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The Constant Princess

By Philippa Gregory

(47)

| Hardcover | 9780743272483

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Book Description

I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Daughter of Queen Isabella and King FerdinContinue

I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other's company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

"They tell me nothing but lies here and they think they can break my spirit. I believe what I choose and say nothing. I am not as simple as I seem."

Widowed and alone in the avaricious world of the Tudor court, Katherine has to sidestep her father-in-law's desire for her and convince him, and an incredulous Europe, that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated, that there is no obstacle to marriage with Henry. For seven years, she endures the treachery of spies, the humiliation of poverty, and intense loneliness and despair while she waits for the inevitable moment when she will step into the role she has prepared for all her life. Then, like her warrior mother, Katherine must take to the battlefield and save England when its old enemies the Scots come over the border and there is no one to stand against them but the new Queen.

"It was my dying husband's hope, my mother's wish, and God's will that I should be Queen of England; and for them and for the country, I will be Queen of England until I die."

Raised on the battlefield and in the most beautiful Moorish palace in the world, sent to England alone at the age of sixteen to take her place in a court where she couldn't speak the language, and abandoned and forced to endure poverty after the death of her husband, Katherine remained a woman of indomit-able spirit, unwavering faith, and extraordinary strength. Philippa Gregory brings to life one of history's most inspiring women and creates one of the most compelling characters in historical fiction.

Critics

The Best Reviews: Philippa Gregory, The Constant Princess

"Grand sweep of late fifteenth century into early sixteenth century England" Katherine spent her preadolescent years on the battlefield as her parents King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella defeated the Moors. Once the kingdom was secure the trio resided ... (read full critics)

thebestreviews published on Thu, 16 Sep 2010

The Constant Princess-- book review

The Constant Princess Philippa Gregory Touchstone Paperback 416 pages August 2006 Catalina, Infanta of Spain and Princess of Wales, betrothed to Henry VII's son Arthur, is born at a fortuitous time, her parents Ferdinand and Isabella, co-conspirators ... (read full critics)

curledup published on Tue, 7 Sep 2010

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10 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

Entertaining enough for commute-reading. The portrayal of the main character is a bit simplistic and not very well developed. More importantly, with this author you never know how much she is making up and how much there is in terms of reliable historical facts.

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Elaine said on Feb 28, 2011 | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

The Constant Princess

I love the way Philippa Gregory brings the Tudors to life. She never fails to bring depth and emotion to the historical figures she features in her books. This particular volume tells the story of Katherine of Aragon and concentrates solely on the years before she became acquainted with Anne Boley ... (continue)

I love the way Philippa Gregory brings the Tudors to life. She never fails to bring depth and emotion to the historical figures she features in her books. This particular volume tells the story of Katherine of Aragon and concentrates solely on the years before she became acquainted with Anne Boleyn.

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Readingrat said on Apr 19, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Learning about Catherine of Aragon was very inspiring. I love how Gregory takes historical documents and turns them into a very readable narrative.

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Serena Freewomyn said on Nov 1, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

I was glued to this book from the moment I picked it up. Philippa Gregory adds depth to a fascinating history of Britain and helped me connect a lot more with Henry's first wife.

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Valentine said on Jan 25, 2010 | Add your feedback

I am not familiar with British history. However, I have a feeling that there is no big difference between the courts of the Eastern and the Western royal families.

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Alveole Wu said on Nov 16, 2009 | Add your feedback

'Katherine of Aragon'- as beekeeper40 has already mentioned, she did tend to go on about her God given rights rather too often. Arrogant in fact!
Sorry I could not resist that comment.
I did enjoy this, though maybe not quite as much as some of the authors earlier novels. I did appreciate ... (continue)

'Katherine of Aragon'- as beekeeper40 has already mentioned, she did tend to go on about her God given rights rather too often. Arrogant in fact!
Sorry I could not resist that comment.
I did enjoy this, though maybe not quite as much as some of the authors earlier novels. I did appreciate the way it complimented 'The Other Boleyn Girl' with a viewpoint from the other side of the story. as usual Philippa Gregory succeeds in bringing history alive in the pages of a novel. Maybe it did stop a little short timewise, but then maybe she felt that tale had already been told in 'The Other Boleyn Girl'?

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Lindyloumac said on Nov 3, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback