Henry VIII left a long shadow, especially for his children. Caroline Angus looks into the lives and experiences of Henry's 3 legitimate children, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, alongside his only recognised illegitimate child, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond. And the other possible candidates to be Henry's offspring, including Catherine Carey.

Henry VIII's Children is a very easy and enjoyable read. You get absorbed into Caroline Angus's love of her subject. Her research is thorough and all her arguments are supported by evidence. Where there is conjecture, the author presents both sides and lets the reader find their own conclusion, while presenting what she thinks most likely. I did not agree with all her conclusions, particularly when it comes to Catherine Carey - I am not convinced she was Henry VIII's daughter, not that Henry's relationship with Mary Boleyn lasted as long as some historians suggest. I just don't think we have enough information. But it was interesting to read Caroline's thoughts on the subject and see how she came to her conclusions.
It certainly gave me food for thought!

The Tudors are always a fascinating subject and Caroline Angus does a wonderful job of igniting the reader's passion in her subject.

The strength of Henry VIII's Children lies in its fascinating investigation into the lives of Henry's 3 'legitimate' children and how their fates were manipulated and directed by Henry's obsession for a male heir, and his multiple marriages. Poor Mary I had 5 stepmothers! just imagine how she must have felt, watching her mother shunned and sidelined by the father she adored, not being allowed to visit her on her deathbed, nor being allowed to receive her mother's comfort when she was ill and scared. The mind games Henry VIII played with his eldest child, in order to get her acquiescence, are something to behold.

And then there's poor Elizabeth, her mother executed before her 3rd birthday, and yet she is the one who surpassed all Henry's dreams for his children. Elizabeth is the one who had a golden age named after her. She is also the one who always lived in the shadow of her mother's fate. Caroline Angus looks into all aspects of Elizabeth's life, especially the childhood and adolescence that shaped her future.

And Edward! the golden boy. The heir who was so desired that his father broke with Rome to get. A boy who was the hope of a nation but died so tragically young.

Caroline Angus looks at them all with such enthusiasm and animation that they jump off the page.

An eminently readable nook that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I struggled a bit figuring out to even rate this one. There was definitely some author-bias and she was very pro-Cromwell and all of that came through clearly. Even so, this was a good read.

I think the children of Henry and his many wives are often overlooked, so I always appreciate books that focus on them specifically. Of all, Mary's childhood and teenage years show the most tumult. In the prime of their marriage, Henry was fully committed to the future Mary could have. He worked out deals regarding potential marriages, and the pageantry surrounding her birth indicated that all would be well and more children would come.

They would, of course, but no others would survive born of Catherine and Henry. Others too, with mistresses or wives, but the celebrations since Mary would not be duplicated until Edward came along and Jane had the good fortune to pass before Henry grew tired of her.

The main focus here are the four children officially recognized as Henry's heirs - Mary I, Henry Fitzroy, Elizabeth I and Edward VI. I appreciated Fitzroy's inclusion, and the depth with which the author discussed his life, as she did the lives of his siblings. I feel like so often, Fitzroy is kind of shuffled aside because he was not legitimate, and sometimes people do not realize how close he came to the throne. It's likely that Henry would have changed the rules of succession to see Fitzroy succeed him. But he died young at 17, though older than the others who died young as well - even Edward VI, who only made it to 15. Imagine a whole different Tudor world, potentially without ever seeing the other three take the throne.

I honestly can not imagine growing up with the constant threat that your life could change on a whim, given Henry's paranoia and cruelty. Mary experienced the trauma most accutely, having been ripped from her mother's arms and never allowed to see each other again, even as Catherine was dying. It does not excuse the executions that took place under Mary's reign, but it certainly explains why she turned out the way she did, trying so hard to grasp onto a world that no longer existed.

The author discusses at length the childhoods of Henry's children. She details the make-up of their households, their teachers and nurses, the locations they lived or traveled to, and amounts of money spent for upkeep. These amounts are especially staggering in some cases when looked at in today's numbers.

Henry knew firsthand the dangers of not having enough sons. He was the spare, not considered for kingship, yet upon Arthur's death Henry's life changed immediately and drastically. Given how much time he suddenly spent with his own father, it is easy to see how he became paranoid over the succession. Henry would have also known of the Pretenders and others' claims to the crown of England. He knew he must have sons to continue the family line, yet over and over stillbirths and miscarriages stole heir after heir.

Despite the main focus being on the four acknowledged children, the author also explores the possible children that Henry never claimed. I have read many books about the Tudors over the years and there are so many varying opinions, yet just enough evidence to tell us exactly...nothing concrete.

It's likely that at least one of Mary Boleyn's children was fathered by Henry, but no record exists to tell us for sure. As for many of the others, I have a hard time believing that Henry really had that many illigitimate children. During the course of his marriage to Catherine, he had an affair with Bessie Blount, Fitzroy's mother. Then likely Mary, and the last few years of his first marriage were spent obsessed with Mary's sister Anne.

Henry was so obsessed, in fact, it is quite possible he would do nothing to risk finally being able to marry her and had no other affairs in that time. That is a rather large chunk of time, but Henry was always childlike in pursuit of something he really wanted when told he could not have it.

It is also curious that, if Henry did have other children with women who were unmarried at the time, why he did not acknowledge and raise them as he did Fitzroy. It's understandable why he did not do this with Mary's second child (if the boy was actually his), because Mary was married at the time and the children, Catherine and Henry, were raised belonging to her husband William. But Fitzroy's mother gave birth to their son, and a few years later was married off. This is also the affair that lasted the longest, something like seven or eight years.

Considering all of this, it is hard to see when Henry would have had time for numerous other affairs and children. I'm not saying there could not be others, I just think the varying claims by different authors make it all seem unlikely because no one can even agree on a number or what constitutes actual evidence. I've seen some authors suggest Henry fathered as many children as four or five others besides those most likely to be his (again, Mary's children). There's simply not enough evidence for this.

All things considered, I still found this a worthwhile read. The attention to detail of their childhoods was fantastic. I also appreciated seeing their stories overlap and how the siblings might have bonded, or not, as they grew under the watchful eye of their larger-than-life father. Mary knew him best, and suffered the most for it. Elizabeth and Edward were close as could be, given living arrangements. I wonder what they all thought of Fitzroy - Mary as having known of him, and the younger two being told of him later, perhaps? Elizabeth was only three when Fitzroy died, and Edward was born after.

Recommended.

Great book of Henry the eighths children. It talks of his legitimate and illegitimate children. Filled with lots interesting facts. Found out information I didn’t know.

This biography is incredible! Every time I picked up "Henry VIII'S Children", I was whisked back in time to the Tudor Era, and learned something new about the children of Henry VIII, and the times in which they lived.

This non-fiction book is incredibly thorough, detailed, visceral, and well-researched, and I can only imagine the amount of research Caroline Angus must have done. I felt truly immersed in the history and stories being told throughout, and could envision everything.

This biography focuses on and tells the stories of Henry VIII's children: Mary I (whose mother was Katherine of Aragon), Elizabeth I (whose mother was Anne Boleyn), Edward VI (whose mother was Jane Seymour), and Henry Fitzroy (whose mother was Bessie Blount, and whom Henry VIII acknowledged as his son). Their lives were filled with so much, ranging from true happiness to deep tragedy, and I truly feel like I came to understand them all on a deeper level; many moments in their lives are so clear throughout. Each child is focused on, showing their similarities and differences, and how their lives both diverged and intertwined in some fashion in many ways as well.

If you enjoy anything related to The Tudors, I HIGHLY recommend this non-fiction read! I look forward to reading what the author writes next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for the e-ARC of this book, and to Casemate Publishers for the finished copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

'Henry VIII's Children' offers an illuminating and comprehensive exploration of a lesser-known aspect of Tudor history - the lives and struggles of King Henry VIII's heirs. In a narrative brimming with intrigue, ambition, and the ever-changing dynamics of the Tudor court, Angus provides a fresh perspective on a period often overshadowed by Henry's tumultuous marriages and political manoeuvrings.

Angus delves into the complexities of Henry's reign, showcasing his cruelty and the pivotal role it played in shaping the fates of his heirs. The arrival of Henry Fitzroy, an unlikely and illegitimate heir, adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative. Angus expertly draws parallels between the contrasting childhoods of Mary and Fitzroy, revealing a race to the throne that is both compelling and poignant.

While much is known about Henry VIII's marriages, his wives, and the political and religious changes of the time, Angus shines a spotlight on the lives of the royal children who lived in the shadow of their larger-than-life father. She unravels their stories, highlighting their education, the people who cared for them, and the symbolic items and generous locations that marked their place in Henry's heart.

'Henry VIII's Children' presents a captivating and insightful narrative that offers readers a deeper understanding of the ambitions, destinies, heartaches, and triumphs that shaped the childhoods of these royal offspring. It is a story of ambition, destiny, and the enduring legacy of the Tudor dynasty.

Caroline Angus's meticulous research, engaging prose, and her ability to breathe life into historical figures make this book an absolute must-read for anyone with an interest in Tudor history. 'Henry VIII's Children' is a compelling addition to the canon of Tudor literature, shedding new light on a captivating period in England's past.

This was an interesting look at the lives of Henry VIII's children and I really enjoyed it. It explored and explained the history of Mary, Elizabeth, Edward and Fitzhenry (his bastard son) in a way that hasn't really been done before in my experience. A great book for people who love English history and especially Henrician and Elizabethan history.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. This was written very well and I loved reading about all of his children. This is a great book for all Tudor fans out there. There was something that I never heard and so I loved finding a new book about this subject (due to most other biographies tend to tell the same stories).

This was an interesting, easily readable book about the legitimate and illegitimate children of the infamous Tudor king.

I am obsessed with all things Henry! What a man he was.
A great book which tells the stories of his children’s lives. We all know about all three of them as monarchs in there own rights but wow this went deeper into the personal relationships of the children and Henry

Henry VIII's Children: Legitimate and Illegitimate Sons and Daughters of the Tudor King by Caroline Angus.

This was interesting because it included the illegitimate children of Henry VIII that I didn’t know much about. There was a lot of information but it wasn’t a dry, textbook type of reading. The lives old Henry’s children weren’t all luxury and leisure as one might expect. There are a number of color pictures at the end. I recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, Pen & Sword, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Although Henry the eighth and Catherine of Aragon had six children and only one would live to see adulthood and that was Mary she wasn’t the sun that Henry wanted and the only son who Henry even came close to acknowledging was Henry Fitzroy his illegitimate son with the cortier Elizabeth who is also a lady in waiting for Catherine of Aragon he would eventually have a legitimate son with Jane Grey but he wouldn’t live to see adulthood he was a younger brother to Mary and Henry’s other legitimate daughter Elizabeth even with the three children he had the wood things that kept him apart because Marie was a staunch Catholic and Elizabeth and Edward were protestant Henry the iPad other illegitimate children’s fanning the British aisle but he didn’t claim all of them in the ones he did claim be used as chess pieces as and try to base their future on what would benefit him. I love reading about the royal family and there’s none more dysfunctional than the tutors in this book just covers Henry VIII and his children and that a lot on its own I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it I couldn’t read it fast enough I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Caroline Angus’s book is a fascinating look at the lives of the children of Henry VIII. From the longed-for Prince Henry who died at 52 days old to those that survived: Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward. Also included are Henry Fitzroy, Henry’s acknowledged illegitimate son and possible other unacknowledged children.

Through thorough use of household accounts, Angus paints a vivid picture of what everyday life was like for Mary, Elizabeth, Henry and Edward as they grew up and highlights the time the siblings spent together. Both Mary and Elizabeth’s lives changed dramatically when their mothers fell from favour and while Edward did not suffer this, their daily lives were dependent on the whims of the King or his current marital arrangements.

What was particularly interesting was the inclusion of Henry’s illegitimate son by Bessie Blount, Henry Fitzroy. Usually, Henry only gets mentioned in Tudor histories in terms of his birth, whether Henry ever really considered him a potential heir, his presence at Queen Anne Boleyn’s execution and his unexpected death shortly afterwards. Turns out that he was not the most dedicated scholar and when his tutor, Sir Richard Croke, was recalled from Fitzroy’s household and sent to Italy, Angus comments that ‘fighting for the king’s divorce in Italy probably felt like quite a relief in comparison.’

By looking at Henry’s reign through the lives of his children, we get a different perspective to well-known events.

In Henry VIII’s Children, Caroline Angus explores the lives and relationships of Henry VIII’s children with Catherine of Aragon, Anne Bolyen, Jane Seymour, and Bessie Blount, as well as some of his alleged illegitimate children. Angus explores Catherine of Aragorn’s struggles to carry children to term and the circumstances which led to Henry VIII becoming the king with six wives with various fates. Angus intertwines Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward’s stories together in her book, focusing on their relationships and experiences as children of the King of England as well as their relationships with their father and their many stepmothers. Angus’s focus on their relationships and the many critical situations they live through rather than their individual reigns as larger political events. Angus’s individual- and relationship-centric approach explores the sibling bonds of all three legitimate children of Henry VIII, and she examines them through the lens of familial relationships rather than a dynasty (though both are inseparable from each other). Her analysis of possible illegitimate children of Henry VIII is also interesting, exploring not only Henry Fitzroy but also Mary Boleyn’s children as well as a few other possible half-siblings of the Tudor monarchs; pairing this topic with the discussion of his legitimate children provides an interesting perspective on the challenges of succession in Tudor England.

I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Pen & Sword for the uncorrected proof of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have been a lover of Tudor history since I was a child, but I have to admit that my focused reading on the subject has been focused on the six Queens consort, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Therefore, the information in this book concerning Henry Fitzroy and to a lesser extent Edward VI was new information. Although I enjoyed nearly everything about this book my general thoughts can be summed up in five main points.

First, I greatly enjoyed the formatting and writing of this book. Angus did an excellent job cohesively weaving the narratives of Henry VIII's four recognized childrens' lives so that it provided enough focus on each child in their own right, while also discussing how their lives were interwoven. However, given that this history runs somewhat linearly to highlight Henry VIII's struggles in obtaining the male heir he desired a larger portion of the narrative focuses on Mary I and Henry Fiztroy. This did not bother me however because it really demonstrates just how much of an education and preparation Mary I was given to be Queen further highlighting Henry VIII's drive for a son was unfounded. Also, the intricate histories were helped by Angus' artful writing style that made the facts speak through a narrative rather than a dry recitation of information.

Second, I enjoyed how the entire court was integrated into the story. None of these children was raised in isolation and it was fascinating to learn about how the children's lives were impacted by other influential powers at court. I really enjoyed seeing Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury and Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox making appearances throughout the narrative. It was also fascinating to learn how the Boleyn family interacted with Katharine of Aragon and Mary I before the rise of Anne Boleyn to power and how Henry Fitzroy was involved with the Duke of Norfolk and King Francis I of France.

Third, I appreciate that Angus did not pit the children, nor their mothers, against one another in the narrative. I find that too often when the history focuses on more than one Tudor figure that there is an inevitable highlighting of that persons stance, which do to the circumstances of the time places them in conflict with another person or group at court. Agnus did a great job of highlighting both sides of a conflict without taking too strong of a stance. Also, the fact that Angus called both Mary and Elizabeth by the title of Princess was refreshing because it discounts Henry VIII as the leader of their narrative.

Fourth, the discussion of Henry's potential mistresses was very interesting. I have read books focused on examining the potential liaisons that Henry VIII had throughout his lifetime, but I felt that Angus provided a comprehensive overview based on the available evidence. I will say that one thing that I struggled with in the text is Angus' assertion that Henry VIII did not have an affair with Mary Boleyn. I by no means think that Angus should not be able to challenge the dominate historical story around their potential affair, but I am curious as to why Angus feels that there is not enough evidence to support a relationship between the King and Mary Boleyn. While Angus does provide some information regarding her thoughts on the subject in the main text and the Epilogue I just wish that there was more discussion on this topic. Also, while the Epilogue was interesting to read as I had never even heard of any of them except for Catherine and Henry Carey (the children of Mary Boleyn).

Finally, I greatly enjoyed the discussion of all the rumored and actual pregnancies experienced by Henry VIII's wives. It really highlighted the struggles that Katharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn experienced. I also think that by highlighting these stories it really emphasized the horrible behaviors and actions of Henry VIII. Interestingly though Angus also softens Henry VIII in the history by highlighting behaviors that demonstrate his affection for all of his recognized children. I appreciated this because it did pit Henry VIII as a father against Henry VIII as a husband and it is interesting to think about how you reconciled those to halves of himself.

In conclusion this is a great book for any Tudor or history lover and I highly recommend it. It provides great insights into their lives and highlights that although Henry VIII did not expect his daughters to rule that they were very well prepared for the task.

I have always loved learning about the Tudors. This was an informative book and it was a really enjoyable read.

This was a good book, I found the information about all of King Henry's children to be engaging and informative all at the same time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for an ARC in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Tudor period history is a subject that I specialise in, so I was very interested to read a book specifically on Henry VIII's children - it makes a nice change for it not to be about his six wives.

The book is very factual and generally accurate in the events it relays - you can tell the writer has put a lot of effort in to research properly. There are some typos which I hope will have already been corrected in time for publication. Two things in particular that I wanted to raise was I noticed Peterborough Cathedral being named as "St Peterborough Cathedral" (this is not accurate) and I felt that some of the language was not entirely ... professional for a non-fiction (thinking specifically about references to Anne Shelton as a rude gossip ("big mouth")). I found that a little off-putting whilst reading the book. I typically like to read a non-fiction and make my own mind up on things, without feeling like the author's bias is a little bit *too* obvious.

When we think of the children of Henry VIII we generally think of Mary, Elizabeth and Edward so it is wonderful that Caroline Angus has expanded to include his illegitimate children including Henry Fitzroy and Henry's relationship with their respective mothers.

The book doesn't focus on one aspect of their lives but instead walks us through their lives, beginning with the early years of their father, the future Henry VIII. Through the following chapters we get to find out where the children were at specific points in time, who they were with, how they spent holidays and even the gifts they received. It's certainly interesting how the lives of Mary and Elizabeth differed to those of their male siblings. We are given a wealth of information on the interactions between the royal siblings including Mary receiving gifts from Fitzroy, this insight is something usually not covered in much detail.

The research Caroline Angus has done is meticulous, referencing primary sources throughout to paint a picture of not only milestones of these children but their daily life and how the actions of their father impacted them. The author keeps the focus on the children and Henry is almost a background figure, enabling the children to step out of his shadow. Through the lives of the children we also gain insight into events of the period, the people the children interacted with such as their governesses, tutors, friends and courtiers. Caroline Angus gives the reader more than enough information to make this a very enjoyable read without filling it with unnecessary fillers.

The epilogue of this book is extremely interesting, discussing other possible illegitimate children of Henry. Catherine and Henry Carey are of course included but there are also others who Caroline Angus provides an overview of, their family and the circumstances surrounding the possibility of Henry being their father. The author does not try to persuade the reader either way, leaving room to come to your own conclusion.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this but enjoyed it so much I've also preordered a hard copy and I will certainly be using this in the future, particularly in my current work in progress as there are references to the subject of my work, Mary Tudor, Duchess of Suffolk. I was thrilled to read snippets of Mary's life and her relationship with her niece, Princess Mary.

With her works on Thomas Cromwell and now this, Caroline Angus has quickly become a favourite author of mine. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
For those interested in the Tudor era I'd highly recommend you add this to your shelves. It truly is a wonderful contribution to the contribution to the Tudor book collection.

Lastly, I have to say how much I like this cover, it's beautiful!

When we think about the title royal children, images of children who get whatever they want, being spoiled with gems and gowns, and ruling kingdoms, they are married to create alliances. In that sense, it would define a life of luxury. However, for the children of King Henry VIII, luxury was not always in their dictionary. What was life like for the legitimate and illegitimate children of Henry VIII? Caroline Angus explores this question in her latest book, "Henry VIII's Children: Legitimate and Illegitimate Sons and Daughters of the Tudor King."

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book. I have read quite a few books about the children of Henry VIII, so when I saw the title, I was interested to see what new information Angus would provide in her book.

To understand why Henry VIII desired a large family, especially male heirs, Angus explores Henry's childhood as the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. We then transition to the marriage of Henry and Katherine of Aragon and her multiple miscarriages until her beloved daughter Mary was born. After Mary, Angus explores the relationships of Henry VIII with Bessie Blount, Anne Boleyn, and Jane Seymour and his other children that were recognized as his own, Henry Fitzroy, Elizabeth, and Edward, respectively.

What I enjoyed in this book is the amount of information that Angus provided about not only Henry's legitimate children but his illegitimate children, primarily the information about Henry Fitzroy. For so long, Henry Fitzroy was a footnote in the Henry VIII story, but it is so fascinating how much he relied on his eldest son even though he was illegitimate. Then, you have Mary's upbringing compared to Elizabeth's, and you see how much of a struggle it was to be a daughter of Henry VIII instead of a treasured son.

Angus also included a section about children who many questioned if they were indeed illegitimate children of the king, including the children of Mary Boleyn. She also included some Tudors I had never heard about, which was interesting to read about how their life experiences differed from their royal counterparts. The king's legitimate and illegitimate children dealt with so much pain and suffering because of who their dear old dad was, and they all craved a little bit of his love in return.

Angus has done an excellent job telling the tales of the rather sad upbringings of the children of Henry VIII. A crown and a king as a father did not mean your life was a fairy tale. By understanding their childhoods, we can understand why the Tudor children became strong-willed leaders. If you want an excellent book that gives you a glimpse into what it meant to be a child of a monarch during the Tudor period, check out, "Henry VIII's Children: Legitimate and Illegitimate Sons and Daughters of the Tudor King" by Caroline Angus.

I received this book for free for an honest review.

How very interesting! Their was some fun facts I didn't know. I'm happy I picked this up to be sure.