Elizabeth I by Margaret George, 671 pages

One of today's premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most complex subject yet: Elizabeth Tudor, England's greatest queen, who has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like? In this novel, Elizabeth's flame-haired, look-alike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. And as Elizabeth and Lettice, two women of fierce intellect and desire, vie for power and the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, everyone in the court's orbit is drawn into their rivalry and its escalating drama. This magnificent, stay-up-all-night page-turner is George's finest, a spectacular portrait of the alluring yet elusive woman who ruled over the golden age of British history and culture-and of the one woman she could not control.

The Demon's Brood, A History of the Plantagenent Dynasty by Desmond Seward, 322 pages

A look at the rulers who made up the Plantagenent line, from the early 800s up through Richard in the 1400s. All in all, not a happy family.

The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge, 444 pages

The story of William Marshall, a youngest son who became a knight in the 13th century and worked his way to an earldom and regency through 5 kings. This was a fascinating piece of history.

She-Wolves, The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor, 480 pages

A book for book club. I love anything that is English history and this was my cup of tea. I didn't know very much about the early women of England except for Eleanor of Aquitaine so it was nice to add to my knowledge. I do wish they would have used more names than Henry and Edward though, lol.

A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman, 694 pages

I got a chance to review this for Night Owl Reviews and jumped at it. I loved anything that covers English history, and had read the first book by this author covering King Richard the Lionheart up to him finishing the Crusades. This was an outstanding book, very well-researched, with characters that were brought alive on the pages.

A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger, 444 pages

Set in 1385 London, featuring a book prophesying the death of King Richard II, this was a must read for me. This is definitely not for the light of heart, it's a heavy read, but was really good. I think I most enjoyed learning about the maudlyns (hookers) working in London and the history involved.

The Heir Apparent by Jane Ridley, 726 pages

As a fan of anything historical and English, this was one the caught my attention. What little I knew of Edward the II consisted of him being a gadfly prince with an eye for the ladies. This was a wonderful resource, delving into his life from beginning to end, with a fresh look at this often overlooked royal figure. While this isn't a book for the faint of heart, I'm glad I picked it up, and I have a new appreciation for King Edward II.

Minding the Manor by Mollie Moran, 353 pages

I'd seen this checked out by a patron, and as a fan of Downton Abbey and anything English, historical, and/or nonfiction, this fit all those categories. She went to work in the early 1930s as a kitchen maid, aka, scullery maid, which was pretty much the lowest of the low on the servant caste system. She worked her way up to cook in just a decade, and her book reflects an interesting viewpoint of a changing system. Mollie's zest for life comes through, and this is a well written book, featuring tips each chapter, including quotes from the Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management. I finished this book wanting to set and have a cup of tea with this very feisty woman. This is a must read for anyone interested in this time period.

Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion by Anne Somerset, 636 pages

Queen Anne, the often overlooked and negated ruler of England at the beginning of the 1700s, is best known for her passionate female friendships, especially with the tempestuous Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. But she was a strong woman who led England through trying times, with the country emerging as the world power. The author does an outstanding job of exploring this fascinating woman, with her troubled family, the overthrow of her father, her strong and long-lasting marriage, and struggles to try to keep the throne above the bickering and power plays of political parties. Anne’s friendship with Sarah is explored, from its early roots to the fiery and ugly end. While I’ve never read about Queen Anne before, considering her a boring woman, I now look forward to finding out more about this quiet and determined history maker.

The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory, 695 pages

Most people know King Richard as the hunchback who killed the little princes. But, Shakespeare's version is probably far from the truth. Philippa Gregory approaches his story from his first wife's viewpoint, and paint a much more sympathetic version that is more realistic. Anne is the daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who is known as the Kingmaker, because he helped put Edward IV on the throne. But after Edward marries Elizabeth Woodville and promotes her many relatives over all others, the Kingmaker turns against his former ally and decides to place another on the throne. But after treason and bad luck, Warwick is killed, and Anne must make her own way in the world. After being pushed into one marriage that almost destroyed her life, can she have the strength to make her own decision? She marries Richard, King Edward's younger brother, and is set on a path that will bring her against the royal family.

The author did a wonderful job bringing this time period and these historical figures alive. At times, I was almost heartbroken reading the book, because I knew what happened to the people. I became invested in this story, and felt anguish at every tragedy that befell Anne, and sorrow for her happiness because I knew it wouldn't last. It takes a wonderful author to bring history alive like this. Yet Philippa Gregory manages to do so with each and every book.

Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London by Nigel Jones, 456 pages

This was a dense nonfiction look at the history of the Tower of London, and the history of England itself, with the very beginning stonework to the last execution. It's unbelievable how much history is tied up in this location. This book left me even more determined to go to England someday.

The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien, 448 pages

As a huge fan of historical English fiction, I was intrigued to read about a time period that I knew little about. King Edward, his queen, and his concubine were brought to life in "The King's Concubine" by Anne O'Brien. Filled not only with characters that grabbed the reader's attention, this time period was also filled with conspiracies and schemes galore.

Queen of the Conqueror by Tracy Borman, 296 pages

Matilda is the wife of William the Conqueror, and is one of the least written about English queens. Matilda came from a lineage of strong and smart women, and proved herself both during her marriage. William has been long known for his winning of England in 1066, but Matilda ruled his duchy during his campaigns away, one of the few women to hold that sort of power. Her background made William a more acceptable choice of king for the English, and she proved a fertile mother, with nine children. She also was a determined mother, who went against her husband to protect her oldest son's rights, at the cost of her husband's trust.
I'm a fan of English historical fiction, reading almost everything there is about English royalty, but I've not read anything about Matilda or this time period. Tracy Borman did a superb job bringing Matilda to life, shining a light on a woefully under-examined female role model. Her book reminded me of Alison Weir's wonderfully crafted books, making Tracy Borman a must-read author for history fans. I look forward to seeing what historical figure she writes about next.

The Royal Stuarts by Allan Massie, 370 pages

The Royal Stuarts were a family that seemed destined to destroy themselves through bad choices and passion. Mary, Queen of Scots and James of the King James Bible are two of the most famous members but the family is filled with people who changed England and Scotland forever.

This novel follows the Stuarts from their earliest known beginnings up to the last known member, a Cardinal in Frascati, Italy, along with all the sweeping sagas inbetween. Allan Massie's book "The Royal Stuarts" is a gripping read for anyone who is a fan of English history, royalty or just history in general.

At The Mercy Of The Queen by Anne Clinard Barnhill, 432 pages

At fifteen, all Lady Margaret Shelton wants is the quiet life in the country she's had so far. But she is sent to court to serve her cousin, Queen Anne Boleyn. Known as Pretty Madge, her innocence and naive beauty is used to gain the king's interest, as a ploy to help Queen Anne hold onto to her position. All Madge wants is the chance for love and a life outside court, if that is even possible. Forces are sweeping the nation and court, threatening not only the Queen's position, but her very life.
As a fan of historical English novels, this was a wonderful read, told from the little used viewpoint of one of Queen Anne's maids. This was one of the most politically tumultuous time periods in English history, with scandal and religion creating massive upheavals. "At the Mercy of the Queen" by Anne Clinard Barnhill is a well-crafted addition to this genre, sure to be a delight to fans of Philippa Gregory and Carolly Erickson alike.

The Heretic's Wife by Brenda Rickman Vantrease, 408 pages

Kate Gough and her brother John are booksellers in Tudor England, whose shop carries English Bibles, illegal and dangerous to have. When John is caught up in a sweep and forced to recant his beliefs, Kate takes his place on a smuggler's run to restock their shop. She meets up with John Frith, a student and translator who has escaped the reach of Thomas More, who wants nothing more to burn all heretics. Kate and John quickly fall in love and marry, creating a life together in Antwerp, helping translate the Bible into English until John goes back to England to gather support for the effort. Will John be able to escape the clutches of Thomas More and the heretic's fire to return to Kate?
"The Heretic's Wife" is an exciting and heartbreaking novel about the people involved in translating and sharing the Bible with the common man, set against Henry VIII's determination to set aside his queen for Anne Boleyn. Religion, and the Church, as all knew it was threatened by the thought of anyone being able to read and understand the Bible, and by the thought of the Pope not being the head of the Church in England. Brenda Rickman Vantrease has brought history alive with this book, combining actual historical figures with fictional creations. Fans of Philippa Gregory and Carolly Erickson will consider this a must read treat. It definitely made me think about how lightly we take the privilege of being able to own and read anything we want, much less the Bible, here in America.

Murder by Gaslight by Leonard Piper, 219 pages

This was an examination of some actual murder cases from Victorian and Edwardian England. It covers the crime, the investigation and trial. It's amazing how people never change and there really is nothing new under the sun. But when it's English, murder seems more civilized.