Henry VIII's Children brings to life Henry's children both legitimate and illegitimate. I found it an easy to follow book. It also has mentions of other children who he never claimed, who he might have fathered at the end. Most of those names, being ones I had not heard about. It gave me more insight on how many other children he may have had, and what their lives were like.

I was able to finally learn a lot more about the life of Henry Fitzroy, his son, who he fathered with Bessie Blount. I found his parts quite interesting to read about. I knew very little about him, aside from who his mother was and how long he lived. I really enjoyed learning more about him and also his wife Mary Howard.

Mary's bits were quite tragic, I find myself feeling more and more sorry for her every time I read about her, but especially in this book, and her mother Katharine of Aragon as well. What awful times they went through and it's such a shame they were unable to see each other before Katharine died. Mary had such a turbulent teenage years and early adulthood.

I always enjoy reading about Elizabeth's early life, and this book was no exception.

Edward was such a spoiled child! But aren't most princes'?

Overall the book was easy to read and didn't talk long to complete. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read more about Henry's children. I also enjoyed the photographs at the end.


I received Henry VIII'S Children as a e-arc from Netgalley and Pen and Sword publishing in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Angus, and Pen & Sword for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I have been obsessed with all things Tudor for several years and this was an excellent book about Henry VIII's children. I quite enjoyed the pictures at the back being in color instead of black and white. Great information was provided about each person and even the households were described in detail.

Like most titles from Pen & Sword I've read since joining Netgalley it does exactly what it says it's going to do. This book is an account on four of Henry VIII's children, and it also mentions several more induviduals who may well have the Tudor king as a father.

I would say it's your standard history book. I feel like reading this you need to have some previous knowledge of Henry VIII, his wives and a general ideal of British and European history in the 1500s. Like stated, it did what I thought it would and I had a nice time reading it.

256 pages

4 stars

I liked the parts of the book that extensively discussed Mary’s (later Mary I) childhood. I can only imagine how devastating it must have been for Mary when Henry turned his back on her and forbade Mary seeing her mother. Likewise for Elizabeth at her mother Anne’s downfall.

I also learned more about Henry Fitzroy’s childhood than I had known before.

Elizabeth and Edward’s childhoods were also covered. Those parts of the book were my favorite bits.While in Henry’s favor, Elizabeth had only the finest as a child.

Edward, as the only son and heir, was spared nothing. He sounds like he rapidly became rather spoiled and entitled.

On one hand, Ms. Angus states that there is no support for the “rumor” that Henry and Mary Boleyn had an affair. Then pages later, she discusses a daughter that was supposedly Henry and Mary’s. (What??)

Also Ms. Angus talks about the “possible” children of Henry’s. Most, I had never heard about. That was interesting, but the claims were highly suspicious. (could have been, who knows?).

Also included are footnotes and a copious bibliography for those who would like to further explore the subject.

All in all, a competent, easy-to-read book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Another gap filled in the history book collection covering the life and times of this fascinating monarch. There is so much interesting detail taking the reader beyond Henry VIII’s own reign (and, of course, marriages) and helping to complete this aspect of British history.

Henry VIII's Children by Caroline Angus takes a look at the children of Henry the VIII, the more well-known legitimate ones, and the lesser-known acknowledged illegitimate son. It also makes a note of the various other people who were posited at the time or afterward to have been descended from the king.

This book is very absorbing, and I loved the focus on Mary, being the first who was then shunted to the side when he couldn't get the son heir he so desperately sought. The text is compelling without becoming overwhelming, and it was a quick read (especially given the modest number of pages of which it is composed). I especially enjoyed the author putting in a cost of how much the households ran each year, or each season, and how much was spent for festivals, or dresses, or food, which was then translated into what it would equal today. All I have to say is: my word! They just went through money like it was water; I became numb to the gargantuan amounts after a certain point.

Pen & Sword Books generally have pictures at the back, and I was delighted that these were in colour; other books I've had of theirs haven't been, and I suppose it's because it is a greater cost to do so. I enjoyed it nevertheless, because if any family needs to be colourised, it's the Tudors with their beautiful red hair.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.