Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen: A Novel (Six Tudor Queens)

Title: Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen Author: Alison Weir Age Group: Adult Genre: Historical Fiction Series: Six Tudor Queens, book one Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars I was gifted a copy of this book and reviewed it. I was gifted this book by a kind soul a few years ago, and since I’m trying to put a dent in my backlist, I chose this as one of my books to read. I’ve always been fascinated by the Tudors ever since I was a child and first studied history, so this was a really cool book to get reacquainted with that! I’ve always cared more about Henry the 8th’s wives rather than Henry himself. Alison Weir is one of my favorite historical novelists, so I was very excited to read this! Truth be told, I didn’t know much about Katherine of Aragon before this novel, but after it, I feel like I knew her intimately. I really knew her as the wife set aside by an emotional, lustful man for the beguiling Anne Boleyn. But this book changed all that. Strong, resolute and steadfast, Katherine has carved a permanent place in my heart! Katherine of Aragon is known as Henry the 8th’s first wife, and the mother of his first daughter, the woman who would later become Mary Queen of Scots. The book begins with Catalina, later rechristened Katherine, sailing across the sea from Spain to England. This book spans through Katherine’s reign as queen, being set aside for Anne Boleyn later in the book, all the way to her death. This book follows her struggles to the throne, and her marriage to Henry, which later becomes tumultuous. This book, it taught me patience. I haven’t read historical fiction in a while, and I almost gave up, but I’m so glad that I stuck with it! I only wish I had the next book in hand so I could continue, but alas, I must move on to the next book. The bottom line: Rich in detail and beautifully rendered, I loved The True Queen! Next on deck: Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas!

I've read.A lot of books on.the Tudors, especially Henry VIII and his wivex. I really enjoyed this one. I must admit I've never understood why Katharine was so stubborn about not agreeing to a divorce when it was obvious Henry would not return to her and that his desire for A son she couldn't give him, was driving him as hard as his desire for Anne Bolyn. But, as the author points out in her end notes, I'm not a Spanish princess raised in the 1500s. I'm not even Catholic. I always think.of a line in some shoe I watched about Anne Boleyn where just before she is executed she says "Katharine fought for 13 years to defend her daughter's rights...I sacrificed my daughters rights in 30 minutes." Unfortunately Catherine's staunch beliefs and Henry's scrappy father skills led to the development of Mary I, poor Bloody Mary. Ill be interested bro see if Ms Weir can get into Anne's head and portray her with the same empathy she does Katherine. Recommended for history buffs and pretty much anyone who enjoys a good read.

In the Author’s Note at the end of this amazing novel, Alison Weir describes Queen Katherine of Aragon as an “indomitable, courageous, and principled woman.” Weir’s novel also exemplifies her as a loving, faithful and holy Queen in the midst of the worst possible accusations and cruel persecution anyone could endure. The loveliest portion of this novel is the initial love between Henry and Katherine, gloriously thrilling, intense and intimate, so well-described that the reader cannot help but feel and celebrate this couple’s joy. Henry was distant as his father manipulated Katherine’s so-called marriage to Arthur, the eldest son. It’s even suggested the father had eyes for the son’s bride-to-be. But after Arthur tragically dies, Henry swears he has only had eyes for Katherine and they are wedded and live in shared bliss. Time passes and Queen Katherine loses many children during pregnancy or immediately upon birth, with only one daughter Mary living. Henry is desperate for a male heir, claiming it is the primary job of his rule and one which is Katherine’s job to make happen. Destiny chooses otherwise and the consequences are painfully devastating to Katherine as Henry becomes infatuated and then totally engrossed with Anne Boleyn. The latter is jealous of the great love between Henry and Katherine, determined to wrest both the love and power from the Queen and sets about doing just that. We read of the changes in attitude of Cardinal Wolsey, ambassadors from Spain, Thomas More, Oliver Cromwell, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the Pope, and others, all stymied by Katherine’s insistence that her marriage to Henry was legitimate, sanctified by the Church and unbreakable. Henry, however, will move from awaiting the Papal decision approving or denying a divorce to deciding he is the proper secular and religious head of England, forsaking any necessity for Papal approval. English history is precisely described at this point as Henry acquires great wealth and loyalty, albeit forced by fear of torture and death, and eventually marries Anne Boleyn. The reader will grow to love Katherine’s friends who remain loyal and dear throughout this terrible ordeal which finally affects Katherine’s health. Alison Weir is obviously a scrupulous historian who also possesses the ability to make the reader fully engage with every thought, feeling, dialogue, setting and action throughout this SUPERB historical novel. This is one of the finest novels this reviewer has read in a very long time and is highly recommended as, even if you already know the story, a uniquely told account of the rise and fall of a great woman. English history is forever changed because of the beloved Queen Katherine’s fortitude, faith, love and loyalty!

My second book by alison Weir, first one on eleanor of Aquitaine that i strongly recommend. I love the way she manages to grasp the sense of living in the middle ages and maneges to write in historical facts to a first person novel. Loved it so much i bought the other 5....

Romanzo storico piacevolissimo che approfondisce un personaggio interessante e coraggioso. La prima moglie di Enrico VIII prende vita dall'infanzia fino alla sua triste e nota fine. L'autrice è riuscita a creare un intreccio fedelissimo ai fatti storici ma godibile e scorrevole

Great and interesting book about a famous women from history

Nunca había leído un libro sobre la vida de Catalina de Aragón, y este me ha interesado mucho porque cuenta (novelado) desde que llega a Inglaterra hasta su muerte. Me interesaba mucho saber que fue de ella cuando Enrique VIII la apartó. Entretenido

Excellent book. Loved every page!