If you like Philippa Gregory, you will love this dazzlingly vivid historical novel from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy. Two Queens at the mercy of a capricious King... 'Jean Plaidy doesn't just write the history, she makes it come alive' -- RNA 'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times 'Very well researched, informative yet easy to read - brilliant' -- ***** Reader review 'Gripping, captivating, very hard to put down' -- ***** Reader review 'I was hooked from the first page' -- ***** Reader review 'An excellent book to curl up with' -- ***** Reader review 'Riveting' -- ***** Reader review *********************************************************************** At the decadent French court of King François, the young Anne Boleyn grows into an enigmatic and striking woman, a temptation to many courtiers. But whilst Anne's ambitions are high, she has learned from her sister's unfortunate reputation. Unlike Mary, Anne refuses to become a mistress - even one to a King. So when Anne returns to the English court of Henry VIII, it is the King, captivated by this mysterious young lady, who is forced to do the wooing. Before long Henry is lured away from his stale marriage to Katharine of Aragon. But the new Queen Anne is not loved by the people, and it is only a matter of time before Henry's patience runs out... The Tudor saga continues in St Thomas's Eve.

One powerful king. Two tragic queens. In the court of Henry VIII, it was dangerous for a woman to catch the king’s eye. Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were cousins. Both were beautiful women, though very different in temperament. They each learned that Henry’s passion was all-consuming–and fickle. Sophisticated Anne Boleyn, raised in the decadent court of France, was in love with another man when King Henry claimed her as his own. Being his mistress gave her a position of power; being his queen put her life in jeopardy. Her younger cousin, Catherine Howard, was only fifteen when she was swept into the circle of King Henry. Her innocence attracted him, but a past mistake was destined to haunt her. Painted in the rich colors of Tudor England, Murder Most Royal is a page-turning journey into the lives of two of the wives of the tempestuous Henry VIII. Look for the Reading Group Guide at the back of this book. Also available as an ebook.

A deliciously atmospheric, moving and evocative historical novel from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy - perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory. 'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times 'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting' - Observer 'Easy to read and hard to put down' -- ***** Reader review 'A compulsive, enjoyable and interesting read' -- ***** Reader review 'If you like history, and/or historical fiction, Jean Plaidy is the one for you. She has a knack for pulling you right into the story straight away' -- ***** Reader review ***************************************************** The young King Henry VIII spends his time basking in the pageants and games of his glittering court - all the while, his doting queen's health and fortunes fade. Henry's affection for his older wife soon strays, and the neglected Katherine decides to use her power as Queen to dangerous foreign advantage. Overseas battles play on Henry's volatile temper, and his defeat in France has changed the good-natured boy Katherine loved into an infamously callous ruler. With no legitimate heir yet born, Katherine once again begins to fear for her future... The Tudor saga continues in The King's Secret Matter.

With the expert attention to historical detail, the wonderfully evocative depiction of times past and vivid characterisation that we have come to expect from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy, this is the scandalous and heartbreaking story of Margaret Tudor, the princess whose future was used to end war and unite kings. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory. 'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times 'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting' -- Observer 'Outstanding' Vanity Fair 'It is hard to better Jean Plaidy ... both elegant and exciting' -- Daily Mirror 'Jean Plaidy never fails to captivate her audience' -- ***** Reader review 'I couldn't put this book down' -- ***** Reader review 'A truly great read' -- ***** Reader review 'A gripping story which flows at quite a pace' -- ***** Reader review 'She makes the characters come alive and you are drawn into the era she is writing about' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************** When King Henry VII negotiates peace with Scotland, his daughter's hand in marriage to James IV is the ultimate prize. A true princess, Margaret Tudor leaves her beloved England and accepts her fate unquestioningly. But to her surprise she falls madly in love with the fearsome Scottish King and, as Queen of Scotland, she is initially happy. But neither the marriage nor the peace are to last. When James IV is defeated in battle by Margaret's own brother, the widowed Queen is torn between fleeing to her home and staying to protect her son's future as the new King of Scots. It seems that once again Margaret's destiny is not to be her own... The Tudor saga continues in Mary, Queen of France.

Delve deep into a superb, fictionalised account of Henry VIII's sixth Queen, the mysterious Katharine Parr, written by multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy. This vibrant and captivating historical page-turner, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, is guaranteed to have you hooked from page one... 'Jean Plaidy doesn't just write the history, she makes it come alive.' -- Julia Moffat, RNA 'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times 'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting' - Observer 'A must read' -- ***** Reader review 'I could not put this book down once I started reading' -- ***** Reader review 'A pleasure to read' -- ***** Reader review 'She makes history come alive' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************************* Katharine Parr has unwittingly become the last pawn in King Henry VIII's ambitions for an heir. Already twice widowed, Katharine finally dares to hope that she might find love with the dashing Thomas Seymour - but Henry has decided he must have a sixth wife and Seymour's intentions to marry Katharine have not gone unnoticed. Unable to refuse the King of England, Katharine becomes his reluctant bride. Once again it seems only a matter of time before another wife's fate leads her to the Tower of London. Will fate be kind to her...? The Tudor saga continues in The Thistle and the Rose.

Captivating in its historical detail, lush and sweeping in its scope, and unforgettable in its dramatic depiction of relationships between monarchs and families, The Three Crowns is the singular story of the only joint sovereigns in British history. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory. 'Plaidy has brought the past to life' -- Times Literary Supplement 'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times 'Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with such rich complexity' -- Guardian 'Absolute heaven' -- ***** Reader review 'Another wonderful book from a brilliant writer' -- ***** Reader review 'Fantastic' -- ***** Reader review ******************************************************************************************* When an empire is at stake, one woman stands between the past and the future. In post-Restoration England, King Charles II has fathered numerous children, but not a single legitimate heir. So it falls to his brother, James, Duke of York, to head the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland-the three crowns of Britain. But James's devout Catholicism, and desire to return Britain to the rule of Rome, does not sit well with his subjects and his time as king is sure to be short. Born leader and brilliant soldier, William of Orange, has a plan... By marrying Mary, James' fifteen-year-old daughter and heir, he will position himself perfectly to seize the English crown. Mary must also decide how much power to cede to William, should she keep him as Consort or let him rule beside her as King? The Stuart saga continues with The Haunted Sisters.

If this anthology on the literary appreciation of the life and times of Henry VIII can show how history, historiography and the history of literature are woven together as threads in a tapestry, if this book can show how varied the sources are from which historical images are fed, especially those of significant historical figures, then it will have surely fulfilled its purpose.

The historical novel has been one of the most important forms of women's reading and writing in the twentieth century, yet it has been consistently under-rated and critically neglected. In the first major study of British women writers' use of the genre, Diana Wallace tracks its development across the century. She combines a comprehensive survey with detailed readings of key writers, including Naomi Mitchison, Georgette Heyer, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Margaret Irwin, Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, Philippa Gregory and Pat Barker.

This guide identifies both in-print and out-of-print works of fiction featuring continuing themes, plots or characters in which there is a sense of development and passage of time. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author and are accompanied by bibliographic information.

A guide to series fiction lists popular series, identifies novels by character, and offers guidance on the order in which to read unnumbered series.

The nine Tudor novels by beloved novelist Jean Plaidy are now available as one complete series spanning sixteenth-century England. This exciting collection includes a brand-new character guide, along with reading group guides for seven books. Read all nine novels in order for the first time digitally and delve into the lives of this fascinating dynasty—full of intrigue, betrayal, marriages, and deaths, in a complete package, never before available. 1. To Hold the Crown In this sweeping tale of marriage and power, love and heartbreak, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York’s troubled ascension to the throne of England ultimately launches the Tudor dynasty. 2. Katharine of Aragon Katharine of Aragon held her husband Henry VIII’s affection—but only for so long. 3. Murder Most Royal One powerful king. Two tragic queens. Sophisticated Anne Boleyn and innocent Catherine Howard meet with the all-consuming—and fickle—passions of tempestuous King Henry VIII. 4. The King’s Confidante The King’s servant, but God’s first. The English lawyer Sir Thomas More rises to become King Henry VIII’s most trusted advisor, but his refusal to recognize Henry as the supreme head of the Church of England ends his political career . . . and leads to his trial for treason. 5. The Sixth Wife Dangerous court intrigue and affairs of the heart collide during the story of Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six queens. 6. The Thistle and the Rose The story of Princess Margaret Tudor, whose life of tragedy, bloodshed, and scandal would rival even that of her younger brother, Henry VIII. 7. Mary, Queen of France The story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe—her older brother. 8. For a Queen’s Love Power-hungry monarch, cold-blooded murderer, obsessive monster—who could love such a man? Set against the glittering courts of sixteenth-century Europe, the Spain of the dreaded Inquisition, and the tortured England of Bloody Mary, this is the story of Philip II of Spain—and of the women who loved him as a husband and father. 9. A Favorite of the Queen Torn between her heart’s passion and duty to her kingdom, Elizabeth I must make a decision that will shape her country and place her name in history forever.

A reference book for librarians and users of public libraries which provides easy access to information on good recreational reading. This revised edition features expanded coverage of mystery and science fiction. New indexes allow access by subject, genre and main characters.

Authority and accessibility combine to bring the history and the drama of Tudor England to life. Almost 900 engaging entries cover the life and times of Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and much, much more. * Almost 900 entries covering people, events, ideas, movements, institutions, and publications * An extensive chronology of important events from the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603 * Maps and photographs * A guide to related topics * Appendixes that include genealogies and lists of European monarchs, contemporary popes, English bishops, speakers and sessions of Parliament, and major battles, rebellions, and uprisings * A bibliography of historical novels set in the period * An annotated list of films and television programs set in the period * A list of useful websites * An extensive, up-to-date bibliography divided into topical sections

Includes entries for maps and atlases.

A cumulative list of works represented by Library of Congress printed cards.

With its mix of family drama, sex and violence, Britain’s Tudor dynasty (1485–1603) has long excited the interest of filmmakers and moviegoers. Since the birth of movie-making technology, the lives and times of kings Henry VII, Henry VIII, and Edward VI and queens Mary I, Jane Grey and Elizabeth I have remained popular cinematic themes. From 1895’s The Execution of Mary Stuart to 2011’s Anonymous, this comprehensive filmography chronicles every known movie about the Tudor era, including feature films; made-for-television films, mini-series, and series; documentaries; animated films; and shorts. From royal biographies to period pieces to modern movies with flashbacks or time travel, this work reveals how these films both convey the attitudes of Tudor times and reflect the era in which they were made.