Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of King Henry VIII’s wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weir brings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first, devoted, and “true” queen.
A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage—and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.
Katherine’s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.
My last experience with historical fiction was quite a bust, but I had a good feeling about this one. I’ve read many of Alison Weir’s non-fiction books as well. “Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen” is exactly like I imagined it would be. We follow Katherine from her departure from Spain, her marriage to Arthur, the lonely years, her marriage to Henry and the eventual break down of their marriage to her death in 1536. We cannot know the inside of Katherine’s mind but Alison Weir writes her how I believe she would think and act and it makes for an amazing read.
“Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen” by Alison Weir is available now in both the UK and the US.
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