Bestselling author Phillipa Gregory has been exploring the forgotten women of history for over 20 years, with acclaimed works including The Other Boleyn Girl, Normal Women, and The Constant Princess. Her latest novel, Boleyn Traitor, focuses on the lesser-known character of Jane Boleyn, who was married to the doomed Anne Boleyn’s brother, George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford.
Even the most astute of history buffs are sure to find a surprise or two in this intrigue-laden Tudor romp, in which an ever-increasing body count leads to waves of rising dread, paranoia, and distrust. By far the most surprising element of the novel, for me at least, is the presentation of its main character – rather than the timid, obedient courtier that some readers may expect, Phillipa Gregory presents Jane Boleyn as a shrewd, calculating, and complex character. From the first foreshadowing description of herself and Anne Boleyn (‘we look like two headless ghosts’) in the opening pages, this relatively unexplored Tudor character is given a new lease of life as an unforgiving, perceptive observer with a razor-sharp wit. Gregory’s undeniable, famed way with words is used to great effect here, especially when it comes to providing Jane’s succinct, snappy, and often spiky assessments of the ghoulish social climbers and courtiers that surround her.
From her abrupt descriptions of Mary Boleyn, ‘sulky as a serf’ and Thomas Cromwell, ‘never says a word that is not full of meaning’, to a no-holds-barred appraisal of a particularly uncomfortable 1536 Christmas celebration at Greenwich Palace, ‘the falsest feast I have ever known in many years of fakery’, Gregory’s Jane Boleyn does not suffer fools gladly, and is adept at masking her true feelings as and when needed. Perhaps her most interesting descriptions are saved for the primary antagonist Henry VIII, whose increasingly unhinged and brutal manner is both excused and targeted by this uncompromising courtier; ‘I have watched his need for praise grow from a young man’s joy to a mature man’s vanity, and I have learned – we all have – to fatten the compliments to match his hunger.’ From her bold flirtations with King Henry at a circle dance, to her appeasement of the predatory Thomas Cromwell (Jane would eventually become one of Cromwell’s most useful spies embedded in Henry’s court), the lesser-known Boleyn certainly knows where her bread is buttered, and is steadfastly confident in her ability to save her own skin, even when those poor souls around her are dropping like flies. Even when imprisoned in the Tower of London, Jane is certain that she will escape the scaffold: ‘I will be released. I will stay calm and wait.’ After being transferred to Russell House, she retains her confidence (‘I am a madwoman. I am safe’), before begrudgingly accepting her impending fate in the final pages of the book. Never one to mince words, Gregory’s complex Jane Boleyn is perhaps best exemplified by her telling question to Thomas Cromwell: ‘Does any man want an honest woman as his wife? Don’t you all prefer liars?’
WIN A FREE COPY OF THE NOVEL!
To be in with a chance of winning your free copy of the novel, simply answer the following question:
Who was Jane Boleyn (the main character of the novel) married to?
A. Gary Boleyn
B. George Boleyn
C. Benjamin Boleyn
Send your answer (along with your name, address and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘Boleyn Competition’ to Unit 3A Kettlestring Lane, York, YO30 4XF, or by email to competitions@yourlocallink.co.uk. The closing date is Tuesday, 13th November. Terms and conditions apply.
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