A vital part of Tudor history well told

Henry VII built the Tudor dynasty from almost nothing and this gripping detailed account explains how the anarchy and destruction of the Wars of the Roses led to an uneasy state.

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Fascinating link between Plantagenets and Tudors

What did you like most about Winter King?

Following on from the recent TV series on Elizabeth Woodville, the book filled a gap in my knowledge of the period between the Wars of the Roses and the mass of books written about Henry VIII and later Tudors. The author gives a convincing story of how Henry VII's complex personality, and obsession with hoarding money, was formed during his childhood exile. I really liked the way that meticulous research and contemporary quotes were woven into the story so that one could envisage the colour and spectacle of great Court occasions as well as feel the terror of loyal subjects who were baffled by the King's secretiveness. I found the most interesting elements concerned what was going on in England at the high point of the Renaissance in Italy. I knew that Henry VII was deeply engaged in European trade, but the book gives insights into his machinations, as well as to the squandering of huge sums to try to 'buy' security from Plantagenet rivals for the English throne.

Would you be willing to try another book from Thomas Penn? Why or why not?

I like the way solid research and contemporary quotes that were woven seamlessly into the storyline. If this author has written anything else about a little-known period of history, I would enjoy reading it.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Philip of Burgundy was shipwrecked on the English south coast when he was trying to get to Spain to claim the crown of Castile from Ferdinand (of Aragon) after Isabella's death. The book illustrates how the usually sombre Henry VII created a series of extravagant Court pageants to lock Philip into a 'gilded cage' until he agreed to give up the main Plantagenet 'pretender' to the English throne that he had protected for years. Henry was an incredibly astute politician.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Our first Renaissance King

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5 people found this helpful

Difficult material well handled.

This is difficult material concerning an important period, which has all but vanished under the mass of fluff and scholarship which attends the later Tudor era. It is however a very important period in the development of the power of the state, and deserves to be studied for this fact if no other. Thomas Penn has made a very good job of organising a wealth of information and detail, and if he falls into the trap of listing too many names of people and places from time to time, it's hardly surprising. These occasional longueurs and confusions do not really detract from an otherwise informative and stimulating work. Simon Vance's narration is absolutely first class, smooth, measured and fluent throughout. Five stars for the telling and four for the story; jolly good, all in all.

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3 people found this helpful

Complex and rewarding

Not light listening; I'd guess I've listened to some sections of this 4 or 5 times - usually on chapters where I've trotted off to bed and I'm falling asleep.

Dense with facts, names, dates and motivation, it's also a work where you miss a dramatis personae, family tree, timeline or a really good index / cross reference. In a physical book, I'd have been flipping backwards and forwards checking I had the timeline or character right.

Still hugely enjoyable, but does demand concentration.

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Struggled..

Didn't hold my attention even though it was full of information. Too long and too many unnecessary characters. Sadly returned it :( Would listen to Simon Vance again though.

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1 person found this helpful

Terrible

Not a history of Henry VII, poor writing, confused narrative and hardly focuses on the king at all. Extremely disappointing.

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