I could barely put down this book. Despite its weight, I took it to read on bus journeys, and whenever I didn’t have it with me, I looked forward to getting home to lie in bed and read some more. I’m fond of real stories, and this has many interlinked ones, not just those of the six wives, but also great insights into Henry, Wolsey and Cranmer. The chapters are a good length for a single read.

The research, and the opinions, are strong. Starkey is forthright when giving his reasoned opinions on other historians’ work and opinions. He even states where he has changed his own mind about things (e.g. about something in his earlier book Elizabeth).

Henry is the real enigma. I find it hard to imagine how he could be so in love (apparently) at one time, then so unfeeling. Starkey does the best anyone could, I think, to explain it.

I would have to look hard for anything to gripe about, but in case anyone struggles to find out who Pedro de Ayala is when his name is first dropped on p.69, there is no explanation in the book of who he is. He is presumably a casualty of editing; I have no doubt that Starkey did introduce him and that the relevant text was later cut without moving Ayala’s introduction to the new first reference.

I’m looking forward to Elizabeth.

I was hopeless at history at school. Thanks to Starkey and Schama, I am now hooked. I just wish I could do something about the memory, though. Probably too late for that. CP2