What do You think about In The Shadow Of The Crown (2004)?
“In the Shadow of the Crown” was an excellent portrayal of Mary Tudor, Henry the VIII's first daughter. Her loyalty to the crown and to her mother bring about the consequences for the kingdom in which she became the first queen. I found this book captivating along with broadening my interest in the history of the entire Tudor family. Henry the VIII carried out many inexplicable deeds based on many motives. The Tudors have sparked my insatiable drive to discover more about this portion of history.
—Lorrie
Most stories of Mary Tudor invoke the same emotions but Jean Plaidy is a master of painting the perfect picture of a betrayed and forgotten daughter, outcast sister, and underestimated queen. Mary carried such a force that undoubtedly came from her Spanish lineage, but she was still Henry VIII's daughter and that meant she could hold her own even when he declared her a bastard. History can only remember her as Bloody Mary but Plaidy shows her resilience and her strong spirit. This story of her life matches very closely with the documentation that remains to us and the author brings to life a tragic yet inspiring saga.
—Shellie Kennedy
I loved this book and can't believe I had never heard of Jean Plaidy, a writer of more than 200 books. I think the reason why I liked this one so much, was that although I've read a few books on the Tudors, not one on Mary, and I'm greatly lacking in knowledge of the period, so much so until I had read this, I could never quiet get all of Mary's father's wives clearly in my mind, and had always assumed that he had lopped off all his wive's heads.Although a bit told, it would difficult to tell such a life story on an epic scale, written otherwise. I think Jean Plaidy tells the story well, following Mary from a young child till her death, and in turn we see all of Henry VIIIs wives, and the effect his choices had on his daughter. From a Princess, first in line to the throne to a bastard, pushed back with each successive child from his other wives.I liked that it provided an insight into all the women Henry VIII married and her half sister, Elizabeth who would ascend the throne after Mary as Elizabeth I, as well as the state of mind Mary may very well have had througout her tuberlant life and reign plus an insight of what her brief and childless marriage to her Spanish cousin, Philip II might have been like.
—Sharon Robards
