Her Highness, the Traitor

Jun 30, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 16th-c, arc, england, historical-fiction, jane-grey

Throughout my reading of this book, I felt like the title could be changed slightly to fit almost every main character. At one time or another they were all found to be traitors to the crown and a vast many paid for it with their lives. With that said, THE traitor of the title is not one of our narrators, but her story is told through the viewpoints of Jane Dudley (Jane Grey’s mother-in-law) and Frances Grey (Jane Grey’s mother). I really appreciated this story being told from their perspectives...more Throughout my reading of this book, I felt like the title could be changed slightly to fit almost every main character. At one time or another they were all found to be traitors to the crown and a vast many paid for it with their lives. With that said, THE traitor of the title is not one of our narrators, but her story is told through the viewpoints of Jane Dudley (Jane Grey’s mother-in-law) and Frances Grey (Jane Grey’s mother). I really appreciated this story being told from their perspectives. With the alternating chapters you could see events from both sides of the fence – and usually they were on opposing sides. With these narrators you are right within the crush of events, however they escape with their lives. I feel that the author did a very good job of making these women their own and really getting the reader to care about them.

Regarding THE traitor, Jane Grey – I found it hard to connect with her in this novel. She isn’t one of the narrators, so we have to see her through the eyes of others, and you would think with two opposing narrators we would get a well-rounded view of her. She appears stand-offish and mostly one dimensional. When she meets her ultimate end, I did not feel too much for her. This is diametrically different from my outpouring of tears at the end of Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir. I would have liked to have been given the chance to get to know her better in this novel.

This book casts a much more sympathetic light on the Dudley’s and the Grey’s than many other novels do. The relationship between Frances Grey and her daughter Jane is typically characterized as harsh with Frances coming out as an advancement grabbing woman. The Dudley’s, particularly John Dudley, the patriarch, are crafted as villains who are creating treasonous plots. As described in the author’s note, Higginbotham has tried to craft characters that are more likely closer to their historical counterparts as recent research has been lifting that veil of villainy that has long since shrouded both families.

I have to appreciate the cast of characters presented on the outset of the book because titles changed so often during this time period that I would have had trouble keeping them all straight.

While this book did not grab me from the first pages, it slowly began to grow on me. If you encounter this while reading, give it the chance to grow on you and you will appreciate the results.

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Ellen Ekstrom rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-like, probably-read-it-again-yep-i-wil

Finally, historical fiction centered on the reign of Edward VI, the political and religious upheaval, the successsion crisis that is balanced and enjoyable to read. Ms. Higginbotham relies on history, extant letters and documents to tell the story of a kingdom at the edge of destruction while balancing toward the modern era. We are shown the period through the eyes and voices of two women close to the throne: Frances Grey, neice of Henry VIII, wife of Henry Grey, Marquis of Dorset and later Duke...more Finally, historical fiction centered on the reign of Edward VI, the political and religious upheaval, the successsion crisis that is balanced and enjoyable to read. Ms. Higginbotham relies on history, extant letters and documents to tell the story of a kingdom at the edge of destruction while balancing toward the modern era. We are shown the period through the eyes and voices of two women close to the throne: Frances Grey, neice of Henry VIII, wife of Henry Grey, Marquis of Dorset and later Duke of Suffolk (by right of Frances) and mother of the Lady Jane, known to us as "The Nine Days' Queen," in part to the amendment to Edward VI's will or "devise" that disinherited Edward's sisters Mary and Elizabeth (but briefly)that made her Queen of England after Edward's death in 1553 at the age of 16; and Jane Dudley, wife of John Dudley, earl of Warwick and duke of Northumberland who ruled England after the death of Edward's uncle the Protector Somerset, and the mother of Guilford Dudley, Jane Grey's husband.

Many works of fiction and a particular movie have portrayed Jane's parents as cruel and heartless, the Northumberlands as grasping, devious, power hungry. As I mentioned above, Ms. Higginbotham doesn't follow suit with what has gone before - because she tells the story through two women usually relegated to being either silent witnesses or hags, Jane Grey is less the innocent martyr for the reformist cause and more a flesh-and-blood teenaged girl who is precocious, opinionated and a pain in the neck at times, but a girl who is true to her faith thanks to her parents' attention to her education and upbringing. She was considered a preeminent scholar and reformist (Protestant) in her learned circle and after her execution, her letters were printed and distributed, cherished by many who espoused 'the new learning,' as the Protestant church was sometimes called. Yet, Jane was absolutely believable and real in Ms. Higginbotham's hands. While reading the book, I felt that Jane Grey would have been the exceptionally bright yet annoying girl in the front row of history class, raising her hand and giving the right answer every time the teacher asked a question and quick to correct we lesser humans if we deigned to give a wrong one! She would be the first to defend and to right a wrong.

Ms. Higginbotham gives us the history and the facts without seven hundred pages to slog through - the minority of Edward VI and the quarrel between his uncles, Jane's brief sojourn as queen proclaimed but not crowned, Mary's swift seizure of the crown that was her right as Henry VIII's eldest daughter, the deaths of Jane, Guilford as a result of uprisings against Mary and her imperial leanings (which Jane and Guilford had nothing to do with), are illustrated here.

The prose is finely-honed, the dialogue wonderful, the characters come to life. If you're tired of yet another Tudor novel with the usual cardboard paperdolls, the same tresses of hair being tossed back and same courtiers sitting and plotting in darkened corners of lively great chambers, pick up this book NOW. This is indeed the Tudor story you don't know - but will want to know as soon as you read the first lines.(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Christy B (Readin' and Dreamin') rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fiction, historical-fiction

Her Highness, the Traitor opens with the death of Henry VIII and ends after the execution of Lady Jane Grey.

The book is told from the point-of-view of two women: Jane's mother Frances Grey; and Jane Dudley. The chapters went back and forth between them and the story didn't suffer for it. Admittedly, sometimes I did forget whose chapter I was on, but that may have been my own problem, seeing as I always have trouble keeping people straight with stories of this time period. It didn't help that so...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Mielasbooks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: maragoodreads

Through women's eyes, Higginbotham (The Queen of Last Hopes) attempts to bring to life England's interregnal period between the death of Henry VIII and the ascension of Elizabeth I in this dull Tudor historical. Edward succeeds his late father, but given his young age, dominion over the kingdom is conferred upon a royal council, whereupon various men begin jockeying for power. Jane Dudley's husband, the duke of Northumberland, ingratiates himself to the king, and becomes a trusted adviser. Meanw...more Through women's eyes, Higginbotham (The Queen of Last Hopes) attempts to bring to life England's interregnal period between the death of Henry VIII and the ascension of Elizabeth I in this dull Tudor historical. Edward succeeds his late father, but given his young age, dominion over the kingdom is conferred upon a royal council, whereupon various men begin jockeying for power. Jane Dudley's husband, the duke of Northumberland, ingratiates himself to the king, and becomes a trusted adviser. Meanwhile, Frances Grey and daughter Jane watch as Frances's husband, the duke of Suffolk, positions himself to claim the throne. Hoping to ease tensions between the two families, Jane Dudley's son marries Jane Grey. Shortly before Edward succumbs to tuberculosis, he appoints Jane Grey as his successor. However, when Edward's half-sister Mary comes to the fore as a contender for the crown—with the support of the royal council—the Dudleys and Greys stand to lose everything, including their lives. Though Higginbotham stays true to history, her inability to create compelling characters makes her effort light on drama and difficult to follow. Agent: Nicholas Croce, the Croce Agency. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

In her new historical novel, Higginbotham gives readers another masterful story of honor, ambition, and intrigue surrounding the royal court of England. In the years after the death of Henry VIII, Jane Dudley watches her beloved husband, the Duke of Northumberland, rise to a position of power as advisor to young King Edward VI. Frances Grey sees her acerbic daughter, Lady Jane Grey, married to the Dudleys' son, then leveraged onto the throne when the king dies young and childless. Nine days later, when Mary I comes to claim the crown, both women suddenly find themselves fighting to save their families. In another well-researched, gripping novel highlighting the female members of the royal court, Higginbotham brings the court to life, including vividly described costumes and customs, while producing a fresh view of the people closest to the top in those turbulent times. Fans of her earlier work or that of Philippa Gregory will enjoy this story about the women of position in an age ruled almost entirely by men. Ophoff, Cortney.

Contrary to the first review, I believe that this book would be dramatic. From what I've read of the rest of Higginbotham's work; it will probably be historically accurate and contain a fair dose of humor. I'd reccomend this to patrons who are looking for an enjoyable historical fiction read.(less)

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Nov 27, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

(Review copy / pasted from http://sarahshistoryblog.wordpress.co... - my baby just hit the BACKSPACE key on my laptop and deleted a ton of reviews!)

Her Highness, the Traitor is set during the reigns of Edward VI of England and Mary I of England, and tells the stories of the lives of the Grey and Dudley families. The story is told from the point of view of the mothers of Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Guildford; Frances Grey and Jane Dudley. We see the rise and fall of the dukes of Suffolk and N...more (Review copy / pasted from http://sarahshistoryblog.wordpress.co... - my baby just hit the BACKSPACE key on my laptop and deleted a ton of reviews!)

Her Highness, the Traitor is set during the reigns of Edward VI of England and Mary I of England, and tells the stories of the lives of the Grey and Dudley families. The story is told from the point of view of the mothers of Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Guildford; Frances Grey and Jane Dudley. We see the rise and fall of the dukes of Suffolk and Northumberland and their families from beginning to end, and the rebuilding of the lives of the people they left behind.

The story is told in alternating points of view, switching from Jane Dudley to Frances Brandon. The switching points of view gives the reader a good, well rounded view of events taking place, from each family’s perspective. The switches are not confusing, as each chapter is headed with who is taking their turn to tell the story and the dates they are remembering. The story flows beautifully, and reads easily.

The events described in the novel have clearly been researched meticulously by Susan. The details are wonderful; from the execution speeches and letters to the carvings in the wall of Beauchamp Tower. The historical record has been stuck to faithfully and where Susan has had to fill in the gaps, she has done so with a realistic approach. Nothing is far fetched, silly or unlikely to have happened. Susan clearly states in her Author’s Note at the back of the novel where she has had to fill in the gaps, and why she chose the paths she took when doing so.

I very much enjoyed Susan’s characterisations in Her Highness, the Traitor. Rather than sticking to the Frances Brandon and John Dudley BAD that we usually see, she has chosen to portray her characters in a much more original and human way. Her Jane Grey is no tragic victim; so refreshing to read, as I was never entirely convinced she was one! Getting to know Susan’s versions of these famous historical figures was a wonderful experience.

Her Highness, the Traitor is an excellent historical novel. A must – read for all historical fiction fans.(less)

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Jun 17, 2012 Sarah5 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This novel focuses on the turbulent time in England after the death of King Henry VII. The throne is inherited by his son, Edward who is only 9 years old and sickly. Power lies in the hands of the protector, the Duke of Northumberland. This novel is told through the fictional eyes of characters based on two real people - Frances Grey (mother of Lady Jane Grey and niece of Henry VII) and Jane Dudley (the wife of the protector). We learn about the plot to put Jane Grey on the throne by bypassing t...more

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May 31, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"We are, by the sufferance of God, King of England; and the Kings of England in times past never had any superior but God." King Henry VIII to Cardinal Wolsey in 1515.

I became a fan of Medieval English History through Showtime’s THE TUDORS. Although it was historically inaccurate, THE TUDORS was a sensual treat with gorgeous costumes, enticing music, and political intrigue. Yet the series ended after four seasons with the death of King Henry VIII. Fans wanted more – Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth....more

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Apr 24, 2012 Michele rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

Oh, what a fabulous rendition of the tale of Lady Jane Grey, the young Tudor girl who would rule England for a short nine days before losing her head for her efforts. Some years back, author Alison Weir wrote a lovely novel about Jane Grey, but it was told from Jane's POV in first person narrative, making it impossible to ascertain whether or not Jane really was as perfect and innocent as she was made to be in that novel.

Higginbotham brilliantly solves that problem by alternating viewpoints betw...more Oh, what a fabulous rendition of the tale of Lady Jane Grey, the young Tudor girl who would rule England for a short nine days before losing her head for her efforts. Some years back, author Alison Weir wrote a lovely novel about Jane Grey, but it was told from Jane's POV in first person narrative, making it impossible to ascertain whether or not Jane really was as perfect and innocent as she was made to be in that novel.

Higginbotham brilliantly solves that problem by alternating viewpoints between Jane's mother, Frances Grey, and Jane Dudley, the mother of Guildford Dudley who would become Jane Grey's erstwhile young husband in an attempt to reconcile two of England's most competitive noble families of the time. This narrative technique allows Higginbotham to present a much more balanced portrait of the young Jane Grey, who was only a teenager when the sickly Edward VI passed away, allegedly adjusting his will at the last moment to name Protestant Jane as his successor rather than his Catholic older sister, Mary (oh yes, *that* Mary). The young age of both Jane and Guildford makes the narrative use of their mothers quite engaging, as childhood personalities and family biases are easily revealed.

Higginbotham makes no judgements in this novel, leaving that job for her readers. She presents the known information about the Grey and Dudley family machinations of the time, leaving you to decide what was rumor, what was likely true, and whether the punishment later meted out fit the crime. Like many historical fiction novels that revolve around royalty, there are the inevitable jumble of titles, names, and convoluted relationships. Higginbotham does an admirable job keeping everything straight for the reader without compromising accuracy.

If you enjoyed Weir's novel about Jane Grey, you absolutely must NOT miss this superior effort. Any fans of Tudor history will appreciate the details included, as well. Aside from that, it's just a very compelling novel that, quite honestly, was difficult to put down.(less)

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Apr 21, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, non-erotic, paranormal, suspense-mystery

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Love, treason, and betrayal are the spice of life in this historical fiction story. Based in the 1500’s after Henry VIII’s death, this story was full of drama and passion. The author transported me to a time of Victorian dresses and kings and I loved every second of it.

I have always been fascinated by English history, and this story helped to feed my long running addiction. The author did a spectacular job capturing the period and mad...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Love, treason, and betrayal are the spice of life in this historical fiction story. Based in the 1500’s after Henry VIII’s death, this story was full of drama and passion. The author transported me to a time of Victorian dresses and kings and I loved every second of it.

I have always been fascinated by English history, and this story helped to feed my long running addiction. The author did a spectacular job capturing the period and made me feel as if I were transported through time and became a lady during this era. I even found myself speaking as if I was from the time period at times. This proves how enthralled by this story I truly was. As with any novel of this nature, it did take me a few paragraphs to “get into the act” so to speak since it's based on a different time period with different verbiage, but the author did an excellent job in making sure it was understandable while still maintaining that old English feeling.

One thing I did struggle with during the story was following the characters at times. This story follows two separate women, Jane Dudley and Frances Grey, and their families. Part of the confusion was that there were sometimes two characters with the same name, such as two women named Jane. While I understand why since the author was trying to stay true to the actual people, it did make things a bit puzzling at times.

The author truly did history justice when writing this story. One essential aspect about writing historical fiction is to try to keep it as authentic as possible. This author more than exceeded that goal. She even incorporated Author’s Notes at the end to explain the information provided, the validity of it and any discrepancies that may exist. She stayed as true to the story and characters as history allowed her, and it certainly helped create an inspired story. Had history class been this entertaining in school I would have learned so much more.

This is a story you couldn’t make up if you wanted to. The plot was so riveting I couldn't get enough. While the Dudleys and Greys had little in common, other than status, their lives seemed to be continuously entangled with one another from the beginning right to the bitter end. This story had every type of twist and turns imaginable and in the end, it left me wanting even more.

This is a story I would not only recommend to readers of this review but people I personally know and I plan on encouraging them to read this story. It's that good.
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Dec 14, 2012 Traci rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, 4-stars, historical-fiction, kindle-library

It has been way too long since I picked up any decent historical fiction, specifically from this era--which is sad, because I love Tudor period books. I just got a little burned out on them, I suppose, after the popularity of The Tudors and after the dozen or so Philippa Gregory books (which I love, just... yeah. Burned out.)

Anyway, I spent a few minutes reacquainting myself with the dozens of Janes, Marys, Catherines, Henrys, and Edwards in this period, and pushed on. This book is actually abo...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

First book by this author that I've read. She spins a tale of two families--the Dudleys and the Greys--during the reign of Edward VI (Henry VIII's son). These families actually existed during this tumultuous time in England's history. I'm pretty jaded when it comes to the Tudor period because just about everyone has written something about that time. Therefore, I was pleased to see that this was a story a bit off the beaten path so to speak.

But that's where the trouble began.

In the front of thi...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalfiction

I loved the approach this book took, that of focusing on the mothers of what might be seen as the two main characters: Lady Jane Grey and her young husband Lord Guildford Dudley. That perspective made the whole story (which I think any historical fiction fan has probably read multiple versions of) a fresh voice, which was wonderfully thought-provoking.

As with The Stolen Crown, I enjoyed this very much. My only quibbles were small. I'm OK with anachronistic language to some degree in historical...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Claire Ridgway rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lady Jane Grey’s story will always be a tragic one, no matter how you look at it, but what I loved about “Her Highness, the Traitor” was that the story was told through the eyes of the two mothers involved in the events of 1553: Frances Grey, mother of Lady Jane Grey, and Jane Dudley, mother of Guildford Dudley and wife of John Dudley. Higginbotham explores the impact of the events of 1547-1554 on both the Greys and Dudleys: Edward VI’s reign, the rise and fall of Protector Somerset, the rise of...more Lady Jane Grey’s story will always be a tragic one, no matter how you look at it, but what I loved about “Her Highness, the Traitor” was that the story was told through the eyes of the two mothers involved in the events of 1553: Frances Grey, mother of Lady Jane Grey, and Jane Dudley, mother of Guildford Dudley and wife of John Dudley. Higginbotham explores the impact of the events of 1547-1554 on both the Greys and Dudleys: Edward VI’s reign, the rise and fall of Protector Somerset, the rise of John Dudley and the short reign of Lady Jane Grey. Both Frances and Jane lost children and husbands in 1554, and fought to survive and put their families back together.

Higginbotham’s Lady Jane Grey is very different to the usual tragic victim we’re used to. Jane is a highly intelligent and pious girl who can be proud, haughty and abrasive. She is close to her father, Henry Grey, but her mother struggles to understand her. Although Frances and Jane are not close, Frances is far from the strict, hunting-loving monster depicted by some authors; she loves her daughter and wants the best for her. Jane and Guildford’s relationship is certainly not a love match but Guildford is a warm, fun-loving young man who cares for his wife and her family, and who goes to his death with courage and dignity. He wants the crown as Jane’s consort, but he certainly is not power hungry. As for John Dudley, well, I must admit to falling in love with him in the book! He is a wonderfully warm character who loves his family and who wants to do his duty to his monarch. He is a man of principle and conscience. I also loved the opportunity of getting to know minor characters such as Mary Dudley and Henry Sidney.

Higginbotham’s idea of telling the story through the eyes of these women is a wonderful way of bringing these events and characters to life. You feel you’re there with them and you cannot help but be moved by the events as they unfold. We all know how it ends, but we often forget the impact and legacy of those bloody days and that’s what is explored here. Next time I visit the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, I won’t just think of the fallen queens who lie at rest there, I will also pay my respects to the fallen dukes and Guildford Dudley.
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May 05, 2012 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads

I thought that I knew the story of Lady Jane, the nine-days-queen whose brief rule followed that of her sickly cousin’s, Edward VI. In Her Highness, the Traitor, Susan Higginbotham challenges the long-held assumptions popular history has passed down about the major players in this tragic interlude in Tudor history. Was Frances Grey really an unloving tyrant of a mother? Was her daughter, Jane Grey, truly a pious and innocent martyr? How could Jane Dudley love her self-serving and fiercely ambiti...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Justine Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Before I start my review, I should say that I know way more about Tudor history than is good for me. I think partly what I like about Susan's medieval fiction is that the stories are so fascinating to me - because I'm not as familiar with a lot of the history.

For this one, I found some of the historical backstory to be a bit tedious since I already knew, for instance, that Mary Tudor suffered greatly after Henry discarded her mother, or that Frances Grey's mother was Henry VIII's sister who was...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Xenia0201 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I admit I wasn't looking forward to reading another story about Jane Grey. Much of what I have read about her depicts her as a stubborn idealistic brat, and parents ruthless and unloving. Susan Higginbotham's true talent in her writing is her ability to weave together all the principal characters and depict them with their own points of view. This technique is tremendously successful in eliciting empathy for even the most hated in history; the Duke of Northumberland, for example, and even France...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Kristina Church milashus rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This books was thoroughly enjoyable and fast paced. Loved that it was told from the point of view of the "moms" - Jane Dudley and Frances Grey. I enjoyed reading about John Dudley where he was not vilified, but rather was a man dedicated to his young king, and perhaps loyal to some misguided decisions. Jane Grey wasn't put on a pedestal as a martyr, but depicted as a very learned, yet spoiled and somewhat arrogant girl, which based on her wonderful education, would not be a far-fetched idea. In...more

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May 06, 2012 Olga Crickhollow Books rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tudor-reading, historical-fiction

Originally published at http://crickhollowbooks.com.au/blog/2...

The story of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen, and her tragic end, often overshadows the story of her mother Frances and mother-in-law Jane Dudley. In the same year the two women lost both husbands and children and had to summon the strength to go on, struggling to keep the remains of their families’ intact while at the mercy of the very Crown who tore their families asunder.

Susan Higginbotham’s portrayal of these two women demand...more Originally published at http://crickhollowbooks.com.au/blog/2...

The story of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen, and her tragic end, often overshadows the story of her mother Frances and mother-in-law Jane Dudley. In the same year the two women lost both husbands and children and had to summon the strength to go on, struggling to keep the remains of their families’ intact while at the mercy of the very Crown who tore their families asunder.

Susan Higginbotham’s portrayal of these two women demands the attention they deserve, two mothers trying to raise their families in a turbulent political climate as their husbands gain power in one of the most dangerous and treacherous courts in Europe. There are a lot of traditional views of the people surrounding Jane Grey, the power-hungry, manipulative and abusive parents, the ambitious Dudley’s and their weak and selfish son. The author casts aside these conventions and brings us a richly detailed account of the events of 1547-1555 through the eyes of two women at the centre of it all.

There are no one-dimensional characters that fade quietly into the background of Jane Grey’s story here.

Jane Dudley’s portrayal as a happily-married mother to a large brood of children is a touching and personal account of a woman slightly ill at ease with all the pomp of court and fiercely devoted to her large family. Her husband, John Dudley, is introduced at the beginning of the book in the aftermath of the execution of his father, Edmund Dudley, just as soon as Henry VIII came to the throne. John becomes a ward of Jane’s family and they grow up together. We watch their relationship grow and strengthen with the birth of children and John’s rise through Henry VIII’s court to Duke and Northumberland at Edward VI’s court. Accompanied by a detailed account of their relationship with the Somersets, Edward and Anne Seymour, the story follows the rise of their families to great power and both men’s tragic demise at the hands of their peers.

In contrast, Frances Brandon, the daughter of Henry VIII’s sister Mary Tudor and his best friend Charles Brandon, is more than comfortable being close to the Crown, and has a somewhat less fulfilling relationship with her husband and eldest daughter Jane. Jane is presented here in a more realistic fashion than is usual, a headstrong and fiercely intellectual teenager with a rebellious streak, coupled with the arrogance and romanticism of youth and all the overzealousness of someone introduced to a new religion and new learning. It is an interesting portrayal, one in which she scorns her mother for being unable to match her in learning. Being emotionally and intellectually closer to her father causes an uneasy relationship between mother and daughter. Frances is presented as a vulnerable woman, often feeling left out in the cold, this planting the seeds for her relationship with Adrian Stokes, her husband’s Master of the Horse and future-husband until her death.

The women are the key players in this tale, Jane Dudley, Frances Brandon, Anne Somerset, Catherine Willoughby, and through the eyes of these mothers and wives and daughters we see the real peril of being close to the crown and the true cost of ambition. Extensive Author Notes on sources and a bibliography will satisfy both historical fiction and history fans alike. Flawless, compelling storytelling.(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Starry rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historic-fiction

Susan Higginbotham writes excellent historic fiction with a talent for finding interesting figures who have not been endlessly written about and then treats them and her readers with the dignity they deserve. As a reader of this genre, I'd rather not be treated like I've just wandered in by accident from the Mills & Boon section of the bookstore and have the story handled in a tawdry and histrionic fashion in order to titillate me. I like and trust Susan Higginbotham because she trusts and r...more

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May 26, 2012 Amber (The Musings of ALMYBNENR) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-150-reading-challenge, 2012-ebook-challenge, 2012-historical-fiction-reading-cha, 2012-tudor-reading-challenge, arcs, historical

Reading eARC.
Rating: 3.5 stars

When Henry VIII died on 28 January 1547, he left his nine-year-old son Edward to rule a kingdom broken by religious strife. Catholic England turned reformed Catholic England now turned Protestant England under Edward VI and his maternal uncle, Lord Protector Edward Seymour. But in 1553, Edward at fifteen years of age knew he was dying and he wanted to keep England out of the hands of his Catholic older sister Mary. Yet he did not want to leave his favorite sister, E...more Reading eARC.
Rating: 3.5 stars

When Henry VIII died on 28 January 1547, he left his nine-year-old son Edward to rule a kingdom broken by religious strife. Catholic England turned reformed Catholic England now turned Protestant England under Edward VI and his maternal uncle, Lord Protector Edward Seymour. But in 1553, Edward at fifteen years of age knew he was dying and he wanted to keep England out of the hands of his Catholic older sister Mary. Yet he did not want to leave his favorite sister, Elizabeth, in charge either so he changed his father’s will. He left the throne to his cousin Lady Jane Grey’s male children, but when he realized he was fading too quickly (and Jane was nowhere close to being pregnant), he updated the will to leave the throne to Lady Jane and her male heirs. A subtle, yet major change.

Her Highness, the Traitor begins in 1555, two years into Mary I’s reign, with reminisces of the past from Jane Dudley and Frances Grey. As the title implied (at least to me), I thought Susan Higginbotham’s latest historical fiction novel was about Jane Grey’s rise to the throne and her husband, Guildford Dudley, the children of the two women previously mentioned.

And it was, but not to the extent I imagined. Written in the first person, past tense and alternating points-of-view between Jane Dudley and Frances Grey, they reminisce about the past (starting in 1512 for Jane Dudley and 1547 for Frances Grey) and how it led to their present situations in 1555. I thought Her Highness, the Traitor would be from Jane Grey’s point-of-view, but instead Lady Jane’s story played out through the eyes of her mother and mother-in-law. While it threw me off at first, I quickly became accustomed to it and enjoyed learning these two womens’ views on their children’s rise and fall along with their own motivations and biases.

Just a bit of basic background on these two characters: Jane Dudley knew and grew up with her husband John because after his father was executed as a traitor by Henry VIII, Jane’s family took him in as a ward and Frances Grey was the daughter of Charles Brandon, the duke of Suffolk, and Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s younger sister.

As previously stated, the story alternated between Jane Dudley and Frances Grey, as it moved forward in time, revealing the day-to-day and major events of both of their lives, including their children taking the throne and the later consequences.

I found it interesting to read a story I know from two different voices I had not heard before. I kept hoping things would work out for everyone involved, but if it had, history would not have progressed as it had. As historical fiction readers, I think sometimes we forget (at least I do) that these people were real, living, breathing people. Sometimes I am so caught up in a story that that gets away from me and I remind myself often -and then it makes my heart ache. Towards the end, tears came to my eyes over and over and eventually spilled. Have a box of tissues nearby.

Her Highness, the Traitor is definitely a journey of a book and a heartfelt one at that.

Recommended for historical fiction readers eighteen and up. The title is a bit misleading but the story is uniquely told by Jane Grey’s and Guildford Dudley’s mothers.

Read this review in its original format here.(less)

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May 17, 2012 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The complicated complexity of Tudor England is well described in this fictional account of the rise in power of two very different families. In the aftermath of King Henry VIII’s death, and with his nine year old son Edward on the throne of England, there is great opportunity for personal advancement. Two families close to the throne will take advantage of the new King’s vulnerability. Jane Dudley is a married to an ambitious man who will stop at nothing to gain power, whilst Frances Grey, cousi...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Her Highness, The Traitor is a gripping historical fiction novel that traces the path that Lady Jane Grey took to becoming the Queen of England for 9 days. Told through the perspective of her mother, Frances Grey, and her mother-in-law, Jane Dudley, it is a unique look at the people involved with the plot.

I enjoyed how the familiar tragic story of Lady Jane Grey was told through two new viewpoints. Lady Jane was not always the nicest person and her parents are not shown to be evil people plottin...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Krista McCracken rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Susan Higginbotham weaves an intriguing and honest historical fiction in Her Highness, the Traitor. The book follows the lives of Jane Dudley and Frances Grey and their families and England experiences a politically tumultuous time.

Higginbotham has done an excellent job of staying true to history in her accounts of events. The book provides a colourful overview of the political tensions, movements, and alliances of the time. Those readers looking for fluffy historical fiction may be disappointe...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Sara Giacalone rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been pondering whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. At a minimum, it's a 4.5. This book tells the story of Jane Grey, the girl who was Queen of England for just a few days, from the point of view of Jane Dudley and Frances Grey (the mothers of Guildeford and Jane, respectively). Because of this fresh point of view, this story unfolded for me in a completely new way. One that was highly entertaining and interesting, with a bit of dark humor thrown in, and completely new perspectives of th...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Bethany Wade rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A British history lover, I was immediately excited about reading this book. This time period is so full of upheaval, drama, and conflict! While the book was not as exciting as it could have been, I still enjoyed it. I applaud her writing style and the creative choices she made in this piece of literature. Instead of drowning the reader in Old English, she chose to use modern language (except for the Scaffold Speeches or Letters). To me, it felt like she had "subtitled" the world of Henry VIII fo...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tudors-and-related

Even though I only gave this book three stars, right after finishing I set to scouring the library for more material (fiction and nonfiction) about Lady Jane Grey. I also resolved to get my hands on all of Higginbotham's other works.

So what did I like?
Lady Jane's story has often been boiled down to a rather simplistic morality tale. Lady Jane is depicted as an idealized long suffering saint who is abused by her cruel parents and manipulated by the Machiavellian John Dudley. Higginbotham's novel...more Even though I only gave this book three stars, right after finishing I set to scouring the library for more material (fiction and nonfiction) about Lady Jane Grey. I also resolved to get my hands on all of Higginbotham's other works.

So what did I like?
Lady Jane's story has often been boiled down to a rather simplistic morality tale. Lady Jane is depicted as an idealized long suffering saint who is abused by her cruel parents and manipulated by the Machiavellian John Dudley. Higginbotham's novel presents a more even-handed realistic picture. Chapters alternate perspectives between Dudley's wife Jane, and Lady Jane's mother Frances.
Happily, this book is mainly concerned with presenting a fictional account of the times and is not another historical bodice ripper masquerading as something more serious. It's very readable, and is a fine starting place to understanding the complicated events and politics of the time. I particularly enjoyed the characterization of the Dudley boys.

So why didn't I rate it higher?
Well, some of the characterizations seemed to swing a bit unrealistically far in the opposite direction of tradition or motivations seemed strangely unclear.
For example, I didn't get a good sense of why John Dudley ever had such bad reputation or was so distrusted. He is depicted as being such a decent good-hearted sort in the novel. (Even the author's note didn't help clear this up much).

Jane, herself, comes across as a sanctimonious prig without many redeeming qualities. This seemed an unnecessarily harsh depiction that didn't quite ring true. It also lessened the emotional stakes for me since I didn't feel at all sorry for her death.

Certain aspects of Mary's sudden rise to power, and Jane's downfall are murky. As another reviewer pointed out that just from reading the novel “you might think loyalties changed from Queen Jane to Queen Mary just because everyone thought it would be funny”. In other words, sometimes the motives are baffling and not explained clearly.

However, some of these questions are addressed very well in Eric Ives's Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery, which Higginbotham used as a source and which works very well as a companion read.
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Sep 13, 2012 Sarah Wagner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: england, historical-fiction

This novel set in Tudor England tells the story of Lady Jane Grey from the perspective of her mother, Lady Frances Grey and her mother-in-law, Jane Dudley. The two narrators are women clearly involved with pivotal events of their time, yet they are not the typical subjects of history or fiction written about the Tudor era. In addition, the author questions some of the long-held traditional approaches to the well-known historical figures who appear in this novel. Lady Jane Grey emerges as a very...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Linda Shea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have always thought of Jane Grey as she was portrayed in movies and in other books - as a very likable character who was placed into a no-win situation by her family and her husband's family. I enjoyed how the point of view of this book kept switching between Jane's mother and Guildford's mother - and that both Jane and Guildford were painted as real people, not perfect angels. Was the true Jane saintly or an arrogant zealot? Perhaps a little of both.

This is the first book I have ever read by...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Veronica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, historical-fiction, owned-books

This was a very well written account of Frances Grey and Jane Dudley, two women who barely got along but suffered similar loses in their lives. Both women lost their husbands and one of the children to charges of treason. Frances Gery was the mother of the tragic Nine Days Queen Jane Grey. Higginbotham's style is very refreshing. Not much is written from Frances Grey's perspective and it was very nice to see from her perspective just how "saintly" Jane Grey could have been. I really enjoyed Higg...more

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Jun 16, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What I always like about Susan Higginbotham's novels is her choice of point of view characters. They are always real people who are not as well known and can tell a well-known story from a different perspective. "Her Highness, the Traitor is told from the first person points of view of Lady Jane Grey's mother and the mother of her eventual husband Guildford Dudley. It opens with the death of Henry VIII and covers events of the time period as they affected the Grey and Dudley families. Like many...more

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