Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
I have only just begun reading about the "Tudors", therefore, my previous knowledge was rather limited. This particular book, focuses on Mary the daughter of Katherine of Aragon and Henry the VIII. I found myself sympathetic to her since her father proclaimed her illegitimate, I found myself respecting her for fighting for herself and for her staunch religious beliefs. I am not Catholic so I wasn't too keen on her hatred of Protestants, however, to have such a strong faith is remarkable and to be respected. The book, however, doesn't really go into much detail about her reign as Queen and her title of "Bloody Mary". Apparently she burned or executed over 300 but the book mentions only a few. To me, it seemed the author was diligent about researching her early life and it seemed like her later days, as Queen, was kind of "rushed" to lessen maybe, her bad reputation. I will likely read another book or two on her specifically to get some additional points of view. When it comes to the Tudors, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I tend to suck the air out of the room. I was interested in reading this well received biography on Mary. Sadly this was no more than a expanded Wikipedia entry. It was a well researched list of facts and events in chronological order. I have never read another biography of Queen Mary, but did not learn anything new in this book. The author talks about her desire to change the impression of Mary, but gives such a sterile biography, the essence of the person is missing. Key relationships are not explored, her marriage, her sister, her brother. Whitelock wants to erase the title of Bloody Mary, but she barely covers what that means. After having read the exceptional biography on her mother, "Catherine of Aragon" by Giles Tremlett, I was hoping for a similar book that helps define the person, rather than chronicles the events of her life.If you know nothing about the Tudors or Mary, this would be a good general intro, however if you know anything about this family you will find this book rather boring and not very informative.
What do You think about Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen (2000)?
I like it, it's a little dry, I think that I like reading about her sister better.
—candymui
Interesting historical book about Mary the first Queen of England.
—Payton
A very sympathetic look into the life of Mary Tudor.
—ShadowBolt12
