The White Princess Philippa Gregory
Romance Historical Fiction 528 Pages
Recommended!

“Ah, dear heart, no. Nobody calls me a whore for I am King of England and a man. Whatever else you might like to change in the world, a York King on the throne, the battle reversed, Richard arising from the grave, you cannot hope to change the way that the world sees women. Any woman who feels desire and acts on it will always be called a whore. That will never change. Your reputation was ruined by your folly with Richard, for all that you thought it was love, your first love. You have only regained your reputation by a loveless marriage. You have gained a name but lost pleasure.” Henry Tudor, King of England, to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, House of York.

“There are many sorts of love. And when you love a man who is less than you dreamed, you have to make allowances for the difference between a real man and a dream. Sometimes you have to forgive him. Perhaps you even have to forgive him often. But forgiveness often comes with love.” Her Grace Elizabeth counsels her daughter, Queen Elizabeth, on Henry Tudor.

“The safety of the throne is built on those that us - only on those that love us. We rule by the consent of the governed - we have to make sure that those who are loyal to us continue as loyal. That list….. That list will grow if you fine good men into bankruptcy.” Queen Elizabeth to the Tudors

“I have never in my life heard of such a thing as this: a country invaded and the King afraid to march out to defend his borders, a king who cannot trust the army he has mastered, equipped, and paid. A king who looks like a usurper and calls on foreign troops even as a boy, an unbloodied boy, demands his throne.” Queen Elizabeth thought of King Henry on the invasion of the Scots in the North.

“Perhaps the boy will think that loving a woman and loving his child is enough. Perhaps he will understand that a prince does not have to become a king. Perhaps he will think that it is more important to be a man, a loving man. Perhaps when he sees his wife with the child in his arms he will know that this is the greatest kingdom a man can wish for.” Lady Margaret to Queen Elizabeth on the news of her long lost brother.

Book review coming up next. Stay tune!