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The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.… (meer)
A book I've wanted to read for a very long time and have finally done so! Weir is as always thorough in her research and excruciating in detail. It took me awhile to read just because of the size of the book and the dry writing style. ( )
My personal study of England has been a sort of patchy, interest-driven excursion; focusing mainly on the lives of well-known authors and their haunts. One era of British history I'd never read about until now is the Tudor period. I'll admit---it was mainly for fear of mixing up the various Marys, Katherines, Annes, and Henrys. It seemed an intimidating task.
When I was given a large box of Tudor reads, I decided this book was the best one to begin with and I was pleasantly surprised at how readable it is. The author makes few assumptions about her readers' prior Tudor knowledge and I came away feeling like I had a good grasp on Henry VIII's life and wives.
I started out with a very bad opinion of Henry VIII. I'd always heard he was a terrible tyrant. Reading about his early life, I began sympathizing with him as it seemed he really desired to be a good king. About the time he messed around on his first wife though, I started to dislike him and by the time Anne Boleyn came along, I seriously loathed him! So many times he was such a hypocritical and immature man.
I had varying feelings about his wives. I greatly admired Katherine of Aragon's loyalty to her husband and to her marriage vows. I did feel pity for the king concerning Katherine Howard, though he really was getting to see the other side of things for the women he'd cast off so carelessly.
By laying out the facts in an unbiased way, Weir allows the reader to form her own conclusions. With all the horrible, tyrannical things Henry VIII sanctioned, I still came away sad and sympathetic at his end. I'm glad he acknowledged Christ before he died. ( )
Returning to this after twenty plus years, and knowing some missing stories, I can really see some of the newer research that has taken place since this was written in 1991. These women often turn into caricatures, and I got somewhat offended on their behalf at how Weir portrayed them. But I’m glad I got a general overview again as I’ll continue on with my project research and see where it leads. ( )
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
This book is dedicated to my parents, Doreen and James Cullen, my mother-in-law, Margaret Weir, and in loving memory of William Blackwood Weir
Eerste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
The reign of Henry VIII is one of the most fascinating in English history.
Citaten
Informatie afkomstig uit de Duitse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
Henry VIII's marital affairs brought the royal marriage into public focus for the first time in our history.
Henry VIII's wives would all have learned very early in life that, as women, they had very little personal freedom.
Infidelity in a wife was not tolerated, but for queens Henry VIII made it a treasonable offence punishable by death, because it threatened the succession.
What was really required of a queen was that she produce heirs for the succession and set a high moral standard for court and kingdom by being a model of wifely dignity and virtue.
Queens walked slowly, danced slowly, and moved with regal bearing, not just because they were born to it, but because their clothes constrained them to it.
A woman who bore ten children could expect to see less than half grow to full maturity if she were lucky. Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn had ten pregnancies between them: two children survived.
In an age of arranged marriages, a wife could not expect her husband to be faithful. Marriages were business arrangements, pleasure could be found elsewhere. Adultery in men was common, and Henry VIII is known to have strayed frequently during his first two marraiges.
Marriage, however, was as far removed from courtly love as night from day.
Laatste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Duitse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.
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