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kellbells's review against another edition
2.0
By the very nature of this biography there's a lot of "perhaps, possibly, and probably" plus pure speculation. (Interestingly, Weir seems to have pulled WAY back on the question of an affair between Elizabeth and Richard III.) Overall enjoyable reading, but much of the book summarizes events - the first third is a recap from 1466 to Bosworth, and I skipped over the details of EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of the funeral in the last chapter - and falls short on insight.
allie_rose's review against another edition
3.75
First third relating to Elizabeth’s childhood and adolescence during the wars of the roses was fascinating, a solid 4 stars, but latter two thirds relied a lot on “privy purse expenses” which involved a lot of describing various fabrics purchased and worn
asmallgremlin's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Brilliant biography of one of my favourite figures from history - learnt a lot about a period of history I knew very little about (the period of the last Plantagenet kings). It was so lovely to read about a historical woman who I love but know very little about - Elizabeth seems to have been at times scheming and politically aware and devout and dutiful. Really enjoyable (if long!) read!!
cemoses's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book of Alison Weir that I read; I can understand why she is a very popular writer. I felt at times I was being teleported into Tudor times. What makes this book interesting are its descriptions of the historical period in which Elizabeth of York lived.
However, Elizabeth of York herself is not that interesting as a historical person. Elizabeth of York was the mother of Henry VIII and grandmother of Elizabeth I. If women could have ruled at the time she would have been a ruling Queen. However, because of the times it was Henry the VII ,her husband, who had the political power. Much about Elizabeth of York remains unknown; Alison Weir needs to do a lot of speculation about what Elizabeth of York was actually like and what she thought.
I think some people in the US will find the parts of the book hard because they don't understand the War of the Roses. I had to Google the subject and here is a very simplistic summary of the war.
The Wars of the Roses were named after the heraldic badges of the two combatants: the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster. They were a dynastic struggle between rival Plantagenet factions which lasted many years. Some historians think the war ended under Elizabeth of York’s father Edward the VII. However, most historians think that it ended with Henry VII assumed the throne who was from the house of Lancaster. The significance of the marriage Henry VII and Elizabeth of York is that it united the house of Lancaster and York. With the marriage of the heirs of the House of Lancaster and York, the monarchy becomes united. (This is a very simplistic view of history).
The parts in the book Elizabeth of York which describe the rule of Henry VII are quiet interesting and vivid. Henry the VII had to face some serious challenges to the throne. Ms. Weir writes in great depth about the court life in England from the time of Edward the VII to Henry VII. I was amazed about how much of court life we can know about from this period. The parts of the book that are about Elizabeth of York’s sons Arthur (who dies young) and Henry the VIII I also very well written.
However, much about Elizabeth of York herself remains unknown. Alison Weir thesis is that she was a good, pious and popular Queen who softened many of Henry VII’s rough spots. However, sadly, good, pious but nonpolitical queens do not make for interesting reading. For me for royalty to be interesting they either had a) political and/or historical impact b) they had somewhat scandalous lives (I admit it).
So if you want to read about a historical period, you might like Elizabeth of York. However, Alison Weir failed to convince me that she herself was an important and/or interesting historical figure.
Book provider by Netgalley for an honest review.
However, Elizabeth of York herself is not that interesting as a historical person. Elizabeth of York was the mother of Henry VIII and grandmother of Elizabeth I. If women could have ruled at the time she would have been a ruling Queen. However, because of the times it was Henry the VII ,her husband, who had the political power. Much about Elizabeth of York remains unknown; Alison Weir needs to do a lot of speculation about what Elizabeth of York was actually like and what she thought.
I think some people in the US will find the parts of the book hard because they don't understand the War of the Roses. I had to Google the subject and here is a very simplistic summary of the war.
The Wars of the Roses were named after the heraldic badges of the two combatants: the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster. They were a dynastic struggle between rival Plantagenet factions which lasted many years. Some historians think the war ended under Elizabeth of York’s father Edward the VII. However, most historians think that it ended with Henry VII assumed the throne who was from the house of Lancaster. The significance of the marriage Henry VII and Elizabeth of York is that it united the house of Lancaster and York. With the marriage of the heirs of the House of Lancaster and York, the monarchy becomes united. (This is a very simplistic view of history).
The parts in the book Elizabeth of York which describe the rule of Henry VII are quiet interesting and vivid. Henry the VII had to face some serious challenges to the throne. Ms. Weir writes in great depth about the court life in England from the time of Edward the VII to Henry VII. I was amazed about how much of court life we can know about from this period. The parts of the book that are about Elizabeth of York’s sons Arthur (who dies young) and Henry the VIII I also very well written.
However, much about Elizabeth of York herself remains unknown. Alison Weir thesis is that she was a good, pious and popular Queen who softened many of Henry VII’s rough spots. However, sadly, good, pious but nonpolitical queens do not make for interesting reading. For me for royalty to be interesting they either had a) political and/or historical impact b) they had somewhat scandalous lives (I admit it).
So if you want to read about a historical period, you might like Elizabeth of York. However, Alison Weir failed to convince me that she herself was an important and/or interesting historical figure.
Book provider by Netgalley for an honest review.
unsolvedmysteries1's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Although this book was extremely informative about Elizabeth of York, it often got bogged down in banquet descriptions, clothing lists and I found the lists dull after a while. I enjoyed the details regarding character, personality traits, and interpersonal relationships.
elizalavenza's review against another edition
this author plays fast and loose with history in the worst way possible.