Katherine Howard (No. 35) in Book Challenge 2016 (52 books to be read in 52 weeks)

Katherine Howard (The Tragic Story of Henry VIII’s Fifth Queen) by Josephine Wilkinson (309 pages, including Acknowledgements, Illustration Credits, Notes, Bibliography and Index) was one very quick read for me. As history buffs know, Katherine was the much younger wife of a bloated, tyrannical king. With a bit of a marital history. Four wives married since 1509 (he married Katherine in 1540, and died in 1547). Two he divorced, one died shortly after childbirth and one (Katherine’s cousin) was beheaded on trumped up charges.

I’ve read a few interesting takes on Katherine’s life - that she was innocent of all charges and was just “fooling around” (i.e. flirting) to Katherine being a silly, empty headed teenager who could not grasp the seriousness of her promiscuity and adultery. This book is slightly different. Wilkinson argues that Katherine was more the victim of intrigue, child abuse, and family ambition.

Interesting reading. Armchair historians might find this worth reading. :)

Date Read: 30 April - 3 May 2016. Books Read This Year: 35/52. Total Pages Read So Far This Year: 8646