Henrietta Maria: The Warrior Queen Who Divided a Nation
Leanda de Lisle
Sep 2022 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Daphne Kouma
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12 hr 44 min
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Henrietta Maria is British history's most reviled queen consort. Condemned in her lifetime as the "Popish brat of France,” an adulteress, and a traitor, she remains in popular memory the wife who wore the breeches in her marriage, the woman who turned her husband Catholic (and so caused the English Civil War), and a cruel and bigoted mother.
This clear-eyed biography unpicks the myths and considers the story from Henrietta Maria's point of view. A portrait emerges of a woman whose closest friends included Puritans as well as Catholics, who crossed swords with Cardinal Richelieu, and led the anti-Spanish faction at the English court. A witty conversationalist, Henrietta Maria was a patron of the arts and a champion of the female voice, as well as a mediatrix for her persecuted fellow Catholics.
During the civil war, the queen's enemies agreed that Charles would never have survived as long as he did without the "She Generalissimo." Seeing events through her gaze reveals the truth behind the claims that she caused the war, explains her estrangement from her son Henry, and diminishes the image of the Restoration queen as an irrelevant crone. In fact, Henrietta Maria rose from the ashes of her husband's failures—a "phoenix queen"—presiding over a court judged to have had "more mirth" even than that of the Merry Monarch, Charles II.
This clear-eyed biography unpicks the myths and considers the story from Henrietta Maria's point of view. A portrait emerges of a woman whose closest friends included Puritans as well as Catholics, who crossed swords with Cardinal Richelieu, and led the anti-Spanish faction at the English court. A witty conversationalist, Henrietta Maria was a patron of the arts and a champion of the female voice, as well as a mediatrix for her persecuted fellow Catholics.
During the civil war, the queen's enemies agreed that Charles would never have survived as long as he did without the "She Generalissimo." Seeing events through her gaze reveals the truth behind the claims that she caused the war, explains her estrangement from her son Henry, and diminishes the image of the Restoration queen as an irrelevant crone. In fact, Henrietta Maria rose from the ashes of her husband's failures—a "phoenix queen"—presiding over a court judged to have had "more mirth" even than that of the Merry Monarch, Charles II.
Henrietta Maria is British history's most reviled queen consort. Condemned in her lifetime as the "Popish brat of France,” an adulteress, and a traitor, she remains in popular memory the wife who wore the breeches in her marriage, the woman who turned her husband Catholic (and so caused the Engli...
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About the author
Leanda de Lisle is a British historical writer. She was born in London and educated at Somerville College, Oxford University. She began her journalism career working for the Hackney Gazette. Later de Lisle obtained a master's degree in Business Administration. Her first book, After Elizabeth: The Death of Elizabeth and the Coming of King James, was published in 2005 and was runner up for the Saltire Society¿s First Book of the Year award. Her next book, The Sisters Who Would be Queen; The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey, became a New York Times bestseller. Her latest book, Tudor; The Family Story (1437-1603), also became a bestseller. Ms. de Lisle continues to write for a number of publications including BBC History magazine, History Today, the Literary Review, the New Criterion and the Spectator, as well as other British national newspapers.
Leanda de Lisle is a British historical writer. She was born in London and educated at Somerville College, Oxford University. She began her journalism career working for the Hackney Gazette. Later de Lisle obtained a master's degree in Business Administration. Her first book, After Elizabeth: The...
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