Lady Jane Grey Reference Guide Blog

Leanda de Lisle’s ‘The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey’ is recommended for Christmas by Dan Jones in the Saturday Times.

The Times Christmas books: history - From the earliest Christians via Viking derring-do to a history of MI5, Dan Jones discovers that the past makes good presents

‘Finally, I recommend three books that are linked by nothing more than their mutual brilliance. The Sisters Who Would Be Queen by Leanda de Lisle (Harper Press, £20; Buy the book) proves that the history of Tudor women need not be fictionalised, romanticised or dumbed-down to be absorbing and brilliant.’

Copyright Dan Jones
Arts & Entertainment
The Times
26 November 2009

Articles about a Delaroche painting that will be shown as part of the ‘Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey’ exhibition at the National Gallery from 24th February – 23rd May 2010 have appeared in the press.

Further information about the exhibition from the National Gallery website:

Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey


Delaroche masterpiece feared lost in war to go on show at National Gallery by Charlotte Higgins – The Guardian – 24th November.

National Gallery to unveil Blitz-damaged masterpiece by Stephen Adams – The Telegraph – 24th November

Blitzed Paul Delaroche artwork restored for show by Arifa Akbar – The Independent – 24th November

Blitzed Paul Delaroche artwork returning after 70 years - BBC website – 24th November

Reviews have started appearing for ‘The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn’ by Alison Weir

The Lady in the Tower – review by Leanda de Lisle - History Today - November 2009 – added 23 November

The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn- review by John Guy - The Sunday Times Culture - 1 November 2009 – added 1 November

An elegant history of the second wife of Henry VIII finds little evidence of her alleged incest or ill intent - review by Lisa Hilton – The Independent – 11 October – added 28 October

Nonfiction Reviews - Publishers Weekly – 26 October 2009 – added 28 October

Elizabeth Norton (author of ‘She Wolves: The Notorious Queens of England’, Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Obsession, Jane Seymour: Henry VIII's True Love and Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's Discarded Bride) has a new book about Catherine Parr.

Catherine Parr is out on 31st January 2010.

Wife, widow, mother, survivor, the story of the last queen of Henry VIII. The sixth wife of Henry VIII was also the most married queen of England, outliving three husbands before finally marrying for love. Catherine Parr was enjoying her freedom after her first two arranged marriages when she caught the attention of the elderly Henry VIII. She was the most reluctant of all Henry's wives, offering to become his mistress rather than submit herself to the dangers of becoming Henry's queen. This only served to increase Henry's enthusiasm for the young widow and Catherine was forced to abandon her lover for the decrepit king. Whilst Catherine was reluctant to be a queen she quickly made the role a success, providing Henry VIII with a domestic tranquillity that he had not known since the early days of his first marriage. For Henry, Catherine was a satisfactory choice but he never stopped considering a new marriage, to Catherine's terror.

Catherine is remembered as the wife who survived but, without her strength of character it could have been very different. When informed that the king had ordered her arrest for heresy, she took decisive action, defusing the king's anger and once again becoming his 'own sweetheart'. It was a relief for Catherine when Henry finally died and she secretly married the man she had been forced to abandon for Henry, Thomas Seymour. During her retirement, Catherine's heart was broken by her discovery of a love affair between her stepdaughter, Princess Elizabeth, and her husband. She never recovered from the birth of her only child and, in her fever accused her husband of plotting her death. Catherine Parr is often portrayed as a matronly and dutiful figure. Her life was indeed one of duty but, throughout, she attempted to escape her destiny and find happiness for herself. Ultimately, Catherine was betrayed and her great love affair with Thomas Seymour turned sour.

From Amazon.co.uk

The Anne Boleyn Files has an interview with Dr Josephine Wilkinson (author of 'The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn' and 'Mary Boleyn: The True Story of Henry VIII’s Favourite Mistress').


Interview

UK reviews have started appearing for 'Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery' by Eric Ives.

Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery - review by Peter Gwyn – Times Higher Education - 29 October 2009 – added 29 October

Steven Gunn enjoys a masterly account of the turbulent fortnight when England hovered on the brink of civil war - review by Steven Gunn - BBC History Magazine - added 22 October

A Conflict of Wills - review by Anne Somerset - Spectator Book Club - 21st October 2009 - added 22 October

Anna Whitelock, author of 'Mary Tudor: England's First Queen' has been nominated for the Biographers' Club's 'First Best Biography' prize.

Six compete for Biography prize - Bookseller.com

Read reviews

Reviews have started appearing for ‘Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen’ by Tracy Borman.

Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen - Historical Novels Review - by Lucinda Byatt - (Issue 50 November 2009) – added 23 November.

’Although the events of her life are well known, I thoroughly recommend this revealing but rigorously unsentimental account of Elizabeth’s women.’

Copyright Historical Novels Review


Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen – review by John Guy - The Sunday Times - October 4th 2009 – added 4th October.

Mistress of all and mastered by none by Peter Lewis - Daily Mail - October 2nd 2009 – added 4th October.


Elizabeth's Women Review by Roderick Graham -Scotsman.com - September 27th 2009 - added 30th September.

In My Ladies’ Chambers by Leanda de Lisle - Literary Review - September 2009 – added 25th September.

Readable and fun, Elizabeth’s Women is a perfectly nice biography inspired by an intelligent idea.

The Literary Review, September 2009

An article by Tracy Borman to accompany her new book, ‘Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen’, was published in yesterday’s Daily Express.


Was the Virgin Queen a Man?

Leanda de Lisle e-mailed to say that she will be giving a talk at a joint meeting of the Friends of Charnwood Museum and Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society.

The talk will take place on:

Friday 20th November
Brockington Building
Loughborough University

Members of the Friends of Charnwood Museum and Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society can reserve places for themselves at no cost.

There will be a small charge for members of the public to reserve a place.

I am waiting for more details to be confirmed.

Further information available at:

Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society

Friends of Charnwood Museum

Tracy Borman’s ‘Elizabeth’s Women’ (published September 24th) is BBC Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week.’

Radio 4
09.45 (21st-25th September)


Emma Fielding reads from Tracy Borman's biography of Elizabeth I, which explores the relationships she had with the women in her life. These women brought out the best and the worst of Elizabeth, who could be loyal and kind but also cruel and vindictive. They all influenced Elizabeth's carefully-cultivated image as Gloriana, The Virgin Queen.

From BBC Radio 4 – Book of the Week

Episode Information

Episode 1 - Anne Boleyn takes centre stage, and the influence of her life and death on Elizabeth's future.


Episode 2 - Elizabeth's stepmother Katherine Parr sets an inspiring example, but an ill-judged flirtation threatens all.


Episode 3 - The public world of Elizabeth's court as she begins her reign, and the more intimate realm of her private apartments, where she is attended by her Ladies in Waiting.


Episode 4 - Elizabeth is compelled to confront that 'bosom serpent', Mary Queen of Scots, and much anguish follows.


Episode 5 - In the final years of her reign, Elizabeth begins to lose her grip on matters at court. This state of affairs is reflected in the loosening morals of her newer and younger Ladies-in-Waiting, who she fittingly terms her 'flouting wenches'.

From BBC Radio 4 – Book of the Week

Listen to Tracy Borman on the BBC History Magazine September Part 2 Podcast and an interview on Woman’s Hour – Elizabeth’s Women.

Elizabeth’s Women – Further Information.

To accompany the article ‘Virgin Queen to Vindictive Queen’ in the September issue of BBC History Magazine, Tracy Borman also discusses her book as part of the second September podcast.

BBC History Magazine – September 2009 Part 2 – Podcast

The interview begins at 14 mins 50 seconds.

See my blog post about 'Virgin Queen to Vindictive Queen'.

You can also listen to an interview with Tracy Borman on Woman’s Hour – Elizabeth’s Women. Also ‘Elizabeth’s Women’ is BBC Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week’ from Monday September 21st.


Elizabeth’s Women – Further Information.

Listen to the Women's Hour interview (from 14th September) with Tracy Borman about her new book, ‘Elizabeth’s Women’ (published 24th September).

Elizabeth’s Women – Woman’s Hour

Spotted at The Elizabeth Files

You can also listen to Tracy Borman on the BBC History Magazine September Part 2 Podcast and ‘Elizabeth’s Women’ is BBC Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week’ from Monday September 21st.



Elizabeth’s Women – Further Information.

Linda Porter (author of ‘Mary Tudor: The First Queen’ has a new book about Katherine Parr.

'Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr’ is out in March 2010.

Four times a wife, caring stepmother, an avid patron of portrait painting and Venetian singers,celebrated author, the red-headed and feisty Katherine Parr was the most able and endearing of all the wives of Henry VIII. Set amidst the lusts, intrigue and violence of a turbulent age, this book is the first serious but readable life of Henry’s last queen.

From LindaPorter.net

Futher details - Amazon

Leanda de Lisle e-mailed to say she will be giving a talk at the Market Harborough Historical Society on Wednesday 14th October.

The Grey Sisters
14th October at 7pm
Roman Way Day Centre
Market Harborough

Please check with the Market Harborough Historical Society to confirm time of talk.

The talk is free to society members but is open to the public who will be charged an entry fee.

For more information:

Market Harborough Historical Society

Information for visitors

Reviews of ‘The Sisters Who Would Be Queen’.

Leanda de Lisle has an article in the September issue of The New Criterion.

De Lisle argues that the Spinola letter containing the only detailed description of Lady Jane Grey is a fake.

Read the first paragraph here:

Faking Jane


Read the discussion at Tudor Q & A Blog.

Leanda de Lisle (author of ‘The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey’) has an article in the September issue of History Today magazine. ‘Katherine Grey Heir to Elizabeth’ looks at the little known story of one of the sisters of Lady Jane.

'Imagine you are 18. Your home is lost, your sister and father executed, but you have survived the reign of Mary Tudor to emerge as Queen Elizabeth’s heir and rival. In November 1558 such was the position of Lady Katherine Grey, sister of Jane, the Nine Days Queen. But Katherine’s dramatic life has been all but erased from national memory, along with one of the great love stories of English history.'

History Today, September 2009, vol 59 issue 9, p23

‘The Sisters Who Would be Queen’ is currently on sale in the UK and will be published in the US on October 13th.

Further information.

US Reviews for ‘Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery’by Eric Ives have started appearing.


Nonfiction Reviews - Publishers Weekly 24/08/2009 - added 28 August

Tracy Borman (author of ‘King’s Mistress, Queen’s Servant: the Life and Times of Henrietta Howard’) has an article in the September issue (vol 10 no 9) of BBC History Magazine. ‘Virgin Queen to Vindictive Queen’ focuses on Elizabeth I’s relationships with the ladies around her in the later years of her reign.

It also briefly mentions the Grey sisters (Katherine and Mary).

'…far from being the man’s woman that she is so often portrayed as, she had been profoundly influenced by the women who had surrounded her throughout her life.

From her bewitching mother, Anne Boleyn, to her dangerously obsessive sister, Mary Tudor, and from the rivals to her throne such as the Grey sisters and Mary Queen of Scots, to her closest friends at court, such as Kat Astley and Helena Snakenbourg. These were the women who shaped the Virgin Queen, and it is through their eyes that the real Elizabeth stripped of her carefully cultivated image, is revealed.’

BBC History Magazine, September 2009, vol 10 no 9, p26

An accompanying article, ‘Making the Virgin Queen’, also mentions the Grey sisters.

'Similar fates would await Elizabeth’s other rivals, notably Katherine and Mary Grey (the sisters of Lady Jane), and Arbella Stuart, who each forfeited their claim to the throne by marrying in secret.’

BBC History Magazine, September 2009, vol 10 no 9, p25

Elizabeth’s Women: the Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen’ will be published on 24th September 2009.

Further information.

It will be Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week’ in September. More details to follow.

In the BBC History Magazine September Podcast 2 (available from Sep 17th):

'Tracy Borman looks back at the life of Queen Elizabeth I and reveals how she became consumed by jealousy in her later years.'

BBC History Magazine, September 2009, vol 10 no 9, p7

Leanda de Lisle e-mailed to say she will be giving a talk at the National Gallery on March 5th 2010. The talk is part of the ‘Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey’ exhibition which runs from 24th February to 23rd May 2010.

Further details when they are available.

For more information about the exhibition:

Painting History: Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey

News articles