“Leanda de Lisle has brilliantly overturned nearly four centuries of misogynistic, religiously bigoted, and politically motivated myths about Henrietta Maria, who now emerges as a fascinating, fearless, but ill-fated woman, wife and mother. This is revisionist history at its absolute best.”
“Leanda de Lisle's beautifully written and endlessly fascinating new biography of Henrietta Maria brings one of the 17th century's most misunderstood women to glorious life. For far too long, Henrietta Maria has been patronized and belittled by historians as little more than an adjunct to her husband. This salutary and important book restores her to her rightful place as one of the most fascinating and important figures of her time.”
Praise for Leanda de Lisle:
“Deeply researched and vibrantly accessible.”
"Charles I has long eluded even the most scholarly of biographers; his personal contradictions, attractive qualities and ludicrous blunders require a writer of rare talent to let us appreciate the long-hidden character of the king."
"Leanda de Lisle has approached one of the great icons of history with understanding and compassion. She takes her readers through the twists and turns of the English Civil War so that they understand the enormity of the regicide and the foolishness and courage of the king."
“Leanda de Lisle has the gift of reminding us that history is the story of real people; real men, real women, full of rage and ambition and lust and hope and love. Wonderful, passionate, dangerous, fascinating stuff. I couldn't put it down.”
“An engaging and well-sourced account, sprinkled with provocative anecdotes that will appeal to both scholars and general readers. This compelling tale is driven by three-dimensional people and relationships, and de Lisle does a fantastic job of making them feel lived and dramatic."
“A wonderfully fluent portrait of five generations that connects the often overlooked fifteenth century with the more famous stuff. In bridging this divide, de Lisle brings an entirely fresh feel to the story, reminding us of the one thing the monarchs themselves wanted us to forget: the sheer improbability of their royal rule.”
“Enjoyable, well-written. De Lisle examines the key events and characters that make the story interesting. This is a very well-done popular history ideal for general readers.”
"Leanda de Lisle uses hitherto unknown manuscripts to offer a sympathetic interpretation of the character of Charles I that is more nuanced than previous treatments thanks partly to a highly original account of his much-maligned queen, Henrietta Maria."
“Marvelous. The book renders sufficiently broad strokes of macro history but is also microscopically filled with careful archival detail only the best historians can dig up and make come alive almost effortlessly. Incisive, razor-sharp writing. A polished biographical gem. It will be definitive for a long time."
"By the end of the book, I was sure that this was one of the best books on Charles I yet written. De Lisle certainly does know how to write strong, compelling narratives. Her best—and vital—talent, is perhaps her commendable ability to see the whole picture, the shades of grey."
"De Lisle brings the figures surrounding Charles I to life with the strident confidence that accompanies the historian who fully understand their subject. A well-written and impeccably researched biography. Seeks not to revise the history of England's Civil Wars, but uncover the truth hidden beneath the grime of centuries of propaganda and myth."
"De Lisle cuts a clear path through the complex politics surrounding the reign of Charles I and the Civil War. Highly recommended."