Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of King Henry VIII s wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weirbrings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry s first, devoted, and true queen.
A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.
Katherine s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.
Advance praise for "Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen"
In this first novel of the Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir dazzlingly brings Katherine of Aragon to life. Based on extensive new research, it is a portrayal that shatters the many myths about Henry VIII s long-suffering first wife. Far from being the one-dimensional victim of history, she emerges as a charismatic, indomitable, and courageous heroine whose story never fails toenthrall. Tracy Borman, author of "Thomas Cromwell"
Yet again, Alison Weir has managed to intertwine profound historical knowledge with huge emotional intelligence, to compose a work that throws light on an endlessly fascinating figure. But her real gift in all of this is making it feel so fresh and alive. Charles Spencer, author of "Killers of the King"
Acclaim for the novels of Alison Weir
"The Marriage Game"
Entrancing . . . Weir manages to weave actual history and the imagined kind together seamlessly. "Huntington News"
Weir s credible characters and blend of the personal and political will sweep up readers of this engrossing behind-the-scenes psychological portrait of Elizabeth. "Publishers Weekly"
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"A Dangerous Inheritance"
A juicy mix of romance, drama and Tudor history . . . pure bliss for today s royal watchers. "Ladies Home Journal"
Highly compelling with] plenty to keep readers enthralled. " Historical Novel Review"
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"Captive Queen"
Should be savored . . . Weir wastes no time captivating her audience. "Seattle Post-Intelligencer"
Stunning . . . As always, Weir renders the bona fide plot twists of her heroine s life with all the mastery of a thriller author, marrying historical fact with licentious fiction. "The Denver Post""