by Alison Weir
‘I wish I could see them,’ she said.
‘I hope you will visit us soon,’ he smiled. ‘Alas, I am hardly ever there. I serve the King and am mostly at court.’
Katheryn’s eyes widened. The King had been a constant, dominating, unseen presence at Lambeth and Lady Hall, for Father had often spoken of him, wishing he could do something to earn his favour and, more often than not, complaining that he hadn’t. The King was powerful. He ruled everyone in the land. To Katheryn, he was a vague and distant figure, mighty and menacing.
‘What’s the King like?’ she asked.
‘He is very kind to me, sweeting, and treats me well.’
‘Are you scared of him?’
Tom chuckled. ‘No. He is a good fellow, and a considerate master.’
Katheryn frowned. This didn’t sound like the King of whom her father had sometimes spoken. That King was mean and nasty.
‘I know his Grace well,’ Tom told her. ‘I’ve been at court since I was a child. I was his page at first; now I am a groom of his Privy Chamber, and I hope to rise further in time.’
‘Can I come and see you at court?’ Katheryn asked.
‘Oh, no, sweeting. The Privy Chamber is no place for fair young maids like you,’ Tom said, giving her a hug. ‘When I am next home, I will ask Cousin Margaret to bring you to Bedgebury.’
Katheryn thrilled at the prospect. She did so like Tom. She felt very lucky to have all these kind Culpeper relations.
To read on, order your copy of Katheryn Howard here
A German Princess with a guilty secret
The King is in love with Anna’s portrait, but she has none of the accomplishments he seeks in a new bride.
She prays she will please Henry, for the balance of power in Europe rests on this marriage alliance.
But Anna’s past is never far from her thoughts, and the rumours rife at court could be her downfall. Everyone knows the King won’t stand for a problem queen.
Anna of Kleve. The fourth of Henry’s queens. Her story.
Available in paperback and ebook
The woman haunted by the fate of her predecessor.
Eleven days after the death of Anne Boleyn, Jane is dressing for her wedding to the King.
She has witnessed at first hand how courtly play can quicly turn to danger and knows she must bear a son . . . or face ruin.
This new Queen must therefore step out from the shadows cast by Katherine and Anne – in doing so, can she expose a gentler side to the brutal King?
Jane Seymour. The third of Henry’s queens. Her story.
Available in paperback and ebook
The young woman who changed the course of history.
Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne Boleyn draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love. But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.
But Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown – and the crown is what she seeks, at any price. And as she begins to follow the path laid out for her, a kingdom risks being torn apart.
Anne Boleyn. The second of Henry’s queens. Her story.
Available in paperback and ebook
A Spanish princess. Raised to be modest, obedient and devout. Destined to be an English Queen.
At sixteen years old, Catalina is alone among strangers.
Six weeks from home across treacherous seas, everything is different: the language, the food, the weather. And Catalina can find no comfort in any of it.
She misses her mother. She mourns her lost brother. She cannot trust even those assigned to protect her.
Katherine of Aragon. The first of Henry’s queens. Her story.
Available in paperback and ebook
