Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr, the Last Wife of King Henry VIII by Linda Porter: A Book Review

Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr, the Last Wife of King Henry VIII

Author: Linda Porter

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography 

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: 2024

Pages: 418

Source: Personal Collection 

Synopsis: The general perception of Katherine Parr is that she was a provincial nobody with intellectual pretensions who became queen of England because the king needed a nurse as his health declined. Yet the real Katherine Parr was attractive, passionate, ambitious, and highly intelligent. Thirty-years-old (younger than Anne Boleyn had been) when she married the king, she was twice widowed and held hostage by the northern rebels during the great uprising of 1536-37 known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. Her life had been dramatic even before she became queen and it would remain so after Henry's death. She hastily and secretly married her old flame, the rakish Sir Thomas Seymour, and died shortly after giving birth to her only child in September 1548. Her brief happiness was undermined by the very public flirtation of her husband and step-daughter, Princess Elizabeth. She was one of the most influential and active queen consorts in English history, and this is her story.

        My Review: Katherine Parr is most famous for being the wife who survived King Henry VIII. She has often been assumed to be King Henry VIII’s wife because he needed a nurse. However, this biography shows that was not the case. Instead, King Henry VIII chose her to be his wife because she was intelligent, attractive, and could still give him sons. This biography also shows that Katherine Parr was a Renaissance queen, who had a strong passion for learning.

      Queen Katherine Parr is one of the most admired queens of England. She was very ambitious, practical, and wise. She was also a good stepmother to her step-children, Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Edward. The biography also discusses her marriages to four husbands. The first husband was short-lived. However, her second marriage was happy. Even though her marriage to King Henry VIII was tumultuous at times, it was still a happy marriage. They learned to respect and care for each other. Her fourth love marriage was also happy though the couple had difficult moments. Therefore, Katherine Parr led an extraordinary life and was truly an admirable figure!

      Overall, this was a very in-depth and comprehensive biography of Katherine Parr. There were times that I thought the biography dragged, especially during her second marriage. I like how it showed Katherine Parr as a wife, stepmother, and queen! Katherine Parr was also deeply influential in Queen Elizabeth’s early life. She helped foster Elizabeth’s love of learning. Therefore, Katherine Parr was a scholar and promoted the arts. She was the definition of a true Renaissance queen. Katherine the Queen was a very engrossing and mesmerizing read! I loved reading about this intelligent queen! Katherine the Queen is a must-read for Tudor fans! I recommend this book for fans of Carolly Erickson, Alison Weir, and Elizabeth Norton!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars