Review: The Queen's Sister by Carol McGrath
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Carol McGrath to Ruins & Reading. I'm sharing my review of her enthralling new novel, The Queen's Sister – the story of Elizabeth, younger sister to Queen Jane Seymour. It's well worth checking out, so read on!
The Queen's Sister is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating posts HERE!
The Queen’s Sister
Carol McGrath
Review:
Elizabeth Seymour was Jane's younger sister (though this has lately been disputed), married three times, with a plethora of children.
We meet her first following the death of her first husband, Anthony. Quite a bit older than her, he left her a widow with two young children before her 20th birthday. She travels from Jersey to Kexby, her husband's – and now her – manor in rural Yorkshire.
We meet her first following the death of her first husband, Anthony. Quite a bit older than her, he left her a widow with two young children before her 20th birthday. She travels from Jersey to Kexby, her husband's – and now her – manor in rural Yorkshire.
Although not poor, without her husband's revenue, Elizabeth must look out for herself, and her children. With the help from her loyal steward, and a strong dose of common sense and good fortune, Elizabeth manages to sell worsted at York market. But with unrest in the realm growing, following the king's setting aside of his second wife, Anne Bullen, it's still a volatile situation.
Elizabeth, a former lady-in-waiting to the unfortunate queen, is sympathetic to Anne's situation, and incredibly sad about the queen's miscarriage and subsequent incarceration.
Meanwhile, the dissolution of the monasteries continues, which gives her grief, for the sake of her favourite nunnery at Wilberfoss, and opportunity alike. Would the king, who has now wed her sister Jane, somewhat unexpectedly, agree for her to be granted lands former monastery to her own? She writes to Thomas Cromwell, and little does she know that she sets in motion much bigger things than grazing for her sheep.
Called to her family manor by her brother, Edward, she agrees to meet Cromwell's son, Gregory, with a view to a betrothal. But Elizabeth has conditions.
Will Cromwell and the more and more irrational king agree, or will she have to continue to fend for herself and her children?
The Queen's Sister is a captivating, realistic tale of a widowed Tudor lady of old English stock, trying to retain her independence whilst securing a safe future for her children. In hindsight, we know Henry's temper and changes of heart could hit anyone, friend or foe alike.
In this novel, we experience the changes in the kingdom through Elizabeth's eyes, in close first person present point of view. This allows us access to her mind, her concerns, and her ambitions. Through her, we discover the precarious situation in the north during the Pilgrimage of Grace; her sister's tragic demise following childbirth; and lastly, her influential father-in-law's spectacular fall from royal favour.
We witness the scheming courtiers; the real dangers of childbirth; and the fickle moods of a volatile monarch on whose whim everything depends.
Then there is Hans Holbein, court painter and artiste extraordinaire. Ms McGrath was inspired by his painting of an unknown woman – now thought to be Elizabeth Seymour. In the novel, I enjoyed him meeting the irascible lady for his sketches, and how he got away with flattering her when no one else managed. But in the end, the painting was but a painful memory for her...
I found Elizabeth to be intelligent, clued-up, and resourceful, and given her known history, Ms McGrath has done a brilliant job in bringing her to life realistically, and without the hint of wistful Tudor nostalgia. Here is a woman who protects her property and her children in turbulent times, who knows when to speak out and particularly, when to stay silent, observing. Always aware of dangers lurking in the shadows.
Her character has a haughtiness that never leaves her. She may come across as cold, uncaring – unpopular habits in women of the time – but I think that conveys a true image of a woman forced to look out for herself.
The Queen's Sister is a remarkable story of resilience and survival, set at a time of great upheaval and change. Voicing your opinion could mean certain death. Elizabeth Seymour seems to have had the good common sense to keep her opinions to herself, thus saving her life and her inheritance.
The Queen's Sister is a highly recommended read for readers who enjoy detailed descriptions of Tudor life both at Henry's court, and away from the all-seeing eyes of the dangerous king. 
~~~
Blurb:
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, 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.
What readers say about Carol McGrath's novels:
'Another beautifully crafted, well-researched work of historical fiction from Carol McGrath'
'Brimming with intrigue, tension and adventure, The Lost Queen is a powerful Medieval tale full of atmosphere, danger and emotion and transports the reader to another world'
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About the Author:
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.
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