Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408869437
(Age: Older teen readers) Themes: English History; Royalty; Life as
a Courtier; King Henry VIII; Katherine Howard. This book is marketed
as a children's novel. The cover is sweetly 'cute' and cartoon-like
and the narrative begins naively, recounting the early life of the
main character. However this is not an innocent telling of this
historical period! As the life of the feisty red-headed Eliza
progresses, we are taken into the somewhat risque and adult world of
King Henry VIII's court. Lucy Worsley does not leave out detail
about adultery and the coquettish role of the Ladies-in-Waiting and
even detail about the King's bedroom behaviours are included. For a
sub-teen, this detail is confronting and although the history is so
well known that it is expected, it is not easy to recommend this for
a naive, immature reader. (How early is too early to lay bare the
rampant behaviour of the Henry VIII court, with adultery and sexual
exploitation as part of the norm? I am sure that Worsley has toned
this down for the book, but it is still perhaps too scandalous for
the under-12 audience suggested by the cover.) Katherine Howard's
ultimate fate and execution might be well known to an older reader,
but this too is fairly clearly detailed.
Having given warning, I can still say that this is an interesting
tale and a compelling novel for an older reader, written from the
perspective of Katherine Howard's fictional cousin. We get a good
look at life for those who were attempting to marry well by being
placed in the Royal Court in a position that could lead to a
profitable marriage. The Royal life and the surrounding entourage
and life-style of grand dresses and feasts are all interesting when
seen from the perspective of the female Courtiers, trained from a
young age to 'play their part' in adorning the Royal world. King
Henry VIII is revealed with all his flaws, and the central character
is uncomfortably close to the grieving King after Katherine's death.
Worsley has written in a youthful and simple style, but the mature
content does not translate well for a child audience.
Carolyn Hull
Editor's note: Teacher's
notes are available.