The inspiration for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life Margaret Beaufort, heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, who charts her way through treacherous alliances to take control of the English throne. Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her Lancaster house is the true ruler of England, and … the true ruler of England, and that she has a great destiny before her. Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of all time–all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and awaits his opportunity to win the greatest prize in all of England.
The Red Queen is a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.
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If you enjoy historical novels about English history, then I would recommend The Red Queen. Set in the 15th century, it tells the story of the War of the Roses from the viewpoint of the House of Lancaster and in so doing, follows the life of Margaret Beaufort, a descendant of King Edward III.
Outwardly pious, and at the same time ruthless in her plotting to overthrow the Crown, Margaret believes she is destined by God to see her son, Henry Tudor, on the throne of England.
It’s not often that I’ve read a book with a main character who is as scheming and contemptible as Margaret Beaufort. Although, it’s one of the things that kept me turning the page.
As with all the books I’ve read by Phillipa Gregory, this one did not disappoint, and what an excellent and enjoyable way to learn more about English history.
I enjoyed The Red Queen. Margaret Beaufort was not my favorite main character so far, but I feel her story had to be told. I am excited for the next in the series.
i like to read Philippa Gregory. Read about 7 books.
THE RED QUEEN is the story of Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509), mother of Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (1457-1509), who defeated Richard III at Bosworth and reigned as King Henry VII from 1485 until his death in 1509. (Margaret herself died two months after her son.)
The novel begins in 1453, when Margaret is about to go to court for the first time to formally dissent from her pre-contracted marriage to the son of a disgraced nobleman, so that she becomes available to make a better match. The hour is late, but nine-year-old Lady Margaret is on her knees at prayer, having a vision of herself as her heroine Joan of Arc. When everything is spoiled by her mother’s maid coming in and insisting that she go to bed, for they have to rise early on the morrow.
Philippa Gregory is such a talented writer, whose historical novels are easy and entertaining to read. But she has surpassed herself in this novel, for the voice of Lady Margaret is truly remarkable: determined, shrewd, strong, certain and unconsciously funny:
“It cannot be right that the York princess is a favorite at the court, the darling of her uncle, the sweetheart of her people, and I thrown down. God cannot really want these women to lead peaceful, happy lives, while my son is in exile.”
The whole novel is infused with that voice, and it makes fascinating reading. If you have not read this novel and you love the period of the Wars of the Roses, then you are in for a treat.
Good dtory
Not my favorite Queen, but still a good book by Phillipa Gregory
I’ve loved all the Philippa Gregory books that I have read.
I didn’t like this one as much as the others in the series I have read (White Queen, Kingmaker’s Daughter, Lady of the Rivers), but then, I was extremely irritated by the main character’s piety and self-importance.
I’m getting so much more out of this series by reading/listening to each of them in order, right after the other.
Ms Gregory interprets history in an entertainubg way!
Blood Red! Who was she? Another strong contender in this series. I am really excited with the different characters and the connections across the books. Margaret is a fascinating historical figure… and the little pieces we got to know about her in the first book in this series held her up to one light and standard. But now in this book, dedicated to her, it’s a whole different thought process. And she was the mother of a king. How could she sit on the side for 20 years and just wait for it to happen? Patience! What a wonderful women full of so many facets of good and perhaps a little bit of evil, in my opinion. Too many lines change over the course of her history, yet she always rises to the top. And to think she was a widow before most girls even go to high school these days. This is a strong and powerful story.
A great read about a character not often looked upon in a good light. The ties of a mother to her son and all that comes with that, her love for him, her ambition, her determination that he get what she feels he was born to.
I listened to this in audiobook form. I kept listening to this book because the story was really quite interesting. I was glad when it was over because the narrator of the story, Margaret Beaufort as interpreted by Ms. Gregory, was really obnoxious. I kept wondering if she were really the hypocritical, delusional, self-righteous woman she is portrayed as in the novel. References to the woman I’ve seen before indicate that Ms. Gregory may be right.
Loved it!
Complicated heroine of this book. Didn’t like her too much but I always enjoy Philippa Gregory’s books. This is my absolute favorite time of history and while I didn’t relate with Margaret Beaufort, I found this book fascinating.
Great read as always with Gregory.
Part of the Tudor series, of which I’ve read all but the Last Tudor. The Red Queen, so called because she is a Lancastrian during the period know as the War of the Roses, is the mother of Henry VII. The book follows her life as she plots to bring her son to the throne. If you are a historical fiction fan, you will love Philippa Gregory, one of the masters of the genre.