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Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:�A sumptuous historical novel anchored by its excellent depiction of Jane Seymour, Henry the VIII�s third queen . . . This is a must for all fans of Tudor fiction and history.��Publishers Weekly Ever since she was a child, Jane has longed for a cloistered life as a nun. But her large noble family has other plans, and as an adult, Jane is invited to the King�s court to serve as lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine of Aragon. The devout Katherine shows kindness to all her ladies, almost like a second mother, which makes rumors of Henry�s lustful pursuit of Anne Boleyn�also lady-in-waiting to the queen�all the more shocking. For Jane, the betrayal triggers memories of a haunting incident that shaped her beliefs about marriage. But once Henry disavows Katherine and secures Anne as his new queen�forever altering the religious landscape of England�he turns his eye to another: Jane herself. Urged to return the King�s affection and earn favor for her family, Jane is drawn into a dangerous political game that pits her conscience against her desires. Can Jane be the one to give the King his long-sought-after son, or will she be cast aside like the women who came before her? Bringing new insight to this compelling story, Alison Weir marries meticulous research with gripping historical fiction to re-create the dramas and intrigues of the most renowned court in English history. At its center is a loving and compassionate woman who captures the heart of a king, and whose life will hang in the balance for it. Praise for Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen �Bestselling [Alison] Weir�s impressive novel shows why Jane deserves renewed attention [and] illustrates Jane�s unlikely journey from country knight�s daughter to queen of England. . . . From the richly appointed decor to the religious tenor of the time, the historical ambience is first-rate.��Booklist (starred review) �Deft, authoritative biographical fiction . . . a dramatic and empathic portrait of Jane Seymour.��Kirkus Reviews.… (more)
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More than half of the book is devoted to Jane's life prior to her marriage to Henry. We learn of family secrets that could, if exposed, have been scandalous, of Jane's relationships with her parents and siblings, and of her early hope (undocumented, as Weir notes in her Afterword) to take religious vows. I knew that she had served as a lady-in waiting to Anne Boleyn but did not know that she also served Katherine of Aragon and even went with her in her removal from court. (Henry had a habit of trolling his wives' retinues for his next mistress or next wife.) Henry required her to take Jane Rochester, the widow of Anne's brother George, who also betrayed him by hinting at incest--as a lady-in-waiting. Weir also reveals that Jane was pregnant when she married Henry only a few days after Anne's execution but miscarried this child and another before the birth of their son Edward. Weir admits that she only imagined Sir Francis Bryant as a potential love interest, but he was indeed a friend of the Seymour family and a supporter of Jane. She also dashes the belief, promulgated by broadsides and ballads, that Edward was born by Caesarian section, and that Jane died of then-common post-partum septicemia. In her Afterward, she consults with several medical who reviewed Jane's documented symptoms immediately before and during Edward's birth and her failing health in the days following. Among their theories: that Jane's long lying-in caused a blood clot that was loosened by severe vomiting induced by food poisoning.
Recommended for Tudor junkies and fans of Alison Weir's novels.
Jane was supposed to be Henry’s favorite queen; she gave him a living son and died before he could get bored with her. He is buried next to her. She was involved with Henry for only 3 years- which was longer, actually, than I’d thought. She left behind no letters and was not involved in politics or religious arguing, so her character can only be surmised from what little others wrote about her. Weir has given us a pious, private girl who was pushed into the king’s path by her family. Sadly, this girl failed to take fire as a character. She comes across as one of those people you don’t pay much attention to in real life.
The first part of the book is very, very heavily entwined with the stories of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, because Jane lived through that and knew them, and she was not a history maker until after they were dead. There is a lot of physical details in the book, which bring the time alive, but not, unfortunately, Jane. Three stars.
This book begins with Jane Seymour at age 10 and she is celebrating her
All of the interactions with the Royals follow history but it is the specific conversations and personal interactions that history books do not know about, that is where Alison’s story shines. You will feel like you are there, with all the characters, as history takes off.
I am so glad that I read this book and will now be getting the rest of the series to see how she lays this all out.
**I received a free copy of this book through the Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.**
You get sucked in from the beginning. This book focuses on Jane Seymour, the "pale" queen who bore Henry a son who would later become King Edward VI. She died due to complications after the birth so her reign as Queen and as Henry's wife was very short lived but she was the only wife to receive a Queen's funeral. Alison follows Jane from before they "got together" to her death. It is shown in the book that she became a mistress of Henry's but based on other history books surrounding the Tudors I don't believe that to be completely accurate... so I think some literary license was taken there and was slightly annoying to the history grad in me but it did admittedly make for a good read. But that's why I didn't give the book a full 5 stars.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
In Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen, Weir conjures up an amazing atmosphere that few
We can only speculate what would have happened if she had lived past the birth of the future Edward VI. Would she also have fallen out of favor with Henry? Would her Catholic faith have influenced Henry and Edward and the English Reformation?
This was a well written and engaging book. I particularly enjoyed reading about Jane's time under Queen Katherine. Once Jane became Queen the book seemed to stagnant a bit. The tension and drama was essentially over. I look forward to reading the next book from Weir.
As with the other 2 books in the Six Tudor Queens series, this one continues a great tradition of historical fiction that leaves you wanting to know more! While most of us know the fates of Henry VIII and his wives, this series nonetheless leaves you intrigued and hanging on the edge of your seat. On to Anne of Cleeves!
Alison Weir has studied, written books about Henry and his reign, and in this one I believe she does a masterful job in chronicling this little known queen. It begins when Jane is young, living with her family at Wulff Hall, and continues until her death. Her interpretation of Jane's life, is explained in her authors note. Her research as always extensive. It is very well written, and at over five hundred pages, it moved quickly. I enjoyed every minute of this novel, found it very immersive, all the details allowing me to envision things as seen through Jane's eyes.
A fantastic historical for any whom, like myself, enjoy or are curious about this time period.
ARC from Netgalley.