Tudor Book Blog

Since I am presently reading The Mistresses of Henry VIII, I have decided to highlight them this week, and books related to them.

In my research, I have come across several mistresses of Henry VIII often left out of the spotlight, overshadowed by Henry’s wives.

1) The earliest rumor of a mistress was Jane Popyncourt, a French tutor to Mary and Margaret Tudor. There is absolutely no evidence of this relationship, just court gossip. A new novel, Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace uses Jane as its central character. However, she is not portrayed as Henry’s mistress, rather as his spy. Here’s the amazon link for more info.

2) Anne Hastings, sister of the powerful and ill-fated Duke of Buckingham, is the first mistress to really receive some attention, mainly because of the scandal the relationship caused! Henry was a very private man, and liked to keep his mistresses out of the eyes of the court. However, when Lady Hasting’s husband found out he had her shipped to a nunnery! After her relationship with the King ended, she began a relationship with one of Henry’s men, William Compton. He even left her some money in his will. Either way, the Duke was not pleased and had a public rowel about it, causing him to be temporarily banished from court.

Above is a portrait of Anne painted in later life.

3) Elizabeth “Bessie” Blount is one of Henry’s well known mistresses because she bore him a son, Henry Fitzroy, whom he claimed as his own. There was even rumor that Henry would attempt to instate his illegitimate son as heir, though this did not happen (besides the fact that he died at a relatively early age-18 I believe-and Jane Seymour bore him a legitimate son). There are no surviving portraits of Bessie, though she was reported to have been extremely beautiful. She was married off after her affair with the king (which lasted longer than most of his affairs) and lived comfortably until her death in 1539.

There are presently no biographies on Bessie, but there are a few on her son, Henry Fitzroy, such as Bastard Prince: Henry VIII’s Lost Son by Beverley Murphy . Here’s the amazon link.

4) The next mistress is Mary Boleyn. Historians now do not doubt her relationship with the king, as there is documented proof of it (from a dispensation presented to the Pope when Henry wanted to marry Mary’s sister Anne, stating that the marriage would still be valid even if he had had relations with a sibling of Anne’s). It is uncertain how long their relationship lasted, or if Mary’s two children were fathered by the King. He never publicly acknowledged them.

The fictional portrayal of The Other Boleyn Girl has made Mary quite famous in the last few years. There is also a new biography of Mary out now, written by Josephine Wilkinson, titled Mary Boleyn: The True Story of Henry VIII’s Mistress. Here’s the amazon link for more info.

5) Madge/Mary Shelton, a cousin of Anne and Mary Boleyn, was rumored to have been a short term mistress to the King during his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Historians still debate not only if the affair took place, but with which sister (Margaret “Madge” or Mary Shelton).

6) The King was also rumored to have had an affair (and possibly even though of marriage as either wife number 4 or, later, number 6) with Anne Basset. The King reportedly gave her presents, though nothing ever came of the flirtation.

There are surely others that are unknown (such as Chapuy’s “handsome” lady). I haven’t finished The Mistresses of Henry VIII, but when I do I will write a review and possibly post more about these fascinating ladies!

Here is an interesting new novel:

It is written by Michael White and follows the attempt of the Catholic Church to get rid of Elizabeth I (from Mary Queen of Scots, to the Spanish Armada, to an assassination attempt). Now, the really interesting part…

Francis Walsingham is instrumental in thwarting these plots, including one where the instrument of death is the ring of Lucrezia Borgia, containing arsenic in its secret compartment.

(I always love these kind of books!) We skip ahead to contemporary London where a series of murders in the East End occur from arsenic poisoning. Meanwhile, bodies from the reign of Charles II are found. On the hand of one is the Borgia ring. The police search narrows to who wanted this ring badly enough to kill for it, which leads them to a very eccentric criminal!

Interesting! For more information on this novel, I have found an article linked here.

I am posting a ton of reviews this week!

Lady Gwyn has posted a review of Legacy by Susan Kay. It is a great fictional account of the life of Elizabeth I, and one of my personal favorites! I really like that it is told from several different points of view, not just one. The way Kay did the ending is so also wonderful, I was almost in tears!!!

If you have never read this book and are interested in it, check out the review Lady Gwyn has written of it here.

I couldn’t help but post this! It is one of my all time favorite books! Here is a review for Antonia Fraser’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The review gives a good synopsis of the book, stating that “it’s better than fiction.” It really is! I love Fraser’s writing style and her research is impeccable!

Here’s the link.

I posted a link to a radio interview with the author of this book the other day, which is really worth a listen (even though it is only 10 minutes long ),  and now I have a book review! This book looks like it is going to be really good! It looks at Elizabeth’s relationships with the women in her life, from her mother Anne Boleyn to the ladies of her bedchamber, to her cousin and rival Mary Queen of Scots. I can’t wait to read this one!

Here’s the link to a review which goes into a bit more detail about some of the relationships covered in the book.

Sorry to put all of these in one post, but I’m really sleepy! I am about half way through my e-mail, so I will post more tomorrow.

1) Here are the links to two new reviews for The Queen’s Mistake, Diane Haeger’s new novel on Katheryn Howard (She also wrote The Secret Bride about Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon).

Here are the links to the two reviews:

Review One at Virginie Says…

Review Two at Genre Go Rounds Reviews

2) The second book review is of The Tudor Rose, a new novel about Elizabeth of York. The review is from Musings of a Bibliophile, who gives  a really nice and long synopsis of the book.

Here’s the link.

I have a few more things to post, but I think I will wait until tomorrow! Good night!

I’m sorry posts have been so slow here lately. I am in mid-terms right now at my university, so I have been super busy. I am also in the process of moving, so I have a ton going on! I also have a lot of e-mail/other stuff to go through to update the blog, but I promise to do it very soon…hopefully tonight! Anyway, thanks for your patience!  I promise to post soon!

First off, thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway! Each submission was so well done and fascinating! It was extremely difficult to choose a winner!

So, without any further adieu…..the winner is…(drum roll)…

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Kimberly Eve!!!

Here is what she wrote about Anne Boleyn:

Anne Boleyn Thye Most Happy
By Kimberly Eve

I firmly believe Anne Boleyn stood out to Henry VIII not only for her rumoured beauty but because she was unlike any British born woman he had ever met. This is partly the reason why she is still being talked about to this day.
During her adolescent years, Anne Boleyn was groomed and educated in the Netherlands and France by three very influential women: Archduchess Margaret of Austria, Henry VIII’s sister, Margaret Tudor, who was betrothed to French King Louis XII of France, and Queen Claude of France. She served as a maid of honour or junior attendant but not yet a lady-in-waiting. By the time she returned to England and met Henry VIII she was every bit a French Lady.
She was a walking, talking contradiction of what a Sixteenth Century woman was supposed to be. She was up on the latest politics of the day and had no qualms about taking part in political debates with both sexes no matter their status. She was very well read and often took it upon herself to recommend the religious books of the day to her husband, King Henry VIII, when she felt her influence was needed without being viewed as a threat given that they practiced separate religions i.e. Henry was a staunch Protestant and Anne was a staunch Catholic.
Although, she knew her place, she rarely kept silent. Standing her ground and not backing down on the important issues of the day. Her influence was strongly felt amongst Henry VIII’s Privy Council during their courtship as well as during their short lived marriage which was the beginning of her downfall.
We are still so addicted to this woman who lived over four hundred years ago because she is forever shrouded in mystery. There are so many unanswered questions concerning her life and the turbulent times in which she lived that she has become an enigma; serving as a touchstone for every student freshly discovering her for the very first time whether it be within the pages of a book, a class lecture, a painting hanging in a museum, a movie or a popular Showtime Television Show!
Everyone believes they can figure out the pieces to the puzzle and come up with the answers to the questions that history has left us but the truth is we will never know who she really was, why she truly married Henry VIII, or how much British history would have been altered forever had she been blessed enough to give birth to a son in addition to her only daughter Elizabeth I who became one of the longest reigning queens of England.
No matter what is said about Anne Boleyn she left one of the greatest legacies a woman could leave and that is her daughter Elizabeth.

As I said, it was extremely difficult to choose a winner because all the submissions were so interesting! Here are the others who submitted! I will be holding another give away very soon, so please feel free to enter that one as well! Thanks again so much!

Barbara Goodwin wrote an article on the Boleyn sisters:

I am a huge fan of the Boleyn sisters and the power and corruption of the period, not only in the King’s court, but the regligious sector and in everyday life as well. Most everyone was juggling themselves for favor, recognition, and reward and the Boleyn sisters were no different. It was a time where women were used, abused, and sacrificed solely for a man’s honor or desire for an elevated status. I continue to marvel at the lack of women’s rights and the unfathomable rights and privilege of the reigning few. That women were used as pawns for the males in the household to gain favor and power is interesting in that an enlightened women could well negotiate her future, was she intelligent and wise. Anne realized her power and used it to the fullest. Any woman who could make Henry VII wait for six years for relations, then obtains marriage as the Queen of England, had to be extremely clever and intelligent in ways of seduction!

I also admire Mary, who too, shared the King’s bed, but not so in the manner of her sister. Ultimately it appears she found true and lasting happiness - so was she really second fiddle? Her legacy is an interesting and fascinating story in that she had extended years in life and from all appearances, happiness as well.

The Boleyn sisters truly emplify the Tudor period as they were young, beautiful, clever, gained great wealth and title, and ultimatly one pays the ultimate price for all the power gained. Their story is rich in history, color, change, and progression. From Anne Boleyn came the most famous Queen in history, Elizabeth I. The Catholic church’s legitmacy was challeneged, power was overturned, and it was never the same. I find the Boleyn sisters to be fascinating, not only for their conquests, but also for the changes during their time in history and lasting contribution to the history of the world through their story. Their story continues to delight, amaze and inspire us today!

Here is an article is from Ana Sofia

Why people –especially women- admire Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn, or as the title she held, Queen Anne Boleyn, is one of the most important figures in all time of British history. Her existence was of such relevance because she was the object of transition from the Catholic Church to the Anglicans in England, but also because she was a non-royal woman who besotted the king of England and his court. Anne in her early years must’ve day-dreamed about her future and her ambitions, but never imagined how high her star would rise.

Anne, like most teenagers my age, must have spent some time planning and imagining what she wanted to have in her life. Power, wealth and position in society were topics most likely greatly appealing to her. Because of the time era she was born in and the disadvantages of being a woman, marriage was definitely the way to achieve them. She knew she was worthy enough to make her own way and land a good husband with a title and wealth. As for the Boleyn family’s ambitions, they must have seen Anne as quite a card to play because of her wit, charm and skills.

After the failed betrothal to the earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, Anne gave up her love for him and her hope to be the wife of an earl. But she became aware of Henry’s interest in her so she took a chance and decided to try for the crown of England. And so, she didn’t give in to become to his mistress. She somehow managed to maintain the king’s attention for seven years –not with the use of witchcraft but her own resources. And she eventually succeeded, becoming Queen of England.

She is very appealing to us nowadays because she was a courageous and intelligent woman who believed in herself and in her own value. Some regard her as a feminist figure because she fought for what she wanted. I believe some admire her for just being a commoner and how high she rose, for others like me she’s like an inspiration, to let nothing keep us from dreaming. I speak for girls my age who know her story. She encourages us women to believe in ourselves and to use our own resources, virtues and skills to get what we desire in our life.

Ana Sofía Mg

This entry is from Marie Burton at The Burton Reviews Blog:

My favorite Tudor is of course Anne Boleyn, and her daughter Elizabeth is a close 2nd.
I love Anne for her tenacity, her ability to stand for what’s right, but I love the intrigue behind her personality as well. Henry’s advisers were afraid of her intellect, and her downfall (not only because of the heir issue) was contributed to largely by those who politically advised her. I would have loved to see how things would have turned out, had Elizabeth been a boy.. Her daughter made a significant impact on England obviously, which is why she is a close second..

Here is an entry from Kathleen Kelly from the Celtic Lady’s Ramblings Blog:

I love Anne Boleyn, I am obsessed by her and admire her as a strong woman who went after what she wanted even when Henry wanted to be rid of her. She accepted her fate with honor and grace. She knew that she had done nothing wrong in her friendships with the wrongs she was accused of doing.I think that she was totaly misunderstood or perhaps those that accused her feared her…some people have written that she was a shrew, manipulative,power hungry but I do not see her in that light. I supposed I have romanticized her. I often wonder as I read yet another book about her, what would have happened to her if she had been able to have a son..

Well, the Tudor Book Blog Giveaway submissions will end tonight at 12am. I am so excited at how well it turned out! Thanks so much to everyone who submitted! I will post the winner tomorrow!

First off, sooooo sorry I am so late posting this this week! We are almost at Mid-terms at my university, so I have been really busy! 

Since so many people have said that Anne Boleyn is their favorite “Tudor” at the Tudor Book Giveaway (which is still open by the way so please send in your submissions!!!) I decided to feature some of my favorite Anne Boleyn books and a few new ones I’m interested in reading. 

1) Of course, the number one Anne Boleyn book on my list is Eric Ives’s The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn.

This book is considered “the definitive biography of Anne Boleyn [which] establishes her as a figure of considerable importance and influence in her own right.”  Though Ives approach is sympathetic, he masterly presents both primary and secondary sources to allow the reader to draw their own conclusions. 

As many reviews state, I also state this is a must read for those interested in Anne or the Tudor period.

2) I have begun reading this book and am already thoroughly enjoying it! The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn: Family Politics at the Court of Henry VIII by Retha Warnicke isn’t so much a biography of Anne, but focuses on her rise and fall and the people events surrounding them. I honestly think that is why I like it so much…it is more a biography of the time she lived in.

By the way, this one is on Google books if you want to check it out! Here’s the link.

3) The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir is a new release. I haven’t read this one yet, but I really want to!!! This is one of the first books devoted solely to the Fall of Anne, asking the reason for it: “Was it Henry VIII who, estranged from Anne, instructed Master Secretary Thomas Cromwell to fabricate evidence to get rid of her so that he could marry Jane Seymour? Or did Cromwell, for reasons of his own, construct a case against Anne and her faction, and then present compelling evidence before the King?” Weir looks at the days leading up to Anne’s arrest, as well as her trial and imprisonment, and of course execution. 

Now for the really fun part! Fiction!

1) I have read a lot of fiction on the Tudors, particularly focusing on Anne. My favorite (now remember, this is not for accuracy, but for fun!) is Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell. This novel looks at the time before Anne became Queen and before she even arrived at the English Court. It focuses on her time in France and how she grew up at the French Court of Francois I. It is one of those I had a hard time putting down and finished it in a few days (with breaks to eat ).

2) My other favorite Anne novel is The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy. Plaidy is known for her wonderful fiction. I think I really like this book because it is the most accurate account I have read, but is still wonderfully inthralling and hard to put down! For Anne and Plaidy fans alike this is a must read!

These are just a few of the many wonderful books on Anne! Feel free to share more you really liked!

I received an e-mail today from Amber with this lovely link in it. This is really interesting to me because I am actually in the MLIS program at my school. I also thought since this is a “book” blog it was relevant and might be enjoyable to other readers out there!

The article describes all the different ways to take care of books, even offering tips for removing labels (like price tags) getting rid of grease stains, saving wet books, and repairing torn covers/pages! There is also a section with tips for using google books and reading books on your iPhone/iTouch. Also, the article provides links to cataloging sites (my personal fav. is LibraryThing), book shopping and accessory sites (I really want that book reading pillow!), and niffty things to do with your books (book bar anyone?). I also really love the section on making your own books (not just writing, but literally making!)

It’s a great article! You can check it out here! Thanks so much Amber!!!

Here are the submissions I have received so far! I love it, they are all about Anne Boleyn! But I must admit, she is my favorite Tudor as well!

Here they are! (They are in no particular order)

1) The first is from Kimberly Eve from Musings of a Writer. Here is what she says:

Anne Boleyn Thye Most Happy
By Kimberly Eve

I firmly believe Anne Boleyn stood out to Henry VIII not only for her rumoured beauty but because she was unlike any British born woman he had ever met. This is partly the reason why she is still being talked about to this day.
During her adolescent years, Anne Boleyn was groomed and educated in the Netherlands and France by three very influential women: Archduchess Margaret of Austria, Henry VIII’s sister, Margaret Tudor, who was betrothed to French King Louis XII of France, and Queen Claude of France. She served as a maid of honour or junior attendant but not yet a lady-in-waiting. By the time she returned to England and met Henry VIII she was every bit a French Lady.
She was a walking, talking contradiction of what a Sixteenth Century woman was supposed to be. She was up on the latest politics of the day and had no qualms about taking part in political debates with both sexes no matter their status. She was very well read and often took it upon herself to recommend the religious books of the day to her husband, King Henry VIII, when she felt her influence was needed without being viewed as a threat given that they practiced separate religions i.e. Henry was a staunch Protestant and Anne was a staunch Catholic.
Although, she knew her place, she rarely kept silent. Standing her ground and not backing down on the important issues of the day. Her influence was strongly felt amongst Henry VIII’s Privy Council during their courtship as well as during their short lived marriage which was the beginning of her downfall.
We are still so addicted to this woman who lived over four hundred years ago because she is forever shrouded in mystery. There are so many unanswered questions concerning her life and the turbulent times in which she lived that she has become an enigma; serving as a touchstone for every student freshly discovering her for the very first time whether it be within the pages of a book, a class lecture, a painting hanging in a museum, a movie or a popular Showtime Television Show!
Everyone believes they can figure out the pieces to the puzzle and come up with the answers to the questions that history has left us but the truth is we will never know who she really was, why she truly married Henry VIII, or how much British history would have been altered forever had she been blessed enough to give birth to a son in addition to her only daughter Elizabeth I who became one of the longest reigning queens of England.
No matter what is said about Anne Boleyn she left one of the greatest legacies a woman could leave and that is her daughter Elizabeth.

2) The second article is from Ana Sofia

Why people –especially women- admire Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn, or as the title she held, Queen Anne Boleyn, is one of the most important figures in all time of British history. Her existence was of such relevance because she was the object of transition from the Catholic Church to the Anglicans in England, but also because she was a non-royal woman who besotted the king of England and his court. Anne in her early years must’ve day-dreamed about her future and her ambitions, but never imagined how high her star would rise.

Anne, like most teenagers my age, must have spent some time planning and imagining what she wanted to have in her life. Power, wealth and position in society were topics most likely greatly appealing to her. Because of the time era she was born in and the disadvantages of being a woman, marriage was definitely the way to achieve them. She knew she was worthy enough to make her own way and land a good husband with a title and wealth. As for the Boleyn family’s ambitions, they must have seen Anne as quite a card to play because of her wit, charm and skills.

After the failed betrothal to the earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, Anne gave up her love for him and her hope to be the wife of an earl. But she became aware of Henry’s interest in her so she took a chance and decided to try for the crown of England. And so, she didn’t give in to become to his mistress. She somehow managed to maintain the king’s attention for seven years –not with the use of witchcraft but her own resources. And she eventually succeeded, becoming Queen of England.

She is very appealing to us nowadays because she was a courageous and intelligent woman who believed in herself and in her own value. Some regard her as a feminist figure because she fought for what she wanted. I believe some admire her for just being a commoner and how high she rose, for others like me she’s like an inspiration, to let nothing keep us from dreaming. I speak for girls my age who know her story. She encourages us women to believe in ourselves and to use our own resources, virtues and skills to get what we desire in our life.

Ana Sofía Mg

3) The third is from Marie Burton at The Burton Reviews Blog

She says:

My favorite Tudor is of course Anne Boleyn, and her daughter Elizabeth is a close 2nd.
I love Anne for her tenacity, her ability to stand for what’s right, but I love the intrigue behind her personality as well. Henry’s advisers were afraid of her intellect, and her downfall (not only because of the heir issue) was contributed to largely by those who politically advised her. I would have loved to see how things would have turned out, had Elizabeth been a boy.. Her daughter made a significant impact on England obviously, which is why she is a close second..

4) Here is an entry from Kathleen Kelly from the Celtic Lady’s Ramblings Blog:

I love Anne Boleyn, I am obsessed by her and admire her as a strong woman who went after what she wanted even when Henry wanted to be rid of her. She accepted her fate with honor and grace. She knew that she had done nothing wrong in her friendships with the wrongs she was accused of doing.I think that she was totaly misunderstood or perhaps those that accused her feared her…some people have written that she was a shrew, manipulative,power hungry but I do not see her in that light. I supposed I have romanticized her. I often wonder as I read yet another book about her, what would have happened to her if she had been able to have a son..

As you can see there are different opinions, ideas, and writing styles
which are all very acceptable and enjoyable, so please keep sending in your submissions! I am throughly enjoying reading them all!

I got my copy of Carlyn Beccia’s The Raucous Royals in the mail today! (Thanks again Carlyn!!!) So please don’t forget to email me who your favorite Tudor person is and why for your chance to win the book!

*Update! I apologize profusely for not re-mentioning this! In my original post on the Giveaway I said that it was only open to US/Canada residence. I am so sorry for this but it is so expensive to ship overseas! I would still love to read your articles however, so please send them in anyway and I will gladly post them! Thanks so much!

Kimberly Eve at the Musings of an Author blog has posted two videos and a write up of Philippa Gregory’s latest reading/book signing/interview. According to Kimberly, “during this lecture she explained the history behind four main characters [of The White Queen]: Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV, Richard III, and The Princes in the Tower.” Kimberly got to speak with Gregory for a minutes and writes about that too! Thanks so much for letting me know about it Kimberly!!!

She has done a really nice write up and videos so you should check it out!

Here’s the link.

First off, sorry I haven’t posted lately, I have been sick :( 

This review comes from The Lady Gwyn’s Kingdom and is of Philippa Gregory’s The Constant Princess. This novel depicts the life of Katherine of Aragon from childhood, her arrival in England, her marriage to (and death of) Prince Arthur, her marriage to Henry VIII, and her defeat of the Scottish King James IV in 1513.

Lady Gwyn gave the novel “4 Roses” and says it and TOBG top her list of Gregory’s books. (I must pause here and say that I am currently read TOBG…finally after a long battle with it…and am quite enjoying it…as a fun piece of fiction of course!:))

She gives a great synopsis of it (far more detailed than other reviews I have published on it-that I can remember).

Here’s the link!

I was looking at one of my favorite sites earlier, The Anne Boleyn Files, and Claire posted that the BBC Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour” (14th September) has historian and writer of “Elizabeth’s Women”, Tracy Borman discussing her new book. It is available through iTunes (I just searched Women’s Hour and then clicked on it (it’s free) and at the bottom there is a “playlist” where you can find this particular interview).

I am listening to it presently, and so far it is great! I am really interested in Elizabeth’s relationship with her mother Anne Boleyn, which she discusses.

It’s worth a  listen! Here’s the link to the Anne Boleyn Files post if you want more info.

Happy-Helen at The Tudor-Tastic Blog has a post about the Boston Philippa Gregory book signing. It is a really fun read! She got into some adventures (angry staff members ;)) and posted some good questions posed to Gregory about her books.

Here’s the link!

Here are two new Tudor-related novels:

1) No Will But His: A Novel of Katherine Howard-by Sarah A. Hoyt

-This novel will be released April 6, 2010. There isn’t much info. on it yet, but here is the cover:

Here’s the amazon link

2) Her Mother’s Daughter: A Novel of Mary Tudor-by Julianne Lee

-This one will be released Dec. 6, 2009. According to the publisher: “Told by Mary herself and the people around her, this grand-scale novel takes us back to the glittering court of sixteenth-century England, and tells the tragic story of a fascinating, largely misunderstood woman who withstood the treachery and passion around her only to become one of England’s most vilified queens.”

Here’s the amazon link for more info.

I am really excited about this!

As I said in the previous “Book of the Week” post, Carlyn Beccia, author of The Raucous Royals has graciously offered me a copy of her book to give away to one lucky reader! This competition with go on until the 26th of Sept. 

To enter:

Write a short article (length is up to you) about who your favorite Tudor (royal or not) is and why. 

Send it to me at everythingtudor@yahoo.com by Sept. 25th. I will review and choose the winner. All articles will be posted (don’t worry, only your first name and last initial will be posted with it. No e-mail address will be posted) on Sept. 26th and the winner announced. They will then receive a copy of The Raucous Royals!

Unfortunately I can only ship in the USA and Canada. But Please, feel free to write in anyway and I will be happy to publish your article, just keep in mind that I won’t be able to consider you in the competition if you live outside the USA/Canada

First time novelist Kimberly Eve has written a nice article on Elizabeth I on her blog titled “The Legacy of Elizabeth I.” I really like the way Kimberly Eve discusses Elizabeth from childhood to death, often focusing on her relationship/memory of her mother, Anne Boleyn, which affected her life greatly (who would want to marry after growing up with Henry VIII?). This is a topic I am really interested in, and I really enjoyed the article. It is really worth checking out!

Here’s the link.