Hester W. Chapman (1899–1976)

While most biography concentrates on effective people who have accomplishments that have placed them in the public eye, Hester Chapman has chosen this pair of seriously ineffective people. As a person interested in the operations of the Tudor courts, I did find the pair quite instructive. Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey was a man who felt he was never to be rewarded enough for his stock of military talents, and his ego led him to the block, under Henry VIII.
Lady Katherine Grey was the show more sister of the unfortunate nine days wonder, Lady Jane Grey, but her chief goal in life appeared to be a quiet life with her eventual husband Edward Seymour. This couple however, had little chance for happiness, due to their deliberate manipulation by Queen Mary Tudor, and the intense suspicion created by Mary in the mind of Queen Elizabeth I. Their marriage was furtive, and eventually led to Katherine's early death, though not violent, but encouraged by the operations by courtly life under "The Virgin Queen." Love did not conquer all, in this case. show less

A biography about the English princess (King George III's sister) who married Christian, heir to the throne of Denmark, at the age of 15. Matilda was raised in seclusion and was the youngest of nine children. She was a child when it became political expedient for Britain to have an alliance with Denmark and Matilda was to effect that. By age 16, Christian of Denmark was a severe alcoholic and mentally ill. His mental condition deteriorated throughout the years and he was barely lucid. This show more is the story of Matilda's marriage, Danish politics, Matilda's adultery with the royal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee, and her untimely death. Quite a good read! I will look for more from Ms. Chapman. I bought this for 20 cents at a Friends of the Library sale. show less

This biographer seems to have a better grasp of Henry, Anne and Catherine of Aragon's characters than any other biographer I know of. The book also gives a good portrait of the character of the times, when justice meant an entirely different thing than it does now. I'd never heard of this book until I chanced to see it on the library shelf. I thought it was excellent; it's a pity it's not better-known.

This book details the history of Henry VIII's two sisters. Which is fascinating on its own considering the majority of the history of that time is taken up recounting the affairs of Henry. This account is readable in the extreme and quite enjoyable. A large majority of the book is taken up in detailing the history of Margaret who became Queen of Scotland when she married James IV. The second portion details Mary who became very quickly the widowed Queen of France married to Louis XII. Both show more sisters lived through harsh conditions and were used to the utmost by their cold and calculating brother Henry VIII. A worthy history to read, particularly useful in fleshing out the rest of the picture in regards to the early years of Henry before he started cycling through wives. show less