Lady Mary

Lady Mary

  • Downloads:9355
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-10-07 07:52:13
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Lucy Worsley
  • ISBN:1408869446
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

By turns thrilling, dramatic and touching, this is the story of Henry the Eighth and Catherine of Aragon's divorce as you've never heard it before - from the eyes of their daughter, Princess Mary。

More than anything Mary just wants her family to stay together; for her mother and her father - and for her - to all be in the same place at once。 But when her father announces that his marriage to her mother was void and by turns that Mary doesn't really count as his child, she realises things will never be as she hoped。

Things only get worse when her father marries again。 Separated from her mother and forced to work as a servant for her new sister, Mary must dig deep to find the strength to stand up against those who wish to bring her down。 Despite what anyone says, she will always be a princess。 She has the blood of a princess and she is ready to fight for what is rightfully hers。

Download

Reviews

Adriana

i loved this book! of course, it's a historical fiction book but it's told in such a way that it just makes it so interesting and you just can't stop reading i loved this book! of course, it's a historical fiction book but it's told in such a way that it just makes it so interesting and you just can't stop reading 。。。more

Sue

Love how this series of novels put a twist on how you look at historical events

Destiny

Just read it for the sake of finishing it。 In other words I found it boring

Remy

Mary knew she had just endured another round in the fight to the death。 But although she had scored a few points, it hadn't been much of a victory。I never thought I'd say this, but Lucy Worsley。。。 please just stick to your day job。 And non-fiction。 Only marginally better than the snoozefest that is Eliza Rose purely because we follow the actual historical figure of Mary I, Worsley promises with this one to tell the "dramatic and touching story of Henry the Eighth and Catherine of Aragon's divorc Mary knew she had just endured another round in the fight to the death。 But although she had scored a few points, it hadn't been much of a victory。I never thought I'd say this, but Lucy Worsley。。。 please just stick to your day job。 And non-fiction。 Only marginally better than the snoozefest that is Eliza Rose purely because we follow the actual historical figure of Mary I, Worsley promises with this one to tell the "dramatic and touching story of Henry the Eighth and Catherine of Aragon's divorce as you've never heard before。" But this was just overly dramatic, and even then most of it was just so, so dull。The deal is: Henry VIII has been married to Catherine of Aragon for close to two decades, but Catherine has only produced their daughter Mary and no sons。 Because of Catherine entering menopause, Henry attempts to obtain an annulment from their marriage based on the fact that she was previously his brother's widow。。。。 and so he can shag Anne Boleyn and have a son with her。 Mary, a teenager at this point, hates all of this very much, and refuses to bend to Anne's will。 She is stripped of her title as Princess after her father marries Anne to become the "Lady Mary", and is subjected to become a serving woman to her newborn half-sister, Elizabeth。 Mary both feigns and suffers illness while locked in Elizabeth's household at Hatfield, forbidden to talk to her dear mother, and is starved to the point where Catherine's spies have to sneak her food and shoot arrows of bacon at her。 The turning point of the story comes when Thomas Cromwell comes to see Mary with the Act of Succession, that will welcome her back to court and her mother to better living conditions when she signs it, but also means that she acknowledges that her parents' marriage was never valid。 Mary refuses。 Catherine dies in January 1536, Anne Boleyn is beheaded in May 1536, and Elizabeth is also bastardised。 Mary finally gives in, signs the Act, and is finally welcomed back to court-- and introduced to her next stepmother Jane Seymour。 And yknow how the rest goes。 Of course Mary's teen life was anything but idyllic, in which she was constantly abused, depressed, and often deathly ill。 But Worsley somehow manages to suck any and all feeling from this bulk of Mary's life, seeing her go day to day simply hating Anne Boleyn and how everyone was not referring to her as the Princess。 There was some excitement when Mary discovers that she's not the only Catholic around in Elizabeth's "New Religion" household, but that ultimately didn't turn into anything that important。 And for my one (1) defence: regarding some reviews saying how they despised this book for the smack it talks about Anne, what do you expect from a story that's literally told from the POV of a child whose mother Anne replaced? I love Anne a great deal too, but it *is* canon that she treated Mary terribly。 Next up: if the seemingly random name changes in Eliza Rose weren't enough, THEN THANK GOD WORSLEY REALISED IT WAS A BAD IDEA。 All names and locations here as far as I know are correct。 But that's not part of why this rating is what it is。First of all, when Mary is recognised as royalty but still-stuck-in-Hatfield, (view spoiler)[she starts a friendship with a courtier by the name of Reginald, supposedly the nephew of her gaoler Lady Shelton。 They ride together and spend time together, and Mary realises soon enough that Reginald is flirting with her。 But soon after that it is abruptly revealed that Reginald was in fact an actor sent to "lead [Mary] astray", and he is just poof! Gone! (hide spoiler)] And even worse-- of all people, it's Lady Shelton who reveals this to Mary。 Then THEY become friends。 Yes I realise this is fiction, because in real life Lady Shelton bullied Mary to the extent of practically spitting out to her that Mary's own mother had died, so I don't get The Point。 Finally, back at it again with Worsley behind the scenes- this time in the Acknowledgements。 Apparently, Mary's entire story was written here solely so that Worlsey could add Henry VIII's famous comment to Jane Seymour about remembering what happened to his last wife。 Uh。 Okay。 I think here it actually makes much more sense compared to how Worsley previously handled it in Eliza, (view spoiler)[(written for the sole purpose of including that scene of Katherine Howard running away screaming) (hide spoiler)] but oh bOY was this another letdown。 I feel that Worsley really does have presence and amazing charm when she presents history on TV, but so far my experience reading her fiction has been a drag。 How does one person ace at both bringing the Tudors to life but also manages kills them all entirely in her writing? ANYWAY。 If by any chance she is somehow seeing this: I adore you, Miss Worsley! Nothing bad on your character at all; but I'm glad I finished this。 Because now the only other things I shall be finishing from you are your documentaries。 Loved Secrets of the Six Wives, btw。 。。。more

Raven

I was really intrigued to read a book set around the life of Mary the eldest of Henry VIII’s children as her life is glazed over more in comparison to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I。 Just be aware that this book is quite slow。 I didn’t expect this to be fast paced by any means but nothing seemed to happen and it seemed to spend a lot of time with Mary wishing for things to change and go back to how they were and not appreciating the ones around her who cared about her。 I really loved that this was b I was really intrigued to read a book set around the life of Mary the eldest of Henry VIII’s children as her life is glazed over more in comparison to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I。 Just be aware that this book is quite slow。 I didn’t expect this to be fast paced by any means but nothing seemed to happen and it seemed to spend a lot of time with Mary wishing for things to change and go back to how they were and not appreciating the ones around her who cared about her。 I really loved that this was based on Mary I’s teenage and early adult years as this isn’t a period often discussed with any monarch and the fact that this is based completely on real events (bar a few additional characters developed to give the story more depth) made it all the more enjoyable。 。。。more

Myra Hill

I've always been fascinated with Queen Mary and her family, so this book seemed perfect for me (and its written by Lucy Worsley! Bonus!) This book taught me a lot of things I didn't actually know about Mary in a way that made me sympathize with her for once。 This book was interesting without seeming like a textbook。 Highly recommended! I've always been fascinated with Queen Mary and her family, so this book seemed perfect for me (and its written by Lucy Worsley! Bonus!) This book taught me a lot of things I didn't actually know about Mary in a way that made me sympathize with her for once。 This book was interesting without seeming like a textbook。 Highly recommended! 。。。more

Nahid

Lady Mary focuses on the adolescence of Mary I aka Bloody Mary, the first crowned queen of England。 Mary is often overtly accused of being brutal with her religious policies。 But considering the time period she lived in her actions weren’t particularly ruthless or bad at all。 She’s basically a victim of propaganda and bad PR。The books tells the story of the breakdown of the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary’s parents, from her own point of view。 This divorce was an import Lady Mary focuses on the adolescence of Mary I aka Bloody Mary, the first crowned queen of England。 Mary is often overtly accused of being brutal with her religious policies。 But considering the time period she lived in her actions weren’t particularly ruthless or bad at all。 She’s basically a victim of propaganda and bad PR。The books tells the story of the breakdown of the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary’s parents, from her own point of view。 This divorce was an important point in English history and marked the start of the Reformation in England and the rise of Protestantism。 The book starts in 1515 when Mary is nine years old, and continues in snippets to the point when she is twenty-one years old in 1537。 It’s mostly real events other a small subplot or two and bits of imaginative speech。 The book says very little about political and historical developments in this period, as it solely focuses on Mary’s exile and her hardships after her father declares that she is an illegitimate child。 But that’s part of the point because Mary wasn’t told much during her years away from court, and had to rely on bit and scraps of information for the latest news。 I’d recommend they read about this period in history before picking up this book, as it’d be very disappointing to read if you aren’t familiar with Tudor history。 It’d be the perfect read for children and young people (or anyone who’s interested) with an interest in a queen over-blamed, and overshadowed by her father and sister。 。。。more

Jessica

I didn’t enjoy this as much as Eliza。 Still an interesting take on history and Mary’s side of the story。

Kimberley

Something to note before I start this review is that I don't like historical fiction, for some reason I  just don't connect to the characters and find that the story really drags for me。 However with Eliza Rose (the first book I read by this author) I didn't feel like that at all so I was really looking forward to this storySo as expected, I loved this book。 I loved the POV as Henry VIII's first child (the forgotten daughter) also I had no idea that Mary was actually Bloody Mary?! She was a viol Something to note before I start this review is that I don't like historical fiction, for some reason I  just don't connect to the characters and find that the story really drags for me。 However with Eliza Rose (the first book I read by this author) I didn't feel like that at all so I was really looking forward to this storySo as expected, I loved this book。 I loved the POV as Henry VIII's first child (the forgotten daughter) also I had no idea that Mary was actually Bloody Mary?! She was a violent ruler who murdered hundreds of people, here though we have the girl before she became a ruler, back when she was just a young girl。 I had no idea about the hardships that Mary had to face, I knew that Edward was the favourite child but I just assumed that Mary lived in the castle somewhere, free to live her life。 What I wasn't expecting was how she was shipped off and left to basically die after refusing to sign away her rights to the throne。 The book follows her life from when she was young up to her early adulthood。 We see how she remains absolute with her beliefs and how she was strong and caring。 I really enjoyed seeing her grow into a young woman and how the stood for what she believed in and became strongI think the book is really well written, it is mainly aimed at younger readers but I definitely did not have a problem with it as an adult (nobody say anything), I found it fun but still informative。 My only issue with the book is that it stops too soon, I'd have liked a cut forward to when Mary was in power and her decisions she makes。 We do get a brief insight at the end but that's just an afterword by the author, it's not actually a part of the story which is a shameI would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in the Tudor era。 As I said at the start I don't love historical books but I would say this reads a lot more like a fiction story (I mean it is but you know what I mean) than a historical book but the story is still laced with facts。 It is really well written and engaging, pick it up if you like history books or if you're looking for a history book without the feeling of having a history lesson 。。。more

Charlee-Ann Ellis

I mainly picked this book up because I know nothing about the tudors apart from lyrics to Six: The Musical, and I knew that Lucy Worsley was a historian in that period so I really trusted her to have her facts straight。 I didnt even know Mary existed before reading this, and I'm glad that I did。 I'm also glad that there are historical fiction books out there tailored more towards a teenage audience。 In fact, the only thing I didnt like about this book was that it sympathetised with Henry VIII, a I mainly picked this book up because I know nothing about the tudors apart from lyrics to Six: The Musical, and I knew that Lucy Worsley was a historian in that period so I really trusted her to have her facts straight。 I didnt even know Mary existed before reading this, and I'm glad that I did。 I'm also glad that there are historical fiction books out there tailored more towards a teenage audience。 In fact, the only thing I didnt like about this book was that it sympathetised with Henry VIII, and villianised Anne Boleyn (which I know makes sense for Mary's character but it still annoyed me to be so definite that Anne was evil)。 Overall, a decent book :) 。。。more

Julie

I really enjoyed this book。 I felt like I got to know the real Mary。 I read it along side a Queen Mary biography which was useful。 Loved the way the fictional prose interlinked with fact。 I felt I got to know Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII just a little better。 Would love a similar book about Anne。

Anna Saunderson

This book is based in Henry the Eighth’s reign and describes how Mary as a person felt。 The author made Henry the eighth quite nice but pinned all of the bad stuff on Cromwell and Anne Boleyn This book put a new perspective on Anne Boleyn。 I thought she would have been a kind-hearted soul and was wrongly accused of having an affair。 But in this book Anne nearly starved Mary, drugged her and made her become a servent to her half sister。 Although in history Mary grows up to be ‘Bloody Mary’ in thi This book is based in Henry the Eighth’s reign and describes how Mary as a person felt。 The author made Henry the eighth quite nice but pinned all of the bad stuff on Cromwell and Anne Boleyn This book put a new perspective on Anne Boleyn。 I thought she would have been a kind-hearted soul and was wrongly accused of having an affair。 But in this book Anne nearly starved Mary, drugged her and made her become a servent to her half sister。 Although in history Mary grows up to be ‘Bloody Mary’ in this book she is quite a stubborn person and likes to carry on the legacy of her mother。 I recommend this book to all the people who like learning about Henry the Eighth and the Tudors。 。。。more

Mar

I love the Tudor dynasty and it was definitely interesting to read from Mary's point of view, especially how she might have looked at Anne Boleyn。 That being said, I didn't find this to be most engaging read。 It does excite me to read more of all the historical fiction I have on my shelves。 I love the Tudor dynasty and it was definitely interesting to read from Mary's point of view, especially how she might have looked at Anne Boleyn。 That being said, I didn't find this to be most engaging read。 It does excite me to read more of all the historical fiction I have on my shelves。 。。。more

AllTimeReading

Ce roman historique débute lorsque Mary a neuf ans。 Elle est la fille d’Henry VIII et de Catherine d’Aragon, elle est aimée de ses deux parents et tente de s’habituer aux rites de la cour。 Elle a un peu de mal avec toutes l’étiquette de la vie de château, puisqu’elle est plutôt intrépide ! C’est amusant de la découvrir à cet âge, de voir un autre aspect de cette femme que l’on nomme Mary la Sanglante et dont l’histoire est, encore aujourd’hui, teintée d’une légende noire。 En réalité, une grande Ce roman historique débute lorsque Mary a neuf ans。 Elle est la fille d’Henry VIII et de Catherine d’Aragon, elle est aimée de ses deux parents et tente de s’habituer aux rites de la cour。 Elle a un peu de mal avec toutes l’étiquette de la vie de château, puisqu’elle est plutôt intrépide ! C’est amusant de la découvrir à cet âge, de voir un autre aspect de cette femme que l’on nomme Mary la Sanglante et dont l’histoire est, encore aujourd’hui, teintée d’une légende noire。 En réalité, une grande partie de ce livre se déroule avant les dix-huit ans de Mary。 Si au début, tout va bien pour elle, sa situation se dégrade rapidement lorsque son père s’entiche d’Anne Boleyn et relègue sa femme et sa fille au second plan, voire même pire。 C’est cet aspect de la vie de la princesse que j’ai principalement aimé découvrir。 J’avoue que pour moi, Bloody Mary est une « méchante Tudor » parmi d’autres (oui, autant j’aime l’histoire et en apprendre plus sur les dynasties anglaises, autant j’ai dû mal à apprécier les Tudor !)。 Cependant, je ne savais pas grand-chose sur son enfance et j’ai vraiment été stupéfaite par ce que j’ai appris。[。。。]https://alltimereading。wordpress。com/。。。 。。。more

Lucy Jane

In writing a book about Mary Tudor’s early life Lucy Worsley has made me think about her in a different way than I have previously。 While I knew of her demotion from princess to lady I did not know the extent of suffering that was brought on her by Anne Boleyn’s rise to power。 Whilst this book is written for a younger audience I still enjoyed it。 As one would expect from Worsley the historical detail is impressive, nothing seems out of place as things often do in historical ‘fiction’。 Perhaps th In writing a book about Mary Tudor’s early life Lucy Worsley has made me think about her in a different way than I have previously。 While I knew of her demotion from princess to lady I did not know the extent of suffering that was brought on her by Anne Boleyn’s rise to power。 Whilst this book is written for a younger audience I still enjoyed it。 As one would expect from Worsley the historical detail is impressive, nothing seems out of place as things often do in historical ‘fiction’。 Perhaps this is also because this book is rooted in fact, with the event recorded having occurred。 Either way it is a good read and I found the epilogue particularly moving, where Worsley gives her reasons for writing the book。 She is right, Queen Mary deserves recognition for the good as well as the bad and hopefully this book helps challenge the black and white perception people have of her。 。。。more

Anita אורית Barrera

Brilliant !!Is a story that truly gives you the strong will of Mary the First, and her struggles with her moral and dignity。

Mo F

A pretty interesting account of what Mary's childhood might have been like, once Anne Boleyn showed up。 A pretty interesting account of what Mary's childhood might have been like, once Anne Boleyn showed up。 。。。more

Yusra (aka liz)

Very enjoyable and easy to get through -read in two sittings - however I thought it was too young and since I know about the Tudor period like a lot I felt like I was spoiled。。。 lol still love it and would recommend

Morgan

I think this book is a good start for newbies into the Tudor field, and for young people as well。 Mary in this book comes across as a young lady who just wants happiness but instead finds sorrows。 The way she is treated by her father, the Shelton family, and Cromwell just shows that the Tudor world was a dog eat dog world, and if you were not on the top you meant nothing。 I was rooting for Mary the whole time, hoping she could escape the pain and have some happiness in her world like she did as I think this book is a good start for newbies into the Tudor field, and for young people as well。 Mary in this book comes across as a young lady who just wants happiness but instead finds sorrows。 The way she is treated by her father, the Shelton family, and Cromwell just shows that the Tudor world was a dog eat dog world, and if you were not on the top you meant nothing。 I was rooting for Mary the whole time, hoping she could escape the pain and have some happiness in her world like she did as a young child。I did not appreciate the villain Anne Boleyn was made out to be。 Lucy Worsley is one of my favorite historians so it was a shame to see this disregard。 Anne was not friendly towards Mary do not get me wrong, however her treatment of Mary in this book is downright nasty。 。。。more

Febea

4,5

hattie

This book was just a bit boring。 It's not a bad book I was just so bored for most of this that I really wanted to give up on it。 Maybe if you're really into the Tudor period then give it a shot but idk, it just wasn't my cup of tea。Also Mary had no personality, everything she did was based off her mother。Jane Seymour was a bad ass though, like you go girl, talk to Mary about those Catholic rebels。 This book was just a bit boring。 It's not a bad book I was just so bored for most of this that I really wanted to give up on it。 Maybe if you're really into the Tudor period then give it a shot but idk, it just wasn't my cup of tea。Also Mary had no personality, everything she did was based off her mother。Jane Seymour was a bad ass though, like you go girl, talk to Mary about those Catholic rebels。 。。。more

Salome Vonk

It was a book which showed how Lady Mary's life would've looked like when she was a child which was interesting to see。 this book also helped me learn about the lives of the first two lives of Henry the IIV's wives which i hadn't known before。 It was a book which showed how Lady Mary's life would've looked like when she was a child which was interesting to see。 this book also helped me learn about the lives of the first two lives of Henry the IIV's wives which i hadn't known before。 。。。more

Abigail

It took me a while to get into this book but when I did it was amazing hearing about how tough life was in the past even for royalty。

beverley ♡

yeah I don’t have any major feelings about this book, I guess I enjoyed it。 Writing was simple because it’s a children’s book and there were a lot of time jumps but it’s understandable since this event takes place over a number of years。 Tudor history is not my favourite but I will read anything written by Lucy Worsley tbh。

Andrea

*3。5/5*

Rachel

I love Lucy Worsley as a TV presenter and was thrilled to discover she was a writer。 So this is actually the first book I've read by her and there were a few things that I discovered didn't match up totally with other accounts I'd read about the "Lady Mary" like the whole situation of Reginald Pole and her getting starved by her hosts。I'd definitely say that it's an easy book to read, and I did really enjoy it。 I love Lucy Worsley as a TV presenter and was thrilled to discover she was a writer。 So this is actually the first book I've read by her and there were a few things that I discovered didn't match up totally with other accounts I'd read about the "Lady Mary" like the whole situation of Reginald Pole and her getting starved by her hosts。I'd definitely say that it's an easy book to read, and I did really enjoy it。 。。。more

Heather A

I received a copy from Netgalley。I did wind up buying a finished copy for this one。 I saw it whilst browsing in the bookstore。 And the cover was just lovely。 A green cover with gold accents and a princess silhouette。 Caught my eye right away and I just had to have it。 I have a weakness for anything Tudor related, I’m completely fascinated by anything related to Henry the 8th and his six wives。 This one looked interesting as it was charting the history of Catherine of Aragon’s daughter Mary。 Migh I received a copy from Netgalley。I did wind up buying a finished copy for this one。 I saw it whilst browsing in the bookstore。 And the cover was just lovely。 A green cover with gold accents and a princess silhouette。 Caught my eye right away and I just had to have it。 I have a weakness for anything Tudor related, I’m completely fascinated by anything related to Henry the 8th and his six wives。 This one looked interesting as it was charting the history of Catherine of Aragon’s daughter Mary。 Might be interesting to see things from Mary’s point of view, starting from when she was a young child to her early twenties。 Unfortunately, I just didn’t like this novel much at all。 It felt like a history lesson, and a boring one at that。 It was very much tell and not show。 And I may be a bit biased as Anne Boleyn is my favourite Tudor wife and she is portrayed as very much a villain and a vile woman with little more grace than an ambitious whore in this one。 Which I really did not like。But then again, I can understand, Catherine was the first wife and Mary is her daughter and while Mary finds herself reluctantly understanding that kings, like her father have mistresses, this one is becoming very prominent in his life and it will be impossible to like her from Mary’s point of view。 Mary has always idolized her father, and when he starts changing and pushing Mary and her mother aside for this new woman, things change。Mary does go through some horrible things as she gets older and has to deal with the loss of her princess title, being manipulated and shut out, separated from her mother and everything comfortable and familiar, to dealing with new people she doesn’t know who don’t respect her…it’s pretty awful。Though again, as this was being told it felt like it was all tell and not show。 I can certainly empathise with Mary but I didn’t feel an emotional connection to her character at all。 The whole thing felt very boring and long winded。 Not for me at all in the end。 Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for approving my request to view the title。 。。。more

Bigbritishbooks

I am a big fan of Lucy Worsley, so naturally I was inclined to pick up this book; what I thoroughly enjoyed, however, was the immersion which resulted in me finishing the novel within a few commutes。 Worsley really does put a spell on me sometimes -- I think she has a gift of making large, complex material immensely interesting whilst calming me down to the point of relaxation (although this thought is geared more toward her documentaries and television series, I suppose!)。 I would recommend thi I am a big fan of Lucy Worsley, so naturally I was inclined to pick up this book; what I thoroughly enjoyed, however, was the immersion which resulted in me finishing the novel within a few commutes。 Worsley really does put a spell on me sometimes -- I think she has a gift of making large, complex material immensely interesting whilst calming me down to the point of relaxation (although this thought is geared more toward her documentaries and television series, I suppose!)。 I would recommend this book and author to those who are interested in historical fiction, but may also be a bit wary; at the same time, I would recommend to those who are fans of historical fiction。 In my opinion, it might be geared more toward pre-teen / young adult reading level, but it is enjoyable regardless and as stated, I finished quickly but wasn't left listless or bored。4 / 5 Stars。 。。。more

Piper Winchester

Enjoyed it but not as much as My Name is Victoria。Maybe because I don't know much about the era Enjoyed it but not as much as My Name is Victoria。Maybe because I don't know much about the era 。。。more

Ladybooksalott

I really did quite like this book! Sure it’s a little simple, but for a children’s / YA novel about Queen Mary the First it was very interesting and fast paced。 It was full of intrigue and at its core was a struggling but headstrong girl who just wanted to be loved and respected。