Henrietta Maria

The Warrior Queen Who Divided a Nation

By: Leanda de Lisle

Narrated by: Daphne Kouma

Henrietta Maria is British history's most reviled queen consort. Condemned in her lifetime as the "Popish brat of France,” an adulteress, and a traitor, she remains in popular memory the wife who wore the breeches in her marriage, the woman who turned her husband Catholic (and so caused the English Civil War), and a cruel and bigoted mother.

This clear-eyed biography unpicks the myths and considers the story from Henrietta Maria's point of view. A portrait emerges of a woman whose closest friends included Puritans as well as Catholics, who crossed swords with Cardinal Richelieu, and led the anti-Spanish faction at the English court. A witty conversationalist, Henrietta Maria was a patron of the arts and a champion of the female voice, as well as a mediatrix for her persecuted fellow Catholics.

During the civil war, the queen's enemies agreed that Charles would never have survived as long as he did without the "She Generalissimo." Seeing events through her gaze reveals the truth behind the claims that she caused the war, explains her estrangement from her son Henry, and diminishes the image of the Restoration queen as an irrelevant crone. In fact, Henrietta Maria rose from the ashes of her husband's failures—a "phoenix queen"—presiding over a court judged to have had "more mirth" even than that of the Merry Monarch, Charles II.

©2022 Leanda de Lisle (P)2022 Tantor

Balanced history

Detailed information on lesser-known but impactful woman and Queen, presented in a religiously balanced way. As victors write histories, the true role of Catholics, often downplayed by protestant historians if the time, is presented here.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but author and reader help. I had little knowledge if this era but was able to follow around.

Really good

I did not know the history of Henrietta Maria prior to this book. I’m so glad I picked it randomly and gave it a listen. It’s a really detailed discussion of her life and one I enjoyed learning about.

Entertaining as well as Informative

I know very little about the English Civil War except that it was essentially a religious conflict. This book tells the Catholic perspective through Henrietta Marie’s life. She was a strong and likable character who remained true to her own beliefs. She lived by the rules of her upbringing and did her very best for Charles and their children. I hadn’t realized Charles loosing the war and his head was only the close of the second act of his queen’s life. She continued to be a force in England and France until her own death. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the distaff side of history.

Ann

Boring frivolous “woman’s” history of what jewels, blurred etc. until the end. Save your credit & time. Agan. wHY do they have narrators who are SO much older than the protagonist??? It sets my hair on end to hear an old scratchy voice narrating a child’s recollections, etc.. Only finished it because I fell asleep.