Alison Weir's Six Tudor Queens Series Review/Discussion

[@Shane-Flanagan]

So pleased and pleasantly surprised that The Haunted Queen ranked number one on your list. It's arguably my favourite in the series too, thoroughly enjoyed it. Anything Jane Seymour related rarely makes it to number one in many peoples eyes as they think she's boring or a scheming minx. Like Anna of Kleve, Jane is a hard figure to write about as we know so little and doesn't come across as a big personality but Weir managed to craft a decent sized book about her life and pov. My interest was held throughout and Jane did come across quite fair and favourably.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

So thankful to Weir for creating this series, I loved it as I knew I would. A whole book devoted to each Queen, no easy task. I was sad that it had to end in a way. I think Weir did a great job overall. Weir stuck to fact as best she could and obviously filled in the blank spaces with fiction. Some of her creative choices are questionable in places and did anger and disappoint some but I didn't personally mind.

[@alisonridout]

June 2023 - just finished The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir but by May I had read Katherine of Aragon, Anna of Kleve and Katerine Parr. I now need to buy the other three. I know what you mean about Anna but I quite enjoyed the contraversial story but so far that's my favourite

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

I know what you mean about Jane's death! I was weeping when she died! I think it's because Jane truly dies in the prime of her life. All of their deaths are sad because they didn't have particularly happy lifes, but almost all of the others were depressed and accepted their deaths by the time it happened. Jane, on the other hand, had the world at her feet. She had the best and most powerful years of life ahead of her, and she just dies.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

You read four books in three weeks!!! I'm astonished and envious. It'd take me three weeks or more to read one book!

[@silverfeigner]

Henry VIII had a lot of charisma and charm and I think that's what made him have such a magnetic personality.

[@glendaw5221]

I loved this video!! I’m not drawn to Tudor history but you’ve peaked my interest.

[@CoynieReads]

Yay!! I'm glad!! 😍

[@tyrson4331]

I need to know about the historical discrepancy of Anne of Kelves!

[@wordsofclover]

Fantastic review video Charlotte! Thoroughly enjoyed this as a Tudor history fan!

[@CoynieReads]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@a_bookish_gemini]

Do you have a recommendation as far as Anna of Kleve goes that contains a more correct account/story? I'm on the second book in the series right now; love your insights.

[@CoynieReads]

It's a good question- to be honest, I'm not sure I have come across a dedicated historical fiction book that is focussed on her! I have Elizabeth Norton's Anne of Cleeves: The Discarded Bride on my TBR which is non-fiction so will have to see what I think of that!

[@a_bookish_gemini]

@@CoynieReads gotcha. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, too.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Catherine Parr overrated??? I've always thought the opposite. Does not get the attention that Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn receive for example

[@CoynieReads]

Haha I think at this point I’m so used to hearing Tudor fans saying “Anne Boleyn is overrated, Catherine Parr is much better!” that my reflex is “… is she though?” 😂

[@Shane-Flanagan]

@@CoynieReads Oh okay, I get you. In fairness though, none of them are overrated, some like Anne do get talked about more but they shouldn't be pitted against one another or ranked. We all have our favourites but ultimately all six were good women who each suffered in their own way being married to Henry Viii

[@silverfeigner]

Henry VIII had a lot of charisma and charm and I think that's what made him have such a magnetic personality.

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

I think he had narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissists can be very charming, but they are usually ultimately manipulative.