by H. M. Castor
• How much of what happens in VIII is fact and how much is fiction?
As you might guess from my answer to the last question, I’ve tried to be as historically accurate as possible. My training as a historian makes this very important to me. Of course, I am telling a story, and I have had to imagine what it felt like to be Henry, what thoughts were in his head – but beyond that, I’ve used evidence from the time everywhere I can, down to the smallest detail. Very nearly every object you see is mentioned in an inventory somewhere, for example. I’ve worked reports of real conversations into the dialogue, and used surviving evidence as the basis for descriptions. The details of the tournaments are almost all taken from the time, though I’ve sometimes changed who is taking part, as otherwise the book’s cast of characters would have become too huge!
• You’ve portrayed Henry’s relationship with his father in an interesting light. What led you to it?
When I look at the adult Henry and the extraordinary things he did, the decisions he took – other kings failed to have sons, for example, without reacting so devastatingly – the question for me is: what shaped this personality? What was it, early on, that constructed his emotional circuit board, if you like, and made him react as he did? So I looked at his childhood… and his relationship with his parents is fascinating to think about, particularly because of their own traumatic past.
The years before Henry’s birth were years of bloody struggle – the Wars of the Roses. Both of his parents were profoundly and very personally affected by the violence and upheaval, there’s no question of that – but, as to the exact lasting emotional effects on them, that’s an area for speculation. How did Henry’s mother feel about her young brothers who had apparently been murdered? How was his father affected by being on the run for so many years and then winning the crown in battle? It’s easy to say that last phrase, but when you think about the reality of it – the carnage, the murder of the previous king, and the possibility that the same thing could happen again, which was a very real danger – well, then the effect not only on Henry’s father but on Henry himself becomes a very interesting question to ponder.
• What’s next?
Ah, I’m writing about an equally fascinating subject now! And in a way it’s a sequel. It’s a book about Henry’s two daughters, who both became queens: Mary I and Elizabeth I. They’re half-sisters, and much of what happens to them is a shared experience: each is born heir to the throne, a fêted princess; each is then declared illegitimate and loses her title and status. Each loses her mother in heart-rending circumstances caused directly by her father – and yet each comes to revere Henry and identify herself with him.
But, though so much is similar, the way Mary and Elizabeth react to these events is utterly contrasting – they have dramatically different personalities. How did they feel about one another? To have a sibling is a common thing, one many of us can relate to, but how does sibling rivalry feel when your sister has not only knocked you off your perch as an only child, but has also taken your title of princess? And how does sibling rivalry feel when your sister has the power to put you to death?
Acknowledgements
When the idea for this book first grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, I knew what I had to do: ring my sister, Helen Castor, and run it by her. Handily for me she is a brilliant writer and an equally brilliant historian; effortlessly, within that first conversation, she improved my idea a hundredfold. This was just the first of many times she helped me during the writing process. I cannot adequately express my gratitude.
My dear friend Dominique Velarde has been the book’s midwife here in Bristol. Shamelessly making use of her skills as a psychotherapist, I have talked through every aspect of Henry’s character with her – her views have been illuminating and wise. I am also deeply indebted to Jungian analyst Matthew Harwood, without whose expert help I could not have made the dark journey into Henry’s psyche.
My parents, Gwyneth and Grahame Castor, have been, as ever, unflagging sources of support, both practical and moral. Amongst so many other things, they have read every draft and provided not just encouragement and perceptive comment, but also a wonderful translation service without which this book would have been much the poorer. My parents-in-law, Jon and April Jeffery, have also been indispensable sources of support, both to me and to the whole family – thank you.
Penny Holroyde has been the most fantastic agent I could wish for. Anne Finnis, my editor, has asked all the right questions and improved the book more than I could have hoped. I am hugely grateful to Amanda Wood for having faith in me and for making an early editorial suggestion that turned out to be transformative. I am also much indebted to Richard Scrivener, who saw VIII’s potential early on. In-house, I have been blessed with a fabulous editorial team in Emily Hawkins and Helen Boyle, and I am grateful too to Helen Greathead and Katie Cotton, my copyediting hawk-eyes. James Fraser, Nick Spence and Will Steele have made the book look gorgeous, and Phil Perry and Jayne Roscoe have expertly spread the word.
My marvellous history teacher from my schooldays, Helen Lenygon, heroically came out of retirement to untangle the Italian Wars for me (again!). Joe Rigby and Rae Williams of Cleve Archers have been my much-valued experts on fifteenth- and sixteenth-century archery – as well as the very best of neighbours. Dr Maria Hayward – author of indispensable books on Tudor clothes – kindly sent me an article of hers to which I had no other access. I am grateful to Medieval World (Themed Entertainments Ltd) for help with jousting research. For my own experience of fighting techniques, I am indebted to the generosity and expertise of Master Le Van, of Le Van Taekwondo in Bristol.
My esteemed fellow writers and friends Philip Ardagh, Josh Lacey, Simon Scardifield, Merle Nygate and Laura Fidment have been indefatigably supportive. My uncle, Colin Watson, has been a hugely appreciated source of warm encouragement. And my dear friend John Amson – a lifelong inspiration to me – gave me courage at a crucial moment.
Finally – but most of all – I am indebted (in more ways than I could possibly list) to my lovely husband, Richard, and my beautiful daughters, Maud and Florence. For me they are the foundation on which everything else is built and they have all, frankly, had to put up with a lot.
A TEMPLAR BOOK
First published in the UK in 2011 by Templar Publishing, an imprint of The Templar Company Limited,
The Granary, North Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1DN, UK
www.templarco.co.uk
This ebook edition first published in 2012 by Templar Publishing
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2011 by H. M. Castor, www.hmcastor.com
Cover design by James Fraser
Cover photography by Nick Spence
With thanks to Princeton University Press for their permission to reproduce extracts from Prophecy and People in Renaissance Italy, by Ottavia Niccoli, © Princeton University Press, 1990
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ISBN (ePub) 978–1–84877–502–2
ISBN (Mobi) 978–1–84877–501–5