The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory.
It's about Margaret Pole who was a plantagenet, white rose,after Richard III was killed and Henry VII put the crown on his head . It was very dangerous to be a plantagenet in those times but Margaret was married off to a Sir Pole. Henry's wife was also a plantagenet and Margaret was her closest friend and cousin. Henry VIII wasn't supposed to be king. He was the second son. Arthur, the first son, was brought up and educated at Margaret 's house under the tutelage of sir pole. He was married to Katherine of aragon when they were about 15. He died of a fever and in accordance with Arthur's instructions she said she was still intact as he had been unable to do his duty. He wanted her to marry his brother and teach him how to rule with a soft hand. It took for his dad to pop off before he too married Catherine of aragon. Before that sir pole dies leaving Margarets almost destitute with 5 kids. Eventually 2 older boys went to a cousin to be educated. 1 to a monastery and she and the other 2 to a nunnery. As soon as Catherine got married she sent for Margaret who went to court with her 5 kids. Henry was a very spoilt child and grew into a spoilt man. We all know how horrid he was.
The book has 600 pages with small print but I love her books.
Imagine if Arthur hasn't died England would be completely different.
Worth reading.
It's about Margaret Pole who was a plantagenet, white rose,after Richard III was killed and Henry VII put the crown on his head . It was very dangerous to be a plantagenet in those times but Margaret was married off to a Sir Pole. Henry's wife was also a plantagenet and Margaret was her closest friend and cousin. Henry VIII wasn't supposed to be king. He was the second son. Arthur, the first son, was brought up and educated at Margaret 's house under the tutelage of sir pole. He was married to Katherine of aragon when they were about 15. He died of a fever and in accordance with Arthur's instructions she said she was still intact as he had been unable to do his duty. He wanted her to marry his brother and teach him how to rule with a soft hand. It took for his dad to pop off before he too married Catherine of aragon. Before that sir pole dies leaving Margarets almost destitute with 5 kids. Eventually 2 older boys went to a cousin to be educated. 1 to a monastery and she and the other 2 to a nunnery. As soon as Catherine got married she sent for Margaret who went to court with her 5 kids. Henry was a very spoilt child and grew into a spoilt man. We all know how horrid he was.
The book has 600 pages with small print but I love her books.
Imagine if Arthur hasn't died England would be completely different.
Worth reading.