The best historical fiction books on the perils of life at the English court, c. 1483-1547

A classic novel that explores whether Richard III was responsible for the murder of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower. Tey tries to show readers that the case against the vilified king isn’t as open and shut as we may assume. Although this novel is a bit dated (given that it was published over 70 years ago), it is still an interesting “who done it?” 

I found a copy of this book at my grandmother’s house (where I found much to nurture my love of British history) and read it when I was in my early teens. It was a revelation in terms of the detective work that is historical research. Even for those who aren’t hardcore history nerds, this book is a thought-provoking read and a cautionary tale about accepting historical legends at face value. 

Much like Tey’s book, the author raises questions about Richard Plantagenet and whether he was the much-maligned monster of Shakespearean imagining. I love SKP’s books as they draw you into the narrative and keep you entertained for hundreds of pages. 

I started reading every novel of Penman’s I could get my hands on when I was in my PhD. Reading had become a chore – something I did for my research. I had forgotten how to read for fun. My roommate in grad school had been a librarian and reminded me that books weren’t just something you “mine” for information. I am grateful she introduced me to Sharon Kay Penman’s works. 

Both Tey and Penman’s books were published decades before the discovery of Richard III’s body under a Leicester car park in 2012. A detailed autopsy did answer some of our questions about whether he had a misshapen body portrayed in his black legend. Even so, questions remain about Richard’s character. These books remain relevant because there is still reasonable doubt in the case against Richard as a murdering uncle. 

Margaret George has written a number of historical fiction books. I have enjoyed them all but this is by far my favourite. I readily admit that I’m not a fan of Henry VIII, not just because of how he treated his wives and mistresses but also how he bent his kingdom to suit his own needs and vanities. However, George’s sympathetic telling humanizes the man that Charles Dickens called “a blot of blood and grease upon the History of England.”  

Much about Mary Boleyn’s life is unknown. She had a brief time in the spotlight when she was a mistress of Henry VIII but she has been eclipsed by her sister Anne who played the courtship game for much higher stakes: the crown of a queen consort. Anne is a controversial Tudor figure who inspires both love and scorn. Mary was relegated to her sister’s shadow in life and in history.  

Both the book and the movie have been criticized for Gregory’s lack of historical accuracy but they are works of historical fiction. And it’s hard to deny the sheer readability of the prolific author’s books. In the novel and in real life, the Boleyn sisters were thrown into the vicious vortex of court politics by their ambitious kin and were victimized by men and forces outside their control. 

Although Wolf Hall is the better-known and lauded novel, my preference is for the second book of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy. The author’s focus is Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s ruthlessly efficient first minister who came to prominence after Cardinal Wolsey fell from grace for his failure to solve the King’s “Great Matter.”  I admit I’ve never warmed to Cromwell, although he has been praised by illustrious Tudor historians such as GR Elton. Certainly, he was instrumental in freeing the King of his papal shackles and all that followed in the wake of England’s break from Rome. That being said, the Cromwell of the historical record hardly seems sympathetic. He was one of the wiliest serpents in the snake pit of the Tudor court. Mantel’s books attempt to show a more human side of Henry VIII’s right-hand man.