This relatively brief book covers the lives of Henry VIII's known children: Henry Fitzroy, Mary I, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I. Much has been written about these historical figures and this narrative primarily benefits from a succinct style that provides coverage without excessive detail. Sibling relationships are highlighted, especially as they changed with the political shifts in England at the time. A very interesting read that Tudor history fans would likely enjoy. ( )

Though ostensibly about Henry VIII’s offspring, John Guy’s book is really about the succession question facing the king and Tudor successor. As that question was inextricably tied to his progeny, Guy has looked at Henry’s marriages and the upbringing of his children – both legitimate and illegitimate – to understand their successive efforts to secure the throne and turn their very different visions of the kingdom they ruled into reality.

This Guy describes by the shifts in fortune that Henry’s children experienced over time. Upon her birth, his first child, Mary, was showered with gifts and given an entourage befitting her status. Yet even at an early age that status was in question, as her illegitimate half-brother, Henry Fitzroy (born three years after Mary) posed a threat simply by virtue of his sex. Catherine’s inability to father a son of her own (likely due, as Guy argues, to Henry’s probably Kell-positive status) made Fitzroy a potential successor; acknowledged by his father, the boy was given a royal education and paraded around as proof that the king could father a son. Anne Boleyn’s emergence and the divorce battle jeopardized both of their statuses, and the new queen exploited every possibility to diminish their status. Boleyn’s own failure to produce a son, however, contributed to her downfall, with her daughter Elizabeth soon on the same roller coaster of status. Edward’s birth finally gave Henry the son he wanted, yet his young age meant that Mary and Elizabeth remained possible successors. After succeeding Mary and Edward, Elizabeth passed on marriage, thus avoiding much of the family turmoil she experienced growing up, though at the ultimate cost of the demise of the Tudor line.

Guy recounts all of this in a book that is both perceptive and clearly written. Drawing upon both the contemporary documents (from which he makes some impressive observations not just in terms of their content but their form as well) and the rich historical literature of the Tudors, he provides a fluent and enjoyably readable account of what was perhaps the dominant political issue in sixteenth century politics. It demonstrates why John Guy stands as one of the leading Tudor historians working today, one whose books everyone with an interest in Tudor England should read for the insights they contain. ( )

This book had lots of interesting information about the life of Henry VIII and his kids. I do however believe some serious editing would benefit this book. Also the fact that I had an ARC download made it a not so nice reading experience. There were horrible layout and editing problems.
I hope this will not be the issue in the final product. ( )

Note: I received this as an ebook version of the LT ARC

First, major points off for no bibliography. None.

This is a good overview of the lives of Henry VIII's children, including the illegitimate Henry Fitzroy, and the way his political and religious views affected their lives and their time as rulers.

John Guy offers a well-written, easy to follow history of Henry VIII's ascension, his quest for a male heir and the historical (sexist) context for only male heirs, the six wives and the four children caught up in the intrigue.

The relationship and treatment of each sibling is discussed as are the ramifications of such treatment as they assumed the crown. Here is familial jealousy, court maneuverings, religious intrigue and, at the center of it all, an ego-maniacal man determined to make a lasting dynasty of the Tudor name.

When Henry's youngest heir, Elizabeth I, died unmarried, the crown went to the House of Stuart and James I, Elizabeth's cousin's (Mary Queen of Scots) son, thus ending the Tudor dynasty. ( )

I am quite sure if I had received this ebook I would have loved it!

I just want to note that I never received the ebook of this work. I received the information stating that I ha won the the book and then needed to download it from NetGalley. When I went to NetGalley the same day the work had already been shelved meaning it could no longer be downloaded. I sent an email to the publisher at the same address that had told me to go to NetGalley to get my review copy but have never received any further correspondence from them. I decided to finally write this review so that the fact that I had not written a review for this work could not be held against me.