Description
Newly widowed and the father of an infant son, Henry VIII realizes he must marry again to insure the royal succession. Now forty-six, overweight and unwell, Henry is soundly rejected by some of Europe’s most eligible princesses, but Anna of Kleve—a small German duchy—is twenty-four and eager to wed. Henry requests Anna’s portrait from his court painter, who enhances her looks, painting her straight-on in order not to emphasize her rather long nose. Henry is entranced by the lovely image, only to be bitterly surprised when Anna arrives in England and he sees her in the flesh. She is pleasant looking, just not the lady that Henry had expected.
What follows is a fascinating story of this awkward royal union that had to somehow be terminated tactfully. Alison Weir takes a fresh and surprising look at this remarkable royal marriage by describing it from the point of view of Queen Anna, a young woman with hopes and dreams of her own, alone in a royal court that rejected her from the day she arrived.
Review
Another superb book in the series! Four queens in, and I cannot wait for more!
Educational whilst entertaining - I was able to learn so much about Anna's background and family, the politics between England, Kleve, and The Holy Roman Empire - how these countries (and relatives) interplayed and how their decisions and alliances had knock-on effects for relations between them all.
I enjoyed the love story between Anna and Otho, of course, that part was entirely fictional but could be vaguely close to the truth if rumours are to be believed!
The interactions and relationships Anna developed with Mary and Elizabeth were interesting to read, as well as the less positive one with Sir Thomas Cawarden! Her relationship with Henry VIII is the most fascinating, Anna was willing to try and love him, be devoted and everything a Tudor wife and Queen should be, but that was not enough, she was rejected from the start. Had whatever it was that 'put Henry off' not been an issue I think she would have been a great Queen and produced those much needed heirs for him! They clearly remained friends and congenial together - such a shame!
I cannot wait to read Alison Weir's upcoming book from Henry's perspective, at the moment I am in mixed minds about him. Is he this lecherous beast of a King who can be so easily swayed by a pretty face to abandon his current wife, or was it truly his conscious over matters due to religion and legality. Being King, comely potential brides were always going to be there for the picking once a marriage was failing anyway...
I was heartbroken at both the longing Anna had for Johann, and that often through her naivety she was blamed or accused of 'excesses', plotting, and affairs throughout her life, even after Henry's death.
I am anxious and excited to move on to the final two books in the series.
Undoubtedly another 5-star recommendation from me!
