Took a while to get into this book and think a lot of bad reviews I read after starting probably put me off, however after a few chapters I got into it, I liked the fact the book explored many different character not only Henry the 7th but the pretenders to the throne perkin warbeck and lambert simnel as well as Katherine of Aragon, henry the 8th, James tyrell and others it wasn't just a viewpoint of one person. I do however, have absolutely no idea why this book is put in the queens of England series there was barely any reference to Elizabeth of york and when there was she was ever compliant with her husband, so docile with no opinions of her own constantly obedient and subservient to her husband the king which I found to be a rubbish portrayal of her even though she was known to be a compliant queen and very loyal to her husband, in the book she had not even any thoughts of her own. The fact that she was barely mentioned and when she was, was in such a lowly way disappointed me. I do however look forward to reading the rest if jean plaidy tudor saga starting with Katherine of Aragon as these appear to have much better reviews than this book. Evil Henry Tudor. He only thinks of what would be best for Henry Tudor, and hence pardons Lambert Simnel. Henry Tudor is very self centred, and hence errr ... pardons most of the Cornish rebels. Henry Tudor concentrates solely on what is good for Henry Tudor and ummm ... was against war. Oh yes, Henry Tudor knew what was good for Henry Tudor, never mind that it benefited the masses. It’s not as if he was even interested in them!I am sick and tired of pro-Ricardian crap and while I would never judge a historical fiction book based on historical accuracy, the characters aren’t even human. I am frankly surprised that Jean Plaidy wrote this. Most characters are one dimensional and have no depth. They exist for one single purpose alone, and that purpose whatever it is, is continuously hammered into the readers’ heads. Henry Tudor does only what is good for Henry Tudor. Cecily wants to marry John. Elizabeth Woodville is arrogant. Henry (VIII) wants to be King. If you’ve read this once, you’ve read this a hundred times. We are not stupid, Plaidy! Considering that the title of the book is ‘To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York', there is precious little of Elizabeth. She is mostly just smiling and nodding and then disappears from the scene. Or she is breeding. Perhaps the book should have been titled ‘The Story of Henry VII Whom Nobody Liked Even Though He Was a Good King’ or even ‘Henry VII Wanted Only What Was Good For Henry VII’. The phrase has been used so often in the book, it could actually be used as a title. There is plenty of material to write a romance, but Plaidy chose to ignore it and write crap instead.As far as Henry, Duke of York is concerned, Plaidy has used the crystal ball technique. A fairy godmother appears to him in a dream and told him that he was going to be king. I can really think of no other reason why at the age of three he is already planning on becoming king. Because of course, everyone knows that Arthur is going to die. He is constantly going on about what he would do ‘if he were a king’ and ‘when he would be king’. It’s most annoying because he is NOT going to be king at this stage. No one knows about it yet. He keeps demanding that he should be Prince of Wales. WTF!? At the age of THREE! Henry is overjoyed when his brother dies. At this rate, I wonder why the author did not have little Henry murdering his father and brother and just become king himself. And good grief, his tutor talking about sex to him! John Skelton is ridiculous. Not only does he talk sex constantly to his three year old charge, he keeps telling him how things would be nicer if Henry were king! Was he planning to murder Arthur? Or did he use his crystal ball? Tea leaves, perhaps. It’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Henry and Skelton discuss such matters as whether or not Arthur would be able to have children. I can’t believe I went through the trauma of reading this!The research is terrible, and somehow Plaidy has twisted everything to make it seem that H7 had ordered the Yorkist Princes murdered. The only interesting parts were the Lambert Simnel drama and later some parts featuring Katherine of Aragon and her sister's visit. But most of the book was just entire swathes of utter unbelievable crap.
What do You think about Uneasy Lies The Head (1982)?
Interesting narrative of Henry VII. Really enjoy Plaidy's characters.
—lmcreation
Good book. Read a little like a text book at times.
—happytrailhiker
