Description

Book Synopsis

A BEHIND THE SCENES GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF HENRY VIII, ANNE BOLEYN, ELIZBAETH I AND MORE, FROM BESTSELLING HISTORIAN TRACY BORMAN



Readers LOVE The Private Lives of the Tudors:
''A truly informative and thoroughly enjoyable read.'' ?????
''It was an absolutely delight, and I read it in record time'' ?????
''I found this book riveting and took it on holiday!'' ?????

----

''I do not live in a corner. A thousand eyes see all I do.'' Elizabeth I

The Tudor monarchs were constantly surrounded by an army of attendants, courtiers and ministers. Even in their most private moments, they were accompanied by a servant specifically appointed for the task. A groom of the stool would stand patiently by as Henry VIII performed his daily purges, and when Elizabeth I retired for the evening, one of her female servants would sleep at the end of her bed.

These attendants knew the truth behind the glamorous exter

Trade Review
Borman approaches her topic with huge enthusiasm and a keen eye for entertaining...this is a very human story of a remarkable family, full of vignettes that sit long in the mind. -- Dan Jones * The Sunday Times *
Tracy Borman's eye for detail is impressive; the book is packed with fascinating courtly minutiae... this is a wonderful book. * The Times *
Borman is an authoritative and engaging writer, good at prising out those humanising details that make the past alive to us. * The Observer *
A riveting behind-the-scenes re-creation of court life. * The Bookseller *
A rich and intimate portrait. * Stylist *
The glittering, jewel-encrusted private world of Britain's five Tudor monarchs is gloriously brought to life here. * The Scotsman *
Fascinating, detailed account of the everyday reality of the royals... This is a book of rich scholarship. Tracy Borman is a chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces and she knows her Tudor history inside out. * Daily Mail *
Tracy Borman's passion for the Tudor period shines forth from the pages of this fascinatingly detailed book, which vividly illuminates what went on behind the scenes at the Tudor court. Reading it is as good as looking through a keyhole, because it keeps its focus on the personal and private lives of the ever-intriguing Tudors, revealing their most intimate moments and even their poignant vulnerability - a far cry from the public images we have of them. * Alison Weir *
For Borman, the intimate particulars of everyday life are what help the past come bracingly, stirringly alive. Her full-quivered social history of the Tudor monarchs furnishes readers with a 'Hey, did you know...?' on almost every page...Social history lives and dies in the integrity of its details, and this authoritative work teems with well-sourced material. * New York Times *
Borman's book is a winner. * The Express *

The Private Lives of the Tudors

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Tracy Borman

    15 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Private Lives of the Tudors by Tracy Borman

      Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
      Publication Date: 09/03/2017
      ISBN13: 9781444782929, 978-1444782929
      ISBN10: 1444782924

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A BEHIND THE SCENES GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF HENRY VIII, ANNE BOLEYN, ELIZBAETH I AND MORE, FROM BESTSELLING HISTORIAN TRACY BORMAN



      Readers LOVE The Private Lives of the Tudors:
      ''A truly informative and thoroughly enjoyable read.'' ?????
      ''It was an absolutely delight, and I read it in record time'' ?????
      ''I found this book riveting and took it on holiday!'' ?????

      ----

      ''I do not live in a corner. A thousand eyes see all I do.'' Elizabeth I

      The Tudor monarchs were constantly surrounded by an army of attendants, courtiers and ministers. Even in their most private moments, they were accompanied by a servant specifically appointed for the task. A groom of the stool would stand patiently by as Henry VIII performed his daily purges, and when Elizabeth I retired for the evening, one of her female servants would sleep at the end of her bed.

      These attendants knew the truth behind the glamorous exter

      Trade Review
      Borman approaches her topic with huge enthusiasm and a keen eye for entertaining...this is a very human story of a remarkable family, full of vignettes that sit long in the mind. -- Dan Jones * The Sunday Times *
      Tracy Borman's eye for detail is impressive; the book is packed with fascinating courtly minutiae... this is a wonderful book. * The Times *
      Borman is an authoritative and engaging writer, good at prising out those humanising details that make the past alive to us. * The Observer *
      A riveting behind-the-scenes re-creation of court life. * The Bookseller *
      A rich and intimate portrait. * Stylist *
      The glittering, jewel-encrusted private world of Britain's five Tudor monarchs is gloriously brought to life here. * The Scotsman *
      Fascinating, detailed account of the everyday reality of the royals... This is a book of rich scholarship. Tracy Borman is a chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces and she knows her Tudor history inside out. * Daily Mail *
      Tracy Borman's passion for the Tudor period shines forth from the pages of this fascinatingly detailed book, which vividly illuminates what went on behind the scenes at the Tudor court. Reading it is as good as looking through a keyhole, because it keeps its focus on the personal and private lives of the ever-intriguing Tudors, revealing their most intimate moments and even their poignant vulnerability - a far cry from the public images we have of them. * Alison Weir *
      For Borman, the intimate particulars of everyday life are what help the past come bracingly, stirringly alive. Her full-quivered social history of the Tudor monarchs furnishes readers with a 'Hey, did you know...?' on almost every page...Social history lives and dies in the integrity of its details, and this authoritative work teems with well-sourced material. * New York Times *
      Borman's book is a winner. * The Express *

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