Looking for some good books to read this summer? Here are some great Tudor history books, both fiction and non fiction, perfect for study or beach.
The King’s Witch
Tracy Borman
In this first installment of her trilogy about James I’s early years as King of England, this trilogy tracks a woman at court, a healer, who comes under suspicion as a witch, and ultimately gets wrapped up in the Gunpowder Plot.
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And the second book, The Devil’s Slave, is also out now too.
Anna of Kleve
Alison Weir
This is the fourth book in Weir’s Six Tudor Queens historical fiction series tracing the biography of each Queen from a first person perspective. She has a surprising hypothesis about Anne that she explores in this book. Hint: Anne isn’t nearly as innocent as she might appear! Listen to my interview with Alison Weir on Anne here.
Buy on Amazon
Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister
Heather Darsie
For a non fiction take on Anne, check out Heather Darsie’s new book. It looks at Anne from the European perspective, and how she fit into European politics, rather than through the normal “fourth wife of Henry” English lens.
Buy on Amazon
Brandon, Tudor Knight
Tony Riches
In this historical fiction, Tony Riches looks at Charles Brandon, lifelong friend (and brother in law) to Henry VIII. The story moves quickly, and I enjoyed learning about Charles from his perspective.
Listen to my interview with Tony Riches here.
Buy on Amazon
House of BeaufortÂ
Nathen Amin
I can’t say enough good things about Nathen Amin. He’s passionate about Tudor Wales, and the Beauforts (and he also has one of the best Twitter feeds out there). Buy his book for a non fiction (but totally not dry) take on the line that somehow captured the throne, despite being illegitimate.
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Henry VIII and the Men who Made Him
Tracy Borman
A second appearance on this list with Tracy Borman’s new non-fiction book, looking at Henry from the perspective of his advisors, including Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, Charles Brandon, and Thomas Cromwell. Gives you a greater understanding of Henry and the advice he was receiving from his council.
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The Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI
Lauren Johnson
A little bit before the Tudor period, but still crucial to understanding the dynasty. Henry VI was born at a time when English dominance over France was at its strongest point, but all of that changed, and England descended into the Wars of the Roses on his watch. Learning more about him gives us better insight into that time period, and the world into which the Tudors came to rule.
Buy on Amazon
Tombland
CJ Sansom
Another fabulous Matthew Shardlake mystery, this time set in 1549 after Henry has died. Shardlake is working as a lawyer for Princess Elizabeth when one of her relatives is murdered, and it is thought to have been political. Matthew gets involved, and even more murder ensues.
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A Column of Fire
Ken Follett
For those who never read the first two Kingsbridge books (Pillars of the Earth, and World Without End) you can still enjoy this (though I still recommend you read those two because they’re amazing). This book is set in the period when Catholics are under persecution, and Catholic Europe itself is plotting against Elizabeth, who is seen as illegitimate. But it makes the story personal, between families who have known each other for centuries, and have their own history and family dramas.
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Wolf Hall
Hillary Mantel
You’ve probably already read Wolf Hall, but if you haven’t, now is the time to do so, given that the third book in the trilogy that is humanizing Thomas Cromwell, The Mirror and the Light, is finally coming out next year. I read the first two when my daughter was a newborn, during middle-of-the-night feedings, and so much of it is a blurred memory to me. I’m definitely rereading them both this summer.
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So there’s a list of ten great Tudor books I think you’ll love. What do you think? Have you read any (or all!) of these? Which did you love? What should be on the list, but isn’t? Leave a comment and let me know!
Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.
She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).
