About The Book

England’s Tudor monarchs—Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I—are perhaps the most celebrated of all royal families in history. Their love affairs, their political triumphs, and their religious reforms are the subject of countless works of scholarship. But for all we know about Henry’s quest for male heirs, or Elizabeth’s virginity, the private lives of the Tudor monarchs remain largely beyond our grasp.

In The Private Lives of the Tudors, acclaimed historian Tracy Borman shows what their lives were like beyond the stage of court. Drawing on the original material from those closest to them—courtiers like the “groom of the stool,” surprisingly a much-coveted position—Borman examines Tudor life in fine detail. What did the monarchs eat? What did they wear, and how were their clothes designed, bought, and cared for? How did the Tudors wield power? When sick, how were they treated? What games did they play? How did they practice their faith? And in earthlier moments, whom did they love, and how did they give birth to the all-important heirs?

Delving deep into their education, upbringing, and sexual lives, and into the kitchens, bathrooms, schoolrooms, and bedrooms of court, Borman charts out the course of the entire Tudor dynasty, surfacing new and fascinating insights into these celebrated figures.

Praise

“For Borman, the intimate particulars of everyday life are what help the past come bracingly, stirringly alive. Her full-quivered social history of the Tudor monarchs . . . furnishes readers with a ‘Hey, did you know . . . ?’ on almost every page . . . [An] authoritative work.” —Jean Zimmerman, New York Times Book Review

“Borman’s passion for the Tudor period shines forth from the pages of this fascinatingly detailed book.” —Allison Weir, author of The Six Wives of Henry VIII

“Borman’s authoritative social history teems with delightful details.” —New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

“[Written] with effortless verve . . . [A] riveting history.” —O, The Oprah Magazine

“[A] fascinating new book . . . No royal family is better known . . . But there’s still much to learn from The Private Lives of the Tudors thanks to the expertise and persistence of Borman . . . The most captivating moments of Private Lives, and there are plenty of them, bring the reader into other personal Tudor moments of strength, weakness, and heartache.” —Randy Dotinga, Christian Science Monitor

Awards

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

Excerpt

The royal bedding ceremony was subject to a similarly strict set of rules as the marriage ceremony and wedding feast. At around 8 o’clock in the evening, the bride was escorted to her chamber by her ladies, who undressed her and put her to bed. The groom, meanwhile, was stripped down to just his shirt—an undergarment that would have reached to at least mid-thigh and, in Henry’s case, would have been delicately embroidered. Then, accompanied by his gentlemen attendants, musicians, priests and bishops, he joined his wife in the bedchamber. The clerics would pronounce their blessings, and then a concoction of wine and spices would be served. Known as the void or voidee, this was a mixture of expensive sweet and sharp spices such as pepper, saffron, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. It was thought to be beneficial to health and digestion, as well as sweetening the breath and engendering strength and courage.

The onlookers were often slow to leave. Sometimes, they demanded to see the naked legs of the couple touching, which in some cases was accepted as a sign of consummation.

Others expected to witness the royal newlyweds kissing or embracing. It was a crude reminder that a royal body was the property of the state; its functions of great interest to the people of the realm. Even after the throng of courtiers had bidden the couple goodnight and left the chamber, some may have lingered outside the closed door, straining their ears for any sound that might indicate the act of consummation was underway.