Scan barcode
A review by thenarrative
Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch by Nicola Tallis
4.0
Uncrowned Queen The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch - Nicola Tallis (7/28)
Rating 4.5 / 5 Stars
** Thank you to Netgalley, Perseus Books, and of course, Nicola Tallis, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always had a fascination in Tudor history, ever since I was little and I stole my brother’s AP European History textbook. Although my work in academia has taken me in a different direction with history, I have continued to research the Tudors in my spare time. However, there was only something I noticed as I dug deeper into this period. It’s all about the men. The wives of Henry VIII are just that - one of the six wives. They are known and discussed however, they are also forgotten about in exchange for their male counterparts. What is known about Anne Neville, The wife of Richard III or Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV commoner bride? Most often, these women are just a footnote in the history books.
One of the other extraordinary women to come out of this period is Margaret Beaufort - considered the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty. For a long time, she is just that, a footnote in the marvelous and extravagant history that ended the Wars of The Roses and allowed her son into power, Henry VII. However, Margaret is so much more than this and Tallis does an exceptional job of bringing her story to life.
Margaret’s life is not worthy of a footnote. From her experiences as a young child bride, in fact, Beaufort was married 4 times, the first when she was a year old and her last in her late 30s. Her second marriage (at the age of 13) produced the later Henry VII whom Margaret devoted her life’s cause to secure the throne. Considered a mastermind in her own right, Margaret maneuvered the chessboard throughout her time in the royal court and abroad until her son became King in 1485 following the defeat of Richard III. Following his ascension to the throne, she continued her work, securing a Tudor line which would extend through her great-granddaughter - Elizabeth I.
Tallis provides evidence of meticulous research and a devotion to the subject manner, but one con I had of this book was the narrative style of writing. I still believe it is worth a read if you have any interest in the Tudor dynasty. I know I will be going back to it in the future if I am looking for information.
Rating 4.5 / 5 Stars
** Thank you to Netgalley, Perseus Books, and of course, Nicola Tallis, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always had a fascination in Tudor history, ever since I was little and I stole my brother’s AP European History textbook. Although my work in academia has taken me in a different direction with history, I have continued to research the Tudors in my spare time. However, there was only something I noticed as I dug deeper into this period. It’s all about the men. The wives of Henry VIII are just that - one of the six wives. They are known and discussed however, they are also forgotten about in exchange for their male counterparts. What is known about Anne Neville, The wife of Richard III or Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV commoner bride? Most often, these women are just a footnote in the history books.
One of the other extraordinary women to come out of this period is Margaret Beaufort - considered the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty. For a long time, she is just that, a footnote in the marvelous and extravagant history that ended the Wars of The Roses and allowed her son into power, Henry VII. However, Margaret is so much more than this and Tallis does an exceptional job of bringing her story to life.
Margaret’s life is not worthy of a footnote. From her experiences as a young child bride, in fact, Beaufort was married 4 times, the first when she was a year old and her last in her late 30s. Her second marriage (at the age of 13) produced the later Henry VII whom Margaret devoted her life’s cause to secure the throne. Considered a mastermind in her own right, Margaret maneuvered the chessboard throughout her time in the royal court and abroad until her son became King in 1485 following the defeat of Richard III. Following his ascension to the throne, she continued her work, securing a Tudor line which would extend through her great-granddaughter - Elizabeth I.
Tallis provides evidence of meticulous research and a devotion to the subject manner, but one con I had of this book was the narrative style of writing. I still believe it is worth a read if you have any interest in the Tudor dynasty. I know I will be going back to it in the future if I am looking for information.