Six Tudor Queens is a tongue in cheek play of an imaginary meeting, in our times, of the wives of Henry VIII. Their conversation is modern and reflects each of the queens' unique experiences with this complex giant in our history. This short skit makes an ideal closure activity for a Social Sciences unit on the Tudors. It will allow teachers to expand and bring alive an era that was so full of turmoil and drama, depicting the passionate struggles for power and possessions, that led to religious schism, and one of the greatest female rulers of all time: Elizabeth I, unwelcomed daughter of conniving and ill-fated Anne Boleyn. In addition, a short summary of all monarchs of the Tudor dynasty highlight the main aspects of their lives and reigns. Existing portraits of the characters, mostly based on Holbein painings, are reproduced and help personalize each one: Henry, as the young, virile King, and his first three loves - Katharine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Jane Seymour; then Henry in his later years, heavyset and aged, but still arrogant and just as royal as ever, and his last three wives - Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. Teachers and parents alike can enjoy having their children enact and re-live this fascinating historical perspective of our heritage.

The Sunday Times bestselling third novel in Alison Weir's captivating Six Tudor Queens series. 'This brilliant book is a bombshell! Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again!' Kate Williams 'Brilliant and engaging' Good Housekeeping 'An extremely refreshing take on a very well-known period of history' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Alison Weir is such a good author I can hardly put it down' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ --- The third of Henry VIII's queens. Her story. 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 quickly 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. History tells us how she died. This spellbinding novel explores the life she lived. --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: 'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman 'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place' Barbara Erskine 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

'This six-book series looks likely to become a landmark in historical fiction' The Times Available together for the first time, the first three unmissable SIX TUDOR QUEENS novels from the Sunday Times bestselling series by acclaimed author and eminent historian Alison Weir. The lives of Henry VIII's queens make for compelling and dramatic tales. They each married the same man, but Katherine, Anne and Jane were as intimately connected to each other as to the King... Walk in the footsteps of the most infamous queens in history as their extraordinary stories weave together and play out in glittering palaces, birth chambers, gilded prisons - even on the scaffold itself. --- 'Shatters the many myths about Henry VIII's long-suffering first wife' Tracy Borman on Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen 'A triumph of fine detail and research... offers a complex depiction of an endlessly fascinating woman' Elizabeth Fremantle on Anne Boleyn, a King's Obsession 'This brilliant book is a bombshell! Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again!' Kate Williams on Jane Seymour, the Haunted Queen --- KATHERINE OF ARAGON, the True Queen. ANNE BOLEYN, the King's Obsession. JANE SEYMOUR, the Haunted Queen. --- SIX TUDOR QUEENS - Praise for Alison Weir: 'Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else' Barbara Erskine 'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian

The Sunday Times top-five bestselling fifth novel in Alison Weir's spellbinding Six Tudor Queens series. 'With characteristic verve and stunning period detail, this novel will captivate you and break your heart' Tracy Borman 'A profoundly moving story that lingers long after the last page is turned' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Told with empathy and understanding, I lived every moment' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'History comes to life in the hands of this most excellent author' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ --- The fifth of Henry VIII's queens. Her story. A naïve young woman at the mercy of her ambitious family. At just nineteen, Katheryn Howard is quick to trust and fall in love. She comes to court. She sings, she dances. She captures the heart of the King. But Henry knows nothing of Katheryn's past - one that comes back increasingly to haunt her. For those who share her secrets are waiting in the shadows, whispering words of love... and blackmail. Katheryn Howard. History tells us she died too soon. This mesmerising novel brings her to life. --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: 'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman 'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place' Barbara Erskine 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, is the second captivating novel in the Six Tudor Queens series. An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick. 'Offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne's true nature . . . Enthralling' Sarah Gristwood The young woman who changed the course of history. Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love. But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game. Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown - and the crown is what she seeks. At any price. ANNE BOLEYN. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story. History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived. SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS.

The Sunday Times top-five bestselling final novel in Alison Weir's spellbinding Six Tudor Queens series. 'A detailed and convincing portrait of an extraordinary life... this series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before... will enthral and inspire, just as much as it will break your heart' Tracy Borman 'An absolute delight to read' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Alison Weir once again weaves fiction and fact to create a beautiful story' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ --- Henry VIII's final queen. Her story. A woman torn between love and duty. Two husbands dead, a boy and a sick man. Now Katharine is free to make her own choice. The ageing King's eye falls upon her. She cannot refuse him... or betray that she wanted another. She becomes Henry's sixth wife - a queen and trusted friend. But Katharine is hiding another secret in her heart, a deeply held faith that could see her burn... Katharine Parr. History tells us she survived. This enthralling novel reveals the life she lived. --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: 'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman 'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place' Barbara Erskine 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

The Sunday Times bestselling first novel in Alison Weir's spellbinding Six Tudor Queens series. 'Shatters the many myths about Henry VIII's long-suffering first wife' Tracy Borman 'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian 'Completely immersed me into tumultuous Tudor England' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I felt I was learning pieces of history as well as getting swept up in the story' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ --- The first of Henry VIII's queens. Her story. A Spanish princess. Raised to be modest, obedient and devout. Destined to be an English Queen. Six weeks from home across treacherous seas, everything is different: the language, the food, the weather. And for her there is no comfort in any of it. At sixteen-years-old, Catalina is alone among strangers. She misses her mother. She mourns her lost brother. She cannot trust even those assigned to her protection. Katherine of Aragon. History tells us how she died. This captivating novel shows us how she lived. --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: 'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman 'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place' Barbara Erskine 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

The Sunday Times bestselling fourth novel in Alison Weir's captivating Six Tudor Queens series. 'Alison Weir transforms Henry VIII's much-maligned fourth wife into a woman of passion, courage and mystery' Tracy Borman 'A fascinating tale of love in all its guises' Sun 'Alison Weir never ceases to amaze me with something new' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Easy to read ... and difficult to put down' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ --- The fourth of Henry VIII's queens. Her story. A German princess with a guilty secret. The King is in love with a portrait, but the real Anna does not enchant him. She must win him over. Everyone knows that Henry won't stand for a problem queen. But rumours of Anna's past are rife at court - dangerous talk that could mark her downfall. Can this clever, spirited young woman reach out in friendship to the King, and gain his love forever? Anna of Kleve. History tells us she was never crowned queen. But her story does not end there. --- PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES: 'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman 'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place' Barbara Erskine 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

'This series is a serious achievement' The Times 'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy Borman Available together for the first time, the final three extraordinary SIX TUDOR QUEENS novels in the Sunday Times bestselling series - by acclaimed historical novelist and eminent historian Alison Weir. Anna. A German princess with a guilty secret. Katheryn. A naive daughter at the mercy of her ambitious family. Katharine. A woman torn between love and duty. Each, in turn, married the same King - Henry VIII of England. These are their stories, as you've never heard them told before. --- 'It takes a writer of Weir's skill . . . to cast a revealing fresh light on the real historical figure' Sarah Gristwood on Anna of Kleve, Queen of Secrets 'Alison's sensitively drawn novel will change everyone's preconceptions' Susan Ronald on Katheryn Howard, the Tainted Queen 'This novel will enthral and inspire, just as much as it will break your heart' Tracy Borman on Katharine Parr, the Sixth Wife --- ANNA OF KLEVE, Queen of Secrets. KATHERYN HOWARD, the Tainted Queen. KATHARINE PARR, the Sixth Wife. --- Praise for the SIX TUDOR QUEENS series 'Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else' Barbara Erskine 'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian 'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping 'Sparkling, gripping and word-perfect. As King Henry ages, the machinations of his vicious court are never far away' Historical Novel Society 'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII’s daughter—infamously known as Bloody Mary—who ruled England for five violent years. Born from young King Henry’s first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry’s passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess’s future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate, and banishes them both from the royal court. But when Anne too fails to produce a son, she is beheaded and Mary is allowed to return to court as the default heir. At age twenty, she waits in vain for her own marriage and children, but who will marry her, bastard that she is? Yet Mary eventually triumphs and becomes queen, after first deposing a seventeen-year-old usurper, Lady Jane Grey, and ordering her beheading. Any hopes that Mary, as the first female queen regent of England, will show religious toleration are dashed when she embarks on a ruthless campaign to force Catholicism on the English by burning hundreds of Protestants at the stake. But while her brutality will forever earn her the name Bloody Mary, at heart she is an insecure and vulnerable woman, her character forged by the unhappiness of her early years. In Alison Weir’s masterful novel, the drama of Mary I’s life and five-year reign—from her abusive childhood, marriage, and mysterious pregnancies to the cruelty that marks her legacy—comes to vivid life.