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10th out of 236 books
—
28 voters
The Queen's Governess
by
Karen Harper (Goodreads Author)
A fresh and intriguing historical novel told in the voice of Queen Elizabeth I's governess.
Katherine Ashley, the daughter of a poor country squire, happily secures an education and a place for herself in a noble household. But when Thomas Cromwell, a henchman for King Henry VIII, brings her to the royal court as a spy, Kat enters into a thrilling new world of the Tudor...more
Katherine Ashley, the daughter of a poor country squire, happily secures an education and a place for herself in a noble household. But when Thomas Cromwell, a henchman for King Henry VIII, brings her to the royal court as a spy, Kat enters into a thrilling new world of the Tudor...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
January 21st 2010
by Putnam Adult
(first published December 17th 2009)
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The Queen’s Governess by Karen Harper
Historical Romance - Aug 2nd, 2011
4 stars
Katherine Champernowne is the daughter of humble beekeeper in Devon. Throughout her adolescent years, she longs to escape her simple life, go to London and catch a glimpse of the court. By a lucky chance, she meets with Cromwell who later recruits her as a spy. Steadily, Kat climbs the ladder in court and becomes one of Anne Boleyn’s ladies. Kat watches the rise and the fall of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour as she is as...more
Historical Romance - Aug 2nd, 2011
4 stars
Katherine Champernowne is the daughter of humble beekeeper in Devon. Throughout her adolescent years, she longs to escape her simple life, go to London and catch a glimpse of the court. By a lucky chance, she meets with Cromwell who later recruits her as a spy. Steadily, Kat climbs the ladder in court and becomes one of Anne Boleyn’s ladies. Kat watches the rise and the fall of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour as she is as...more
This is the first book I've read by this author but I thought the concept sounded interesting, even if I do think that perhaps the Tudors are starting to be a bit done to death! The story is in many ways about Elizabeth I, but the narrative character is Kat Ashley, Elizabeth's governess (as from the title!) and later her chief lady of the bedchamber.
The novel is written in the first person, which can be a little clumsy in the hands of an unskilled author, but Harper carried it off well. I was in...more
The novel is written in the first person, which can be a little clumsy in the hands of an unskilled author, but Harper carried it off well. I was in...more
Often showing up as a supporting character in novels about Queen Elizabeth I, Kat Ashley, Elizabeth's governess, finally gets to tell her story. In "The Queen's Governess," Katherine Champernowne Ashley loses her mother at an early age and under suspicious circumstances. She comes from a poor family, but by helping Thomas Cromwell at the beginning of the story, she gains his respect and works for Cromwell as a spy of sorts. Her connection to Cromwell leads her to the Tudor Court at a time when K...more
I love to read books about the royals in history, especially the British. This book is about Kat Ashley who was the companion to Anne Boleyn and later governess to Elizabeth I. I have read about Kat in other books about Elizabeth and it is great to see her get her own story.
After the loss of her mother and the intrusion of a stepmother, Kat is recruited by Thomas Cromwell to be educated for future tasks. She is sent to her uncle's house where she studies with his children. Her task turns out to...more
After the loss of her mother and the intrusion of a stepmother, Kat is recruited by Thomas Cromwell to be educated for future tasks. She is sent to her uncle's house where she studies with his children. Her task turns out to...more
I don't know what it is about the Tudors that makes me want to read historical fiction books about them-espcially ones that feature Anne Boleyn. Everyone knows how that story ends-but I'm still captivated and love being tossed back through time. One of the things that drew me to this book was that it featured- Katherine "Kat" Ashley, the governess to Anne Boleyns daughter, the future Queen of England-Elizabeth. In almost every book I've read about this time her name has come up, but she's never...more
1 like · like · see review
view all 5 comments
Oct 13, 2010
Jodi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
books-about-england,
historical-fiction
LOVE historical fiction and I love reading about Tudor England so this book was great for me! I have read a variety of books on this time period by a variety of authors and seen many movies/tv series of this time period but this was the first time I have heard from Elizabeth I's governess's point of view! What a life she lead and to such extremes! She came from seemingly humble beginnings with tragedy in her life already and then to be a "lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn and to witness her tragedy...more
Review from Amazon:
I admit I am slightly hooked on novels on the Tudors and have read a fair few of them from a variety of authors. So it was mixed feelings that I picked up this book - part of me felt that familiar attraction to a novel of this time period, and part was wondering whether it could stand out from the rest or whether it would be just another story of Elizabeth Tudor. I was pleasant surprised - this novel has a completely different feel to it and that is mainly due to perspective.
U...more
I admit I am slightly hooked on novels on the Tudors and have read a fair few of them from a variety of authors. So it was mixed feelings that I picked up this book - part of me felt that familiar attraction to a novel of this time period, and part was wondering whether it could stand out from the rest or whether it would be just another story of Elizabeth Tudor. I was pleasant surprised - this novel has a completely different feel to it and that is mainly due to perspective.
U...more
I had anxiously awaited the publication date for this book and was so pleased when it arrived at my door!
This book is told through the voice of Elizabeth Tudor's governess, companion and friend, Kat (Katherine) Champernowne Ashley (Astley). The book recounts the story of Kat's life and spans the years 1516-1560; a tour through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey and Mary Tudor. We follow Kat's story, beginning with Kat as a poor young girl living in the wilds of Devon with a ste...more
This book is told through the voice of Elizabeth Tudor's governess, companion and friend, Kat (Katherine) Champernowne Ashley (Astley). The book recounts the story of Kat's life and spans the years 1516-1560; a tour through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey and Mary Tudor. We follow Kat's story, beginning with Kat as a poor young girl living in the wilds of Devon with a ste...more
Wow, a Tudor book not full of sex! There was one scene (short paragraph) of a, shall we say, encounter that almost went all the way, but that was it. There are some adult themes like rape and murder, but not graphically detailed. It is really hard to find a book about this particular bit of English history that isn't chock full of sex, so I really appreciated this author. It is told from the perspective of Elizabeth I's governess, who promised Anne Boleyn that she would take care of her three ye...more
This was an excellent book about Elizabeth Tudor's governess, Katherine Ashley, who stayed with Elizabeth for over thirty years as her faithful caretaker and honorary mother. This novel illustrates the time Kat spent serving Elizabeth's mother, Queen Anne Boleyn, and how her relationship with Anne made Kat feel especially close to Elizabeth, who dealt with so many hardships in her life. It is also a beautiful love story - showing the courtship and marriage between Katherine and John Ashley, a ho...more
Sep 05, 2011
Jaime
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fresh-fiction-reads,
2011-read
Review from www.FreshFiction.com
Many know the history behind how Lady Elizabeth became the Virgin Queen. Few have dived into the lives of those who were closest to her from when she had the titles of princess, royal bastard, and thorn in Mary’s side. The Queen’s Governess gives us a view into the life of Katherine Chapernowne Ashley, a woman who spent most of her life at court serving some of the most famous names at the time. From her time as a spy for the ambitious Thomas Cromwell till she was...more
Many know the history behind how Lady Elizabeth became the Virgin Queen. Few have dived into the lives of those who were closest to her from when she had the titles of princess, royal bastard, and thorn in Mary’s side. The Queen’s Governess gives us a view into the life of Katherine Chapernowne Ashley, a woman who spent most of her life at court serving some of the most famous names at the time. From her time as a spy for the ambitious Thomas Cromwell till she was...more
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be among the court of the English King Henry VIII? He was the only King to ever have absolute power during his reign. He had the power to build you up and also the power to destroy you. We often hear the tales of those who reign, their stories told from their perspectives. Now emerges the story of Katherine Ashley, the only woman to have been in the midst of it all. This is Kat’s story which begins during the end of Queen Katherine’s reign and ends dur...more
Another book set in the Tudor times, this one is told from the point of view of Queen Elizabeth's governess, the lady who was with her from birth. More of a nanny in the beginning, but also came to be her surrogate mother as her real mother had been beheaded. Of course telling the story through someone else's eyes gives it a new vision. I had forgotten that Queen Elizabeth had been imprisioned when her sister was queen.
Things didn't start out this way. She was first sent there by Cromwell to sp...more
Things didn't start out this way. She was first sent there by Cromwell to sp...more
Apparently the Tudors have not yet tired themselves out! At least the author doesn't go at it from the POV of Katherine (1,2,3), Anne (2), Jane, or Henry, or Elizabeth. This time, the story of the tempestuous tutors is told by Kat Champernowne Ashley, the woman who was governess to Elizabeth, and later her close friend and Lady-in-Waiting. Once you get past the improbability of Kat penning a memoir as she is in the thick of history, it's fairly entertaining. Nothing profound, but entertaining. G...more
This is the first Karen Harper book I have read (although I have Mistress Shakespeare waiting for me on my TBR shelf) and I loved it! I have read many fiction and nonfiction books about the Tudors but this is the first time I have read it from such a new and intriguing perspective: that of Kat Ashley, longtime governess and confidante of Queen Elizabeth I. She has played minor parts in other books I have read but in this one she is front and center, telling the reader her story of the tragic and...more
Jun 07, 2010
Amber (The Musings of ALMYBNENR)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who want to gain another historical/fictional perspective on the life of Elizabeth I.
The Queen’s Governess is a historical fiction book from the point of view of Kat Ashley, Elizabeth Tudor’s long-time governess and friend. Born in Devon as Katherine Champernowne, she one day has a chance encounter with Master Thomas Cromwell, who has fallen from his horse. He lodges with her poor family and learns of Kat’s interest in learning and seeing London. Years later when Anne Boleyn’s star is rising, Cromwell calls on Kat to serve Anne and be his eyes and ears. She admires Anne and is t...more
There are several portrayels on Kat Ashley: Elizabeth's governess. One of strength and intelligence and a dear protector of Elizabeth even in times of Thomas Seymour's blatant flirtations and one of the usual drive for power in her young charge, striving to have Elizabeth reach the top. Harper's novel finds a middle ground and allows to see the motherly love that Ashley must have felt for Elizabeth, a youth who's mom was beheaded when she was merely about 3 years old.
A smooth and cohesive story...more
A smooth and cohesive story...more
I love anything Tudor related. This book was interesting and I enjoyed the story. However, I found the writing was lacking. I could have done without the constant foreshadowing every 3 pages that basically repeated the same "life with the Tudors is dangerous" sentiment. I also felt like the author was writing for a younger audience. Kat Ashley and Elizabeth never grew up and speak/act like teenagers the whole book. Kat says things are "lame" and Elizabeth says "like." I doubt it. I felt like the...more
The story of Kat Ashley- Anne Boylen's lasy in waiting, who went on to become the governess of Anne's daughter, Queen Elizabeth. Since I'm a historical fiction nut, I've read so many stories where Kat was a key player- it was nice to have HER "story" for once- fictionalized as it may be. Harper's got a great way with words, and tells a quikly paced story. I didn't like the ending- I would have liked more of a closing of Kat's life rather than Harper's switch to focusing on Elizabeth's stuglle wi...more
I am such a Tudor fanatic. I am fascinated with the whole story of crazy King Henry and his many wives. Elizabeth is my favorite though as she was such a strong woman in the 16th century. This is the story of Elizabeth's early childhood told through the voice of Kat Ashley, her governess. Elizabeth made the statement "Anne Boleyn gave me life, but Kat Ashley gave me love". She also wrote in a letter that "we are more bound to them that bringeth us up well than to our parents, for our parents do...more
I'm very fond of Karen Harper's Elizabeth the First mystery series, and was pleased to see another book in the Tudor genre, although more realistic. I love Tudor History, and enjoy novels set in that time period, provided that they at least reasonably match the facts.
This book was reasonably factual, and from an interesting perspective, Elizabeth's longtime Governess and Companion, but really not all that memorable. I enjoyed the book, but after reading the first chapter, I realized I had actua...more
This book was reasonably factual, and from an interesting perspective, Elizabeth's longtime Governess and Companion, but really not all that memorable. I enjoyed the book, but after reading the first chapter, I realized I had actua...more
For those of us with a love of Tudor history, this book filled a gap in the market. There was a lot thrown into this book - different times, different monarchs - and it would have been an interesting exercise to have them in a series so you weren't swamped with them all at once. I felt the book was too ambitious but I did enjoy it. In my mind Kat Ashley is always linked to Elizabeth I, so to place her under the guidance of Cromwell, in the court of her mother, and so on and so forth, was educati...more
Interesting.
I enjoyed this retelling of the story of Elizabeth Tudor from the point of view of her much beloved governess, Kat Ashley. It wasn't quite as page-turning as a Philippa Gregory book (with whom she is compared on the back cover), but it was certainly an informative and satisfying read.
After a short prologue set at the beheading of Anne Boleyn, the author takes us right back to Kat Ashley's childhood. As she explains in the notes at the end of the book, Ms Harper had to make several va...more
I enjoyed this retelling of the story of Elizabeth Tudor from the point of view of her much beloved governess, Kat Ashley. It wasn't quite as page-turning as a Philippa Gregory book (with whom she is compared on the back cover), but it was certainly an informative and satisfying read.
After a short prologue set at the beheading of Anne Boleyn, the author takes us right back to Kat Ashley's childhood. As she explains in the notes at the end of the book, Ms Harper had to make several va...more
I'd really like to give it 3 and 1/2 stars, but I'll go ahead and round up to 4. This was an enjoyable read. I liked first off that it is about Kat Ashely, Queen Elizabeth's governess/caretaker, a character that is usually not in the spotlight. I thought Harper did a wonderful job portraying her life, and I found the first part of the book to be the most riveting. I didn't know that she had come to court before Elizabeth was even born to serve Anne Boleyn. That was probably my favorite aspect of...more
I really enjoyed this. Honestly. Of all the Tudor-esque novels that I've read, this is the first through Kat Ashley's perspective. But one major thing stands out for me - stating that Anne Boleyn had a sixth finger on one of her hands. It was first mentioned by Nicholas Sander in the 1500s; he was committed to restoring Roman Catholicism to England. Upon exhumation in 1876, no abnormalities were found. Also, if she really did have a sixth finger, something tells me she wouldn't have even made it...more
[3.5 stars:]
I'll pretty much read anything about those wacky Tudors. This one is told from the point of view of Katherine Champernowne, a real-life rags-to-riches Lady in Waiting to Anne Boleyn who later becomes the governess and lifelong confidant to (the future) Queen Elizabeth I. The story focuses mainly on her relationship with Elizabeth. You already know the historical plot in these Tudor books, so they become all about a fresh perspective and the little details. Not bad at all. I especiall...more
I'll pretty much read anything about those wacky Tudors. This one is told from the point of view of Katherine Champernowne, a real-life rags-to-riches Lady in Waiting to Anne Boleyn who later becomes the governess and lifelong confidant to (the future) Queen Elizabeth I. The story focuses mainly on her relationship with Elizabeth. You already know the historical plot in these Tudor books, so they become all about a fresh perspective and the little details. Not bad at all. I especiall...more
Interesting. I didn't know much about Kat Ashley beyond that she was a favorite of Elizabeth's. As the author discusses in her notes, researching anyone in the Tudor-era can be challenging, and Kat herself is evidently quite a mystery; everything from how to spell her name to who her parents were and what year she was born in. So if the author played fast and loose with Kat's life in order to weave an interesting story, I think she can be forgiven.
I did feel, though, as if plausibility was bein...more
I did feel, though, as if plausibility was bein...more
A well-researched book, Karen Harper brings the Tudor era to life once again, only this time from the perspective of the woman who raised Elizabeth I, her governess, Katherine Ashley. I was excited to read this book, and inhaled its contents over the course of a single day.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
If you like to be immerse in rich details when you read historical, in this case the Tudor’s Era, this is definitely the book for you. At the very beginning of the novel you are introduced to a young lady with a humble and very sad life after her mother’s death, some say by accident but she has suspicions of foul play from her soon after stepmother. At the very first opportunity offered to her, she escapes the dominating and abusive stepmother to become a servant for the royal family. Katherine...more
As a fan of all things Tudor fiction, I'm always happy to devour more. Though I admit the period has started to get a little stale, especially surrounding the infamous Anne Bolyen scandal, there are still a few gems out there. I would consider Karen Harper's first Tudor novel, The Queen's Governess, to be one of those gems. Though there is plenty of discussion around Henry VIII's second queen, the focus is on the intelligent, well-schooled commoner Katherine Ashley, who practically raised the yo...more
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A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scott...more
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