Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of King Henry VIII’s wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weir brings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first, devoted, and “true” queen. A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old … years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage—and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.
Katherine’s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.
Praise for Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen
“Alison Weir starts off her fictional series about the wives of Henry VIII with a nuanced portrayal of Katherine of Aragon.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life.”—The Guardian
“As always, Weir demonstrates a keen eye for crafting dramatic scenes of beautiful, accurate detail, instilling in the reader a vivid sense of being there. . . . If this greatly impressive inaugural installment is any indication, Tudor lovers have much to look forward to.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Vividly detailed . . . Weir brings considerable expertise to her fictional retelling of the life of Katherine of Aragon. . . . [The author] portrays her sympathetically as both credulous and steely.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An illuminating and engaging portrait of ‘the true queen.’”—Historical Novels Review
“[Weir’s] fresh approach to Henry’s first wife [is] a wonderful place to start for those unfamiliar with Katherine’s story. Weir’s portrayal is far from that of a weak, victimized woman, but one of a courageous, strong, devoted queen fighting for her life and rights. An easy, quick read to begin the series.”—RT Book Reviews
“In this first novel of the Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir dazzlingly brings Katherine of Aragon to life. Based on extensive new research, it is a portrayal that shatters the many myths about Henry VIII’s long-suffering first wife. Far from being the one-dimensional victim of history, she emerges as a charismatic, indomitable, and courageous heroine whose story never fails to enthrall.”—Tracy Borman, author of Thomas Cromwell
“Yet again, Alison Weir has managed to intertwine profound historical knowledge with huge emotional intelligence, to compose a work that throws light on an endlessly fascinating figure. But her real gift in all of this is making it feel so fresh and alive.”—Charles Spencer, author of Killers of the King
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As usual Alison Weir provides another stellar piece of historical fiction in the Tudor age. This novel on Katherine of Aragon was hard to put down even though its historical events are tragic in how awful the late queen was treated. While you read through Katherine’s voice, Weir makes you feel all of her hopes, joy, determination and despair at what the queen could have been feeling during the monumental events of her marriage to Henry VIII. As with a lot of novels using Katherine’s point-of-view and going off of her actual letters, readers can assume that even in the hour of her death she still held her husband in high esteem and couldn’t think badly of him despite what he put her through.
Anything written by Alison Weir is going to be superbly researched and this book was no exception. I put myself a reading list together for a book I am currently writing on this period and I found this to be the most readable, informative and entertaining. Research doesn’t always have to be boring! Highly recommended.
Sam Burnell – author of the Mercenary For Hire Series of Historical Fiction Novels.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WWJPMTR/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
I read many books set in the Tudor period, but this is one of the best. Catherine, as portrayed by Alison Weir, is a tragic character who is bedeviled by her very human flaws. Sometimes I just want to give her a good shaking. I highly recommend this book.
I couldn’t put it down!
Alison is one of those rare authors whose way of writing is enthralling, never overly descriptive, yet totally informative. She totally captured the era and the accompanying horrors of being the first wife of King Henry, VIII.
Allison Weir is a remarkable historical writer, but I found an earlier work of hers about Elizabeth I a bit hard to read. This was a joy. I knew a good bit about Katharine before reading this but I learned a lot more and developed such sympathy for her, loving Henry, being unable to bear his children, then being accused of lying about whether her earlier marriage to Arthur was consummated I hated how Henry treated her toward the end of her life, not allowing her beloved daughter Mary to come to her. Unrequired unnecessary cruelty. And of course he had already embarked upon his serial mistress/wives, so he had little care or kindness for her. Wanted her dead in fact so he could marry Anne and have sons upon her. Excellent read.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, Henry VIII, or Katherine of Aragon and you’re tempted to stop reading this novel anytime during the first half of it, don’t. Stick with it.
Alison Weir is primarily known for writing historical non-fiction – mostly biographies – and that is apparent when reading this fictional account of Katherine of Aragon. Weir’s deep scholarship is apparent on every page.
At the beginning of the book, I found that detail a bit tedious and dry. But as the book progresses, I came to appreciate how skillfully Weir uses detail to weave a rich and distinctive picture of this pious, intelligent, and brave Queen.
This novel offers a new dimension to Katherine. The book shows unfolding events exclusively from her perspective — beginning with her early years in Spain and ending with her death. As readers we share the anticipation of her brief marriage to Prince Arthur, the desperate years of uncertainly that followed his death, and the full breadth of her subsequent marriage to Henry VIII.
Although deeply in love at the start, their relationship deteriorates slowly and believably over the years, as pressures for a male heir increase — in the same way any marriage might be impacted for any childless couple eager to understand their situation and wanting to place blame somewhere. Most effective is Weir’s portrait of Katherine in isolation in her later years, hearing only second-hand and delayed news about Henry’s growing love for Anne Boleyn, his fight with the Catholic Church over the validity of his marriage to Katherine. and the executions of those supporting Katherine’s cause.
I understood for the first time how separating Katherine from court and from her supporters successfully kept her from being a player in events that so completely determined the circumstances of her life. So that, despite her steady love and loyalty to her husband and politically naive take on how things would play out, Katherine comes across as a remarkably strong historical figure and Henry VIII as a brutish lout.
I would read this over and over. Transported me in time!
Audible version:
I’ve read or listened to several different “fictional biographies” of Katherine of Aragon by several different authors. I find it interesting that they do not agree on the roles (or non-roles) played by supporting characters: Prince Arthur, Mary Boleyn, Margaret Pole, Charles Brandon, etc. and whether or not Katherine’s first marriage was consummated.
I enjoyed this telling, the narrator did a good job with both male and female voices.
Typical of Alison Weir, Katherine of Aragon is a well-researched, descriptive novel. From her betrothal to Arthur to her death, the story is well-detailed. I did, however, find this book quite slow moving in some parts and quite repetitive in others. Still, an interesting read.
Historical Fiction is my favorite genre…This book is now included in my favorites!
I read this story because I am VERY distantly related to Catherine, and I was curious about her life. While I understand that it was not a bio in the truest sense, and the author has a finite amount of time to tell the tale of Catherine’s life, the timeframe after Henry banished her seemed to drag on forever. If that was the goal, to make you feel Catherine’s life draggeing on, then the goal was accomplished. A little brevity would have been appreciated, imho.
Too repitious. Got boring towards the end
I enjoyed learning more about the Engliish Queens and Kings of the past.
The history of the characters was done clearly and portrayed that era vividly.
4 stars.
This is a long book, 624p. I think that it does represent a very good representation of Katherine’s viewpoint and also what it was like to be a queen 500 years ago. I was raised Roman Catholic and taught that Henry VIII’s move to divorce Katherine was based on lust for Anne Boleyn. But the book makes clear Henry’s fear that if he did not have a lawful son and heir, his country might descend into civil war when he died. He had an illegitimate son by a mistress, but his sons by Katherine died. He became convinced that he was cursed because he married his brother’s widow. The battle of Bosworth, ending the civil war with Henry VII triumphant, took place in 1485, only 6 years before Henry VIII’s birth. Henry VII impressed upon his sons the importance of carrying on on the royal lineage to avoid another civil war.
Katherine refused to accept any of the alternatives Henry VIII offered her, annulment, entering a nunnery or divorce. She was defending her daughter Mary’s right to royal lineage and her own conscience, which said that she was Henry VIII’s lawful wife. She believed that it would be a great sin to give in to Henry VIII.
Henry VIII became mean and vindictive toward Katherine and even had his messengers threaten her with arrest for treason. The author does a very good job of portraying intrigue at the royal court and painting a picture of England 500 years ago. I recommend it to historical fiction fans.
Two quotes:
“Heading his chamber was his fair haired Groom of the Stool, William Compton…”
“The melodious sounds of shawms, crumhorns, lutes, sackbuts, regals, pipes and tabors echoed from a leafy bower where musicians played unseen.”
This book was a Goodreads giveaway and I thank the publisher, Ballantine books. I apologize for taking so long to read it.
If you are a fan of ENGLISH history, you will like this intimate look at Catherine of Aragon. The book shows her character, her loyalty but also her stubbornness. A perfect book for a Tudor England buff.
I’ll read any historical fiction Alison Weir writes, she’s a master. Can’t wait to read the rest of them!
I just finished this book, ten minutes ago, and had to review it. It was just as fascinating as all of Alison Weir’s books have been. I have long been fascinated with stories of King Henry VIII and Ms. Weir’s are extraordinary. Full of history and told in intimate detail. I cannot recommend them enough.
Now to start Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen………….
It was interesting to read an account of the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine from her point of view for a change. Alison Weir is a wonderful writer, and her Catherine is a very sympathetic character.