![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/pavane.gif\")
PAVANE by Keith Roberts<\/a>\nEventually I will be at a loss for superlatives when describing my favorite books.\u00a0 PAVANE is a beautiful book, written by one of the masters of 1960s science fiction.\u00a0 It is a work of alternative history, one of the first of that genre and perhaps the best.\u00a0 It begins in 1588 with the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I<\/a> and the subsequent supremacy of the Catholic faith in England.\u00a0 From there, PAVANE evolves into a truly entrancing book which explores freedom, communication, religion, etc\u00a0 Like The Fifth Queen, it has a superb ending.\u00a0 If you haven’t read this, please please please check it out.\u00a0 It’s recently been reissued and it’s simply wonderful.\u00a0 Few books strike me as deeply imagined, most walk over familiar ground – PAVANE is a true original.<\/p>\n
THE FIFTH QUEEN by Ford Madox Ford<\/a> THE STEEL BONNETS by George MacDonald Fraser<\/a> THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER by Mark Twain<\/a> YOUNG BESS<\/a> ELIZABETH I: COLLECTED WORKS<\/a> THE ROYAL PALACES OF TUDOR ENGLAND and other works by Simon Thurley Over the years, I’ve read most of the Tudor books, fiction and nonfiction, I could find. Countless books. Good books, a few great ones, and lots of bad ones. This page currently lists my favorite Tudor works. When people ask me what Tudor-related books to read, these are the ones I list: PAVANE by Keith […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4971,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273\/revisions\/4971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishhistory.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/fifthqueen.gif\")
<\/a>
\nI love this book.\u00a0 Ford uses the life of Henry VIII’s fifth queen to explore the culture of fear, treachery, and paranoia which characterized the Tudor court.\u00a0 Catherine battles Thomas Cromwell<\/a> in an attempt to prevent further religious and political change.\u00a0 The book is divided into three parts and contains engrossing portraits of familiar Tudor figures; Princess Mary, Henry VIII, Cromwell, Norfolk, Catherine herself – all are beautifully brought to life.\u00a0 Ford spent years researching this book but it is a work of fiction; liberties are taken, characterizations may not be historically correct, etc\u00a0 I think it’s one of the best works of historical fiction ever written – and the ending is fantastic.\u00a0 As for the ‘character’ of Catherine, Ford creates an interesting \/ complex figure from scant historical sources.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/candlemass.gif\")
THE CANDLEMASS ROAD by George MacDonald Fraser<\/a>
\nFraser is justly famous as author of the Flashman novels, among the best (and certainly the funniest) historical fiction ever.\u00a0 But his talent is more expansive than even Flashman would suggest.\u00a0 Everything he writes turns to gold, at least in my opinion (even the flawed ‘Pyrates’ had great moments.)\u00a0 Long fascinated by the history of his native Scotland, in THE CANDLEMASS ROAD, Fraser recounts the story of Lady Margaret Dacre and her perilous life along the English-Scottish border during Elizabeth I’s reign.\u00a0 The writing is superb; I expect nothing less from Fraser.\u00a0 My one quibble is that the book is so short – I didn’t want it to end.<\/p>\n
\nThis work of history is concerned with the outlaws and Border lords (reivers) who fought along the English and Scottish frontier for several hundred years.\u00a0 It’s a wonderful work of history and makes me wish more great writers would turn to the genre; if nothing else, you’re guaranteed good writing.\u00a0 And this was such a fascinating time period – I’m thrilled that one of my favorite novelists wrote its definitive history.
\nAnd if you haven’t read any Flashman<\/a>, it’s never too late to start….<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/deathofthefox.gif\")
THE SUCCESSION: A NOVEL OF ELIZABETH AND JAMES<\/a>
\nENTERED FROM THE SUN: THE MURDER OF MARLOWE<\/a>
\nDEATH OF THE FOX: A NOVEL OF ELIZABETH AND RALEIGH<\/a>
\nby George Garrett
\nIt’s not enough for me that a book is set in the 16th century.\u00a0 I want it to be a great book which just happens to be set in the 16th century.\u00a0 Every time I slumber or groan my way through the latest awful Tudor fiction full of heaving bosoms and Egads!-worthy dialogue, I think fondly of Fraser and Ford and this trilogy by George Garrett….
\nGarrett’s books should be read by anyone with an interest in 16th century England.\u00a0 But they aren’t read by many, which I think is very sad – even more so when one considers the popularity of terrible Tudor fiction.\u00a0 Of this trilogy, my favorite is DEATH OF THE FOX; Garrett brings the complex and fascinating Walter Raleigh to life.\u00a0 But all three works are wonderful.\u00a0\u00a0 ENTERED FROM THE SUN is a nice companion piece to Anthony Burgess’sA DEAD MAN IN DEPTFORD<\/a>, another good work of historical fiction.\u00a0 (Burgess also wrote NOTHING LIKE THE SUN<\/a>, a fictional look at Shakespeare’s love life.)\u00a0 And though THE SUCCESSION has less to do with Elizabeth and James than the title implies, it’s still a fun exploration of Tudor life.\u00a0 I can’t do these books justice – just read them.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/maskofroyalty.gif\")
A TUDOR TRAGEDY: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CATHERINE HOWARD
\nHENRY VIII: THE MASK OF ROYALTY<\/a>
\nELIZABETH TUDOR: PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN<\/a>
\nby Lacey Baldwin Smith
\nI’ve been raving about LB Smith since I started this website.\u00a0 When visitors write and ask what is essential to read, I point them to Smith’s work.\u00a0 Unfortunately, two of the above works are out of print.\u00a0 Yeah, I know – there’s plenty of room for junk on bookshelves but apparently no room for great works of history.\u00a0 Well, go to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com and order them used.\u00a0 Smith’s bio of Catherine Howard<\/a> is the only one ever written which concerns Henry VIII’s ill-fated ‘Rose Without a Thorn.\u00a0 He collects the scant historical knowledge of her life and creates a compelling portrait of a misguided girl and her ambitious family (the sprawling Norfolk clan).\u00a0 His bio of Henry VIII is simply the best available on the second Tudor king.\u00a0 It has great psychological insight and a sharp sense of humor.\u00a0 After a lifetime of studying Henry, Smith is still fascinated by the king and determined to understand his contradictory character.\u00a0 But read it only after reading a general bio of Henry VIII; the author assumes some knowledge of the Tudor court and its cast of characters.\u00a0 And his brief bio of Elizabeth Tudor is a persuasive sketch of England’s most fascinating and accomplished queen.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/cranmer.gif\")
THOMAS CRANMER by Diarmaid MacCulloch
\nThis is the definitive biography of the father of English Protestantism.\u00a0 Cranmer was the archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1556; he presided over the Reformation and the creation of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.\u00a0 He was burnt at the stake as a heretic during the reign of Mary I.\u00a0 MacCulloch’s book is dense, literally and figuratively.\u00a0 But it is also a beautifully written study of one of the most compelling lives of the 16th century.\u00a0 Cranmer was a conflicted and courageous man, and deserved such a monumental biography.\u00a0 MacCulloch uses sources never mentioned in previous studies; he charts the evolution of Protestantism with an eye for the telling detail.\u00a0 Personally, I am always surprised by the number of Tudor enthusiasts who are familiar with the story of Thomas More but have only a vague idea of Cranmer’s life.\u00a0 Perhaps it’s the enduring popularity of A Man for All Seasons?\u00a0 I don’t know.\u00a0 But both men deserve recognition and study.<\/p>\n
\nThis is Twain’s famous tale of Prince Edward, only son of King Henry VIII, and Tom Canty, a pauper boy who is his physical twin.\u00a0 Twain wrote my favorite book of all time (Huckleberry Finn) so I am biased, but this is still a great book.\u00a0 The story is very entertaining and fun and there are moments of genuine suspense and pathos.\u00a0 Some people classify this book as children’s literature; in fact, they say that about lots of Twain’s work.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 He’s a natural storyteller and perfect for adults.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/youngbess.jpg\")
<\/a>
\nELIZABETH, CAPTIVE PRINCESS<\/a>
\nELIZABETH AND THE PRINCE OF SPAIN<\/a>
\nby Margaret Irwin
\nElizabeth Tudor has brought out the best in many writers, but perhaps none more so than Margaret Irwin.\u00a0 This trilogy has recently been reissued, thus earning the publisher my enduring gratitude.\u00a0 She creates a vivid portrait of Elizabeth’s entire life and there is the usual colorful cast of supporting characters.\u00a0 Of the three books, my favorite is the last but all are excellent.\u00a0 Her writing is evocative and often very beautiful.\u00a0 I’ll be reading along and think, What a perfect sentence!\u00a0 If you want a persuasive and compelling portrait of the Virgin Queen, read Irwin.\u00a0 No one else comes close.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/elizessex.gif\")
ELIZABETH AND ESSEX: A TRAGIC HISTORY<\/a> by Lytton Strachey
\nThis is one of my favorite books about Queen Elizabeth I.\u00a0 Strachey always writes like a dream, with style and wit, and in this work he explores the complex relationship between the Virgin Queen and the infamous earl of Essex.\u00a0 Essex was the great favorite of Elizabeth’s later years, but he rebelled against the queen (his petulance was exceeded only by his ingratitude.)\u00a0 Like Strachey’s equally good Eminent Victorians<\/a>, this biographical study is primarily psychological.\u00a0 Strachey wants to know why Elizabeth and Essex acted as they did – their motivations, desires, flaws….\u00a0 There is much room for disagreement and often his analysis of Elizabeth’s personality makes one want to analyze Strachey himself, but this is still a great book.\u00a0 It brings Elizabeth and her court to life and it pulls you deep into the story of the queen and Essex.\u00a0 It also discusses the always intriguing Sir Francis Bacon<\/a>.\u00a0 What a fascinating bit of history!
\nAnd once again, let me emphasize the beautiful writing.\u00a0 Style counts with me.\u00a0 If I want a dry, boring recitation of facts, then I can pick up an encyclopedia or, sadly, most modern histories\/biographies.\u00a0 It’s like that famous Mark Twain quote – ‘The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter; it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.’\u00a0 Exactly.\u00a0 All of the books I’ve listed here are full of the right words.\u00a0 Anyone can tell you that Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1533 and her mother was executed in 1536 and blah blah blah.\u00a0 It’s easy enough.\u00a0 But can the writer create a compelling story worthy of their subject?\u00a0 Can they bring history to life?\u00a0 I hate picking up books which are full of facts but written like – oh, they’re written in a\u00a0 perfectly acceptable manner.\u00a0 But who wants perfectly acceptable things all the time?\u00a0 You want a gripping, fun, fascinating book.<\/p>\n
\nThe great queen in her own words – letters, poems, and speeches are gathered here for our admiring perusal.\u00a0 This selection is arranged in chronological order and reasonably priced.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/tudorfashion.gif\")
TUDOR COSTUME AND FASHION<\/a> by Herbert Norris
\nMost people believe that Janet Arnold’s ‘Queen Elizabeth’s Wardrobe Unlock’d<\/a>‘ is the best work on Tudor fashion.\u00a0 And it is certainly the best guide to making an Elizabethan costume.\u00a0 But it’s also very expensive.\u00a0 Norris covers the entire Tudor dynasty and includes several color sketches; the book is published by Dover so it’s reasonably priced.\u00a0 If you want to learn about all the different styles of hats\/hoods and skirts and shoes, etc, this is the book for you.\u00a0 If you actually want to make a Tudor costume, search out Arnold or any of the excellent Renaissance Festival sites<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/englishhistory.net\/images\/tudor\/erasmus.gif\")
ERASMUS AND THE AGE OF REFORMATION<\/a> by Johan Huizinga
\nThis is the best biography I have read of Erasmus, the great Dutch philosopher and friend of Thomas More<\/a>.\u00a0 He also spoke for many bookworms when he wrote, ‘When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.’\u00a0 Those are nice words to remember when you’re torn between purchasing the Bernini catalogue<\/a> or a new outfit.\u00a0 Go with the books.\u00a0 You can always borrow clothes from more fashionable friends and relatives.\u00a0 And there are already enough well-dressed people out there.\u00a0 Wouldn’t you rather have a nice personal library?
\nOften you finish a biography and are happy you’ve never met its subject (I always finish biographies of Bluff King Hal in that mood), but sometimes it’s different.\u00a0 Huizinga brings Erasmus and his times to compelling life.\u00a0 The book includes numerous letters and illustrations, and these are especially valuable since Erasmus corresponded with many 16th century luminaries.<\/p>\n
\nI enjoy all of Thurley’s work – his most recent is a comprehensive study of Hampton Court – but this is easily the best study of Tudor royal architecture ever.\u00a0 It is beautifully illustrated and includes floor plans of various palaces.\u00a0 It also has a brief glossary.\u00a0 This book isn’t simply indispensable, – it’s also well-written and entertaining.\u00a0 There are lots of quirky facts interspersed throughout, and it does a wonderful job of explaining various aspects of the royal household.\u00a0 It’s expensive, yes, but worth it.\u00a0 And it will make you read most Tudor fiction with a jaundiced eye.
\nhere are some works I haven’t listed, like Tillyard’s Elizabethan World Picture<\/a> and AL Rowse’s two-volume study<\/a> of Elizabethan society.\u00a0 I’ve also left off Alison Plowden’s ‘Elizabethan Quartet<\/a>‘, which are wonderful introductory books on Elizabeth.\u00a0 Plowden wrote the best book<\/a> I’ve read about Mary Tudor and Jane Grey<\/a>, but it’s out-of-print.\u00a0 And I haven’t mentioned Roy Strong’s entertaining study<\/a> of Tudor portraits.\u00a0 There are lots that I enjoyed which I haven’t listed.\u00a0 I will add them eventually.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"