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12:57 pm
August 22, 2011
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BlueAquaOcean said:
Well that's just one.She paints Lady Rochford as sweet and innocent while we all know she was a liar
I just received from the library, “Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford,” by Julia Fox, 2007. It says the “Fox sets the record straight and restores the dignity to this much maligned figure whose life and reputation were taken from her.” The “Notes” for each chapter are very tedious and well done. Has anyone read this book? I would really like to know as I would hate to spend the time on it if not. I myself thought of Lady Rochford this way, and I think Philippa Gregory has something out there about her. I may be mistaken, but this is a biography and not PG's stuff (and that's being kind).
Would love to hear, and what anyone thinks?
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
2:32 pm
December 12, 2010
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Hi WilesWales. The Julia Fox book about Jane Boleyn is good in my opinion, but it depends what you want to get out of it. There are very few sources out there, so a lot of the book is padded out with general info about court life and Anne's story etc. However, it was strong in it's arguments (in my opinion) in that there is no actual evidence that she testified against Anne and George Boleyn. The only evidence at the trials that can be attributed to Jane is the piece of paper read out by George at his trial. Of course, there is no evidence about why she got involved in the Catherine Howard affair. Hope this helps.
6:42 pm
November 18, 2010
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I found the Fox book a good background to the Tudor court life but slim on real strong facts regarding Jane and her relationships with her husband, her in-laws or the 5 queens she was lady-in-waiting to.
In many ways the book made me much more sympathetic to Jane, she was as innocent a victim of Henry as was Anne and George.
It's always bunnies.
10:59 pm
July 17, 2011
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I felt that the book says a lot but doesn't really tell you anything. If that makes sense.
'If honour were profitable, everybody would be honourable' Thomas More
11:35 am
August 22, 2011
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Thank you very much for all of your input. I noticed immediately that it started in 1511 with general Tudor knowledge – about a lost baby, I think from Katharine of Aragon (on Tudor Wiki I was chastised mercilessly about that spelling of Katharine's name that way, and with sources and like I didn't no the alphabet) and Henry. I liked the family trees, and I did look at the sources again. I wondered how much documentation there could possibly out there on her, and now I have my answer. If it gives good Tudor background with a little information, then I will probably like it, and will let you know – if you like.
I knew she was Jane Parker from the first PG book. I have all the PG books I bought sitting and ready to go to the used book store where they give credit for them. I will use that credit to buy something else I like, too.
I also wrote Claire a PM apologizing for using my educational credentials, as I was reading her “Announcements.” This is such a nice site, and feel so very lucky to be part of it.
Any further observations, comments, and input are most welcome. Thank you, again. WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:05 pm
August 22, 2011
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I went and traded in all my PG books. I look at it this way. If she was starting to make Anne something she was not, and so much entire fiction in “The Other Boleyn Girl” that how much could she really know but fiction about Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort. I also from there knew that the one about Mary Queen of Scots for 16 years of imprisonment out of 19. How could she possibly know, except for some things what really happened there? Elizabeth I would have charged the keeper in those years for treason if she had known about these things.
I figure now that a) PG is mainly a fiction writer with few facts but names that are familiar to some; 2) if what she writes interests just a few people to delve deeper and learn the truth, then that's a good thing; 3) she should be labeled as fiction and not in any way historical fiction (where historical fiction is concerned she is basically a joke), and 4) we do live in a free enterprise system.
There was a true historical fiction book written years ago about the life of Elizabeth of York. I will get the author and post it, but it gave a lot of background into the Princes in the Tower, Elizabeth Woodville, her mother, and Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII's mother, and Richard III. It also shows that she was really after Edward the IV's death, and the mystery of the Princes, that she new all along that she was the rightful heir to the throne of England at the time. She was finalized with her marriage to Henry VII! It is a great book. Will look up the author's name now! Thank you!
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:15 pm
August 22, 2011
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The title is: “The Tudor Rose: The Story of the Queen who United a Kingdom and Birthed a Dynasty,” by Margaret Campbell Barnes, last updated on October 1, 2009, from the original published in 1953. This can be found on amazon.com or maybe from you local library, and if they don't have it, as for an inter-library loan. It was a great book, and I just couldn't put it down, and was very disappointed when I had finished it. Hope this helps!
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
2:28 pm
November 18, 2010
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I read that a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed it too. MCB writing is a little dated since we have revised some Tudor history in the past couple of decades. Her book on Anne of Cleves was a favourite of mine since childhood.
It's always bunnies.
11:24 am
August 22, 2011
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You're absolutely correct, and thank you very much! I'll look for the one on Anne of Cleves (she was a very clever lady herself, but not in the ways Anne was and gave us the greatest monarch England ever had (that's England, not England and Scotland under James VI and James I). Although thinking about it Anne and Elizabeth gave the greatest contributions to the Tudor Dynasty and English history. Anne through many ways, including the Reformation, etc., and Elizabeth herself.
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
11:45 am
August 22, 2011
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Thank you, I found it. “My Lady of Cleves: A Novel of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves,” updated September 1, 2008. I loved on of the review by Amy Bruno, “Historical Fiction Junkie.” Margaret Campbell Barnes also has out “Brief Gaudy Hour: A Novel of Anne Boleyn,” updated March 1, 2008. “A Tudor Rose,” updated October 1, 2009 was the one I read. MCB has a lot of historical fiction out there.
Now, I realize this is the Philippa Gregory discussion, and she is no more anhistorian than Kitty Kelley. She if a FICTION writer, and my only hope is that maybe a few people will read one of her books and get interested in the real history of the characters and mostly Anne. I went to her site again, and laughed, then became so disgusted (as they say one can turn the channel if they don't like what they see) I couldn't even look at her anymore.
As was quoted by Mya-Elise on another discussion site on this wonderful page with so many discussions, if PG quit writing would anyone really miss seeing her on the shelves? Now if she advertised herself a fictional writer that would be a different ball of wax altogether. Thank you again!
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
8:11 pm
November 18, 2010
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Wait….walter t fish….
Philippa Gregory was an established historian and writer when she discovered her interest in the Tudor period and wrote the novel The Other Boleyn Girl, which was made into a TV drama and a major film. Published in 2009, the bestselling The White Queen, the story of Elizabeth Woodville, ushered in a new series involving The Cousins’ War (now known as The War of the Roses) and a new era for the acclaimed author.
It's always bunnies.
8:23 pm
November 18, 2010
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I saw something about PG a couple of weeks ago where she was described as being ” a Feminst writer trying to improve to lack of strong female characters in history” or words to that effect.
I really can't find it now….bummer….it was something I read in passing and negected to post here…
It's always bunnies.
8:37 pm
November 18, 2010
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not what I was looking for but…..bold mine
BiographyPhilippa Gregory is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. She studied history at the University of Sussex and received a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh. She welcomes visitors to her website, http://www.philippagregory.com.
It's always bunnies.
9:15 pm
November 18, 2010
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9:22 pm
November 18, 2010
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I must be some kinda masochist here…
There isn’t a lot of material starring Jane, and TBI is a far more engaging read than the only other one I know of – Brandy Purdy’s The Boleyn Wife. It was Jane’s testimony that helped send Anne and George to the block (a historical fact as well as something we discover at the end of TOBG) with her claims of an incestuous relationship between the two (long since largely discredited), and it’s fascinating to read her justifications of it. It’s mostly to do with Anne being an irresistible temptress who stole men’s affections from their rightful wives, including that of her own brother. In the historical notes at the back, it’s Gregory’s contention that Jane was insane, and she certainly comes across as such in The Boleyn Inheritance. She’s played a part in at least three executions – Anne, George, and Katherine Howard – and had no qualms about doing the same thing to Anne of Cleves. She understands what she has done; she just doesn’t care, or tries to justify it – they either deserved
It's always bunnies.
8:35 am
February 24, 2010
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Oh good grief…Please Stop. This woman is neither an historian, or a feminist when it comes to her fictional characterization of historical women. She's a freakin' fraud!
There. I feel better now. 
9:23 am
June 7, 2010
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Oh God! It was one thing for PG to consider herself an historian (which she's not), it's another to define oneself a feminist. Really? How could anyone who considers themselves a feminist write two-demensional female characters as stereotypical typologies. In PG's world, women are either the virginal good girl or the power-hungry seductress, who are without any complexity.
An expert on women's history? How does a women who writes such poorly constructed female characters (many of whom are based on real people) claim any expertise on women in history because her Anne Boleyn was so far removed from reality, I like to consider TOGB fantasy?
What a wonderful professor she would make teaching women's history to a new students. I'm sure she'd use her poorly written books as history textbooks, and continue to negatively influence a new generation of readers.
The only thing PG understands is money. Sell books and make more money. Anything else is a moot point and/or done improve (and I use that term loosely) her imagine in the eyes of the bookselling publishers and book buying public.
Sharon, I concur: PG is a fraud. I feel much better, too!
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
9:43 am
August 22, 2011
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DuchessofBrittany is so right I'm laughing! I suppose I concur with the fact that PG is a fraud, too. I could say more, but right now I'm just enjoying the DuchessofBrittany's comment. If someone is so right on target, I can only sit back and laugh. It's so right on track, and so right in content, and written in such a great way, I can't help but totally agree! Thank you!
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
12:05 pm
February 24, 2010
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Here is a description from Amazon of Ms. Gregory's latest book, “The Women of the Cousin's War, The Duchess, The Queen and The King's Mother.” She is a co-author with David Baldwin and Michael Jones. Not yet released.
Any bets on Jaquetta being a real witch? 
Book Description#1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory teams with two eminent historians to explore the historical characters in the real-life world behind her Wars of the Roses novels.
PHILIPPA GREGORY and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. In her essay on Jacquetta, Philippa Gregory uses original documents, archaeology, and histories of myth and witchcraft to create the first-ever biography of the young duchess who survived two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at two rival courts. David Baldwin, established authority on the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the first commoner to marry a king of England for love; and Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes of Margaret Beaufort, the almost-unknown matriarch of the House of Tudor. In the introduction, Gregory writes revealingly about the differences between history and historical fiction. How much of a role does speculation play in writing each? How much fiction and how much fact should there be in a historical novel? How are female historians changing our view of women in history? The Women of the Cousins’ War is beautifully illustrated with rare portraits and source materials. As well as offering fascinating insights into the inspirations behind Philippa Gregory’s fiction, it will appeal to all with an interest in this period. |
12:27 pm
August 22, 2011
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I was just looking at that and post the address http://www.philippagregory.com…..usins-war/. She would HAVE TO HAVE two co-authors to back up her claims of using original documents, etc. She may have added a good thing here and there from them but PG she bored her fans with that it wouldn't be at #1 on the New Times Bestseller list at all. She is a fake! WilesWales
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
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