Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived

This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on November 25, 2010.

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The world is once again swept up in the drama of a royal wedding.  Get into the spirit by reading a novel about much married monarch, Henry VIII and his wives.

6wives King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives and the One Man who Knew All their Secrets by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Will Somers’ position as court jester provides a unique perspective on the Tudor court, Henry's relationships and the infamous marriages.

The Constant Princess by Phillippa Gregory
Katherine of Aragon believes she is fated to be queen of England.  Widowed by the death of Prince Arthur, she turns to his younger brother Henry to fulfill her destiny.

The Queen of Subtleties by Suzannah Dunn
On the eve of her execution, Anne Boleyn reminisces about her life as Henry's mistress and wife. 

The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillippa Gregory
This novel begins following the death of Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour and chronicles the king's fourth and fifth marriages.

Amenable Women by Mavis Cheek
A widow researching Anne of Cleves discovers she has a great deal in common with Henry's homely and unwanted fourth wife. 

The Queen's Mistake by Diane Haeger
Henry’s fifth wife Catherine Howard is threatened by enemies within the court and her own romantic past. 

The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson
Cultured, well-educated Catherine Parr tells the story of her life and her long relationship with Henry Tudor.

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