Mary, Queen of France - The Story of the Youngest Sister of Henry VIII

Informationen zum Autor JEAN PLAIDY, one of the preeminent authors of historical fiction for most of the twentieth century, is the pen name of the prolific English author Eleanor Hibbert, also known as Victoria Holt. Jean Plaidy’s novels had sold more than 14 million copies worldwide by the time of her death in 1993. Klappentext Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy brings to life the story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe—her older brother. Princess Mary Rose is the youngest sister of Henry VIII, and one of the few people whom he adores unconditionally. Known throughout Europe for her charm and good looks, Mary is the golden child of the Tudor family and is granted her every wish. Except when it comes to marriage. Henry VIII, locked in a political showdown with France, decides to offer up his pampered baby sister to secure peace between the two mighty kingdoms. Innocent, teenage Mary must become the wife of the elderly King Louis, a toothless, ailing man in his sixties. Horrified and furious, Mary has no choice but to sail for France. There she hones her political skills, bides her time, and remains secretly in love with Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. When King Louis dies after only two years of marriage, Mary is determined not to be sold into another unhappy union. She must act quickly; if she wants to be with the man she truly loves, she must defy the laws of church and state by marrying without her brother’s permission. Together, Mary and Charles devise a scheme to outwit the most ruthless king in Europe and gain their hearts’ desire, not knowing if it will lead to marital bliss or certain death. Leseprobe Although the wind blew from the northeast, whipping the cold waters of the Thames, bending the rushes and long grasses on the banks and throwing itself, as though in anger, against the Palace walls, the barges continued to arrive, and great personages alighted at the privy steps. The young girl kneeling in a window seat watched them with satisfaction. "Why, Katharine," she said, without turning to look at her sister-in-law, who sat sewing on her stool near the window, "my lord Dudley and my lord Empson are arriving now. Who next, I wonder." She pulled at her plentiful red-gold curls,. "And to think, Katharine, that they are coming to honor me!" "Nay, Mary, you are over-vain. You should remember that it is not you they honor, but your fathers crown." "By God's Holy Mother," retorted Mary, "is it my fathers crown then who is going to solemnize its nuptials tomorrow in this Palace?" "We know it is yourself who is going to do that. But the honor these men do is not for an eleven-year-old girl, but because she is the daughter of the King of England." "I am twelve, I would have you know," retorted Mary. "Twelve and..." She began to count on her fingers. "Twelve years and nine months. Almost thirteen. So there!" "That is not so very old, and it is unseemly that you should use such oaths, which are in truth blasphemy." "Oh, Katharine, you are such a dull creature." She jumped from the window seat and, running to Katharine, put her arms about her. "There, I did not mean that. But you are so good...and I can never be good. At least I dont intend to be until I am so old that I must think of repentance. But you are not of that age yet, Katharine. Why dont you stop thinking about what is right, and think more about what is amusing?" She put her head on one side and regarded Katharine. Poor Kate! A widow alreadyand of some years standing. It must be...she tried to count again...six years since Arthur had died, and poor Katharine had been growing older and sadder ever since. "We are not put on earth to amuse ourselves, Mary," said Katharine quietly. "But I was," persisted Mary. "You a...

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Jean Plaidy
• Editore: Crown Publishing Group
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 28.10.2003
• EAN: 9780609810217
• ISBN: 978-0-609-81021-7
• Pagine: 304
• Dimensioni: 134 mm x 203 mm x 17 mm
• Serie: Novel of the Tudors; A Novel of the Tudors; Crown; A Novel of the Tudors; Novel of the Tudors
• Categoria: Narrativa > Romanzi