This was an interesting book about Elizabeth of York, the woman whose marriage united the Lancastrians and the Yorkists during the Wars of the Roses. I never thought of Elizabeth, a daughter of York as the first Tudor Queen but the book makes you more aware of her ties to the Tudors than one is apt to consider when reading history. The book portrays Richard III as the killer of the princes, not a theory I agree with, and Henry VII as something of a cold fish. This is unusual for historical fiction authors - normally they portray Henry as a warmer person when they portray Richard as evil incarnate. I did find that Barnes captured the turmoil Elizabeth must have felt through the many events in her life, especially during the times of pretenders to the throne. It's worth reading. ( )

The book wasn't bad but it took some time to get into it. Even if it was nice for change to see Margaret Beaufort as nice and kind person, it took some time to accept this because I've always read that she and Elizabeth didn't get along that well. ( )

From her happy and carefree childhood to her loveless marriage, Elizabeth Plantagenet always did her duty. Born the oldest daughter of Edward IV and his hated Queen, Elizabeth Woodville, she grew up in a world of privilege. Except for the months spent in sanctuary while her father was fighting to keep his crown.

She was a loving daughter and sister, there to support her family through the dark times that were to come. After their father's sudden death, the entire family once again sought the protection of the church, but to no avail. Elizabeth's two brothers, both heirs to the throne, were taken away and never seen again. Like so many others in a turbulent world, they were sacrificed to a powerful man's ambition.

Through all of the twisting, swirling political currents, Elizabeth maintained her poise and grace, trying desperately to avoid the type of machinations that her mother excelled at. And for the most part, she succeeded.

Just once, though, she took a great chance to change her own future. When she was sure that her uncle, Richard III, had murdered her brothers, she conspired to support another claimant to the throne. She took steps to invite young Henry Tudor, who had royal blood, to both overthrow King Richard and marry her to cement his claim. As a beautiful young woman, she wove dreams of love around the handsome Henry and waited with longing to meet him after his victory.

Her dreams were destined to be smashed, though their enterprise was wholly successful. Elizabeth and Henry founded a dynasty, the Tudors ruled England for many peaceful years. But Henry turned out to be cold and unloving...she never found the companion she had hoped for, though she found joy in her children.

Margaret Campbell Barnes first published this fascinating look at Elizabeth Plantagenet in 1953, bringing to life the world of a woman who had been largely forgotten, or at least overshadowed completely by her wildly famous son, Henry VIII and granddaughter, Elizabeth I. She was far ahead of her time, considering how popular historical fiction in general, and Tudor historical fiction in particular, has become in the past few years.

Elizabeth's world is lovingly created by this author, so that it comes to life with all the color and vibrance that are the hallmarks of excellent historical fiction. The story is fast paced and interesting (which is quite a compliment, because I already knew the facts and was still intrigued). If you are looking for the next Philippa Gregory or Sharon Kay Penman, give Margaret Campbell Barnes a try...she was writing what we want to read today fifty years ago! ( )

As the eldest daughter of Edward IV and wife of Henry VII, Elizabeth of York presents a link of continuity between the extravagant Yorkist rule and the more conservative Tudor dynasty. At one time, two would-be kings competed for England’s crown, and with it Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. The Battle of Bosworth Field changed the course of history and Elizabeth’s role was in the very center of English politics. Margaret Campbell Barnes imagines how Elizabeth may have felt and reacted to her pivotal position, giving this occasionally neglected queen a voice of her own in one of the most recently popular periods in English history.

I’ve mentioned before that the Wars of the Roses are the latest popular trend in historical fiction. I’m fairly pleased with this as it’s my own area of special interest and I like to see how different fiction writers have portrayed all of these characters with whom I am so familiar. Sourcebooks’ release of The Tudor Rose comes at a perfect time and despite the fact that it was written years ago, it isn’t very dated. Interestingly, Barnes interprets history in ways that stray wildly from today’s popular positions. For example, Henry VII’s mother Margaret Beaufort, often portrayed as a tyrant who controlled her son and stifled his wife, is here a friend to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth happily allows Margaret to tend to those nasty administrative tasks that she would rather miss out on. Elizabeth herself is a charming character. She is fairly quiet and submissive but she loves deeply and she has a great deal of courage and strength. As readers, we want her to find love and happiness, because she is clearly so deserving of it.

In terms of plot, The Tudor Rose follows the life of Elizabeth of York from her childhood engagement to the French dauphin to a point within a year of her death. As such, there isn’t really any sort of tension; many readers will know how the story ends. It could feel slow, but it’s a very pleasant journey, and a lovely imagining of the late fifteenth century. The book feels rich with detail, fine gowns and palaces, and will surely appeal to those of us who love to read about royalty. And it’s always worth finding out what another author has done with the Princes in the Tower, particularly given that this book has a long enough timeline to include the revolt against Henry VII by Perkin Warbeck.

In short, The Tudor Rose is a wonderful historical read and well worth curling up with for immersion into another world, if not for those who crave excitement in their books. ( )

The Tudor Rose is based on the life of Elizabeth of York - who is the eldest daughter of Queen Elizabeth Woodville and King Edward IV. The story starts with Elizabeth, her mother and her two brothers being in sanctuary. Elizabeth's father has recently passed away and her brother Edward is in line for the throne. But due to her greedy uncle, Richard of Gloucester, who has usurped the throne and the disappearance of her brothers (who are believed to be dead) - Elizabeth has a legitimate claim to the crown.

Elizabeth or Bess as she is called throughout most of the story - realizes to what extent some people will go to in order to be king and therefore, makes it her duty to revenge her family's misfortune - even if it means giving herself in marraige to her uncle's enemy - Henry Tudor.

The book follows Elizabeth from her days as a young girl, through her marriage, her coronation, and her motherhood. Her life and the decisions she made throughout it mostly revolve around those two brothers that were lost to her.

The story was written in the third person which was a bit disconcerting. And although it lacked action and adventure - it was full of intrigue, lies and many a plot to take over the throne. It was a very interesting account of a woman who literally started a dynasty - the mother of King Henry VIII. ( )