09.03.05
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
A fictional account of what life might have been like for the first Queen Elizabeth’s auntie, Mary Boleyn. Elizabeth’s mother was Anne; 2nd wife to Henry VIII, usurper of Queen Katherine of Aragon’s throne, oldest daughter in the scheming Boleyn/Howard family. Fascinating stuff to read and a really good story. Political intrigue, the overthrowing of two queens, the creation of a new religion to make divorce legal (yes, this is the foundation of the Anglican church), sex scandals, accusations of witchcraft and incest, hints of homosexuality. And all the pagentry that went with a royal court. Not to mention the true love story that is Mary’s love for her children and her husband, for whom she turns her back on it all and goes to live a quiet life on a farm.