Tudor History Lovers discussion
Introductions
Good to know Susanna, thanks. I have one of Sansom's books at home but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Do they need to be read in order?
I read Karen HarperElizabeth I series..I liked them..Im going to try the Sansom series myself..they sound good.
I would suggest reading the Sansoms in order, yes.
I’m Randee, an artist/photographer. I’m pretty much here because these day’s I can barely get my friends to go into a book store with me much less have a conversation about a book I’ve forced down their throat saying “This is a really good book and you HAVE to read it.” – What can I say, I don’t find myself in social circles that enjoy reading unless it is some sort of self help book in regards to whatever crisis they are dealing with at the time. I found this site via google and figured I’d give it a go and see how it worked out. Not only do I love to read but I like to talk about what I have read … it’s probably more helpful to do that with people who read too so that I make more sense . My reading style is pretty sporadic and I am generally reading 6 books at a time, though I have recently made a dead with myself that I have to finish reading everything I started before I can get a new book … I have failed already but I’m still trying. I’m a bit of an Anglophile and historical fiction. I blame Colin Firth for this, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this.
You came to the right place to talk about historical fiction. Welcome Ravynn.
Welcome Ravynn! Sounds like you've found the right group :)
Hello! I just joined the group and I'm a huge HF fan. I like reading about Tudor history and I'm currently halfway through The Lady in the Tower. It's my first book by Weir and the jury is still out for me. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to being a part of the group :)
Hi Kimberly! Fancy meeting you here ;)You'll love this group
Haha! :D Thanks Jennifer! I know I'll love it here too.
Hello everyone. Been enjoying the discussions for a little while now and figured I'd introduce myself. I'm a ridiculous history nerd with a particular interest in Tudor history, specifically the enclosure of the commons & the turmoil that resulted. My favorite Tudor is Protector Somerset. I don't read much of the Tudor fiction, but I did think Wolf Hall was smashing! Looking forward to joining in on the non-fiction discussions.
Yay! A lot of new members! A big hello to you all :)Hi Randee, oh that Colin Firth, he's been a big help for the HF genre--he's done for the classics and HF what peanut butter did for bread ;) Yumm
Hi Kimberly--I feel like I've seen you (at least your avatar) before. A lot of us went back and forth on the Lady in the Tower--only because I'm a Weir fan and a book pusher (cough Randee) I'd suggest trying one of her nonfiction like the Children of Henry VIII or the Six Wives of Henry VIII--I thought that they were pretty good! :) I'll back off now. Welcome ;)
Hi Jenny! Glad you're joining the discussions! I love that you proudly admit you're a ridiculous history nerd--sounds like you've got a well developed interest! I'll bet you'll add a lot to our discussions!
Tina--I'm also in the European Royalty and A History of Royals groups so you may have also seen me there. I get around, LOL :P I have Innocent Traitor which I've heard good things about so I'll give that one a go. I did post a couple comments on the Lady in the Tower thread. I need to get into gear and finish it before the 15th!Jenny--I'm also a big Wolf Hall fan :D
I'm trying to read Wolf Hall. I think I just need to sit down and do it!!
It is one of those books that I think it's best to read solo and fully dedicate yourself to. I had to give in and let the writing and story overtake me rather than fight the story trying to figure out who was saying what. As I'm sure you've heard, "he" nearly always refers to Cromwell. I often found that it usually didn't really matter who said what in other ambiguous scenarios. Love him or hate him Cromwell was an absolutely fascinating person. It really is a brilliant book and I can't wait for the next one! :)
Hello everyone,I'm new to this site but have always been a big fan of history, particularly that of the Tudors. I've recently been reading more about the less well known Tudors and finding it fascinating. I look forward to joining in on some of these discussions.
Welcome to the group Amanda :)
Hello. New to the group. I have been a Tudor fan for years. I would have to say my favorite Tudor books are written by Alison Weir. I have read and own most of them. Happy to find this group.
I just joined a few minutes ago and have posted some stuff already.
Hello! My name is Ashley W and I've loved everything to do with the Tudors from the moment I read The Other Boleyn Girl. Everything snowballed from there. I am currently reading Katherine of Aragon by Jean Plaidy, my top favorite Tudor author. I also like lots of other books and, as a child, was known to read anything with words from books to grocery store labels. :D
You guys do know that The Lady In The Tower is nonfiction right? Im sure most of you do but some people seem to think it's fiction. It's not. Oh btw Alison Weir is incredibly nice (I met her about a year and a half ago) and she has been fascinated with Anne Boleyn since she was 14. So if anyone is going to be consciencious about getting the facts right, it's her. I do agree that some of her theories are a bit left-field but all opinions are welcome as long as they are well-researched and have evidence to back them up, in my opinion anyway.
Welcome everyone!
Hello, I just joined the group today. I'm a huge fan of the Tudors, so how happy was I to finally realize there is a group dedicated to them!! I look forward to joining in the chats.
Hello,I have been reading about the Tudors( and the Lancastrians) for many, many years. Jean Plaidy, Alison Weir, both favorites among many. I look forward to adding to my "to read' tally and offering recommendations of my own as well.
Thanks for having me.
S
Hi, I'm Nichole. I'm a middle aged woman in Northern California. I am a huge Anglophile. I love British music big time. When I was 20, I made my first vacation with my parents to England. I loved everything about it. Four years later, came our Scotland trip. I loved Edinburgh but Glasgow was a disappointment. Years would pass by before I would return to England that time being 2003, but for only a very quick week because I had undergone a back operation. Oh, I forgot to mention, I am physically disabled and need lots of assistance. And last, but never, ever, ever least I have a teenaged nephew and a 10 year old niece both whom I love big time.
I have always wondered something about HM Queen Elizabeth I. If my memory is correct, she did love Lord Dudley ( it's been a long time since I had viewed the film of her life) right? So, if she loved him, why refuse to marry him but " marry" England? Also, if they had intimate relations, wouldn't you think she would have ended up pregnant? I mean, it would be very true after the first couple of times, right?
I think marriage scared her. Look at the horrible examples set by her father's disastrous marriages. Plus I think she knew that to give up a part of herself to a husband would be to give up her power.
I agree with Jennifer. Society was very male-centric back then, and even if she had refused to make him a King consort. He would have commanded some power undeniably, and perhaps her peers would have been more likely to listen to a man. Considering a lot of them thought having a female regnant was ridiculous. She did the right thing. They MAY have had intimate relations but no one can be 100 percent sure. She may have been ahead of her time, tracking her cycle or something. Even though nobody knew back then when was the best or worst time to get pregnant, women knew their own bodies.
Because the political implications, any way you look at it, would have been very difficult. Possibly leading to a civil war, if she married one of her own subjects.
Hi--I have been on Goodreads for a while but just joined this group, I have an academic background in Tudor History but my work as a library administrator pays the bills! I have spent a lot of time in the UK and love to travel. As for authors, I have enjoyed C.J. Sansom and Karen Harper's fiction. I have also read most of Alison Weir's stuff. At the moment, I am reading a book that starts and ends with the Tudors, She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England before Elizabeth.Looking forward to the discussions in this group.
Deb
Deb
Deb Let me know how She Wolves is. I've been wanting to buy it. Thanks.
Jennifer,I am about 100 pages in and I really enjoy her writing.
Thanks. I have been holding back on ordering it but I really want it.
Hello, I am Courtney and have been a big fan of The Tudors for many years, having a few biographies on them and reading and watching whatever I can about them. I do enjoy the Showtime's The Tudors and Both Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, but I mostly focus on King Henry and his wives because that just fasinates me. I love that time period too and the affects that King Henry had on England and the world at that time.
Welcome Courtney if you're into the tudors may I humbly suggest a visit to my Tudor blog http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot....
where all manner of tudor items from the reign of Henry VIII are examined as well as a few chapters from my up coming Tudor novel
regards Greg
Thanks Greg! I will be sure to look into it!
Hello, I'm 46, mother of two wonderful girls, ages 9 and 12. Dh is a retired English Lit professor. I am a special education teacher to severe and profound high school students. I live in NM, have traveled to Europe, but never England. Dh and older dd had the pleasure of traveling there last summer. Older dd loves, loves loves Europe. What memories they made. I love all kinds of fiction genres, and right now have immershed myself into Tudor England with Phillipa Gregory's novels. Reading the Queen's Fool right now, my 4th novel of hers.
What a wonderful group of people who share my passion for Tudor History! I'm a 24 year old ex-science/maths/biology teacher who is studying to be a museum curator (discovered it's best to go with your passions!). I am Australian of Welsh heritage and love reading anything about the 'old country'. I love Jean Plaidy and and her depiction of Tudor England. I also enjoy reading biographies of Elizabeth I - she was so mysterious that I can't help but want to know more.
Welcome to the group I've found them very friendly and always rready to recommend a good book or two. By the way where are you studying? From a fellow antipodeanRegards Greg
Thank you, Greg. I appreciate the warm welcome. I just checked out your blog http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot.... and sense I'm going to be spending a lot of time on there! I am studying at Deakin University (after years of being a staunch Monash University girl).
My pleasure Ashleigh thank you for the compliment, if your doing a curatorial degree or qualifiaction Deakin has a good reputation. The problem is of course at the end trying to get a museum position. Regards Greg
Hi Ashleigh! Nice to meet you, I am going to be moving back to Melbourne next year, it'd be nice to have someone to chat to about Tudor (and Stuart, and, monarchy history in general!) stuff!
To Clair I've had a quick peek at your book shelf nice list of Tudor info. Try one Lacy Baldwin Smith's works, Treason in Tudor England or The Mask of Royalty. They give an interesting view on the Tudor age
Hi Claire, what a small world! Thanks for the welcome. I always thought monarchy history a niche genre so I've never really discussed it with anyone. It's good to find so many others with similar interest in it. Any reason you're moving back here?
The UK is nice but my entire family live in Victoria now, plus the weather over here in England is far more unpredictable than Melbourne. I'm Australian through and through! lol
Welcome to back to Victoria when you get hereRegards Greg
Hello Claire, Ashleigh and Greg,It's good to see so many Aussies here! My English husband thinks that royal history is a topic that interests only a very few Australians but I think that he's wrong! I wonder if there are more in Melbourne, however? I live in Brisbane.
I'm reading a book about Kate and William at the moment but it's mainly filler, except for a few interesting anecdotes. After that I am going to read 'Elizabeth and her Women' which looks extremely interesting. Elizabeth 1 is one of my great heroines!
Best Regards,
Lisa
Hi Claire, good to hear from our brethern in the Sunshine state. As for interest in the Royals well to be honest my mother is absolutely potty over them. We had to send her over to London to see Charles and Diana's wedding, now she complains that she can only watch the latest one as a broadcast! As for my postion, well the Tudors are fun but the Stuarts, I would have volenteered to swing that axe!As for the Hanoverians, well I can't complain too much since I apparently married into the family.
Tudor History Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The King's Curse (other topics)The Virgin's Lover (other topics)
Inside the Wardrobe of Anne Boleyn (other topics)
The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages: The British Isles, 500 to 1500 (other topics)
Medieval Cuisine (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Shenanchie O'Toole (other topics)Barbara Parker Bell (other topics)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
Lesley Hale (other topics)
Karen Harper (other topics)
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For historical mysteries set in the Tudor period I like both the Matthew Shardlakes by C.J. Sansom (starts with Dissolution), and the Elizabethan Theater series by Edward Marston (starts with The Queen's Head).