Popular myths and earlier historical interpretations of key events receive fresh analysis aided by diligent research. “Tallis humanizes Grey, showing her willfulness as well as her desperation to please her remarkably unwise parents. Highly recommended for readers interested in British history or the Tudor era.” Ably guiding readers through the complex maze of familial connections and Tudor politics, the author presents an engaging portrait of a young woman whose sole crime was having had the misfortune to be born the great-niece of Henry VIII. “The tragic life and short (nine-day) reign of Lady Jane Grey is eloquently explored. Almost all existing documents cover only her final months, but Tallis does an admirable job turning up sources on her subject’s early life which concentrate on her high-ranking parents and Jane's intense religious education.” “In her first book, Tallis makes an energetic case that Grey deserves more attention. “Tallis brings this tragic teen to vivid life in her perceptive and thoughtful new book.” Nevertheless, Tallis perseveres, presenting Jane as 'a spirited girl who demonstrated character, passion, talent and strength,' a serious bookworm who grew up in a household where new ideas flourished.” The telling is by necessity speculative, since so little primary source material exists. “Tallis takes this thin slice of fact and serves it up as a full banquet, filling in history’s faint outline.
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