Customer Reviews

Catherine Parr

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It's interesting that two new volumes on Parr have been published simultaneously. I read this book by Elizabeth Norton book back to back with the other by Linda Porter: Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr. Both are good for different reasons.

This book is Norton's fourth in her series on Henry VIII's wives. In general, it has much more detail than Porter's Parr biography. For instance, for Queen Catherine's escape from persecution, Porter relies heavily on the Anne Askew "trial" and Norton brings more issues to bear. In writing of the last "courtship" Norton demonstrates why Catherine and Thomas Seymour are considered a love match, where with Porter you learn of the secret trysts, but for "love" you need to take it on faith. There is more here about Catherine's mentorship of Mary and Elizabeth (and Thomas Seymour's interference) and while neither book says much about Lady Jane Grey, this one has the most information. There is more here on many other topics such as the Pilgrimage of Grace and the fate of Catherine's only child.

Norton's book, at times, reads like a text book. There are excerpts from the primary sources on almost every page. At times the authentic words add to the material, mostly I found them too elliptical to slog through. Fortunately, Norton explains each of them.

Porter's book is a page turner. I think this is because it is more people centered. The profile on Katherine's mother and Katherine's life in her first marriage begin the book in an empathetic way. Porter gives warmer descriptions of the relationships Katherine built with her step-children and her relationships with her attendants. In the end, you feel you've bridged the centuries and you feel like you know and understand Katherine.

Both books show Catherine's mentorship of Mary I and Elizabeth I. Both books mention Catherine's role in the education of Lady (9 days' Queen) Jane Grey, but neither develops this. While she is often known as the most married Queen of England, a more fitting tribute would be Catherine Parr: Mentor to Three Queens.

The Norton book has the wonderful plates. There are lots of them and each one is gorgeous. The book is printed on heavy glossy paper which really brings out the photos. (The paper has some glare which is not easy on the eyes.)

I've read two Norton's others: JANE SEYMOUR: Henry VIIIs True Love and ANNE OF CLEVES: Henry VIIIs Discarded Bride and recommend them both. This new one on Parr, I liked the best.

K/Catherine Parr is fascinating and if you are a Tudor aficionado, you will want to read both Norton and Porter.