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Henrietta Maria

Conspirator, Warrior, and Phoenix Queen – the true story of Charles I’s wife
By Leanda de Lisle
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Henrietta Maria by Leanda de Lisle offers a compelling portrait of the French princess who became the controversial queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The biography delves into her tumultuous life during the English Civil War, her influence on King Charles I, and her role in the political and religious upheavals of the time. This book provides insight into the challenges she faced while reshaping her image as a queen in a divided kingdom.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the political and personal intrigues of royal figures, especially those who influenced significant historical events. It provides an engaging and detailed look into the life of a queen who navigated a tumultuous era, offering insight into her role and impact on the monarchy and British history. This captivating biography may appeal to those interested in strong, complex female figures who shaped the course of history from behind the scenes.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Henrietta Maria by Leanda de Lisle is an important and entertaining revisionist biography of Henrietta Maria (1609-1699) by one of our most respected historians.

This myth-busting biography provides a fresh perspective on Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, and retells the dramatic story of the civil war from her viewpoint.

A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ELIZABETH LONGFORD PRIZE

Henrietta Maria, Charles I's queen, is considered the most reviled consort in British history. Historically condemned as the 'Popish brat of France' and a 'notorious whore', she is remembered as the woman who turned the king Catholic, allegedly causing a civil war, and as a cruel and bigoted mother.

In this biography, Leanda de Lisle unpicks these myths, revealing a very different queen. We encounter a new bride who delighted in annoying her uptight husband, advocated passionately for the female voice in public affairs, and, during the civil war, played a crucial role in Charles's campaign. The common image of the Restoration queen as an irrelevant crone is replaced with that of Henrietta Maria as an influential 'phoenix queen'. This biography invites readers to reconsider this often-despised queen and assess her as one of our most remarkable figures.

'Brilliantly written, mesmerising, superb scholarship and totally immersive... A total game changer' — KATE WILLIAMS, author of Rival Queens

'This is revisionist history at its absolute best' — ANDREW ROBERTS, author of Churchill

'Beautifully written and endlessly fascinating' — ALEXANDER LARMAN, author of The Crown in Crisis

'Popular history of the finest kind' — RONALD HUTTON, author of The Witch

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Leanda de Lisle's tale of Henrietta Maria offers a thrilling and nuanced portrayal of a historically misunderstood queen, brought to life with meticulous research and vivid storytelling. The biography is praised for its ability to revive Henrietta Maria's fierce energy while re-examining her role through a modern lens, challenging long-standing myths and presenting her as a formidable woman in her own right. The book is celebrated for its captivating narrative and deep understanding of the complex emotions and political challenges faced by its subject.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529111040

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 496

Collections

Biography & Memoir European History History & Archaeology History & Military Leanda de Lisle Military History Non-Fiction Penguin Books Political Biographies Religion & Spirituality Royalty & Religion Biographies

About the Author

Leanda de Lisle is the highly acclaimed author of several bestselling and prize-winning books on the Tudors and Stuarts including Tudor- The Family Story, White King- The Tragedy of Charles I and Henrietta Maria- Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen. She writes and speaks on historical matters for TV, radio and publications including The Times, the Spectator and History Today.

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