The Six Queens of Henry VIII

Boldly conceived, this book begins with a dedication that perfectly sums up the book’s premise: “To all the women, queens or otherwise, who had to deal with Henry VIII.” What follows is a collective biographical account of the six women, all of whom were married to Henry VIII, several of whom were divorced from him, and several of whom were executed on his orders. Emphasis is placed on the women’s accomplishments and unique characters. Refreshingly, little attention is paid to the king himself, who serves mostly in the role of antagonist. Readers might note that his accomplishments pale in comparison to the rich, purpose-driven lives of the women who married him. The artwork and style is that of a traditional graphic novel, with the addition of charts, time lines, and family trees that trace the lineage and history of each queen. The book ends with brief biographies of three of Henry VIII’s children who ruled England: Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.