The Plantagenet and Tudor series by Philippa Gregory represents one of the most ambitious historical fiction projects ever undertaken, spanning over 400 years of English royal history across 15+ interconnected novels. These books bring to life the queens, princesses, and noblewomen who shaped medieval and Tudor England through war, betrayal, love, and ambition.
Philippa Gregory is Britain’s most popular historical novelist, with over 10 million books sold worldwide. Her meticulously researched novels focus on the women behind the throne, offering fresh perspectives on familiar historical events. The series has sparked renewed interest in England’s medieval queens and inspired the hit TV series “The White Queen” and “The White Princess.”
What makes Gregory’s approach revolutionary is her commitment to telling history through women’s eyes. Rather than focusing solely on kings and battles, she explores the political power, personal struggles, and strategic marriages that defined the lives of royal women during England’s most turbulent centuries.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.Quick Series Facts
Author: Philippa Gregory
Number of Books: 15+ novels (ongoing)
First Book: The Wise Woman (1992) – though the Plantagenet/Tudor saga begins with The Lady of the Rivers (2011)
Latest Book: The King’s Curse (2014) for the main saga; Gregory continues writing Tudor-era novels
Setting: England, 1435-1558 (spanning Plantagenet and Tudor dynasties)
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance
Understanding the Plantagenet & Tudor Series Structure
Unlike most historical fiction series that follow a single protagonist, Gregory’s Plantagenet and Tudor novels are interconnected but can be read as standalone books. The series is divided into several sub-series:
The Cousins’ War Series (Plantagenet Era):
- 4 novels covering the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487)
- Focuses on the women of the York and Lancaster families
- Includes The White Queen, The Red Queen, The Lady of the Rivers, The Kingmaker’s Daughter
The Tudor Court Series:
- 6 novels covering the Tudor dynasty (1485-1558)
- Features the wives, daughters, and rivals of the Tudor kings
- Includes The Constant Princess, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queen’s Fool, The Virgin’s Lover, The Other Queen
The King’s Curse & Connected Books:
- Novels that bridge the Plantagenet-Tudor transition
- The White Princess (connects Cousins’ War to Tudor Court)
- The King’s Curse (final Plantagenet claimant)
Standalone Tudor Novels:
- The Taming of the Queen (Katherine Parr)
- Three Sisters, Three Queens (Margaret Tudor)
- The Last Tudor (Grey sisters)
Complete Reading Order: Chronological by Historical Timeline
This is the recommended reading order, following the historical chronology of events and allowing you to experience the unfolding of English royal history from 1435 to 1558.
The Cousins’ War Series (Wars of the Roses)
1. The Lady of the Rivers (2011)
Setting: 1435-1472 (Hundred Years’ War and Wars of the Roses)
Summary: Jacquetta of Luxembourg, descended from a water goddess, marries for love after her first husband’s death and becomes the mother of the future queen Elizabeth Woodville. Her gift of second sight allows her to foresee the bloody conflicts that will tear England apart. Through strategic marriages and political alliances, Jacquetta navigates the dangerous waters of court intrigue while raising her ambitious daughter to survive in a world where women’s power comes through marriage and motherhood.
2. The White Queen (2009)
Setting: 1464-1492 (Wars of the Roses, York reign)
Summary: Elizabeth Woodville, daughter of Jacquetta, catches the eye of King Edward IV and becomes his secret wife, rising from commoner to Queen of England. As the York and Lancaster families battle for the throne, Elizabeth must protect her sons, the famous Princes in the Tower, while navigating deadly court politics. Gregory presents Elizabeth as a woman with her own supernatural powers, willing to do anything to secure her children’s inheritance. The novel culminates in the mysterious disappearance of Elizabeth’s sons and the rise of the Tudor dynasty.
3. The Red Queen (2010)
Setting: 1453-1509 (Wars of the Roses through Henry VII’s reign)
Summary: Margaret Beaufort, descended from the Lancaster line, believes God has chosen her son, Henry Tudor, to be king of England. Fanatically religious and ruthlessly ambitious, Margaret endures multiple marriages, separation from her son, and decades of political maneuvering to see her prophecy fulfilled. The novel runs parallel to The White Queen, offering the Lancaster perspective on the Wars of the Roses and showing how Margaret’s obsessive determination helped establish the Tudor dynasty.
4. The Kingmaker’s Daughter (2012)
Setting: 1461-1485 (Wars of the Roses)
Summary: Anne Neville, daughter of the Earl of Warwick (the “Kingmaker”), is used as a political pawn by her father and later marries Richard III. The novel tells the story of the Wars of the Roses from Anne’s perspective, including her brief time as Queen of England and the tragedy of losing her only son. Gregory portrays Anne as a woman caught between powerful men, struggling to maintain dignity and purpose in a world where her value lies solely in advantageous marriages.
The Tudor Court Series
5. The White Princess (2013)
Setting: 1485-1499 (Early Tudor period)
Summary: Elizabeth of York, daughter of Elizabeth Woodville, is forced to marry Henry VII (son of Margaret Beaufort) to unite the warring houses of York and Lancaster. Caught between her Yorkist family loyalty and her role as Tudor queen, Elizabeth must navigate the dangerous early years of Tudor rule while dealing with pretenders to the throne and her husband’s suspicion of her family. The marriage that was supposed to bring peace instead perpetuates old rivalries, and Elizabeth struggles to protect her children in a court filled with conspiracy.
6. The King’s Curse (2014)
Setting: 1499-1541 (Henry VII and Henry VIII reigns)
Summary: Margaret Pole, niece of Richard III and one of the last Plantagenet heirs, survives the transition to Tudor rule and becomes a trusted member of Henry VIII’s court. As governess to Princess Mary, Margaret witnesses Henry’s descent from promising young king to tyrannical monarch. Her Plantagenet blood, once a source of pride, becomes a death sentence as Henry eliminates all potential rivals. The novel chronicles the Plantagenet line’s final extinction and the paranoia that characterized Henry VIII’s later reign.
7. The Constant Princess (2005)
Setting: 1491-1536 (Katherine of Aragon’s life)
Summary: Katherine of Aragon arrives in England as a teenage bride for Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s older brother. After Arthur’s sudden death, Katherine refuses to return to Spain and fights for six years to marry the new heir, Henry. Gregory reimagines Katherine as a woman who made a momentous decision, claiming her marriage to Arthur was never consummated to secure her future with Henry. The novel follows Katherine through her years as beloved queen to her devastating divorce and exile.
8. The Other Boleyn Girl (2001)
Setting: 1525-1536 (Rise and fall of the Boleyn family)
Summary: Mary Boleyn tells the story of her family’s ambitious rise through her sister Anne’s seduction of Henry VIII. Initially, Henry’s mistress, Mary, watches as her sister, Anne, manipulates the king into breaking with Rome and divorcing Katherine of Aragon. The novel portrays the Boleyn family’s ruthless pursuit of power and the siblings’ rivalry that ends in Anne’s execution. Gregory’s most famous novel explores the human cost of ambition and the disposability of women at Tudor court.
9. The Boleyn Inheritance (2006)
Setting: 1539-1542 (Fourth and fifth wives of Henry VIII)
Summary: Three women’s perspectives intertwine: Anne of Cleves (the fourth wife who survives by accepting divorce), Katherine Howard (the fifth wife executed for adultery), and Jane Boleyn (Lady Rochford, who testified against Anne Boleyn and now serves the new queens). The novel shows how women’s fates at court depended entirely on the king’s whims and how even the shrewdest survival strategies could fail. Jane’s spiral into madness and Katherine’s tragic youth highlight the horror of being a queen in Henry’s later, paranoid years.
10. The Queen’s Fool (2003)
Setting: 1548-1558 (Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I)
Summary: Hannah Green, a young Jewish girl with the gift of foresight, becomes a holy fool at Edward VI’s court and later serves both Mary I and Elizabeth I. As Hannah navigates the dangerous religious changes from Protestant Edward to Catholic Mary to Protestant Elizabeth, she befriends Princess Elizabeth and witnesses the execution of Lady Jane Grey. The novel explores religious persecution, political survival, and the bond between two women from vastly different worlds during England’s most turbulent period of religious upheaval.
11. The Virgin’s Lover (2004)
Setting: 1558-1566 (Early Elizabeth I reign)
Summary: Elizabeth I’s passionate relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, threatens her reign when Dudley’s wife dies under suspicious circumstances. The novel alternates between Elizabeth’s perspective as she balances love with queenship and Amy Dudley’s viewpoint as she realizes her husband and the queen want her dead. Gregory explores Elizabeth’s choice between personal happiness and political power, and how her decision to remain the “Virgin Queen” shaped English history.
12. The Other Queen (2008)
Setting: 1568-1587 (Mary Queen of Scots’ imprisonment)
Summary: Mary Queen of Scots flees Scotland and becomes Elizabeth I’s prisoner in England for nineteen years. The novel tells the story through three perspectives: Mary herself, George Talbot (Earl of Shrewsbury, her jailer), and his wife Bess of Hardwick. As plots swirl around Mary and her supporters scheme to overthrow Elizabeth, the Shrewsbury marriage crumbles under the strain of guarding the captive queen. The novel explores loyalty, betrayal, and the tragic fate of the Scottish queen.
Later Tudor Standalone Novels
13. The Taming of the Queen (2015)
Setting: 1543-1547 (Sixth wife of Henry VIII)
Summary: Kateryn Parr, a widow who has found love with Thomas Seymour, is forced to marry the aging, paranoid Henry VIII instead. As Henry’s sixth and final wife, Kateryn must survive a king who has executed two previous wives while secretly promoting Protestant reform. The novel shows Kateryn’s intelligence, political skill, and narrow escape from execution, as well as her later disastrous marriage to Seymour after Henry’s death.
14. Three Sisters, Three Queens (2016)
Setting: 1501-1541 (Margaret Tudor’s life)
Summary: Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII’s older sister, is sent to Scotland at age 13 to marry King James IV and forge peace between the nations. The novel follows Margaret’s tumultuous life as Queen of Scotland, including the devastating Battle of Flodden where her husband is killed, her struggles as regent for her infant son, and her rivalry with her younger sisters Mary Tudor and the most famous sibling, Henry VIII. Gregory portrays the eldest Tudor child’s forgotten story of political survival in a foreign land.
15. The Last Tudor (2017)
Setting: 1553-1578 (Grey sisters’ tragedy)
Summary: The story of the Grey sisters unfolds through three perspectives: Lady Jane Grey (the “Nine Days’ Queen” executed at 16), Lady Katherine Grey (secretly married and imprisoned), and Lady Mary Grey (the youngest, also imprisoned for an unauthorized marriage). The novel chronicles how these Protestant cousins to Elizabeth I became threats to the throne simply by existing. It explores sisterhood, sacrifice, and the cruelty of Tudor succession politics that destroyed an entire family.
Alternative Reading Order: Publication Order
If you prefer to read the books in the order Gregory wrote them, this path shows her evolution as a writer and how she expanded the scope of her historical project:
- The Wise Woman (1992) – Early work, not part of the main saga
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2001)
- The Queen’s Fool (2003)
- The Virgin’s Lover (2004)
- The Constant Princess (2005)
- The Boleyn Inheritance (2006)
- The Other Queen (2008)
- The White Queen (2009)
- The Red Queen (2010)
- The Lady of the Rivers (2011)
- The Kingmaker’s Daughter (2012)
- The White Princess (2013)
- The King’s Curse (2014)
- The Taming of the Queen (2015)
- Three Sisters, Three Queens (2016)
- The Last Tudor (2017)
Our Recommendation: Chronological order by historical timeline provides the most coherent reading experience, allowing you to follow England’s royal history from the Wars of the Roses through the entire Tudor dynasty without jumping backward in time.
Where to Start with Philippa Gregory
Best First Book
Recommendation: The Other Boleyn Girl
This is Gregory’s most famous novel and the perfect entry point for several reasons. It features one of history’s most fascinating periods (Henry VIII’s break with Rome), tells a compelling story of sibling rivalry and ambition, and showcases Gregory’s signature style of bringing women’s perspectives to well-known historical events. The novel requires no previous knowledge of English history and has enough drama, romance, and intrigue to hook any reader.
If You Want…
The most famous story: Start with The Other Boleyn Girl – Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the English Reformation
The beginning of the saga: Start with The Lady of the Rivers – Sets up the Wars of the Roses and the entire Plantagenet-Tudor transition
Elizabeth I’s story: Start with The Virgin’s Lover – Young Elizabeth navigating love and power
A standalone experience: Start with The Constant Princess – Complete arc of Katherine of Aragon’s life
TV adaptation tie-in: Start with The White Queen – Adapted by Starz/BBC, provides entry to the Wars of the Roses
Epic family saga: Start with The Lady of the Rivers and read chronologically through all 15 books
About the Author: Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory is a British historical novelist born in 1954 in Nairobi, Kenya. She earned her PhD in 18th-century literature from the University of Edinburgh before embarking on her phenomenally successful writing career. Gregory has published over 40 books, with her Plantagenet and Tudor novels achieving international bestseller status and selling more than 10 million copies worldwide.
Gregory’s approach to historical fiction is distinctive in its focus on women’s experiences during periods traditionally dominated by male narratives. She conducts extensive research for each novel, often spending years studying primary sources, visiting historical sites, and consulting with historians. However, she’s not afraid to fill gaps in the historical record with imagination, creating psychologically complex characters whose inner lives feel authentic even when documentation is scarce.
Her work has sparked both praise and controversy. Historians appreciate her ability to bring obscure historical women to prominence, but sometimes criticize her fictional interpretations of events. Gregory has defended her approach, arguing that historical fiction should explore the emotional truth of the past rather than merely recounting documented facts.
The success of Gregory’s novels has led to multiple TV and film adaptations, including the BBC series “The White Queen” (2013) and “The White Princess” (2017), and the feature film adaptation of “The Other Boleyn Girl” (2008) starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. These adaptations have introduced her work to millions of viewers worldwide and sparked renewed popular interest in the Wars of the Roses and Tudor history.
More by Philippa Gregory:
- Complete Philippa Gregory Bibliography
- Wideacre Trilogy (earlier work, 18th-century England)
- Modern novels and children’s books
- Historical nonfiction works co-authored with historians
Historical Context: The Plantagenet-Tudor Era
The Plantagenet and Tudor series covers over 400 years of English history, spanning from the late medieval period through the early modern era. This period witnessed some of the most dramatic events in English history: the Wars of the Roses, the English Reformation, the break with Rome, and the establishment of England as a Protestant nation.
The Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) began as a dynastic conflict between two branches of the Plantagenet family, York and Lancaster, both descended from Edward III. The war devastated the English nobility, with entire families wiped out through battle and execution. Women played crucial but often overlooked roles as marriage pawns, queen consorts, and political strategists. The conflict ended when Henry Tudor (a distant Lancaster claimant) defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field and married Elizabeth of York, uniting the rival houses.
The Tudor Dynasty (1485-1603) brought relative stability after decades of civil war, but that stability came at the cost of increasing royal absolutism. Henry VIII’s desperate need for a male heir led to the English Reformation, six marriages, and the execution of two queens. His break with the Catholic Church transformed England’s religious, political, and cultural life. The reigns of his children (Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I) saw violent religious reversals as England swung between Protestant and Catholic rule.
Women’s Experiences during this period were defined by limited legal rights, dangerous childbirth, and value determined primarily by marriage prospects and fertility. Royal women had more at stake than most: queenship could mean power and influence, but it could also mean execution, exile, or imprisonment if they failed to produce heirs or fell out of favor. Gregory’s novels explore how these women navigated impossible situations, using the few tools available to them: intelligence, charm, religious devotion, and strategic alliances.
Gregory’s treatment of this history emphasizes supernatural elements (second sight, curses, prophecies) that reflect the period’s widespread belief in the supernatural, while also showing how ambitious women used or feigned such beliefs for political advantage. Her portrayal of events sometimes differs from the mainstream historical consensus, particularly on controversial topics such as the fate of the Princes in the Tower and Anne Boleyn’s guilt.
Learn more: Best Medieval Historical Fiction
Similar Series You’ll Love
If you’re enjoying Gregory’s Plantagenet and Tudor series, these series offer comparable appeal:
1. Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel
Why similar: Also covers the Tudor period, particularly Henry VIII’s break with Rome and his marriages, but from Thomas Cromwell’s perspective rather than the women’s viewpoints. Mantel’s literary approach provides a complementary perspective to Gregory’s more romance-focused narratives. Both authors extensively research the period but take different approaches to fiction.
2. Six Tudor Queens Series by Alison Weir
Why similar: Weir writes biographical novels about each of Henry VIII’s six wives in order. Like Gregory, Weir focuses on women’s experiences at Tudor court, but her background as a historian gives her work a different flavor. The two authors’ interpretations of the same historical figures make for fascinating comparison reading.
3. Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy by Elizabeth Chadwick
Why similar: Medieval queens, political intrigue, and strong female protagonists navigating dangerous court politics. Chadwick writes about an earlier period (12th century), but with similar attention to women’s agency within constraining historical circumstances. Perfect for readers who love the Cousins’ War books.
4. Tudor Court Novels by Joanna Hickson
Why similar: Hickson writes about lesser-known figures at the Tudor court, including The Tudor Bride about Katherine of Valois (Henry V’s widow) and First of the Tudors about Margaret Beaufort, from a different angle than Gregory’s The Red Queen. Similar period and approach to giving voice to overlooked historical women.
5. The Queens of England Series by Maureen Peters
Why similar: Biographical novels about English queens from the medieval through the early modern periods. Peters covers many of the same historical figures as Gregory, but with different interpretations. Good for readers who want multiple perspectives on the same queens.
6. The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett
Why similar: Set during the same Tudor period (1547-1558) but focused on Scotland and Europe rather than England. Features complex plots, historical accuracy, and strong character development. More literary and complex than Gregory, but appeals to serious historical fiction readers.
More recommendations: Best Female Lead Historical Fiction
Adaptations
TV Series Adaptations
The White Queen (2013)
- Network: BBC One / Starz
- Seasons: 1 season, 10 episodes
- Based on: The White Queen, The Red Queen, The Kingmaker’s Daughter
- Lead Actors: Rebecca Ferguson as Elizabeth Woodville, Amanda Hale as Margaret Beaufort, Faye Marsay as Anne Neville
The series adapts the Cousins’ War novels, alternating between the three women’s perspectives as they navigate the Wars of the Roses. While taking some dramatic liberties with historical events and timelines, the adaptation successfully brought the conflict to life for mainstream audiences and sparked renewed interest in this period of English history.
The White Princess (2017)
- Network: Starz
- Seasons: 1 season, 8 episodes
- Based on: The White Princess
- Lead Actors: Jodie Comer as Elizabeth of York, Jacob Collins-Levy as Henry VII, Michelle Fairley as Margaret Beaufort
This sequel series continues the story into the early Tudor period, focusing on Elizabeth of York’s marriage to Henry VII and the challenges of uniting the warring houses. The adaptation emphasizes the romantic and political tensions of the marriage while exploring pretenders to the throne and the paranoia of early Tudor rule.
The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
- Network: Starz
- Seasons: 2 seasons, 16 episodes total
- Based on: The Constant Princess and The King’s Curse
- Lead Actors: Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon, Ruairi O’Connor as Henry VIII
The series follows Catherine of Aragon from her arrival in England through her marriage to Henry VIII and eventual divorce. The second season deals with the break with Rome and introduces Anne Boleyn. While loosely based on Gregory’s novels, the adaptation takes significant creative liberties with both history and Gregory’s interpretations.
Film Adaptation
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- Studio: Focus Features
- Director: Justin Chadwick
- Lead Actors: Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn, Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn, Eric Bana as Henry VIII
The feature film adaptation condenses Gregory’s novel into a two-hour drama focusing on the rivalry between the Boleyn sisters. While visually sumptuous and well-acted, the film necessarily compresses events and simplifies the complex political maneuvering of the book. It introduced Gregory’s work to a wider audience despite mixed reviews from critics and historians.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Plantagenet and Tudor series?
The main Plantagenet and Tudor saga consists of 15 novels published between 2001 and 2017. The series is divided into the Cousins’ War books (4 novels covering the Wars of the Roses), the Tudor Court books (6 novels covering the Tudor dynasty), and additional standalone Tudor novels (5 books). Gregory has written over 40 books total, but these 15 form the core interconnected saga of English royal history from 1435 to 1578.
Do I need to read Philippa Gregory’s books in order?
No, each novel can be read as a standalone book with its own complete story arc. However, reading in chronological order by historical timeline enhances the experience because you’ll see how events and families connect across generations. Characters who are daughters in one book become mothers in the next, and political conflicts set up in earlier novels reach resolution in later ones. If you prefer, you can also read by sub-series (Cousins’ War, then Tudor Court) or even jump to whichever historical figure interests you most.
What is the Plantagenet and Tudor series about?
The series tells the story of the women who shaped English royal history during the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor dynasty, spanning 1435 to 1578. It covers the bloody conflict between York and Lancaster, the rise of the Tudor family, Henry VIII’s six marriages and break with Rome, the brief reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, and the early years of Elizabeth I. Gregory focuses on queens, princesses, and noblewomen whose stories have often been overshadowed by the kings they married or served.
Is Philippa Gregory historically accurate?
Gregory conducts extensive research and grounds her novels in documented historical events, places, and people. However, she takes creative liberties when filling gaps in the historical record and sometimes chooses controversial interpretations of disputed events. For example, her suggestion in The White Queen that Elizabeth Woodville may have used witchcraft is based on contemporary accusations but not accepted by most historians. Her portrayal of Anne Boleyn’s guilt or innocence differs from mainstream historical consensus. Gregory herself describes her work as “fiction” (a blend of fact and fiction) rather than a strict historical biography.
How long does it take to read the Plantagenet and Tudor series?
The 15 novels total approximately 6,000-7,000 pages, depending on editions. At an average reading speed of 250-300 words per minute, reading one hour per day would take approximately 4-6 months to complete the entire series. Individual novels range from 400 to 600 pages and take 8 to 12 hours to read. Many readers spread the series over a year or more, alternating with other books to avoid Tudor fatigue, while others binge-read the interconnected Cousins’ War books before moving to the Tudor Court novels.
Are Philippa Gregory’s books appropriate for young adults?
The books are written for adult audiences and contain mature content, including sexual situations, violence, childbirth scenes, and dark historical events (executions, wars, imprisonment). However, many mature teenagers read and enjoy them, particularly older high school students interested in history. The romance elements appeal to younger readers, but parents should be aware of adult themes. The books are generally less explicit than modern romance novels but more mature than YA historical fiction. The reading level is accessible to strong teen readers, but the emotional content is definitely adult.
Will there be more books in the Plantagenet and Tudor series?
Gregory completed the main Plantagenet and Tudor saga with The Last Tudor in 2017, which brings the story through Elizabeth I’s early reign and the tragedy of the Grey sisters. However, she has published other Tudor-era novels since then, including Tidelands (2019), which begins a new series set during the English Civil War. Gregory continues to write historical fiction and may return to the Tudor period for standalone novels, but the main interconnected series covering the Wars of the Roses through the Grey sisters’ story is complete.
Can I read the Plantagenet and Tudor books on Kindle or audiobook?
Yes, all of Philippa Gregory’s Plantagenet and Tudor novels are available in print, ebook (Kindle and other formats), and audiobook. The audiobooks are particularly popular, with different narrators bringing the various female protagonists to life. Many readers enjoy the audiobook format for Gregory’s dialogue-heavy, emotionally engaging storytelling. Box sets and collections are available in both ebook and print formats, often at discounted prices compared to buying individual books.
Which Philippa Gregory book is most popular?
The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) is Gregory’s most famous and bestselling novel, having sold millions of copies worldwide and been adapted into a major motion picture. It introduced many readers to Gregory’s work and remains the most recognized title in her bibliography. However, The White Queen (2009) gained renewed popularity after its successful TV adaptation and may be equally well-known among contemporary readers. Both books serve as excellent entry points to Gregory’s work.
How does Philippa Gregory compare to Hilary Mantel?
Both authors write about the Tudor period and seek to bring fresh perspectives to well-known historical events, but their approaches differ significantly. Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy is literary fiction that won multiple Booker Prizes, written in the present tense with complex prose and Thomas Cromwell as the protagonist. Gregory writes more accessible historical romance with female protagonists and includes elements of the supernatural. Mantel is considered more historically rigorous, while Gregory is more commercially successful. Many readers enjoy both authors for different reasons: Mantel for literary depth and Cromwell’s perspective, Gregory for emotional engagement and women’s viewpoints.
Are the Wars of the Roses books connected to the Tudor Court books?
Yes, the series is designed as one continuous narrative spanning 400 years of English royal history. The Cousins’ War books set up the Wars of the Roses, culminating in Henry Tudor’s victory and marriage to Elizabeth of York. The White Princess serves as the bridge between the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor dynasty, showing how the victorious Lancasters (Tudors) dealt with their defeated York rivals. The King’s Curse continues this theme, following the last Plantagenet heiress through the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII. Characters from earlier books appear in later novels as mothers, grandmothers, or historical memory.
What makes Philippa Gregory’s approach to historical fiction unique?
Gregory’s signature approach is telling famous historical stories through the perspectives of women, many of whom were previously overlooked or reduced to footnotes in traditional histories. She portrays queens and noblewomen as active political agents rather than passive victims of circumstance, showing how they wielded power through the tools available to them: strategic marriages, religious devotion, fertility, charm, and intelligence. Her inclusion of supernatural elements (prophecy, witchcraft, curses) reflects the period’s belief systems while also serving as a metaphor for women’s hidden power. Gregory makes history accessible through romance, intrigue, and emotional engagement rather than academic distance.
Should I watch the TV adaptations before or after reading the books?
Most readers recommend reading the books first to fully appreciate Gregory’s characterizations and the historical events’ complexity. The TV adaptations necessarily compress timelines, combine characters, and simplify plotlines for dramatic effect. However, the adaptations can also serve as engaging introductions to the period, inspiring viewers to read the books for greater depth. If you watch first, you’ll have visual references for people and places; if you read first, you can enjoy comparing your mental images to the adaptation’s interpretation. Either approach works depending on your preferences.
Can I start with the Tudor Court books without reading the Wars of the Roses books first?
Yes, absolutely. The Tudor Court novels were written before Gregory expanded backward into the Wars of the Roses with the Cousins’ War series. Many readers discovered Gregory through The Other Boleyn Girl or another Tudor Court book and later read the Cousins’ War books to understand the backstory. Each Tudor Court novel provides sufficient historical context to stand alone. However, reading the Cousins’ War books first enriches the Tudor novels by showing the origins of Tudor paranoia about Yorkist rivals and why Henry VII and Henry VIII were so obsessed with eliminating potential claimants to the throne.
What time periods does Philippa Gregory write about beyond the Plantagenets and Tudors?
While Gregory is most famous for her Plantagenet and Tudor novels, she has also written about other periods, including the English Civil War (1600s) in her Fairmile series, the 18th century in her Wideacre Trilogy, and others. She has also written modern novels, children’s books, and academic works. However, her medieval and Tudor fiction accounts for the bulk of her output and is her most popular work. The Plantagenet and Tudor series remains her signature achievement and the period she returns to most frequently.
Conclusion: Your Plantagenet & Tudor Reading Journey
Philippa Gregory’s Plantagenet and Tudor series represents a monumental achievement in historical fiction: 15 interconnected novels that bring to life over 400 years of English royal history through the eyes of the women who shaped it. From Jacquetta of Luxembourg’s supernatural gifts during the Wars of the Roses to the tragic Grey sisters in Elizabeth I’s court, Gregory gives voice to queens, princesses, and noblewomen who have been overshadowed by their male counterparts in traditional histories.
What makes this series special is Gregory’s commitment to exploring how women wielded power in a world that legally granted them almost none. Through strategic marriages, religious devotion, fertility, charm, and sheer determination, these women influenced succession, wars, and religious reformation. Gregory doesn’t shy away from showing their failures, their ruthlessness, and their complicity in dark deeds, creating complex characters who feel authentically human despite living centuries ago.
Whether you’re fascinated by the Wars of the Roses and want to understand how the bloody conflict between York and Lancaster led to the Tudor dynasty, or you’re drawn to the drama of Henry VIII’s marriages and the establishment of the Church of England, this series offers an immersive reading experience. The interconnected novels allow you to follow families across generations, seeing how mothers’ choices affect daughters and how yesterday’s queens become today’s cautionary tales.
Ready to begin? Start with The Other Boleyn Girl for Gregory’s most famous story, or begin with The Lady of the Rivers to experience the entire saga chronologically from its origins in the Wars of the Roses. With 15 novels of political intrigue, romantic entanglements, supernatural elements, and fierce women fighting for survival and power, you’ll have months of compelling reading ahead.