I've just read and reviewed this book by historian Philippa Jones – see http://reviews.theanneboleynfi…..a-jones/98 and what an enlightening read it was. It concludes that Henry had 8 children in total and really explores Henry's relationships, the lives of his illegitimate children and what made Henry tick. A great book for those who want to try and understand the man.
Has anyone else read it?
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
4:45 pm
January 5, 2010
4:47 pm
November 18, 2010
10:13 pm
October 31, 2010
I'm currently reading this book. At times I feel like it's written on, like, an 8th grade level (not sure what grade level that is for those of you across the pond, but here in the States that's roughly 13/14 years old), but the information is interesting.
Wreckmasterjay-She gives more convincing evidence for some relationships than for others. For example, she suggests that Henry's first sexual experience would have been with an older woman prior to his marriage to KoA, and she offers up Elizabeth Denton as the woman chosen for this first liaison. The evidence she gives to support this is, in my opinion, somewhat shaky and limited.
Boleynfan-The children she suggests are Henry's kids are: Obviously, Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, and Edward then possibly Henry Carey, Thomas Stukeley, John Perrot, and Etheldreda Malte. Keep in mind, I'm only up to Henry Fitzroy so these last four I'm having to glean by skimming quickly through the book.
What I do like, though, is that she gives some interesting insight into Hank's early life around the time of his father's death and you ask yourself questions like, “Why DID Henry marry KoA in the first place?” as well as filling in some of the behind-the-scenes stuff about important events in Tudor history (for example, did you know that during Henry and AB's visit to France, he also took his son, Henry Fitzroy? So he took his illegitimate son and his mistress, but left his legal wife and princess at home…hmmmmm….)
"We mustn't let our passions destroy our dreams…"