Books - or anything else for that matter - that concern the Tudors are always popular, and this one puts a gruesome spin on events that is bound to appeal to the teenage historian. It starts at the beginning of the Tudor dynasty at the Battle of Bosworth and the death of the reigning king, Richard III. The injuries to his body, particularly his head, are listed alongside one particularly undignified post-mortem injury. So the tone is set.
The book refers to television programmes and Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, that have portrayed significant Tudor personalities a particular way, and compares them to the evidence showing what they were really like and some of the things they got up to. It looks at injuries, beheadings, physical and mental illness and childbirth as well as the treatment of enemies and traitors. All with a macabre spin, of course. In terms of historical information, there is nothing new to add to the known facts and theories. The evidence and research has not been updated - just the horror aspect. However, the history is sound enough. This is an easy to read book, fairly short with plenty of brief chapters that would appeal to fans of Horrible Histories, and the layman who learns about history from watching television. Comparing the 'Sweating Sickness' to Covid-19 brings everything up to date. Easy to dip into for that grim fix.
Published by Pen & Sword History on 18 February 2022.
Advance review copy supplied by the publisher. 
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