I have loved all things Tudor since the age of 11 / 12 when I first learned about Henry VIII and his six wives. That interest in the Tudor period has never gone away. This book gives us a different view point of Henry. Not everything is a clear cut as we would like to believe. He certainly had his faults and was not the best husband to have. However Henry was never meant to be king. His future was seen to be in the church and that is where much of his education was directed. But with the death of Arthur, he ascended to the throne. He became increased desperate for a son to succeed him to the throne. He wanted to be able to provide the country with a level of stability that a male heir would give. This book is written from the view point of Henry rather than one of the wives. This book follows on from the series of books devoted to the wives. Well worth a read and I can recommend this book to those interested in the period.

The life of Henry VIII from boyhood. For those who don’t know much about the Tudor period, this is a reasonably interesting introduction. For those who’ve read widely about the period, it can feel a little basic, adding little that is new. Given the length of the book, I preferred to listen to the story as an audiobook. Thanks to Net Galley and the audio publisher for a review copy.

This book is basically a fictionalised biography of Henry VIII, from beginning to end, via all of his six wives and multiple mistresses. For anyone whose historical knowledge of the Tudor period basically is summed up by "divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" then this is a brilliant way to learn more about Henry VIII in a lot more depth, and without reading a dry and dusty textbook. For example, everyone knows that Henry had problems having sons, but the number of miscarriages and lost babies is obviously glossed over when this subject was studied by many of us at primary school. Likewise, his many health issues throughout his life, and the constant power struggles behind the throne are all very interesting.

That said, as a fiction novel, it sometimes came across as a bit clumsy, where Henry would be telling someone something (In the old "as you know blah blah blah..." fashion) that they didn't need to be told, which was clearly for the benefit of the reader and not the character. For me personally I found I enjoyed the audiobook better as I could sit back and listen while doing something else - the "plot" of the story wasn't particularly grabbing since there wasn't one as such, and I was less engaged with it when I was reading the novel, when it started to feel a bit repetitive. (Drink every time cloth-of-gold is mentioned!)

On the whole, I really enjoyed it, I feel like I learnt something, and even though it's pretty long, it still kept my attention from start to finish.

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

I studied the Tudor period at school, I found Henry VIII’s life and reign quite fascinating, with his six wives, his mercenary ways of ridding himself of them and how this man of letters seemed to generally withstand all the machinations at court and keep his head and throne.

The author looks at the man’s personal life, his way of dealing with adult intimate relationships, and in modern day I think one might say he had a few issues around attachment and separation anxiety. He was also not the natural heir to the throne, he was the ‘spare’ but his brother died and he had to take the reins.

The author also paints him as a man with complex thought processes, determination and intellect, with a great fondness for learning. He was an entitled head of state who understood the politics of internationalism but sometimes miscalculated, leaving England isolated at times and rather short of friends. Many of his decisions were governed by his need to sire a male heir and as a reader, you really feel the pressure both on him but also on his various wives – it was like a capricious and daunting thread running through his life.

I was enthralled by many aspects of this novel, particularly the political upheavals, religious acrobatics and Henry’s management both of internal court shenanigans and international relations. I remember The Field of Cloth of Gold from sixth form studies but I really didn’t grasp the consequences and political deliberations that informed the event. Nor, really, that he chose wives expediently – mostly – in order to make a good alliance with another country; his Queen, Kate, as she was known, was a clear example of how Spain and England came together for a period, through the ties of marriage.

It is a very colourful period of history which is vividly portrayed. and a lot of familiar characters pass through the pages of the book. Courtiers and advisors came and went on a whim, beheaded on occasion as a result of a swift and sometimes badly formulated decision (sometimes at the behest of those closest to him for their own ill-gotten machiavellian gains); sometimes there was a perceived threat to the monarchy and consequently individuals were incarcerated and killed. It is striking how many names from that era have a street in central London named after them, which demonstrates the power of the period. There is much mention of the various palaces to which the Court journeyed throughout the year, in and around London, many long since gone. In many ways this is a really good novel to conjure up the sense of footsteps past, to ponder in present day where all these great buildings were sited and to imagine the lives that were lived within their walls.

This is a large tome and I really enjoyed my immersion into Tudor history.

Having read and enjoyed other books by Alison Weir, I was really hoping to enjoy the audiobook of The Heart and the Crown. Unfortunately, I could not get into it in the same way I have with other audiobooks. The storyline itself was great, and I ploughed through as much as I could, but I just couldn’t finish it. Unfortunately, the narration felt robotic, and the accents were not great. I struggled to keep engaged. Maybe at some point I will read the paperback version and enjoy it a lot more.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy of the audiobook.

I'm not a huge fan of Henry VIII, but, after enjoying the Six Tudor Queens series, I was curious to read the story of his reign from his point of view.
Even though I didn't much care for Henry's character, I really enjoyed the book overall. The historical research, the richness of the setting and the constant political intrigue made the story very enjoyable. Henry's different relationships with his wives, courtiers, friends and enemies were also all well portrayed and interesting. As usual, I really liked Weir's storytelling, and, even if she didn't manage to make me like Henry, I could understand some of his reasonings and actions.
The audiobook was also very good. The book was very long and I probably would have found some parts a little dry or boring if I had read it physically, but I always enjoyed listening to it.

4.5⭐️

I really enjoy Alison Weir’s storytelling. I always know that I’m going to get a book that I can really sink my teeth into. I’m a big big book fan, through and through - how on earth can you write a short book about a monarch like Henry VIII?! Six wives, heads being chopped off, wars, reconciliations, breaking from the Catholic Church, hunting, sporting and womanising! I’m sure there’s more - and it’s all in the book!

It’s interesting to hear the story of his life from his own (fictionalised) point of view. We’ve seen what his wives think of him, and here we get to read what he thinks of himself. It’s a lot, by the way.

For the fact collectors (🙋🏼‍♀️) this is a real treat, and Weir has really done her research. There’s plenty of (Henry’s version of) romance - most chivalrous!

This kept me turning the pages throughout. I will admit, I listened to this at the same time on a NetGalley audiobook that came through as I started reading on The Pigeonhole. And it really added to the experience. The narrator, Elliot Fitzpatrick, was perfect. He brought Henry to life again, as well as the other characters. He was really “listenable” to (is that even a word?).

So, thanks to The Pigeonhole and Headline both - it was a really enjoyable experience!

Back in 2018 I listed to The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory and I loved it. The Tudors is not a period of history I know about in any depth – I knew Henry VIII had a lot of wives but not much more than that! Being a lover of historical fiction, I was surprised I hadn’t read any more from this period of history, so when I was offered a copy of Henry VIII The Heart & the Crown I knew I had to accept.
This is a huge book (I’m not a fan of big books as a rule) and I listened to an audio copy but found one I started, I wanted to listen at every opportunity! The second instalment of the Tudor Rose Trilogy, this book was remarkable. I have no idea how someone can write a book like this – the research that must have gone into it is astonishing. Telling the story of Henry VIII from boyhood, the story starts as he looses his beloved mother at the age of 11. As the second son, her wasn’t destined to be King but when his older brother Arthur died, the honour fell to him.
His brother’s widow, Katherine is promised to Henry and although there is some doubt about the suitability of the union, it is agreed because she was still a virgin when Arthur died, she will be a suitable wife for Henry. He genuinely seemed to have loved her and was married to her for many years but she suffered from many miscarriages. She eventually gave him a daughter, Mary. Worried he had no successor for the Crown, and having already fallen for Anne Boleyn, he eventually and with great difficulty managed to get his marriage to Catherine annulled based on the fact she was married to his brother first.
He then marries Anne, who gives him another daughter, and who is beheaded for treason; Jane Seymour who died from complications of child birth but finally gave Henry the male heir he longed for; Anne of Cleves whom he married for a European alliance but not finding her attractive, divorced her 6 months later but stayed on good terms; Catherine Howard who was beheaded for infidelity and finally Catherine Parr who outlived Henry.
There is so much detail in this book and I have to admit I struggled at times with who everyone was, but I was engrossed. Henry is at times shown to be kind and I think he really loved each wife until the point they disappointed him, but I didn’t warm to him. He was paranoid about illness, terrified he would die before he had an heir and was unfaithful and had illegitimate children on more than one occasion. As well as his personal life, we learn much about the politics and international relations of the era.
Weir is a remarkable historian and this book really brought this period of history to life for me, especially with the excellent narration from Elliot Fitzpatrick. I would love to read / listen to more of Weir’s books now and am especially keen to read the Six Tudor Queens series next. A must for history lovers everywhere!

Ahhhh. That was delightful. Long, but masterfully written Henry’s VIII life story. Tudors are loved by historical fiction authors, which of course is not surprising, given the turbulent times and complex characters within them fighting over power, pleasure, and religion to name a few. And while one might think that this was all done before, yet this book seems to touch Henry’s character a bit more on a personal level to show the very troubled person from the beginning of his life up until the very end of it. It is written mainly from his perspective and point of view and is very engaging. I would say a page-turner, however, I listened to a fabulously narrated audiobook. Very solid piece of work for any historical fiction lover, who has at least a bit of an interest in British history.
And while it is the second book in the series, I can confirm, this book can be read standalone.

A good historical fiction that gives a different take on a famous period! I felt was quite long and did drag in places however it was different from anything else have read about this era!

There’s no way of getting away from the fact that this book is massive with 21 hours to listen to on Audible. However, I found myself completely addicted, listening at all available opportunities. This is the version of events from Henry VIII’s point of view and although it’s difficult to empathise with some of his decisions it certainly shows how complicated his life was. With advisors coming from left, right and centre, all with their own scheming agendas, it must be difficult to know who to believe.
This book shows a clever, womanising, emotional, stubborn and power hungry man who seemed to pine for a quiet life which he certainly didn’t get!
Unfortunately I wasn’t keen on the narrator who sounded like he was reading a children’s book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the audio copy in return for a review.

I hardly think a blurb is necessary in this case his story is infamous so you may ask do we really need another book written on the subject? To which I answer emphatically YES! I believe this book to be a brilliant starting point for those just dipping their toes into Tudor history (🙋🏻‍♀️) because what it does is provide a wonderful overview of his life from childhood through to his death. It allows a more bird’s eye view of the topic to then delve further and widen outwards into those bits which peak your interest.

I’m not sure what it is about the Tudors that captivates and continues to interest historians and I’ll be honest after reading more about Henricus Rex (love that name) I am still perplexed because honestly at parts I despised him. He was arrogant, entitled, selfish and a downright revolting individual. And if I never hear the word lusty in my life again it will be too soon. But did that stop me wanting to listen on and find out more absolutely not (maybe that says more about me as a person).

I say I despised him but I do admit that as he grew older I did develop some empathy with him and the pressure and expectation he carried as the boy who was not meant to be King and yet went on to be arguably the most famous. A particular passage in which he discussed his mother and the person he may have been if she had more of an influence on his life was incredibly touching and I softened towards him.

Weir’s depiction of Henry is rich in historical detail as you would expect but at no point loses the storytelling voice to read like a textbook. Seriously good and a strong recommendation for any budding Tudor fan.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook. I absolutely adored it and didn’t want it to end. I am a big fan of Tudor history and have read many adaptations of this story but I have to admit that this is one of my favourites! Lots of details, facts and humour. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes the Tudors and also anyone who loves a good story. A big 5 stars from me.

After reading Alison Weir's Six Queens series, I was interested to read about this period of history from Henry VIII's point of view. Unfortunately, it didn't hit the right note for me. It felt more like an introduction to the Tudor's, and Henry VIII lacked any depth. I almost gave up a few chapters in as I felt as if I was being told a dumbed-down version of history. This is probably a good book for anyone who has little-to-no knowledge of Henry VIII and his wives.

I found the narration fit with the tone of the book, although some accents were better than others!

This was a super informative book which matched well with the writing style of the six Tudor queens series.
I loved the narrators voice and intonation and the accents were good! The book was mostly read in a soothing tone which made it relaxing and pleasant to listen to
Pacing - very very slow in the first half, then got almost too quick towards the end. Rushed through the last few wives and some of the other characters trials/executions.
Overall a great, informative and fun read.

Thank you NetGallet for the ARC

I’ve never read (or listened to) any if Alison’s books. For some reason I coijj lol don’t get into listening to, I normally love anything historical but I think listening to this has put me off and going this personally wasn’t for me. Think I may have been in the wrong headspace at the time of listening

Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown by Alison Weir Narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick was a beautifully written book about Good Olde Henry VIII. If you love these books, this is a book for you and Alison is a fantastic author. This is the second book in the Tudor Rose series. You can be read this as a stand alone book But, I do recommend you read or listen to the first one called Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose which was excellent

This book had the WoW factor. I just fell in love the way Alison describes and writes about Henry VIII. If you love History and about The Tudor's these are books for you.

The Narrator Elliot Fitzpatrick was brilliant from start to finish.

I highly recommend this book. I Loved it

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.

I read this second book in the Tudor Rose series without having read the first one and it very much works as a stand alone novel. In fact I am now very much interested in reading its prequel. After having read a lot of historical fiction around the wives of Henry VIIII, I was very much not on his side but Alison Weir does a great job of making such an infamous figure so sympathetic. This book humanises the man that is often considered a monster. I found that the pacing was rather slow, especially in the first half of the book, however I understand that this may be accurate to the time frames of different events. It certainly made me realise how tedious the wait must have been for Henry and Anne Boleyn before they could marry. The second half of the book seemed to fly by and was a very enjoyable read/listen.

My thanks to Headline Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown’ by Alison Weir. The audiobook is narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick.

This is Book 2 in Weir’s Tudor Rose Trilogy following ‘Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose’. It is a work of historical fiction that presents the reign of King Henry (Harry) from his viewpoint. As such it forms a companion to Weir’s excellent Six Tudor Queens series.

Prince Harry was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. This 16th Century Prince Harry was also a ‘spare’, not born to rule. He grows up dreaming of knights and chivalry. Then when his older brother, Arthur, unexpectedly dies, Harry becomes the Prince of Wales and later is crowned King Henry VIII of England.

Harry may rule England by divine right but he is ever conscious of the recent wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster that resulted in his father’s establishment of the Tudor dynasty. Yet until the birth of a male heir ensures the succession, the crown weighs heavy.

The story of King Henry’s six wives is a familiar one and Harry’s mercurial nature has him ever hopeful of finding love and a wife who will provide him with a healthy son. Time and again he meets disappointment. The distress to him and his wives when pregnancies ended in miscarriage, stillbirth, and short lives was palatable and certainly humanised him. Weir’s account highlighted the contrast between the idealistic young prince and his angry and troubled later years, a situation that was likely made worse by the constant pain of his leg that never fully healed after an injury during a joust.

Weir presents Harry as a complex man of many moods. In some ways he is quite naive and appears to be often manipulated by ambitious nobles and advisors at Court. She also presents the complex religious debates of the day in an accessible way. 

I have great trust in Weir’s level of historical accuracy and here she also incorporates lavish descriptions of the buildings, regalia, art objects, entertainments, and the like. It was very vivid and allowed for an immersive experience. I do feel that Weir has improved markedly in recent years as a fiction writer, more willing to enter her subjects’ heads and to express their feelings.

In her Author’s Note Weir writes of her desire to compliment her novels about Henry’s six wives by writing a novel from his point of view. She cites some of her decisions with the text, such as referring to him as Harry throughout. She follows the main text with extra material: a family tree of the English Royal House in 1547, a comprehensive Dramatis Personae, a timeline, and Reading Group Questions.

With respect to the audiobook, Elliot Fitzpatrick has narrated over fifty titles including a few that I have listened to and enjoyed. He has a strong, clear voice and I felt did an excellent job throughout the audiobook.

Overall, an excellent addition to Weir’s Tudor dynasty novels. The final book in the Tudor Rose Trilogy will feature Queen Mary I.