Featuring Writing by C.J. Sansom, Hilary Mantel, Stephen Alford and More
It’s been a joy imagining the world of Anne Boleyn and her family for my new novel, The House of Boleyn. I loved immersing myself in their beautiful home, Hever Castle—the place where they retreated to plot their next move, celebrate their triumphs and protect themselves from the snakepit of Henry VIII’s court. For a self-confessed Tudor addict, it was a dream come true. I can’t get enough of this famous dynasty that occupied the throne for 118 glorious, turbulent, blood-soaked years, changing the course of English history forever. I’ve been fascinated by them since my school days, and my obsession has been stoked over the years by some truly wonderful books—both fiction and non-fiction. Here are some of my top favorites.
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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
It was a hot Saturday in August and I was in Stratford-upon-Avon with my family. We had just looked around the childhood home of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. In the gift shop, my eyes alighted on a large book on the shelves: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. I was sixteen and an avid reader of anything to do with the Tudors. We didn’t have much money growing up, which is what made it all the more special when my dad bought it for me. He inscribed it with the place and date. It still has pride of place on my bookshelves.
