The children of Henry VIII /

An able, distinguished historian has provided the best book yet about the remarkable children of England's most studied monarch. Guy (Clare College, Cambridge) describes the birth, upbringing, and education of Henry VIII's four children: Mary, Elizabeth, Edward, and his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy (child of his mistress, Elizabeth Blount). Three followed their father on the throne. Rarely discussed in most histories of the reign, Fitzroy deserves--and receives--serious attention. As late as 1525, the king considered displacing his legitimate daughter Mary in the succession with the boy "he loved like his own soul." However, Henry's liaison with Anne Boleyn supervened, and this dubious project was abandoned. Guy relates the tragic story of the two princes (both died in their teens, probably from bronchopneumonia) and shows how Mary's devotion to the old religion led to her estrangement from her Protestant siblings. So different in their characters, the little Tudors did share one common experience: "the untimely ends of their respective mothers cast a long shadow over their lives." Guy's graceful prose and fresh perspective on a familiar story make this a worthwhile book for novice and specialist alike. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. D. R. Bisson Belmont University

Henry VIII's succession problems are the canvas for this collective portraiture of his four children who lived long enough to become pawns in the family chess game. Guy views the contests as the daughters and sons would have experienced them, through the entourages and educations that the king ordained for them, crowned by the caprices of royal favors granted or withdrawn. Enumerating governesses, tutors, and factotums, Guy connects their appointments and dismissals to wider political alignments that shifted according to Henry's well-chronicled quest for a male heir. A female successor was the last thing Henry wanted, a hope that foundered on his first daughter's tenacity in holding her place in the line of succession (see Mary Tudor, by Anna Whitelock, 2010), the teenage deaths of Henry Fitzroy and Edward VI, and the perilous survival of Elizabeth. Enhancing Guy's appeal is his emphasis on the personal relationships among these half siblings. Marked by a mixture of real and feigned affections, the dynastic dynamics of Henry's heirs will drive Guy's fluidly styled work straight into the hands of even veteran Tudor readers.--Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2010 Booklist

Tudor historian Guy (fellow, Clare Coll., Univ. of Cambridge; My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots) turns his attention to the heirs of Henry VIII in this succinct examination of their lives. Rather than attempt the massive undertaking of covering in depth the histories of Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, Guy has chosen to give the most salient details regarding the monarchs, thus allowing himself to present an overall picture of their lives and upbringings under Henry's rule and during their later reigns. His particular focus is on how their relationships with each other-and the long shadow of their father-affected them. Of note is the author's inclusion of the brief life of Henry VIII's best-known illegitimate child, Henry Fitzroy, a potential heir to the throne before his untimely death at age 17. VERDICT Guy's research is sound and his facts are presented in a clear and entertaining style, which makes this a good volume for students and general readers new to Tudor history. However, its brevity and lack of fresh information and analysis mean that those already familiar with the essentials of the Tudor dynasty will likely find little to hold their interest.-Kathleen McCallister, Univ. of South Carolina (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Guy (Thomas Becket, 2012, etc.) exhibits his flair for narrative and historian's credentials in this detailed account of Henry VIII's four children. The lesser-known fourth child was his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, whom he loved "like his own soul." It is surprising there weren't any more, as any courtier would "lay down his wife for the king." The problem of succession was foremost throughout Henry's reign, and he refused to designate either young Henry or his daughter Mary in the hope that he would one day have a legitimate son. After his break with the church and the birth of Anne Boleyn's daughter, Elizabeth, Mary lost her household, her royal titles and her status in the succession. Henry made no move to educate his daughters, feeling that women shouldn't rule and needed no training. Luckily, Mary's mother and Elizabeth's governess were able to secure teachers to fill this gap. After Edward was born to Jane Seymour, Henry relented and reinstated his daughters but did not re-legitimize them. Prince Edward and Henry Fitzroy both died as teenagers, curiously enough of the same bronchial pneumonia. The author doesn't dwell on these men, likely due to the fact that there is little correspondence about them. Mary's reign was mercifully short, marked by plots on Elizabeth's behalf. Only the intercession of Mary's husband, Philip of Spain, saved Elizabeth from the axe. Guy ably illustrates how difficult the constant changes were to Elizabeth and how her cleverness enabled her to withstand and absorb the lessons of adversity. Great for fans of Henry and especially Elizabeth.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.