This is a list of non-fiction books about The Tudors and Tudor England that I have referred to when researching posts and articles for my site. I have also added some that I have not yet read but that I have heard good reviews about.
This is a work in progress, as I will be adding more books as they are published and will eventually briefly annotate the titles to give you an idea of what the books are about. My aim is to only add titles that I consider to be the best available. This is by no means an exhaustive list of sources on Tudor England.
Please keep in mind that there are always varying opinions on the quality and usefulness of books and this list simply reflects books that I have found useful and would like to share with you.
If you have read a book that you think should be included in this list please contact me.
Anne Boleyn
Fraser, Antonia. The Wives of Henry VIII, 1999.
Ives, E. The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, 2004.
Loades, D. The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 2010.
Phillips, J.O (Contributor). Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, 2009.
Starkey, David. Six Wives, 2003.
Weir, A. The Lady in the Tower, 2009.
Weir, A. The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1991.
Six Wives
Fraser, Antonia. The Wives of Henry VIII, 1999.
Loades, D. The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 2010.
Porter, L. Katherine the Queen, 2010.
Smith, L. B. Catherine Howard, 2010.
Starkey, David. Six Wives, 2003.
Weir, A. The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1991.
Henry VIII & His Court
Doran, S and Starkey, D. Henry VIII: Man and Monarch, 2009.
Hutchinson, R. The Last Days of Henry VIII, 2005.
Phillips, J.O (Contributor). Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, 2009.
Ridley, J. Henry VIII, 2002.
Starkey, D. Henry: Virtuous Prince, 2008.
Weir, A. Henry VIII: King and Court, 2008.
Wilson, D. A Brief History of Henry VIII, 2009.
Mary, Elizabeth & Edward
Dunn, J. Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens.
Hearsey, J. Elizabeth, 1969.
Loades, D. Mary Tudor: a life, 1989.
Starkey, D. Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne, 2001
Weir, A. The Children of Henry VIII, 2008.
Other Tudor Personalities
Childs, J. Henry VIII’s Last Victim, 2008.
Dunn, J. Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens.
Hart, K. The Mistresses of Henry VIII, 2009.
Ives, E. Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery, 2009.
Schaeffer, C. Mary Queen of Scots, 2002.
Starkey, David (ed.). Rivals in Power: Lives and Letters of the great Tudor Dynasties.
Life in Tudor England
Doran, S. The Tudor Chronicles, 2008.
Guy, J. Tudor England, 1990.
Harrison, D. Tudor England: Volume 1 & 2.
Herbert, Norris. Tudor Costume and Fashion, 1997.
Jennings, A. Tudor and Stuart Gardens, 2005.
Loades, D. The Tudor Court, 1987.
Mikhaila, N. Tudor Tailor: reconstructing 16th century dress, 2006.
Sim, Alison. Food and Feast in Tudor England, 1997.
Sim, A. Pleasures and Pastimes in Tudor England, 1999.
Sim, A. The Tudor Housewife, 1996.
Siraisi, N. Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine, 1990.
Williams, Penry. Life in Tudor England, 1964.
Life in Elizabethan England
Dodds, A.H. Life in Elizabethan England.
Royal Palaces & Guidebooks
Thurley, Simon Hampton Court Palace- Official Guidebook 1996.
Thurley, Simon. The Royal Palaces of Tudor England: Architecture and Court Life, 1993.
Thurley, Simon; Edward Impey and Peter Hammond The Tower of London – Official Guidebook, 1996.
General History of England
Bindoff, S.T. Pelican History of England, 1950.
Haunted England
Brooks, J.A. Britain’s Haunted Heritage, 1990.
Thank you for this comprehensive list! I have added some to my ‘wish list’!
You are welcome Sarah. I will add more books as I come across them.
About 6 months ago I saw a book about the Tower of England that listed the names of people who had been sent to the tower and the reason. I can’t find it now and don’t remember the exact name or author. Have you heard of it and if so, can you tell me the name of it? Thanks.
Hello Pam,
I found one called “The Tower of London Prisoner Book” written by a former Yeoman Warder of the Tower, Brian Harrison. It is a Complete Chronology of Persons Known to Have Been Detained at Their Majesties’ Pleasure 110-1941. Sounds fascinating although it is a little expensive. Here is the link:
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=2934
I also found an electronic book called ‘Prisoners of the Tower of London : being an account of some who at divers times lay captive within its walls (1901)’ and the best thing is you can read it online here:
http://www.archive.org/details/prisonersoftower00broo
Hope this helps!
I must say that I am truly grateful for you having published this list. There here that you have listed that I had never heard of, and even authors that I have never heard of, and all of the ones that I haven’t already read or am in the process of reading have made it to my wish list and to-be-read list! I am, as some would say, obsessed with the Tudors, particularly Henry VIII, but they all fascinate me and any information on them is much appreciated. Thanks so much!
I am glad you like the list. It is a work in progress and I have a few more titles to add so keep an eye out! 🙂
The Other Tudors: Henry VIII’s Mistress and Bastards was a good book, too. Phillipa Jones is the author.
I have a great desire to learn more about Henry’s mistress’s, particualarly Bess and Mary. I have read a couple of books, but would like to know if you might be willing to list a few books that might help. Thank you!
Please consider adding to Other Tudor Personalities:
Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England by Thomas Penn.and
Leanda de Lisle’s The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: Mary, Katherine, and Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Tragedy. The Grey sisters were Henry VIII’s great nieces. (2009)
Linda Porter: Tudors Versus Stewarts: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary, Queen of Scots (2014)
Under Six wives:
Julia Fox: Sister Queens: the noble tragic lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile and
Giles Tremlett: Catherine of Aragon: Henry’s Spanish Queen
For the entire Tudor family:
Leanda de Lisle: Tudor: The Family Story (2013)
I’;ve read all of these this summer
Sorry. I’ve read MOST of these books this summer (along with all of Game of Thrones published so far. Those remind me a great deal of the War of the Roses taken to a fantasy level.
Linda Porter’s book is not quite as scholarly as the rest, but it’s a great read and very informative on Scotland, particularly important for Americans who generally learn about this period from the English point of view and ambitions. However, she gives some fun tables to help readers keep things straight: casts of characters including the mistresses and their offspring by various Stewart kings (who certainly did love the ladies!), and various members of Western European royalty and their primary statesmen, etc.
these books sound good thanks for the list
Do you have any recommendations on books that discuss Tudor titles and peer heritage? I am trying to figure out the difference between Lady and Mistress.
Hi Andrea, these articles are useful: http://elizabethan.org/compendium/13.html & http://walternelson.com/dr/node/253. Basically, every woman married to a knight or better can be referred to as my lady. When of lower rank or unmarried, mistress was used. Sometimes lady/mistress used for unmarried women serving at court. Hope this helps!