The Innocent Traitor
I've always been a fan of historical fiction. Not only do they give you a personal, unique perspective on how that period in history might have unfolded, but it also lets you relive that period in time - at least in your mind. The history of England is one of those periods where historical fiction almost does a better job then straight history books. The interpersonal relationships between the royal family, the political jestering of the elite class, and the social dynamics of the era all lend themselves to historical fiction. The recent book by Alison Weir - The Innocent Traitor
Alison Weir brings new life and fascinating detail to this tragic and familiar tale of the Tudor Royal History. What if your parents were so bent on furthering the family name that they would bring you into a known danger and ultimately be the cause of loosing your head - literally. Lady Jane Grey was sixteen years of age when she was beheaded after being declared Queen of England for nine days. This is the story of a highly educated girl, who would have been England’s first Protestant Queen.
Weir fleshes out Lady Jane’s childhood with its cold, harsh environment where she recedes into solitude and study as defense. She is intelligent and private and goes not want public office forced upon her, but her parents and Lord Dudley (father to future Queen Elizabeth’s long time love Lord Robert Dudley) care only about possible her claim to the throne.
Alison Weir has written ten non-fiction historical texts on Europe so her historical fiction is incredibly well researched and wonderfully creative. If you love historical fiction or just want to learn something about this era, The Innocent Traitor
Other excellent historical fiction books include:
The Map Thief
The Confederate War Bonnet
My Splendid Concubine
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