A reminder of how poor, albeit mildly diveriting, historical fiction can be. Sigh.

Henry VIII has two sisters, both of whom become queens themselves. The oldest, Margaret, is promised to King James IV of Scotland, who is sixteen years older than herself. This marriage is an extremely significant event in the history of the United Kingdom, since it is through this link that the kingdoms of Scotland and England will one day be united. Meanwhile, Margaret has high hopes for her marriage, but James is heartbroken over the murder of this fiancee (also, unfortunately, named Margaret) and unable to devote himself completely to his young bride. Margaret becomes a controversial figure when her husband is killed by the armies of her brother, and she fights for control of her adopted country and her young son.

Quote: "James was always remorseful when he disappointed his Queen She was so much younger than he was that he forgot she had left childhood behind. He always saw her as the girl of thirteen she had been when she first came to him."

This is a very good novel chronicling the troubled life of Margaret Tudor, who spent much of her existence trying to shape her life without the pull of outside forces, usually the strong-willed men in her life (father, brother, son, husbands). Margaret is passionate herself, but she is often misled or overruled by those in her life she had considered to be allies. She is often confliced - the needs of her new country versus the needs of her native land, the desires of her husband or son versus the loyalty to her brother. It is not a simple life. ( )

This novel was entertaining in that I didn't know much about Margaret Tudor. The theme of her Tudor pride being assaulted by the fact of her three husband's mistresses and bastards was alternately sad and frustrating. She had her brother's sensuality, and her life was somewhat tragic. My second Plaidy of many more. ( )

The sixth book in the Tudor series, this tells the story of Henry VIII's older sister, Margaret. At a young age, she is married to James IV of Scotland, as part of a treaty. She falls in love with her husband who is tragically cut down in a battle with Margaret's brother. Instead of taking her baby son, now the King, back to England, she stays in Scotland. She is the grandmother of the great Mary Queen of Scots. ( )