No one in history had a more eventful career in matrimony than Henry VIII. His marriages were daring and tumultuous, and made instant legends of six very different women. In this remarkable study, David Starkey argues that the king was not a depraved philanderer but someone seeking happiness — and a son. Knowingly or not, he elevateda group of women to extraordinary heights and changed the way a … way a nation was governed.
Six Wives is a masterful work of history that intimately examines the rituals of diplomacy, marriage, pregnancy, and religion that were part of daily life for women at the Tudor Court. Weaving new facts and fresh interpretations into a spellbinding account of the emotional drama surrounding Henry’s six marriages, David Starkey reveals the central role that the queens played in determining policy. With an equally keen eye for romantic and political intrigue, he brilliantly recaptures the story of Henry’s wives and the England they ruled.
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While I enjoyed all of the facts that the author was able to incorporate, I noticed that he had left out some interesting tidbits about the wives who weren’t married to Henry for as long. I think around half the book is dedicated to the first two wives (mostly because the longevity of those relationships compared to the others) but I believed a …
I enjoyed learning new information in an entertaining way
898 pages
5 stars
This is a most excellent and accessible history. Mr. Starkey made it very readable and spoke in a conversational tone, rather than a dry, preachy one.
For the most part what I read was not new, but I did read some very interesting tidbits in this book. The dispute over the disposition of Catherine’s plate and other goods at …
Starkey is the king of British historical authors.
My 73 year old eyes were really opened about the going ons with Henry VIII’s court.
Pedantic. I have met David Starkey and he is very impressed with himself. This book is very long and I will say, pretty well researched.
Biopic look at the character of Henry VIII and the many women who fascinated, and in a few cases actually loved.
Though I was well informed until I read this book and then I realized how much I didn’t know .
Excellent- lots of new insights into the personalities if HVIII wives-
Interesting views of Henry and his wives.
This history of Henry VIII’s six wives gives information into his mind and his wives’ lives. Tragic and strange but enlightening in light of the age we are living in.
Excellent historical overview of a tragic end to a promising king and his six wives. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Of the six wives who married Henry VIII, only one had an excellent outcome and it wasn’t the one who survived.
Love anything about Henry VIII. Very good book.
Well written and researched. A new favorite of this genre.
Wonderful read. Lots of detail about the lives of all of Henry’s fascinating wives and the impact they had