there are portraits of Anne and Jane yet to be discovered. Search those attics!
About the Author
Jessica Carey-Bunning is a Tudor historian and PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide. She fell in love with history after seeing a copy of the Magna Carta on a trip with her parents when she was five years old. Jessica began the Tudor Treasures website and Facebook page in 2022. She lives in Sydney with her husband, son, and cat. This book is the culmination of decades of passion and research.
I was provided with a free digital advance copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher, Pen and Sword, in return for an honest review.
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