New Releases by Alison Weir

''Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else'' BARBARA ERSKINE Step into the thrill and intrigue of Tudor England in the rich, compelling new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Alison Weir - and witness the rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey. It begins with Thomas, the son of a Suffolk tradesman. A brilliant boy sent to study at Oxford at the tender age of eleven. It ends with a disgraced Cardinal, cast from the King''s side and estranged from those he loves. In her groundbreaking new novel, Alison Weir draws out the inner man for the first time and tells his story. It is one of a scholar, a lover and a father, a rival, a politician and a priest. A man who built an empire in England while leading a secret second life, who paid the highest price for his success. These many faces of Thomas Wolsey chart his incredible rise and tragic fall, and reveal a tale of power, passion and ambition. By turns riveting and surprising, this is Wolsey as you''ve never seen him before.

De toute évidence, le roi était bien disposé à son égard et recherchait le bonheur conjugal. Si elle parvenait à lui plaire et se gardait de l''offenser, si elle se conduisait de sorte que personne ne pût lui faire de reproches ni l''accuser de quoi que ce soit, et si Henri ne remarquait rien au cours de leur nuit de noces, alors elle serait à l''abri des ennuis. Peut-être même trouverait-elle le bonheur. Tout de même, cela faisait beaucoup de « si » ! À vingt-quatre ans, Anne de Clèves est déjà considérée comme une vieille fille et doit rapidement se trouver un époux. Une union avec Henri VIII, alors âgé de quarante-six ans, malade et repoussé par plusieurs grandes princesses d''Europe est sans doute sa dernière chance. Malheureusement, s''il est séduit par son portrait, le roi Henri est amèrement déçu quand il rencontre sa promise. Anne sait pourtant qu''elle doit absolument plaire au roi, d''autant plus que l''équilibre du pouvoir en Europe dépend de son mariage. Mais il lui faut aussi composer avec les rumeurs malveillantes sur son passé, qui pourraient causer sa perte à la cour d''Angleterre. Car pour être reine, il faut être irréprochable. L''autrice et historienne de renom, Alison Weir, livre ici le quatrième volume d''une série de six romans fascinants sur les épouses de Henri VIII, les reines maudites. Un incontournable pour les fans de Philippa Gregory et d''Elizabeth Chadwick. « Une vision nouvelle et originale de la quatrième épouse de Henri VIII... Un portrait extrêmement instructif. » Booklist « Un portrait complet et intéressant de celle qui survécut à toutes les autres. » The Times « Alison Weir fait de la tant décriée quatrième épouse du roi Henri VIII une femme passionnée, courageuse et mystérieuse. » Tracy Borman « Un roman exceptionnel, le plus intrigant de la série des reines maudites... En se fondant sur de solides connaissances, l''autrice présente avec passion et beaucoup d''émotion une image originale de la vie d''Anne de Clèves. » Historical Novel Review « Le quatrième roman de cette chronique sur les épouses de Henri VIII offre une image différente du roi. Il tisse avec Anne une relation étonnamment sincère et touchante, lui apportant ainsi des instants de bonheur dans une vie de frustrations. » Sunday Express « Il fallait l''incroyable finesse d''Alison Weir pour décrire une Anne de Clèves à ce point surprenante et mystérieuse. J''ai toujours pensé qu''Anne était la plus intelligente des épouses rejetées par Henri. L''autrice donne à sa vie une tournure que je ne peux qu''approuver et applaudir. » Susan Ronald « Le quatrième livre de cette série est une véritable merveille. Maître conteuse, l''autrice nous offre un récit fascinant sur les différentes formes que peut prendre l''amour. » The Sun « Ce livre bien documenté et magnifiquement construit offre un aperçu émouvant de la quatrième épouse du roi Henri... en s''appuyant sur de nouvelles données historiques pour présenter une vision originale et surprenante d''Anne de Clèves. » Candis

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII’s daughter—infamously known as Bloody Mary—who ruled England for five violent years. “An exquisitely drawn, poignant portrayal of one of history’s most complex, maligned, and fascinating figures.”—Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I Born from young King Henry’s first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry’s passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess’s future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate, and banishes them both from the royal court. But when Anne too fails to produce a son, she is beheaded and Mary is allowed to return to court as the default heir. At age twenty, she waits in vain for her own marriage and children, but who will marry her, bastard that she is? Yet Mary eventually triumphs and becomes queen, after first deposing a seventeen-year-old usurper, Lady Jane Grey, and ordering her beheading. Any hopes that Mary, as the first female queen regent of England, will show religious toleration are dashed when she embarks on a ruthless campaign to force Catholicism on the English by burning hundreds of Protestants at the stake. But while her brutality will forever earn her the name Bloody Mary, at heart she is an insecure and vulnerable woman, her character forged by the unhappiness of her early years. In Alison Weir’s masterful novel, the drama of Mary I’s life and five-year reign—from her abusive childhood, marriage, and mysterious pregnancies to the cruelty that marks her legacy—comes to vivid life.

Sunday Times bestselling novelist Alison Weir returns with the spellbinding story of Mary I, the princess who became Bloody Mary. [Bokinfo].

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the private side of the legendary king Henry VIII and his dramatic and brutal reign in this extraordinary historical novel. “A delightful yarn . . . an all-around fun read about a king and a cad.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Having completed her Six Tudor Queens series of novels on the wives of Henry VIII, extensively researched and written from each queen''s point of view, Alison Weir now gives Henry himself a voice, telling the story of his remarkable thirty-six-year reign and his six marriages. Young Henry began his rule as a magnificent and chivalrous Renaissance prince who embodied every virtue. He had all the qualities to make a triumph of his kingship, yet we remember only the violence. Henry famously broke with the pope, founding the Church of England and launching a religious revolution that divided his kingdom. He beheaded two of his wives and cast aside two others. He died a suspicious, obese, disease-riddled tyrant, old before his time. His reign is remembered as one of dangerous intrigue and bloodshed—and yet the truth is far more complex. The King''s Pleasure brings to life the idealistic monarch who expanded Parliament, founded the Royal Navy, modernized medical training, composed music and poetry, and patronized the arts. A passionate man in search of true love, he was stymied by the imperative to produce a male heir, as much a victim of circumstance as his unhappy wives. Had fate been kinder to him, the history of England would have been very different. Here is the story of the private man. To his contemporaries, he was a great king, a legend in his own lifetime. And he left an extraordinary legacy—a modern Britain.

Da che ne ha memoria, Elisabetta ha sempre saputo di essere importante: primogenita del re Edoardo iv e di Elisabetta Wydeville, la sua nascita è stata celebrata con la stessa gioia riservata a un erede maschio. I capelli tra il rosso e l’oro, gli occhi blu e i lineamenti delicati, non ha la bellezza algida della madre e tuttavia è graziosa; i suoi sogni sono popolati da cavalieri che salvano fanciulle e innamorati che si giurano fedeltà, come nelle storie d’amore che divora. Promessa sposa al Delfino di Francia fin dalla piú tenera età, a diciassette anni Elisabetta è una giovane donna che si appresta a compiere il proprio dovere. Ma quando una nuova alleanza politica manda a monte il fidanzamento, provocando la morte di suo padre, in quel vuoto si insinua, subdolo, il fratello del re, Riccardo iii, da troppi anni assetato di potere. Davanti a quella meschina usurpazione, alla famiglia di Elisabetta non resta che una soluzione: fuggire. Perché, come in una favola nera, la giovane e i suoi fratelli si vedono improvvisamente privati non solo del titolo, ma anche della loro stessa identità. Decisa a sopravvivere a ogni costo alla rovina, Elisabetta si trova cosí al centro dello scontro fra York e Lancaster: un campo di battaglia dove schiererà tutto il proprio coraggio e la propria intraprendenza. Attingendo a una ricca documentazione storica, Alison Weir racconta cosí la storia struggente, avventurosa e a volte tragica di Elisabetta di York, figlia, sorella, nipote e madre di re. Consorte modello, donna generosa e influente, Elisabetta visse uno dei periodi piú turbolenti della storia inglese, eppure riuscí a lasciare dietro di sé un’eredità destinata a specchiarsi nei secoli, e a concretizzarsi, anni dopo, in quella nipote che sarebbe stata la prima donna della dinastia Tudor a salire al trono: Elisabetta I. «Weir ama profondamente il suo personaggio. Un tributo a una regina quasi dimenticata». The New York Times Book Review «Nelle mani di Alison Weir, Elisabetta di York acquista una nuova tridimensionalità. Una lettura necessaria per tutti i fan dei Tudor». Historical Novels Review «Come in ogni libro di Weir, il respiro del tempo soffia con viva autenticità». Booklist

The magnificent new Tudor novel from Alison Weir, author of the Sunday Times-bestselling Six Tudor Queens series. This is Henry VIII - his side of the story. A young boy grows up dreaming of knights and chivalry. Harry is the second son. He is never meant to rule. But the death of his brother changes everything, and great destiny awaits this young prince. One day he will be the most infamous king in English history. HENRY VIII. HIS STORY. --- PRAISE FOR ALISON WEIR''S NOVELS OF THE TUDORS ''With Elizabeth of York, Alison Weir gives us her most compelling heroine yet... This is where the story of the Tudors begins and is historical fiction at its absolute best'' Tracy Borman ''History has the best stories and they should all be told like this'' Conn Iggulden ''This series is a serious achievement'' The Times ''Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life'' Guardian ''This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII''s six wives to life as never before'' Tracy Borman ''Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page'' Elizabeth Fremantle ''Well researched and engrossing'' Good Housekeeping ''Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place'' Barbara Erskine ''Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail'' Daily Mail

New York Times bestselling author Alison Weir explores the turbulent life of Henry VIII’s mother, Elizabeth, the first queen of the Tudor dynasty, in this “superbly readable and engaging” (Historical Novels Society) novel. Elizabeth of York is the oldest daughter of King Edward IV. Flame-haired, beautiful, and sweet-natured, she is adored by her family; yet her life is suddenly disrupted when her beloved father dies in the prime of life. Her uncle, the notorious Richard III, takes advantage of King Edward’s death to grab the throne and imprison Elizabeth’s two younger brothers, the rightful royal heirs. Forever afterward known as "the Princes in the Tower," the boys are never seen again. On the heels of this tragedy, Elizabeth is subjected to Richard’s overtures to make her his wife, further legitimizing his claim to the throne. King Richard has murdered her brothers, yet she feels she must accept his proposal. As if in a fairy tale, Elizabeth is saved by Henry Tudor, who challenges Richard and defeats him at the legendary Battle of Bosworth Field. Following his victory, Henry becomes king and asks Elizabeth to be his wife, the first queen of the Tudor line. The marriage is happy and fruitful, not only uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York—the red and white roses—but producing four surviving children, one of whom, Henry VIII, will rule the country for the next thirty-six years. As in her popular Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir captures the personality of one of Britain’s most important consorts, conveying Elizabeth of York’s dramatic life in a novel that is all the richer because of its firm basis in history.

The third volume of Alison Weir''s magisterial history of the queens of medieval England Medieval queens were seen as mere dynastic trophies, yet many of the Plantagenet queens of the high middle ages dramatically broke away from the restrictions imposed on their sex, as Alison Weir shows in this gripping group biography of England''s fourteenth-century consorts. Using personal letters and wonderfully vivid sources, Alison Weir evokes the lives of five remarkable queens- Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois. The turbulent, brutal Age of Chivalry witnessed the Black Death, the Peasants'' Revolt, the Hundred Years'' War against France and savage baronial wars against the monarchy in which these queens were passionately involved. Queens of the Age of Chivalry brilliantly recreates this truly dramatic period of history through the lives of five extraordinary women.

The captivating new Tudor novel from Alison Weir, Sunday Times bestselling author of Six Tudor Queens. ''Alison Weir gives us her most compelling heroine yet... This is where the story of the Tudors begins'' Tracy Borman ''History has the best stories and they should all be told like this'' Conn Iggulden ''A stunning read, and the perfect piece of historical fiction'' Reader review ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ ''This novel captured my imagination, educated me and emotionally moved me'' Reader review ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ --- A princess born into a war between two families... Firstborn of the royal House of York, Elizabeth dreams of wearing a crown. But in England, queens do not rule. When her beloved father, King Edward, dies suddenly, his brother seizes power. Two young princes disappear into the Tower. Yet another claimant seeks the crown, the upstart heir of the rival House of Lancaster. Marriage to this Henry Tudor would unite their warring families - and help Elizabeth to the throne she knows is hers by right. A glorious new age awaits. Now Elizabeth must choose her allies wisely as she fights to become mother and queen of a great new dynasty. Elizabeth of York. The first Tudor queen. Her story. --- READERS FELL IN LOVE WITH ELIZABETH OF YORK... ''I found her an inspirational woman, full of strength...I truly adored this book'' ''She becomes the matriarch of the Tudor destiny after a series of intrigue, conflict, and most likely murder... a brilliant read'' ''Alison Weir''s writing just makes history that bit more exciting and accessible'' ''It was refreshing to read such a detailed and informative book of an almost forgotten Queen'' ''An amazing read as expected from Alison Weir, she breathes life into Elizabeth and those around her''

''This series is a serious achievement'' THE TIMES on SIX TUDOR QUEENS''Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life'' GUARDIANAlison Weir, Sunday Times-bestselling author of the SIX TUDOR QUEENS series, returns with a captivating new trio of novels spanning three generations of history''s most iconic family, the Tudors.---Mother. Survivor. Queen. The spellbinding story of Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor queen.---AN ENGLISH PRINCESS, BORN INTO A WAR BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES.Eldest daughter of the royal House of York, Elizabeth dreams of a crown to call her own. But when her beloved father, King Edward, dies suddenly, her destiny is rewritten.Her family''s enemies close in. Two young princes are murdered in the Tower. Then her uncle seizes power - and vows to make Elizabeth his queen.But another claimant seeks the throne, the upstart son of the rival royal House of Lancaster. Marriage to this Henry Tudor would unite the white rose of York and the red of Lancaster - and change everything.A great new age awaits. Now Elizabeth must choose her allies - and husband - wisely, and fight for her right to rule. ---PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES:''This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII''s six wives to life as never before'' Tracy Borman ''Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page'' Elizabeth Fremantle''Well researched and engrossing'' Good Housekeeping''Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place'' Barbara Erskine''An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you'' Telegraph''This brilliant book is a bombshell! Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again! . . . She is vibrant, determined and she sets the King''s court on fire . . . A magnificent novel'' Kate Williams''Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail'' Daily Mail

Over the years of his reign, six different women took their place beside King Henry VIII of England as his wife and queen. But the real stories of the six Tudor queens belong to those who lived among them. Played out in glittering palaces and whispering courts, these are tales of the people who loved and served these women, and those who lied and betrayed. Collected together for the first time, In the Shadow of Queens reveals thirteen startling stories from the Tudor court, told by those at the very heart of that world.

In This New Sepulchre by Sunday Times bestselling historian Alison Weir is an e-short and companion piece to the captivating final novel in the Six Tudor Queens series, Katharine Parr: The Sixth Wife. ''How beautiful this place was. It was comforting to think that the Queen would lie here peacefully for eternity'' 1549. Katharine Parr, the last of Henry VIII''s queens, has been dead for some eight months. Her cousin, Mary Odell, comes to mourn her by the beautiful marble tomb Thomas Seymour has erected at their home, Sudeley Castle. Alone in the peaceful chapel, Mary will never be able to predict the fate of Katharine''s resting place in the centuries to come. 1782. Sudeley is a ruin and Katharine''s body has lain hidden for decades. But a determined young woman has resolved to find her grave - and pay homage to her legacy. In the years that follow, Katharine''s story captures the imagination of many different people who seek to know and remember the six Tudor queens. Can she finally be left to rest in peace?

''A detailed and convincing portrait of an extraordinary life... this series is a serious achievement'' THE TIMES ''This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII''s six wives to life as never before. This novel will enthral and inspire, just as much as it will break your heart'' TRACY BORMAN Alison Weir, historian and author of the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling SIX TUDOR QUEENS series, recounts the story of Henry VIII''s last wife - Katharine Parr, the queen who survived him. --- A WOMAN TORN BETWEEN LOVE AND DUTY. Two husbands dead, a boy and a sick man. And now Katharine is free to make her own choice. The ageing King''s eye falls upon her. She cannot refuse him... or betray that she wanted another. She becomes the sixth wife - a queen and a friend. Henry loves and trusts her. But Katharine is hiding another secret in her heart, a deeply held faith that could see her burn... KATHARINE PARR. HENRY''S FINAL QUEEN. HER STORY. Renowned, bestselling historian Alison Weir reveals a warm, clever woman of great fortitude who rose boldly to every turn her life took. ''Katharine Parr deserves better than to be known just as Henry VIII''s sixth wife - the one who survived. And there''s no-one better placed than Alison Weir to restore her to her rightful place'' SARAH GRISTWOOD ''The conversations are sparkling, gripping and word-perfect. As King Henry ages, the machinations of his vicious court are never far away'' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY ''For the first time I felt as though, thanks to Alison''s skilful writing and storytelling, I came to "know" Katharine'' NICOLA TALLIS ''A tour de force. If you think you know everything about Henry VIII''s last queen, you''re in for a wonderful treat - you don''t!'' SUSAN RONALD ''An absorbing and fascinating read, meticulously researched as is always the case with Alison''s work, and she really made Katharine live'' SARAH RAYNE --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: ''Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life'' Guardian ''Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page'' Elizabeth Fremantle ''Well researched and engrossing'' Good Housekeeping ''Utterly gripping and endlessly surprising'' Tracy Borman ''Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail'' Daily Mail

Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir brings her Tudor Queens series to a close with the remarkable story of Henry VIII''s sixth and final wife, who manages to survive him and remarry, only to be thrown into a romantic intrigue that threatens the very throne of England. “A superb read and a remarkable end to a brilliant series.”—Historical Novel Society Having sent his much-beloved but deceitful young wife Katheryn Howard to her beheading, King Henry fixes his lonely eyes on a more mature woman, thirty-year-old, twice-widowed Katharine Parr. She, however, is in love with Sir Thomas Seymour, brother to the late Queen Jane. Aware of his rival, Henry sends him abroad, leaving Katharine no choice but to become Henry’s sixth queen in 1543. The king is no longer in any condition to father a child, but Katharine is content to mother his three children, Mary, Elizabeth, and the longed-for male heir, Edward. Four years into the marriage, Henry dies, leaving England’s throne to nine-year-old Edward—a puppet in the hands of ruthlessly ambitious royal courtiers—and Katharine''s life takes a more complicated turn. Thrilled at this renewed opportunity to wed her first love, Katharine doesn''t realize that Sir Thomas now sees her as a mere stepping stone to the throne, his eye actually set on bedding and wedding fourteen-year-old Elizabeth. The princess is innocently flattered by his attentions, allowing him into her bedroom, to the shock of her household. The result is a tangled tale of love and a struggle for power, bringing to a close the dramatic and violent reign of Henry VIII.

''Stunning... Weir has brought those five queens to life like never before. I just raced through it - it has all the drama and suspense of a novel'' Tracy Borman Crusading queens, queens in rebellion against their king, queen seductresses, learned queens, queens in battle - the Plantagenet queens broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence, for good and sometimes for ill. Beginning with the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine whose marriage to Henry II sows the seeds for some of the most destructive family conflicts in history and ending with Eleanor of Castile, the grasping but beloved wife of Edward I, Alison Weir''s ground-breaking history of the queens of medieval England provides an enthralling new perspective on a dramatic period of high romance and sometimes low politics, with determined women at its heart.

''This six-book series looks likely to become a landmark in historical fiction'' THE TIMES ''With characteristic verve and stunning period detail, this novel will captivate you and break your heart. Utterly sublime'' TRACY BORMAN Alison Weir, historian and author of the Sunday Times-bestselling Six Tudor Queens series, relates one of the most tragic stories in English history: Katheryn Howard, Henry VIII''s fifth queen. ''Conveys the heart-rending pathos of a young woman executed, whose only real crime was her naïveté and her desire to be loved... It is a profoundly moving story that lingers long after the last page is turned'' ELIZABETH FREMANTLE ''Alison''s sensitively drawn novel will change everyone''s preconceptions'' SUSAN RONALD ... A NAIVE YOUNG WOMAN AT THE MERCY OF HER AMBITIOUS FAMILY. At just nineteen, Katheryn Howard is quick to trust and fall in love. She comes to court. She sings, she dances. She captures the heart of the King. But Henry knows nothing of Katheryn''s past - one that comes back increasingly to haunt her. For those who share her secrets are waiting in the shadows, whispering words of love... and blackmail. The fifth of Henry''s queens. Her story. Acclaimed, bestselling historian Alison Weir draws on extensive research to recount the tale of a vivacious young woman used by powerful men for their own gain. HISTORY TELLS US SHE DIED TOO SOON. THIS MESMERISING NOVEL BRINGS HER TO LIFE. PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: ''Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life'' Guardian ''Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else'' Barbara Erskine ''Well researched and engrossing'' Good Housekeeping ''Utterly gripping and endlessly surprising'' Tracy Borman ''Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail'' Daily Mail

Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir tells the tragic story of Henry VIII’s fifth wife, a nineteen-year-old beauty with a hidden past, in this fifth novel in the sweeping Six Tudor Queens series. “A vivid re-creation of a Tudor tragedy.”—Kirkus Reviews In the spring of 1540, Henry VIII is desperate to be rid of his unappealing German queen, Anna of Kleve. A prematurely aged and ailing forty-nine, with an ever-growing waistline, he casts an amorous eye on a pretty nineteen-year-old brunette, Katheryn Howard. Like her cousin Anne Boleyn, Katheryn is a niece of the Duke of Norfolk, England’s premier Catholic peer, who is scheming to replace Anna of Kleve with a good Catholic queen. A flirtatious, eager participant in the life of the royal court, Katheryn readily succumbs to the king’s attentions when she is intentionally pushed into his path by her ambitious family. Henry quickly becomes besotted and is soon laying siege to Katheryn’s virtue. But as instructed by her relations, she holds out for marriage and the wedding takes place a mere fortnight after the king’s union to Anna is annulled. Henry tells the world his new bride is a rose without a thorn, and extols her beauty and her virtue, while Katheryn delights in the pleasures of being queen and the rich gifts her adoring husband showers upon her: the gorgeous gowns, the exquisite jewels, and the darling lap-dogs. She comes to love the ailing, obese king, enduring his nightly embraces with fortitude and kindness. If she can bear him a son, her triumph will be complete. But Katheryn has a past of which Henry knows nothing, and which comes back increasingly to haunt her—even as she courts danger yet again. What happens next to this naïve and much-wronged girl is one of the saddest chapters in English history.

The Princess of Scotland is an e-short and companion piece to Katheryn Howard: The Tainted Queen, the compelling fifth novel in the Six Tudor Queens series by bestselling author and historian Alison Weir. ''The King would not approve of my falling in love ... My marriage was in his gift'' Brought up in the magnificent castles of Scotland under the storm of her parent''s turbulent marriage, Margaret Douglas is well-acquainted with the changing whims of those who hold power. And when her father is exiled by King James V, Margaret is sent to England to seek refuge with her uncle, King Henry VIII. Margaret is an asset to Henry, who plans to use her eligible marriage status for his own advantage. But, surrounded by the excitement and indulgences of the English court, will Margaret be able to resist the temptations of a young admirer? As she well knows, keeping secrets from the King can be a dangerous game...

''Alison Weir transforms Henry VIII''s much-maligned fourth wife into a woman of passion, courage and mystery'' Tracy Borman Alison Weir, historian and author of the Sunday Times bestsellers Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, Anne Boleyn: A King''s Obsession and Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen, paints a spellbinding portrait of Anna of Kleve, Henry VIII''s fourth queen. ''This six-book series looks likely to become a landmark in historical fiction'' The Times A GERMAN PRINCESS WITH A GUILTY SECRET. The King is in love with a portrait, but the real Anna does not enchant him. She must win him over. Everyone knows that Henry won''t stand for a problem queen. But rumours of Anna''s past are rife at court - dangerous talk that could mark her downfall. Can this clever, spirited young woman reach out in friendship to the King, and gain his love forever? ANNA OF KLEVE THE FOURTH OF HENRY''S QUEENS HER STORY Acclaimed, bestselling historian Alison Weir draws on new evidence to conjure a startling image of Anna as you''ve never seen her before. A charming, spirited woman, she was loved by all who knew her - and even, ultimately, by the King who rejected her. History tells us she was never crowned. But her story does not end there. SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS. ''Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else'' Barbara Erskine ''Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life'' Guardian

Egy fiatal nő, aki megváltoztatta a történelem menetét. A francia paloták világából hirtelen az angol királyi udvarba csöppent Anna azonnal az érdeklődés középpontjába kerül, és gyorsan felveszi az udvar szerelmi játékainak a fonalát. De ahol a király parancsol, ott semmi sem játék. Anna szelleme felér a koronával, és nem kevesebb, mint maga a korona az, amire Anna vágyik. Bármi áron. BOLEYN ANNA. VIII. Henrik második királynéja. Ez az ő története. A történelem elmondja, hogyan halt meg. Ez az elsöprő erejű regény bemutatja, hogyan élt. HAT TUDOR KIRÁLYNÉ. HAT REGÉNY. HAT ÉV. Philippa Gregory és a Tudorok rajongóinak kötelező olvasmány. Boleyn Anna: Egy király rögeszméje - a második kötet a VIII. Henrik feleségeiről szóló, hatkötetes regénysorozatból, a világhírű történész és bestseller szerző tollából. Alison Weir elmélyült utazásra invitál Annával, bemutatja motivációit és hatását, küzdelmét a koronáért, majd később saját, és leánya életéért.

Anna nasce nel 1501 nel castello di famiglia di Hever, nella verde campagna del Kent, e qui trascorre l’infanzia con la sorella Mary – che diventerà l’amante di Enrico VIII e gli darà un figlio – e il diletto fratello George. A Hever la fanciulla riceve l’educazione convenzionale per una gentildonna del suo ceto: grammatica, storia, musica, danza, ricamo, galateo, tiro con l’arco, falconeria. Cresciuta, Anna diventa la dama di compagnia di Caterina, la moglie del re, la «buona» regina. Ma quando, nella primavera del 1526, il cardinale Wolsey la presenta al sovrano, Enrico è fulminato dalla sua bellezza insolita, dallo sguardo fiero e malizioso. Da quel momento è un susseguirsi di avvenimenti che cambieranno la storia d’Inghilterra: Enrico è ossessionato da quella giovane donna, ma lei rifiuta le sue avances. Il re scalpita, non dorme più. Gli è chiaro: se la vuole, dovrà sposarla. Ma prima dovrà liberarsi della moglie, ricorrere a Roma, ottenere un annullamento. Nel giugno 1533, Anne è incoronata regina. Ma il suo regno avrà vita breve, giacché Enrico impiegherà meno di tre anni a stufarsi di lei e a cercare un modo per sbarazzarsi della sua ingombrante presenza...

Publisher Annotation: Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir tells the little-known story of Henry VIII?s fourth wife, as the grieving king chooses a bride sight unseen in the fourth novel in the epic and intrigue-filled Six Tudor Queens series. Six Tudor queens series, 496pp., 25K.

Christmas in Tudor times was a period of feasting, revelry and merrymaking ‘to drive the cold winter away’. A carnival atmosphere presided at court, with a twelve-day-long festival of entertainments, pageants, theatre productions and ‘disguisings’, when even the king and queen dressed up in costume to fool their courtiers. Throughout the festive season, all ranks of subjects were freed for a short time from everyday cares to indulge in eating, drinking, dancing and game-playing. We might assume that our modern Christmas owes much to the Victorians. In fact, as Alison Weir and Siobhan Clarke reveal in this fascinating book, many of our favourite Christmas traditions date back much further. Carol-singing, present-giving, mulled wine and mince pies were all just as popular in Tudor times, and even Father Christmas and roast turkey dinners have their origins in this period. The festival was so beloved by English people that Christmas traditions survived remarkably unchanged in this age of tumultuous religious upheaval. Beautifully illustrated with original line drawings throughout, this enchanting compendium will fascinate anyone with an interest in Tudor life – and anyone who loves Christmas.

In the first volume of an exciting new series, bestselling author Alison Weir brings the dramatic reigns of England’s medieval queens to life. The lives of England’s medieval queens were packed with incident—love, intrigue, betrayal, adultery, and warfare—but their stories have been largely obscured by centuries of myth and omission. Now esteemed biographer Alison Weir provides a fresh perspective and restores these women to their rightful place in history. Spanning the years from the Norman conquest in 1066 to the dawn of a new era in 1154, when Henry II succeeded to the throne and Eleanor of Aquitaine, the first Plantagenet queen, was crowned, this epic book brings to vivid life five women, including: Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, the first Norman king; Matilda of Scotland, revered as “the common mother of all England”; and Empress Maud, England’s first female ruler, whose son King Henry II would go on to found the Plantagenet dynasty. More than those who came before or after them, these Norman consorts were recognized as equal sharers in sovereignty. Without the support of their wives, the Norman kings could not have ruled their disparate dominions as effectively. Drawing from the most reliable contemporary sources, Weir skillfully strips away centuries of romantic lore to share a balanced and authentic take on the importance of these female monarchs. What emerges is a seamless royal saga, an all-encompassing portrait of English medieval queenship, and a sweeping panorama of British history. Praise for Queens of the Conquest “Best-selling author [Alison] Weir pens another readable, well-researched English history, the first in a proposed four-volume series on England’s medieval queens. . . . Weir’s research skills and storytelling ability combine beautifully to tell a fascinating story supported by excellent historical research. Fans of her fiction and nonfiction will enjoy this latest work.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Another sound feminist resurrection by a seasoned historian . . . Though Norman queens were largely unknowable, leave it to this prolific historical biographer to bring them to life. . . . As usual, Weir is meticulous in her research.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A sumptuous historical novel anchored by its excellent depiction of Jane Seymour, Henry the VIII’s third queen . . . This is a must for all fans of Tudor fiction and history.”—Publishers Weekly Ever since she was a child, Jane has longed for a cloistered life as a nun. But her large noble family has other plans, and as an adult, Jane is invited to the King’s court to serve as lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine of Aragon. The devout Katherine shows kindness to all her ladies, almost like a second mother, which makes rumors of Henry’s lustful pursuit of Anne Boleyn—also lady-in-waiting to the queen—all the more shocking. For Jane, the betrayal triggers memories of a haunting incident that shaped her beliefs about marriage. But once Henry disavows Katherine and secures Anne as his new queen—forever altering the religious landscape of England—he turns his eye to another: Jane herself. Urged to return the King’s affection and earn favor for her family, Jane is drawn into a dangerous political game that pits her conscience against her desires. Can Jane be the one to give the King his long-sought-after son, or will she be cast aside like the women who came before her? Bringing new insight to this compelling story, Alison Weir marries meticulous research with gripping historical fiction to re-create the dramas and intrigues of the most renowned court in English history. At its center is a loving and compassionate woman who captures the heart of a king, and whose life will hang in the balance for it. Praise for Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen “Bestselling [Alison] Weir’s impressive novel shows why Jane deserves renewed attention [and] illustrates Jane’s unlikely journey from country knight’s daughter to queen of England. . . . From the richly appointed decor to the religious tenor of the time, the historical ambience is first-rate.”—Booklist (starred review) “Deft, authoritative biographical fiction . . . a dramatic and empathic portrait of Jane Seymour.”—Kirkus Reviews

The Tower is Full of Ghosts Today by historian Alison Weir is an e-short and companion piece to the Sunday Times bestseller Anne Boleyn: A King''s Obsession, the second novel in the spellbinding series about Henry VIII''s queens. Jo, historian and long-term admirer of Anne Boleyn, takes a group on a guided tour of the Tower of London, to walk in the shoes of her Tudor heroine. But as she becomes enthralled by the historical accuracy of her tour guide and the dramatic setting that she has come to love, something spectral is lurking in the shadows . . . Contains first chapters of Sunday Times bestsellers Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen and Anne Boleyn: A King''s Obsession, as well as the upcoming Six Tudor Queens novel about Henry VIII''s third wife, Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen. SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS.

In this second novel of Alison Weir’s epic Six Tudor Queens series, the acclaimed author and historian weaves exciting new research into the story of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s most infamous wife, a woman ahead of her time whose very life—and death—forever changed a nation. Born into a noble English family, Anne is barely a teenager when she is sent from her family’s Hever Castle to serve at the royal court of the Netherlands. This strategic move on the part of her opportunistic father also becomes a chance for the girl to grow and discover herself. There, and later in France, Anne thrives, preferring to absorb the works of progressive writers rather than participate in courtly flirtations. She also begins to understand the inequalities and indignities suffered by her gender. Anne isn’t completely inured to the longings of the heart, but her powerful family has ambitious plans for her future that override any wishes of her own. When the King of England himself, Henry VIII, asks Anne to be his mistress, she spurns his advances—reminding him that he is a married man who has already conducted an affair with her sister, Mary. Anne’s rejection only intensifies Henry’s pursuit, but in the absence of a male heir—and given an aging Queen Katherine—the opportunity to elevate and protect the Boleyn family, and to exact vengeance on her envious detractors, is too tempting for Anne to resist, even as it proves to be her undoing. While history tells of how Anne Boleyn died, this compelling new novel reveals how fully she lived. Praise for Anne Boleyn, A King’s Obession “Superb . . . page-turning biographical fiction, hauntingly and beautifully told . . . psychologically penetrating.”—Historical Novels Review “Immaculately researched and convincing . . . This tale of Anne’s ascent and demise cannot escape comparisons with Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series.”—The Times “A tragic, misrepresented figure, one of history’s original nasty women . . . Weir’s fictional Anne is ferociously smart and guilty of nothing but craving the power that''s rightfully hers to claim.”—NPR “One of historical fiction’s most compelling and exciting portraits of the enduringly fascinating and mysterious Anne Boleyn.”—Lancashire Evening Post “As always, Weir demonstrates a keen eye for crafting dramatic scenes of beautiful, accurate detail, instilling in the reader a vivid sense of being there.”—Booklist