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Judith Arnopp
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A Matter of Conscience: : Henry VIII, The Aragon Years (The Henrician Chronicle Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Judith Arnopp (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 593 ratings

‘A king must have sons: strong, healthy sons to rule after him.’

On the unexpected death of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales his brother, Henry, becomes heir to the throne of England. The intensive education that follows offers Henry a model for future excellence; a model that he is doomed to fail.

On his accession, he chooses his brother’s widow, Caterina of Aragon, to be his queen. Together they plan to reinstate the glory of days of old and fill the royal nursery with boys.

But when their first-born son dies at just a few months old, and subsequent babies are born dead or perish in the womb, the king’s golden dreams are tarnished

Christendom mocks the virile prince. Caterina’s fertile years are ending yet all he has is one useless living daughter, and a baseborn son.

He needs a solution but stubborn to the end, Caterina refuses to step aside.

As their relationship founders his eye is caught by a woman newly arrived from the French court. Her name is Anne Boleyn.

A Matter of Conscience: The Aragon Years offers a unique first-person account of the ‘monster’ we love to hate and reveals a man on the edge; an amiable man made dangerous by his own impossible expectation.

The story continues in A Matter of Faith: Book Two of The Henrician Chronicle.

From the author of 'The Beaufort Chronicle' and 'The Heretic Wind.'

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Henrician Chronicle
  2. Print length
    345 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 15, 2021
  5. File size
    3.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08W48QQ9C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 15, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 15, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 345 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08XLDJHHF
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 593 ratings

About the author

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Judith Arnopp

Judith Arnopp

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Judith Arnopp's novels are set during the War of the Roses and the Tudor era. They focus on women like Margaret Beaufort, Anne Neville, Elizabeth of York, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor.

She has a Master's degree in medieval studies and a BA in English and creative writing from the University of Wales, making Historical Fiction the only obvious career choice.

She lives on the coast of West Wales with her husband, John, and now her family have flown the nest she writes full time from her home overlooking Cardigan Bay.

Her early books were set in the Anglo Saxon period but since switching to the Tudor era her career has flourished and she now has a substantial collection of titles in her catalogue. All books are available on Kindle and in paperback, some are on Audible.

Judith also writes non-fiction, her most recent published by Pen and Sword is a study of Tudor clothing and fashion, How to Dress Like a Tudor. Her work features in several anthologies and magazines.

You can find more information on judithmarnopp and follow her blog on juditharnoppnovelist blogspot and most social media

platforms.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
593 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an excellent read. They appreciate the narrative style, with one customer particularly noting how it's told through Henry VIII's perspective.

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9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read, with one customer specifically praising Judith Arnopp's writing.

"This was pretty good. I’m not a fan of the first person view, in my opinion it spoils the ending...." Read more

"...Margaret George has already written an excellent novel, but I’m the type of person who likes to read multiple novels about the same subject...." Read more

"Excellent job as always 🎉🎊. Congratulations hugs and blessings on this new trilogy. Cannot wait for more to come in..." Read more

"The entire book makes for an excellent read. CAN’T wait for the next book in the series." Read more

6 customers mention "Narrative style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative style of the book, with one mentioning it is told through Henry VIII's ideals and another noting its realistic dialogue.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was totally told through Henry's ideals, and I believed that the author portrayed a good vision of how Henry,..." Read more

"...enjoy the rhetoric, the beauty of her style, the prose, the first person story she tells as she is dwelling inside her characters head and sharing..." Read more

"...Simply put, this is an engaging, entertaining and thought provoking novel. I loved it." Read more

"A magnificent rendering of the life and times of Henry VIII. Not to be missed!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sharon S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best of The Three Books
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I was pleasantly surprised that I had enjoyed these three books as much as I did. I had assumed that I would find some of the reading boring with the telling of the more historical facts like I have in other authors similar to the stories of The Tudor court. I have enjoyed all three of these, with the first being my favorite. They didn't disappoint.
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  • Betty Russell
    4.0 out of 5 stars king Henry viii
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was pretty good. I’m not a fan of the first person view, in my opinion it spoils the ending. The king was a dog and allowed his obsession to rule him instead of thinking things through.
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  • Alison Shanahan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved reading a POV from Henry VIII for once
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I’m always reading books about the queens from their perspective, but what about Henry’s perspective? Margaret George has already written an excellent novel, but I’m the type of person who likes to read multiple novels about the same subject. We don’t get to read what might have been going through Henry’s head. I’m eager for the next book but it’s been quite a while! When is it coming out? I’m really looking forward to it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Therealelishag
    4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting story from Henry's view!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was totally told through Henry's ideals, and I believed that the author portrayed a good vision of how Henry, himself, would have been thinking. Only four stars because I felt the author left out more in depth suppositions on the actions of Wolsey, More and the beginnings of Henry's interest in Crammed and Cromwell.
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  • CANDACE HICKMAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars INSIDE HENRY'S HEAD
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Judith Arnopp has become my favorite author, Historical Fiction or not. After discovering her books, I bought and flew through each one, connecting with each of her characters. I enjoy the rhetoric, the beauty of her style, the prose, the first person story she tells as she is dwelling inside her characters head and sharing their thoughts with us.
    I anxiously awaited this book and then read it very slowly,savoring it, knowing it will be a while before I have another. So excited to know this will be a triology.
    I believe she nailed King Henry in his many layers. He has so many layers who knew which he would be looking like it acting like today.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • MAEK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the early boyhood and reign of Henry Viii
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The author does an excellent job of explaining all of Henry's insecurities and fears while a young boy and Monarch. The author also explains the relationships Henry had with his parents, siblings, grandmother, courtiers, 1st wife and Anne Bolyen. I look forward to future installments.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Coton-Enthusiast
    5.0 out of 5 stars I can’t wait . . .
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    For the next book in this trilogy. I’ve read every historical novel written about Henry VIII and even if you have too, you must add A Matter of Conscience to your reading list. Simply put, this is an engaging, entertaining and thought provoking novel. I loved it.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • J. L Roth
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Told from the POV of Henry the VIII, it is an interesting choice. Henry waivers between self awareness and self deception. I do think it doesn't take advantage of the opportunities to show Henry's internal struggles in full from time to time.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Penelope
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing read was great to see the story from Henry point of view
    Reviewed in Australia on July 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this novel well written and completely different point of view from Henry loved it and can’t wait to read the rest thank you for writing this
    Report
  • fictionreader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, written from a young Henry VIII's point of view
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This was a bold move by Judith Arnopp to get inside the head of Henry VIII and tell the story of his reign from his point of view. And the Henry that she has created for us is utterly believable as we chart his journey from carefree younger brother to king. The relationships in this novel are strongly drawn, I particularly enjoyed Henry’s relationship with his sisters and how their childhood affection was strained by the effects of power. This Henry is a man who likes to sport and play ands finds the affairs of state tedious. He’d rather be playing tennis or out with his hawks. Yet his feeling that he wanted to be a good King, and his love for England the nation, are never diminished. He is handsome, vibrant, wins at everything effortlessly. Yet even though his brother is dead, Henry lives always under his shadow, always afraid he will never quite be good enough.

    Judith Arnopp strikes exactly the right balance between story and history in this novel. There is plenty of real detail here; the manoeuvring of his advisors, the nation’s urgent need for a living heir, the tragedy of the death of his son. Henry himself has experienced at first hand what can happen if the eldest son dies. The fact that he has one disappointment after another soon sours his relationship with Catalina (Kate), the Aragon bride, the woman he was initially smitten with and coveted so much. As Henry begins to turn to arrogance we cannot help but feel for her, trapped in this marriage where she only has one function.

    All in all, this is an excellent novel, pyschologically astute and well-researched, and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
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  • Christine Boos
    5.0 out of 5 stars A different approach to Henry VIII's life
    Reviewed in Germany on March 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A great novel inspired by Henry VIII's relationships, whether within his family or his romantic experiences. This monumental king might appear strong or the strongest as he had so wished to be, proves to be very human indeed. Despite his megalomania, he has felt insecure already in childhood. It will take him years to realise that this insecurity will be put on a par with the loneliness of being King. Judith Arnopp has brilliantly succeeded in painting this unconventional and unusual portait of Henry VIII. The use of the first person all through the novel renders this exceptional character very real. Another big success for the author!
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  • keatsie
    4.0 out of 5 stars an interesting take on the early years of Henry Tudor
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A peek at Tudor history through the eyes of the king. Henry comes over as part villain, part victim in this tale of his early years and his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Arnopp has done a good job of capturing Henry’s hopes, dreams, and insecurities, and the book often had me wondering what England would have been like if only Henry had listened to different people and taken different paths.
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  • Karen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Most joyous read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Written from Henry perspective it's a different read from the story we all know. Really compelling reading and have the 2nd part ready to continue
    Report

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