Review: The Queen’s Sister by Carol McGrath

A mother, a wife, a woman of substance… At nineteen, Elizabeth Seymour is already a mother, has been recently widowed, and seen her Queen, Anne Boleyn, lose her life. Against the wishes of her father, she heads North, away from Wulf Hall and the court in London to Yorkshire, determined to establish a new beginning as a landowner and business woman. As her family in Wiltshire curry favour with King Henry, aided by Thomas Cromwell, Elizabeth makes Kexby Manor her home, finding loyalty among her people there.

Soon, news comes to Elizabeth of the King’s desires for her sister, Jane and while her brother, Edward, encourages her own betrothal to Gregory Cromwell, son of Thomas. It is a happy second marriage for Elizabeth, but it brings unwanted involvement in the dark plots and secrecy of the court, while in the wider country, changes in religious practice threaten to alter the traditions and values of all she has known…

THE QUEEN’S SISTER vividly imagines the story of the woman possibly portrayed in Hans Holbein’s beautiful painting ‘Portrait of a Lady,’ and is a colourful, meticulously researched novel of Tudor life behind the scenes.

My Review

Before I read this book, I never realized that Queen Jane had a sister. What a surprise! Apparently the two were not very close, for we really don’t encounter the queen except in passing. And the book is not about Queen Jane at all. Written in first person by Elizabeth Seymour, we get a peek at the difficult life of those within the royal circle who may not approve of what the king is doing, but who dare not voice their real opinion. In fact, Elizabeth mourns the late Queen Anne, and senses the presence of Anne’s spirit throughout the book. I think she is dubious about Jane’s position altogether, though she is careful to remain neutral. The book gets off to a slow start, but once I learn that she is to marry the son of Thomas Cromwell, my curiosity is piqued. Now, here is a potential battleground. And indeed, both husband and wife are cognizant of their fragile existence:

I speak softly, for I am about to offer what could be construed as criticism of a difficult king. ‘Gregory, don’t you see that rumour and idle talk around Lewes can harm us? You are only powerful as long as your father has the King’s ear. He could fall from grace. Other than the King’s position as Head of the Church and Thomas filling coffers with money from melted-down relics and other such Church wealth, he is a man who loves tradition. He does not like change.’ Gregory does not reply and leaves the parlour with an angry sweep of his gown.

Elizabeth and Gregory certainly benefit from Cromwell’s good fortune, and are given wonderful places to live, such as Leeds castle—to live in, not own. Their day-to-day existence is predicated on the king’s will, or Gregory’s father’s instructions. Elizabeth also must frequent court at times, especially when attending the new Queen Anne, who is very likeable but whose situation is precarious to all. Elizabeth must watch helplessly as Thomas Cromwell slips from royal favor. She does not approve of Thomas’s actions, especially his treatment of Anne Boleyn. But on the other hand, she loves her husband and also sees the personal side of her father in-law, which almost redeems him. Theirs is a complicated family life and, not knowing the fate of Gregory Cromwell, I was in mystery as to where his father’s fall would take them. It was a very interesting book.

Universal Ebook Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzExAq

Universal Paperback Link: https://geni.us/queenssister

Meet Carol McGrath

Following a first degree in English and History at QUB, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. She is published by Headline.

The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAs in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a Medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. The Stolen Crown 2023 and July 2024 The Lost Queen about Berengaria of Navarre and The Third Crusade. The Queen’s Sister, sequel to Mistress Cromwell sees publication in June 2026.

Carol writes historical non-fiction as well as fiction. Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England was published in February 2022 by Pen & Sword. She speaks at Conferences and gives interviews.