I think I’ve mentioned that I’ve been on a bit of a historical kick lately right? I’ve been spending some time in the court of Henry VIII getting to know something about his wives thanks to the novels of Margaret Campbell Barnes.
“Anne’s gaudiest hours began in France. Louis’ Court was a dazzling parterre of pleasures for her delectation. Like the bright butterflies at Hever, she had emerged from her chrysalis of adolescence to sip heady essence from them all, and to flutter her wings awhile in the warm sunshine of success.”
In this novel of Anne Boleyn the reader gets to know the young woman who had her own dreams but was swept up into the world of court life and political intrigue. At the beginning of the novel Anne is shown to be a girl from the country who loves the quiet gardens of Hever but has to learn to adjust to court life in France. She is portrayed as a real woman who had her insecurities but as she learns more about court and sees how people, mainly men, are charmed by her she gains confidence and learns to wield her charms.
We follow Anne as she falls in love with Lord Harry Percy and suffers as she is forbidden to marry him. King Henry VIII has set his sights on her and is determined to have her but Anne vows that she will not be just another mistress like her sister, Mary who consorted with the King. No, Anne Boleyn will be wife and thus a chain of events which will have ramifications for the whole of England is set in motion. King Henry will divorce Katherine of Aragon and not just separate himself from his wife of 18 years but also separate England from the Catholic church.
What author Margaret Campbell Barnes does is create a sympathetic and complex character in Anne. The Queen who only ruled for three years wasn’t without faults by any means but she was also very much a pawn and paid for her actions dearly.
“It isn’t what I see. It’s what I find myself looking for,’ said Holbein. ‘That younger one is pretty enough – if you like all your goods in the shop window. But there’s something elusive about the Princess Anne, something to call a man back when he’s tired of the obvious in other women.”
At the start of My Lady of Cleves, King Henry VIII is being advised to take a fourth wife. He sends the painter Hans Holbein the Younger to the Cleves Court to paint portraits of the sisters and he would choose one. What Henry VIII didn’t know was that the painter had formed a friendship and admired Anne, the daughter everyone assumed would be the least likely pick for the monarch.
Henry chooses Anne but once he meets her he has serious misgivings and would have gone back on his word but it was already too late. Anne never wanted to go to England either but she was practical and vowed to do her duty. Her duty won’t last too long though because as soon as she’s in England, Anne realizes that Henry already has his head turned by the young Catherine Howard. Within months, Henry annuls his marriage to Anne and gives her the title of his sister. Anne will go on to forge good relationships with Henry’s children, eventually becoming friends with Henry as well and she’ll remain in England until her death.
It’s interesting that of all of Henry’s wife, I knew the least about Anne of Cleves. She seems to have been a woman who was intelligent and who really cared about the country. If only Henry had given her a chance what would things have been like?
Both of these novels were published in the 40s but have just been re-released by Sourcebooks. They are wonderful works of historical fiction and I recommend that you add them to your library. I only hope that the other novels Margaret Campbell Barnes wrote will also be re-released.
Now, the exciting part is that Sourcebooks has offered up a copy of Brief Gaudy Hour and My Lady of Cleves for a giveaway. So, I hope you like what you’ve heard about these books and will add them to your wish list. In the meantime, leave me a comment and I’ll pick two lucky winners to be announced next Tuesday. Good luck!
* Giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. Sorry to my international readers but I’ll make it up to you another time!
Oh man, these books are RIGHT up my alley, I would LOVE to read them!
I would love to have them. I am a huge fan of medieval and Renaissance British history and teach British literature at my school. I would love to have some more historical fiction options to share with students.
I’m definitely adding these to my wishlist! I finished The Other Boleyn Girl this week, and I’m very interested in reading about Anne Bolyen from different perspectives.
I would love to read these historical novels. I loved The Other Boleyn Girl and I love this genre.
Would love to receive a book!
Miriam
I love historical fiction but have only read a couple of books about the Tudors. Both of these sound great!
These sound like just the thing to pull me out of my bookless bog. I haven’t been able to get into anything lately, so maybe one of these books might help!
Cool! Sign me up — they both sound like good reads.
These both really sound good and I remember you talking about the second one recently. Count me in….. 😉
Sometimes I wish I was the girl in old stories such as these, and then I think about it further and and glad I’m not, and it’s just an enjoyable read.
I’m taking down the names – thanks you guys for entering the giveaway!
and, Dawn, yes when I read about all the grand dresses, jewels, and all it sounds incredible… then you think of the reality and well, thank goodness you can just visit these stories 🙂
Ooh, ooh! I’m all about historical fiction!
Ola Iliana!!
Ever since The Tudors, I’ve become interested in Henry and his wives. You’re right about Anne – she’s the not as well known as the other wives. Probably because she stayed out of court intrigue unlike some of this other wives at the expense of their heads. Thanks for the tip on these books – will add to my sigh! rapidly growing TBR pile.
My husband and I are both big Henry VIII fans and would enjoy either of these books. Thanks for the generous offer!
We’ve read these, Tibby is a granddaughter of the author.
Thanks for your kind comments. We are pleased that the publisher Sourcebooks has seen fit to re-publish them.
If you are interested in accurate historical portrayals based on meticulous research, Margaret Campbell Barnes’ historical fiction, including My Lady of Cleves and Brief Gaudy Hour, are for you. These are NOT bodice rippers like much of what is out there now.
I go through phases where all I read is Historical fiction!! I guess it’s about time to read some more! These sound awesome!
I’m so glad Sourcebooks is publishing some of these older out of print authors (like Goergette Heyer). I’d love to read either. Can you drop my name in the hat? Thanks to you and Sourcebooks.
I would love to be entered! And I added your site to my blogroll as well!
Please enter me! I’ve read several books about Henry VIII’s wives, and I find the subject fascinating! Thank you 🙂
Brief Gaudy Hour is the book that instigated a life-long interest in the Tudors. It belonged to my mother, and I wish I knew what happened to that copy. Ann of Cleves is an interesting character, but I believe this is the first novel I’ve ever seen about her.
I would love to be entered. My favorite genre is historical fiction. Your reviews are enticing. Check out my raffle too!
http://bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com
these sound good, I love historical fiction 🙂
“was swept up into the world of court life and political intrigue”
This reminds me of Princess Diana, quintessential example of a woman whose life is fettered by monarchy. In a similar way the girl in Find Nouf, which I just finished, is repressed by traditional values and expectations.
Ohhh, cool! Add me, please! I love historical fiction!
I love books about this time period. Please enter me!!
I’ll add them to my wishlist and hopefully my bookshelf when you send me one. *wink*
I’m adding more names to the raffle! I wish I had a copy for everyone 🙂
Wisteria – thanks for the mention of your giveaway. I need to catch up on my blog hopping so I’ll be over soon to check it out 🙂