This deeply fascinating book delves deep into the personalities and lives of all the Tudor kings and queens that feels very intimate in style.
Taking readers through the reign of the Tudors, from the coolly distant Henry VII to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Tracy Borman explores the lesser seen and known about to the royal family – such as their likes and dislikes as well as the people who lived to serve them.
This briskly paced and engaging read provides a deeper insight into the lives of the period of history which has remained a source of fascination for historians and those who love Tudor history for hundreds of years.
For example, it reveals how important clothing was to Henry VII in showing people that he was the rightful king, particularly when when numerous rebellions took place during his reign. Yet, Borman is also able to go beyond this to reveal fascinating insights into a variety of relationships of this somewhat reclusive king – particularly his wife Elizabeth Woodville and his mother Margaret Beaufort.
Throughout the book, the author also offers details about the lives of those who looked after their reigning monarch and how extremely personal some of their duties were. This ensures that the book is fully rounded and detailed, keeping the reader’s interest from beginning to end.
Some might be slightly disappointed that because of the close focus on the personalities, some of their wider reactions to events taking place at the time are lacking. But ultimately, this is not the purpose of the book which is to take readers away from the glamour of the court and the politics to offer a new perspective on the Tudors.
The style and tone of the book is easy to get on with, thanks to the straight forward narrative and structure of the book which takes the reader from the end of the battle of Bosworth all the way through to the end of Elizabeth I’s reign.
For those who are eager to deepen their Tudor knowledge even further, this is a must-read, as it is filled with stories and facts that you could never have guessed until now. Well worth a read.
The Private Lives of the Tudors is available to buy through Amazon now.
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