Letters of the Queens of England

‘A serious and scholarly study of the role of the queen consort in medieval English political life.’ – Sunday Telegraph

‘A useful collection of sources.’ – Annual Bulletin of Historical Literature

‘A good read … shows [the medieval queens] as real people, not as the idealised heroines of romance, nor as faceless nonentities.’ – The Ricardian

While the role and character of England’s medieval and Tudor kings are well documented, surprisingly little attention has been paid to their often powerful and influential consorts. Letters of the Queens of England allows the queens to speak for themselves through their own correspondence, with each letter set in context alongside a general introduction on the role of the queen in medieval and Tudor England.

Encompassing virtually every English queen from Matilda of Scotland to Katherine Parr, many of whom have been neglected by historians as faceless consorts, these letters reveal the queens’ character and power. They portray these women as considerable political figures in their own right, and as strong and intelligent members of society.

Illustrated throughout and complemented by genealogical and marriage tables, this is an excellent reference source and a fascinating introduction to the foremost women of medieval and Tudor England.