The Wives of Henry VIII

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: A much beloved English teach introduced me to the books of Antonia Fraser in high school, and she has been my benchmark of excellence in non-fiction ever since. Before reading, I knew very little about each of the six women discussed in this book, aside from the bare details of their lives and deaths. Not only did this book educate me, it made me feel that we were old friends.

The prose of this book flows very naturally, making it feel more like fiction then biography, though the facts of the matter are clearly well researched. While she does take liberties at times, she always makes it clear that those passages are only possibilities, and that they are based on known facts. All matters, large and small, are used to get a hint of the true character of each woman and to move them away from their tired stereotypes. The book also contains a well selected group of illustrations.

In short, this is my favorite of all of Antonia Frasier's books, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Good to be the Queen?
Review: Antonia Fraser's 'The Wives of Henry VIII' is a wonderful account of the lives of the six women who married the controversial Tudor king. Fraser has written extensively on many subjects, but is particularly interested in British royal history. Her writing is clear and accessible, and almost invariably interesting.

Fraser says 'the six women have become defined in a popular sense not so much by their lives as by the way these lives ended.' Largely, they became identified (as most historical figures do) as stereotypes. Fraser's stated intent in the book is to examine the real women behind the stereotypes, to find the human strengths and frailties behind the historic labels.

Divorced, beheaded, died...divorced, beheaded, survived

-Catherine of Aragon-
Divorced
Stereotype: Betrayed Wife, bigoted Catholic
Reality: a learned woman, politically astute, perhaps not entirely blameless in the break-up (but then, what can one expect? Divorce was presumably out of the question given religious and political considerations, so might she have felt safe to be more forward than anyone should be with the formidible Henry?)

-Anne Boleyn-
Beheaded
Stereotype: Temptress, Protestant activist
Reality: she was more Protestant because the Catholic church wouldn't recognise or grant the divorce. She played a demur and devout character in court, but then, could she have publicly appeared as anything else, given the unprecedented events going on about her and because of her? She didn't have a chance to build up a power base, and suffered greatly for it. Indignatio principis mors est. Little known fact: Anne was actually divorced from Henry on the eve of her execution.

-Jane Seymour-
Died
Stereotype: the Good Woman, Protestant yet Catholic
Reality: 'Jane Seymour was exactly the kind of female praised by the contemporary handbooks to correct conduct; just as Anne Boleyn had been the sort they warned against. There was certainly no threatening sexuality about her.' Henry would look back on Jane as the wife with whom he had been uniquely happy. She died as a result of the stress of childbirth (a not uncommon fate of women of any class), Henry's only legitimate male heir.

-Anna of Cleves-
Divorced
Stereotype: Ugly Sister, Lutheran and Catholic
Reality: an interesting and difficult marriage to put together. 'Paradoxically, the King in his last forties, gross, no likely object of desire, was far more difficult to please than that handsome boy of 1509, ready to fall in love where policy directed him, whom any girl might easily love in return.' By this time, of course, Henry had a reputation of being at the least an unlucky husband. Solemn, looking older than her age, Anna was almost instantly disliked. Perhaps this saved her from a worse fate, if Henry had come to know her and then fall out of love with her.

-Katherine Howard-
Beheaded
Stereotype: the Bad Girl
Reality: Katherine was expected to produce the 'spare' to the heir produced by Jane. 'Katherine was, on her own admission, one who knew how to "meddle with a man" without conceiving a child.' Her affair with Culpeper not discreet enough, Katherine suffered the fury of Henry, who blamed his Council for forcing on him 'a succession of such ill-conditioned wives.'

-Catherine Parr-
Survived
Stereotype: the Mother Figure
Reality: not well educated but not unintelligent, a caring but politically astute person. 'As for the King himself, it was remarked that as Bishop Gardiner pronounced the now familiar words of the marriage service, an expression of real happiness crossed that bloated face.' She had taken as her motto 'To be useful in all I do.'

Fraser goes into detail about the lives, and the aftermath, what became of these women, even to the extent of recounting the period neglect and restorations of their graves. Speaking of Catherine of Aragon, she writes: 'It is rare to find the Queen's grave without fresh flowers placed upon it. Nothing is known about those who over the years have performed this touching act of respect. One can however safely assume that, whatever their own religious view, they agree with this estimate of the character of Catherine of Aragon: loyal, pious, courageous and compassionate.'

Rating:
Summary: Great insight to 6 unique women
Review: As a beginner to the life of Henry the VIII this book gave me an excellent insight to his 6 extrordinary wives. It was interesting to see how these very different women coped with everyday life in the court of Henry not to mention the trials of being Queen. Ms Frasier does an excellent job of bringing the Queens to life in an easy to read format. A great choice for anyone interested in this era.

Rating:
Summary: Sixteenth-century England brought to life
Review: As a lover of history, I couldn't help being fascinated by this intelligent, scholarly and well-written book. Myths are destroyed by thorough investigation and sensible interpretation of historical fact, and the personalities that emerge out of a long-vanished past are as interesting and complex as the times in which they lived. Fraser's almost day-to-day account of the King's marital life makes it hard to believe that all of these things took place five hundred years ago.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinarily detailed biography
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that Lady Fraser gives an excellent historical account that delves into the lives and personalities of these women. But just a warning for those of you who are not scholars of British History, this book is very tediously detailed (obviously very well researched). While I don't consider myself a speed reader by any means, I can usually finish a 450 page book in 1-2 weeks. It's been almost 3 weeks and I'm only at page 150. There are so many names and titles of people included that it's very difficult for the average reader to keep everyone straight and I find myself reading paragraphs over again to try and figure out who's who and who is important. I wholeheartedly agree that Fraser gives an excellent insight into the lives of the women, and I am determined to finish the book because I am intrigued by their stories and getting to know their persons. However, as an average reader, I prefer a more "watered-down" version that doesn't include every Duke and Earl and cousin's wife, etc. that was alive during the same period.

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing--- And surprisingly a page turner!
Review: I am completely fascinated with the wives of Henry VIII, and I found this book to be especially intriguing. It is definitely a book you have to tackle (when I first started to read it I planned on reading it in 2 weeks.... I read it in a month) but this book actually pulls you in. It has as much of a storyline as a novel, yet it's a non-fiction book! This book included many interesting facts, and sited all the references, which was wonderful. The pictures added a lot to the stories. I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the complicated and fascinating lives of the English monarchy during the reign of Henry VIII, or anyone who wants to be engrossed in story of intrigue, royal formalities and the part women played in a intricate royal court.

Rating:
Summary: Kirkus is right ; read Weir
Review: I came to read this book in a roundabout way; having recently finished Alison Weir's THE CHILDREN OF HENRY VIII, I was anxious to read her other books, namely The Wives. I ordered it from the library, they got it mixed up, and sent me Antonia Fraser's look at the Tudor wives. Her examination is good, but not great. I really got the feeling she was treating her subjects as Royalty with a capital R; everything that came out of their mouths is taken to be honest and geniune. Nope, no hidden motives here, no manipulation or greed or blood thirsty obsession with power. When it does exist in Fraser's Tudor world, it is played down as being less important than more kindly royal virtues. Apparently all everyone was trying to do was be the best darn little kings and queens they could. Like tragic heros, by trying to do good for England, they bring about their own demise. Conversely, Weir's biographies show how growing up in a environment of cruelty affected Tudor England's elites; in the fifteenth century, you either became psychopathic, learned to play the game, and thrived, or you crumpled like a wilted flower while others stomped on you. Fraser's biography lacks that sense of ruthlessness which was so important in that time of which she writes. It's an intresting read for the information, but does not give us the intense flavours of Henry's court.

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing
Review: I have always been fascinated by English history, particularly Henry VIII. Fraser did not disappoint. Usually I find history books dry and dull. I was initially put off by the length of the book, but the author writes so well that I couldn't put the book down. She makes it seem more like a novel than a history text. I felt like I was right there with each of Henry VIII's wives. The book is meticulously researched, and she clearly shows the differences between the women in the King's life, and helps the reader to understand his motives. All the events are put in context of the sociopolitcal landscape of the times. As a result, I found myself seeing how complex the King was and not being able to hate him, even though I hated his actions. I highly reccommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the British monarchy.

Rating:
Summary: Storytelling at it's best!
Review: I have read many books on the life and wives of Henry VIII. I thoroughly enjoyed the almost conversational tone of this book. The footnotes were very helpful in answering questions provoked by the text. I was particularly interested in the exploration of the wives personalities, strenghs, and weaknesses. Katherine Howard, an often overlooked wife, was made real by the author. A very enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: History Of A Serial Murdering, Multi-Marrying Monarch!
Review: I love English history, especially the period from King Edward IV's reign through the Tudors. I am also a big Antonia Fraser fan. So, before I picked up this history of King Henry's hapless wives, I knew I would enjoy it. And I am not disappointed at all.

Ms. Fraser writes with great elegance, and her usual wit, about the five women who married Henry VIII and how their lives impacted their times and history. She also describes each of these complex women, their unique characters as individuals, (not just as wives to a king), their motivations and ambitions. She outlines the ascent and decline of each of the women and how they related to one another, their peers and families...and to the King.

Much of the book is about Catherine of Aragon, but that is to be expected. She was married to Henry for 24 years, and prior to their marriage, she was wed to his older brother Arthur, a cause for future problems for the realm and much heartbreak for Catherine. Queen Catherine is portrayed most sympathetically, and that is my inclination also. She was a noble lady, raised to serve as Queen, who loved Henry, almost as much as she loved the Catholic Church, which he was to break away from and use against his wife and their daughter Mary. I have always wondered how Henry's character, his country and history would have changed if Catherine had born him a healthy son. Catherine was a strong woman of great faith, and nothing she ever did justified the treatment she received. One of the most poignant sentences in history, is one of Catherine's last. As she lay dying, she dictated a letter to the husband who had so ruthlessly abandoned her. She bid her scribe to write: "Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things. Farewell."

Anne Boleyn is an extremely well-educated woman, and very independent, especially given the times. And Henry is obsessed with the idea of possessing her. Anne plays his obsession to the hilt. Fraser describes her complex and ambitious nature, as well as the politics of her downfall, with great skill. Poor Jane Seymour's mild manner was a temporary, but welcome, relief to Henry after Anne. However Queen Jane's narrative is brief, as was her life. She died after birthing Henry's only living son.

Anne of Cleves, perhaps the most politically astute of Henry's wives, certainly the one with the best survival skills, was thrilled to be cast-off and allowed to keep her head.

Unfortunately, the naive and beautiful Katherine Howard, Henry's "blushing rose without a thorn" went the way of Anne Boleyn, because of promiscuity, lack of savvy, and church politics.

Catherine Parr, a woman of extraordinary intellect, was one of only eight women whose writings were published during the reign of Henry and his father. She was fortunate to become aware of a plot against her before she met the same end as Queens Anne and Katherine.

Ms. Fraser draws a lavish portrait of court life with its moral and political intrigues. She details the struggle for international power, and clearly explains England's break with Rome and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

This is a superb and very readable history, that has been meticulously researched. I highly recommend it.