Merry Christmas! Here's a sneak peek at some of the new books about royalty that are scheduled to be published next month. Publication dates are subject to change. I'll post the full list on the Royal Books page on January 1.
Mistress of the Monarchy by Alison Weir. The romantic life of Katherine Swynford, mistress (and eventually wife) of King Edward III's son John of Gaunt.
Catherine Parr: Henry VIII's Last Love by Susan James. Biography of the infamous king's sixth and final wife.
How Fat Was Henry VIII? And 101 Other Questions on Royal History by Raymond Lamont-Brown. Which king invented the handkerchief? Which queen pretended to be invisible? Find out.
The Sisters Who Would Be Queen by Leanda de Lisle. The tragic lives of England's "Nine Days Queen," Jane Grey, and her sisters, Mary and Katherine.
Empress Zenobia: Palmyra's Rebel Queen by Pat Southern. Biography of the third century Syrian queen who challenged the authority of Rome.
Saint Louis by Jacques Le Goff, translated by Gareth Evan Gollrad. Biography of King Louis IX of France (1214-1270).
Death and the Classic Maya Kings by James L. Fitzsimmons. Royal death rites and burials in the Classic Period (AD 250-900).
I want to read almost all of these books, but if I had to choose just one I guess it would be "Mistress of the Monarchy." Which book would you choose?
I just got the Alison Weir book (the UK edition) and it looks really good. I'm also looking forward to the book on the Grey sisters and the Catherine Parr book.
No French traduction, helas ! I heve raed , a long time ago, a novel about Katherine Swynford , in French "La dame aux chevaliers", an excellent book.
Years ago I read Anya Seton's novel about her, called "Katherine" — I don't remember much about it now, but I liked it.