The young Spanish widow, Katharine of Aragon, has become the pawn between two powerful monarchies. After less than a year as the wife of the frail Prince Arthur, the question of whether the marriage was ever consummated will decide both her fate and England's. But whilst England and Spain dispute her dowry, in the wings awaits her unexpected escape from poverty: Henry, Arthur's younger, more handsome brother - the future King of England. He alone has the power to restore her position, but at what sacrifice?
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama.' - New York Times 'Jean Plaidy, by the skilful blending of superb storytelling and meticulous attention to authenticity of detail and depth of charaterization has become one of the country's most widely read novelists.' - Sunday Times 'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting.' - Obsever 'One of England's foremost historical novelists' - Birmingham Mail"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
From the Inside Flap
IN THE ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET
THE INFANTA OF SPAIN WAS A TRUE PRIZE.
In the eyes of the world, Katharine of Aragon was a precious object to be disposed of for the glory of Spain. Her parents, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, send her to England to become the bride of Arthur, Prince of Wales.
But soon her frail husband was dead, and a fateful question loomed: Was the marriage consummated, as Katharine's priest avowed, or was the young widow still a virgin? On that delicate point hinged Katharine's--and England's--future. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings was her willful, handsome brother-in-law, bold Prince Henry, who alone had the power to restore Katharine's lost position.
Jean Plaidy's narrative genius sparkles in this story of a remarkable royal marriage that inspired some of history's bloodiest deeds . . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
THE INFANTA OF SPAIN WAS A TRUE PRIZE.
In the eyes of the world, Katharine of Aragon was a precious object to be disposed of for the glory of Spain. Her parents, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, send her to England to become the bride of Arthur, Prince of Wales.
But soon her frail husband was dead, and a fateful question loomed: Was the marriage consummated, as Katharine's priest avowed, or was the young widow still a virgin? On that delicate point hinged Katharine's--and England's--future. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings was her willful, handsome brother-in-law, bold Prince Henry, who alone had the power to restore Katharine's lost position.
Jean Plaidy's narrative genius sparkles in this story of a remarkable royal marriage that inspired some of history's bloodiest deeds . . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A WELL WRITTEN WORK OF HISTORICAL FICTION...,
By Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (COMMUNITY FORUM 04) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Katharine the Virgin Widow (Mass Market Paperback)
In this, the first book in the Katherine of Aragon trilogy, the author, Jean Plaidy, also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt, writes about young Katherine of Aragon, who as the Infanta of Spain, was betrothed to marry the sickly son of the parsimonious King Henry VII, Arthur, the Prince of Wales.This marriage was a politically expedient one, meant to ally Spain and England. When Arthur dies shortly after their marriage, he leaves behind a virgin widow, as their marriage had never been consummated. This book chronicles the travails of the widowed Katherine, who languished in the court of her father-in-law, treated as an unnecessary appendage, only to be turned out of the palace to live as an unwanted poor relation. Living in penurious conditions in England, ill befitting a princess of Spain, she waits for her fortunes to change. When her beloved mother and only hope of respite, Queen Isabella of Castile, dies, Katherine is bereft, knowing that her father, King Ferdinand of Aragon, will do only what is politically convenient and leave her to her own devices. She is ultimately betrothed to Arthur's younger brother, Henry, only to find that as the time for the marriage to take place draws near, King Henry VII is manuevering to make a more advantageous marriage for his son. Reliance upon her sister, Juana, who is now Queen of Castile, to help Katherine settle her precarious situation is misplaced, for Juana, married to Phillip the Handsome, has mental health issues. After the premature death of her husband, her behavior greatly deteriorates, and she becomes known as Juana the Mad with good reason. The book artfully details the hopefulness of a young Katherine, as she is married to Arthur, as well as the early sufferings of the widowed Katherine at the hands of King Henry VII. The book also offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of Katherine's older sister, Juana the Mad, as well as the Spanish and English intrigues of the day. This is a well written account of the early life of Katherine of Aragon in the English Court, whose fortunes dramatically changed upon the death of King Henry VII, when Henry VIII chose to honor his betrothal to her and make her his wife.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
THE EARLY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF KATHERINE OF ARAGON...,
By Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (COMMUNITY FORUM 04) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Katharine the Virgin Widow (Hardcover)
In this, the first book in the Katherine of Aragon trilogy, the author, Jean Plaidy, also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt, writes about young Katherine of Aragon, who as the Infanta of Spain was betrothed to marry the sickly son of the parsimonious King Henry VII, Arthur, the Prince of Wales.This marriage was a politically expedient one, meant to ally Spain and England. When Arthur dies shortly after their marriage, he leaves behind a virgin widow, as their marriage had never been consummated. This book chronicles the travails of the widowed Katherine, who languished in the court of her father-in-law, treated as an unnecessary appendage, only to be turned out of the palace to live as an unwanted poor relation. Living in penurious conditions in England, ill befitting a princess of Spain, she waits for her fortunes to change. When her beloved mother and only hope of respite, Queen Isabella of Castile, dies, Katherine is bereft, knowing that her father, King Ferdinand of Aragon, will do only what is politically expedient and leave her to her own devices. She is ultimately betrothed to Arthur's younger brother, Henry, only to find that as the time for the marriage to take place draws near, King Henry VII is maneuvering to make a more advantageous marriage for his son. Reliance upon her sister, Juana, who is now Queen of Castile, to help Katherine settle her precarious situation is misplaced, for Juana, married to Phillip the Handsome, has mental health issues. After the premature death of her husband, her behavior greatly deteriorates, and she becomes known as Juana the Mad with good reason. The book artfully details the hopefulness of a young Katherine, as she is married to Arthur, as well as the early sufferings of the widowed Katherine at the hands of King Henry VII. The book also offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of Katherine's older sister, Juana the Mad, as well as the Spanish and English intrigues of the day. This is a well written account of the early life of Katherine of Aragon in the English Court, whose fortunes dramatically changed upon the death of King Henry VII, when Henry VIII chose to honor his betrothal to her and make her his wife.
1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Catherine of Aragon,
By Florencia Pagano (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Katharine the Virgin Widow (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the story of Catherine of Aragon, daugther of Fernando and Isabel from Spain. The book tells of her live when she arrived to England, and when she became a widow after her fiancée, future king of England, died.
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