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 Their lives and relationships October 28, 2008
Based on extensive research Alison Weir traces the lives of Henry VIII's 3 children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, as well as their cousin, the ill fated nine days queen, Lady Jane Grey.
Weir begins the chronicles with the death of Henry VIII in 1547.
She stresses that the book is not a history of England during the reign of these 4 monarchs but rather an account of their personal lives and the relations between them in the 11 years after Henry's death.
While Mary and Elizabeth suffered from their mothers being removed and themselves disinherited and labelled as 'bastards' (Elizabeth when she was only three), Edward grew up secure in his father's love and protection.
In the introduction to these chronicles Weir discusses the psychological and physical health of Mary.
The onset of puberty had coincided with the separation of her parents and this in turn resulted in a succession of serious illnesses that were most likely psychological in origin, and which she suffered from until the end of her life.
These included severe depression, palpitations, headaches, and what would now be referred to as premenstrual tension and most likely also seasonal affective disorder.
Elizabeth lived with the horrifying memories of her mother's execution when she was only three.
When Elizabeth was eight, Katherine Howard, who Elizabeth had been close to, was executed for adultery which resurrected the scars of the execution of Anne Boleyn.
While her father was cruel to her, and for long periods refused to see her for long periods, Elizabeth was fortunate enough to have come under Katherine Parr's protection and influence.
Edward was intelligent, strong-minded and as fervent a Protestant as his sister Mary was a Catholic, but he could also be cruel.
King Henry's last wife Katherine Parr was a true saint. She showed great love to all of Henry's children and to Lady Jane Grey, who was so cruelly treated by her ruthless and ambitious parents.
Jane Grey was a devout Protestant, kind and intelligent, a gem of a soul, her use as apolitical pawn and her execution being one of the great injustices and tragedies of the history of the England of this period.
Weir tries to present a sympathetic portrait of Mary I, but I believe that for all of the testimonies of Mary's supposed goodness, her importation of the inquisition into England, and the burning of Protestants to try to ruthlessly force Catholicism in England, means she was in the end a bloody tyrant.
Queen Elizabeth always practised religious tolerance and never persecuted anybody on their faith.
When a register of martyrs was printed in 1557, each list ended with the rhyme : "When these with violence were burned to death, we longed for our Elizabeth."
The death of Mary I of England was a great relief to most of her subjects. Queen Elizabeth's accession heralded a golden age in England under that country's greatest monarch.
Alison Weir, as always has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the four sovereigns combining detail with a fine, pleasurable read.
informative, concise and well worth reading. April 18, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
A fascinating book that deals with each of his children in turn. It gives the reader an insight into why they acted as they did. It proves that really all four of them were neglected lonely people. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in this period.
No mention of Henry VIII's bastard son, Henry Frizroy! August 23, 1999
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book gives in depth factual information that quenches my thirst for Tudor information. Although the book covers Jane Grey, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and Mary I well, Alison has failed to mention Henry VIII bastard son, Henry Frizroy, the son of one of Henry's mistresses, Elizabeth Blount. Although Frizroy played no part in England's political history, it would have been nice to have some information on him. Other then that, this book is probably one of Alison's best, showing both the personal and political sides to each person. Keep writing!
Jane Grey the Queene July 4, 1999
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The childhoods of the "children" are revealed thru and thru by my favorite Tudor biographer. You read about Jane Grey so much in other books yet you don't really KNOW her, here it is!
 Very good book keeps you interested throughout. June 4, 1999
I watched the movie elizabeth, and was interested in finding more out about her. I picked up this book at the book store. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is a very well written book, and I would reccomend it to anyone.
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