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The Last White Rose

On sale

16th September 2010

Price: £12.99

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Selected: ebook / ISBN-13: 9781849018029

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A brilliant new interpretation of one of the most dramatic periods of British history.

The Wars of the Roses didn’t end at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Despite the death of Richard III and Henry VII’s victory, it continued underground into the following century with plots, pretenders and subterfuge by the ousted white rose faction. In a brand new interpretation of this turning point in history, well known historian Desmond Seward reviews the story of the Tudors’ seizure of the throne and shows that for many years they were far from secure. He challenges the way we look at the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII, explaining why there were so many Yorkist pretenders and conspiracies, and why the new dynasty had such difficulty establishing itself.

King Richard’s nephews, the Earl of Warwick and the little known de la Pole brothers, all had the support of dangerous enemies overseas, while England was split when the lowly Perkin Warbeck skilfully impersonated one of the princes in the tower in order to claim the right to the throne. Warwick’s surviving sister Margaret also became the desperate focus of hopes that the White Rose would be reborn. The book also offers a new perspective on why Henry VIII, constantly threatened by treachery, real or imagined, and desperate to secure his power with a male heir, became a tyrant.

Praise for Desmond Seward’s A Brief History of the War of the Roses:
‘It is hard to imagine a historian more in command of his subject… The result is history as compelling as any novel’ Independent

‘This is a splendidly and vividly written book.’ Evening Standard

A Brief History of the Hundred Years Wars:
‘A well-written narrative, beautifully illustrated, and which takes into account most recent scholarship. It is also a good read.’ Richard Cobb, New Statesman

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Reviews

Robert Hutchinson, The Last Days of Henry VIII
Gripping and enthralling . . . no writer of fiction, however imaginative, could dream up more spell binding plots than what actually happened, so skilfully recounted here.
Military Times
The best and richest modern narrative history of the fiercely complex War of the Roses.
Linda Porter, author of Katherine Parr
A vivid and compelling account of a neglected aspect of Tudor history.
Catholic Herald
A fluent, well-researched book.
Jessie Childs, author of Henry VIII’s Last Victim
The Last White Rose is history as it should be written: without hindsight or embellishment, but with erudition and a sense of immediacy that makes it a gripping and original read.
Literary Review
An entertaining and valuable exploration of the early Tudor period.
Contemporary Review
A well-written account of a fascinating period.
Family History Monthly
Fans of the period will love this investigation.
Herald
This is lively history from a colourful age, telling a gripping story all the more vital for it being true.
The Field
A worthwhile addition.