This month I've chosen The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory.
This is the story of Katherine of Aragon from a child until she begins to suspect Henry VIII of having an affair with Anne Boleyn.
Philippa Gregory shows us what it is like for a young girl who has been brought up to be a princess. We get insights too into the Spain of Isabella and Ferdinand and how the Spanish royals enjoyed the delights of the Alhambra Place after the Moors had been chased away.
We see a young woman who falls in love with the young husband of her arranged marriage. We witness her grief when that young man dies prematurely.
We gain some understanding of how Henry became the way that he was. He was never meant to be king. That should have been his older brother Arthur, to whom Katherine was first married.
Because of Gregory's skilful writing we gain useful insight into this brave young woman.
An interesting issue arises. Can Muslims, Jews and Christians live together in peace and harmony? Katherine believes ardently that Christianity is the true faith but admires the culture, science and education of the Muslims. The Jews too have their qualities.
They win one war but then there could be another and yet another. Isn't it peace they should be working towards?
Some modern day questions arise here for us.
We all know the story doesn't end well for Katherine. Gregory really helps us to see it from the young queen's point of view.
Find your copy here
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