The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine & Lady Jane Grey by Leanda de Lisle

PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR ON THE TITLE PAGE THUS: "To Margaret best wishes Leanda de Lisle"; HarperPress 2008 1st ed/1st printing, 386pp., text generally in decent order albeit with slight browning to pages - and also to the page extremities at the very top, side and bottom, slight bumping & rubbing to board corners -heavier to the top & bottom of the spine, the dust jacket is rubbed & creased at top & bottom - especially at the top & bottom of the spine, which also has some scuffing - front has one large indentation/crease (to the left hand side towards the bottom), both front & rear have many marks, scratches & indentations (rear also has one small scuff mark). 

Lady Jane Grey is an iconic figure in English history. She has been mythologized as a child-woman destroyed on the altar of political expediency. Behind the legend, however, was an opinionated and often rebellious adolescent who died a passionate leader, not merely a victim. Growing up in Jane’s shadow, her sisters Katherine and Mary would have to tread carefully to survive.

The dramatic lives of the younger Grey sisters remain little known, but under English law they were the heirs – and rivals – to the Tudor monarchs Mary and Elizabeth I. The beautiful Katherine ignored Jane’s dying request that she remain faithful to her beliefs, changing her religion to retain Queen Mary’s favour only to then risk life and freedom in a secret marriage that threatened Queen Elizabeth’s throne.

While Elizabeth’s closest adviser fought to save Katherine, her younger sister Mary remained at court as the queen’s Maid of Honour. Too plain to be considered significant, it seemed that Lady Mary Grey, at least, would escape the burden of her royal blood. But then she too fell in love, and incurred the queen’s fury.

Exploding the many myths of Lady Jane’s life and casting fresh light on Elizabeth’s reign, acclaimed historian Leanda de Lisle brings the tumultuous world of the Grey sisters to life, at a time when a royal marriage could gain you a kingdom or cost you everything.

Will ship by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for, well packaged.

(£5.39/neben/shawn)