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11:40 am
February 16, 2009
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OK, what's your favourite factual book about Anne Boleyn?
My favourite biography is Eric Ives' “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” because it is so detailed, is meticulously researched and lists sources. I've also just read Kelly Hart's “The Mistresses of Henry VIII” – see review at http://reviews.theanneboleynfi…..s.com/?p=3 – which is a brilliant book about Henry's six wives and all of his alleged mistresses. I love her take on Anne Boleyn:-
“It was surely Anne who was the great love of his life”
How about you? Read any good books?
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
12:03 am
June 20, 2009
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My favorite also is Eric Ives' biography. It was great to see something that portrayed her in a good light. He did wonderful research and saw things I wish I could see about her life.
Let not my enemies sit as my jury
2:34 am
February 16, 2009
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Yes, I would put his biography ahead of Warnicke's and Denny's. Warnicke is obsessed with the whole witch/sexual heresy issue and also dates Anne's birth much later, and Denny is not great at backing up opinions with actual sources.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
8:12 pm
June 21, 2009
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Like most everyone else, Ives book is my go-to for Anne info! I read it awhile ago, and it is always near my desk, complete with dog-eared pages and various page markers.
I very much like Alison Weir's books – I've read The Princes in the Tower, Henry VIII – A King and His Court, The Children of Henry VIII, about to start her bio of Elizabeth. I find her books very readable, with information not too condensed or too 'heavy'. Her stance on Anne has been, in my opinion, very fair and realistic. She isn't overly fawning like Denny's bio, yet not overly critical like Warnicke. Again, just my opinions. I am VERY excited about Weir's upcoming The Lady in the Tower, about Anne's final few weeks. The original release date was supposed to be this fall, but Amazon has the date as December 29. Not soon enough!
Noli me tangere
2:55 am
February 16, 2009
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Hi Emma,
Alison Weir is launching “The Lady in the Tower” in the UK at the Tower of London on 9th September – see http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/n…../index.asp and Amazon UK are giving a date of 1st October for publication in the UK. Could you pre-order it through Amazon UK to get it earlier? I often buy through Amazon US when I can't get books in the UK. Just an idea!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
11:20 pm
I am reading The Creation of Anne Boleyn by Susan Bordo now. It is excellent. It breaks down everything…every movie, book, etc which have added to the myth of Anne, via fact or fantasy or downright misinformation, as well as tell a lot of her story. I have read most available non-fictionon every aspect of the Tudors, but can’t get into fiction. Eric Ives’ book on Anne has to be the only complete biography, at least as far as making sure to use factual info rather than gathering conclusions from old myths or slanders. The worst offenders are those who rely on the letters of the Spanish ambassador Chapoy or the “Spanish Chronicles” as he made no pretense of his fiery hatred of Anne (and his almost fanatical love for Catherine and Mary. )
My own opinion of Catherine of Aragon is much removed from the accepted version of the sainted wronged wife but not sure this is the right thread for that.
9:34 am
January 3, 2012
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Lucy 63
We value any opinion, and I personally would love to hear your opinion on Catherine of Aragon.
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
8:48 pm
February 24, 2010
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The Creation of Anne Boleyn is very good. Eric Ive’s book on Anne is the best. I have a love/hate relationship with Chapuy. I will admit, I do go to his letters quite often. He didn’t like Anne, and it is difficult to read his letters when he keeps referring to Anne as the concubine. However, he also wrote that Anne was innocent of the charges against her. I take him with a grain of salt. I keep in mind that he was writing to please Charles. Yes, he was ever so faithful to Katherine and Mary. He documented and reported what he knew Charles wanted to hear. I don’t think it was all bad. He may have exaggerated what he saw and heard, but I find his writings fascinating. The worst offenders in my eyes come later, after all of these people are dead. Nicolas Sanders for instance. Now there is a man filled with loathing for Elizabeth and goes about destroying her mother in print with lies and made up scandals. I would love to hear your opinion of Katherine, Lucy. Fire away!
