The Concubine by Norah Lofts
Norah Lofts, a renowned and adored historical author, vividly captures the peril, romance, and intrigue of the Tudor court that irrevocably changed the path of English history. When Anne Boleyn was sixteen years old, unhappy, gloomy, and gorgeous after a failed relationship with the son of the Earl of Northumberland, the monarch first took notice of her. A courtier had mocked her, calling her “all eyes and hair,” but when King Henry VIII fell in love with young Anne, nothing could stop him from fulfilling his desires. Henry disregarded logic and the advice of his closest confidants, foolishly pursuing his desire for Anne, and abusing his control over everyone who lived in his realm and beyond.
The Concubine by Norah Lofts
19 used from $3.74
Free shipping
Amazon.com
From lady-in-waiting to the highest position a woman could hold, Anne’s rise to the throne elevates her, but when Henry is driven to desperate acts of betrayal and brutality, Anne’s life spins out of control. Beyond the confines of the court, Anne’s ascent to power and the subsequent fallout have far-reaching effects. Due to the king’s unexpected passions, loyalty to the church, the queen, and the country is put to the test. It may even come down to a matter of life and death. Lofts’ sumptuous and emotional portrayal of the ambitious and doomed Anne Boleyn, first published in 1963 and adored by readers for generations, will continue to reign as a great recounting of this epic chapter of history that is wonderfully brought to life.
Emma Arnett, a maid who follows Anne after she is essentially ripped from Harry Percy’s arms, is one of the fantastic characters that Norah Lofts added to her book to make it even more rich and full of life. We first get a sense of Anne through Emma, who is 40 years old, retiring, and simmering with resentment. Emma ties the blindfold over Anne’s eyes before the swordsman strikes, and she will remain at her side until the bitter end. She will transport Anne’s body to their respective homes in Norfolk under the cover of night with her pals, where they would bury Anne among their ancestors.
The characters who surround Anne are vividly brought to life in Lofts. A key character and hilariously referred to as Lady Bo (since Anne’s brother George couldn’t bring himself to call her mother), Lady Boleyn is the stepmother of Anne and she is very amusing. As one might suppose, Wolsey is puffed up with pride, pulling the strings, and acting something like a content but a vulnerable spider. While occasionally endearing, Henry has developed into an unpredictable loose cannon, a guy with dark and mercurial moods, a despot, and a destructive. Pope Clement is depicted in Rome, struggling with Henry’s divorce decision. Dr Butts, Henry’s physician, may be seen rushing to treat Anne, who is congested, on the king’s orders but secretly wishing she will pass away.
Poor Catherine, who genuinely loved Henry, is pushed aside while appearing as resolute as a stone—but on the inside, she is weeping. And there she is—small, weak, all eyes and hair—but she has the tenacity of a bulldog, the ability for virulent hatred (Wolsey), and she is the centre of Henry’s court—bewitchingly feminine, graceful, and brave.
