Young and Damned and Fair

The Life of Catherine Howard, Fifth Wife of King Henry VIII

By: Mr. Gareth Russell

Narrated by: Jenny Funnell

Written with an exciting combination of narrative flair and historical authority, this interpretation of the tragic life of Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, breaks new ground in our understanding of the very young woman who became queen at a time of unprecedented social and political tension and whose terrible errors in judgment quickly led her to the executioner's block.

On the morning of July 28, 1540, as King Henry's VIII's former confidant Thomas Cromwell was being led to his execution, a teenager named Catherine Howard began her reign as queen of a country simmering with rebellion and terrifying uncertainty. Sixteen months later the king's fifth wife would follow her cousin Anne Boleyn to the scaffold, having been convicted of adultery and high treason.

The broad outlines of Catherine's career might be familiar, but her story up until now has been incomplete. Unlike previous accounts of her life, which portray her as a naïve victim of an ambitious family, this compelling and authoritative biography will shed new light on Catherine Howard's rise and downfall by reexamining her motives and showing her in her context, a milieu that goes beyond her family and the influential men of the court to include the aristocrats and, most critically, the servants who surrounded her and who, in the end, conspired against her. By illuminating Catherine's entwined upstairs/downstairs worlds as well as societal tensions beyond the palace walls, the author offers a fascinating portrayal of court life in the 16th century and a fresh analysis of the forces beyond Catherine's control that led to her execution - from diplomatic pressure and international politics to the long-festering resentments against the queen's household at court.

Young and Damned and Fair changes our understanding of one of history's most famous women while telling the compelling and very human story of complex individuals attempting to survive in a dangerous age.

©2016 Gareth Russell. Excerpt from "Die Lorelei" by Stevie Smith, from Collected Poems of Stevie Smith, ©1957. Reprinted from New Directions Publishing Corp. (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers, Ltd.

Catherine beware

Catherine Howard is currently being reexamined and often excused for her actions due to her youth. He lover Culpepper is being seen as a sexual predator and her family, especially her uncle as exploitative. While she was no doubt placed in front of King Henry to spark his interest, she apparently knew how to play the game as is borne out by this book. She had as much as anyone to answer for regarding the circumstances leading to her death and is a prime example that no one is innocent.
Yes, it is a hard thing to say a young girl deserved the axe for wanting a young and viral love rather than her elderly husband but this girl knew full well that what she did was treason and that there was only one penally for that o her day,

A fresh look at the 5th wife of Henry VII

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, new perspective on the "slutty queen"

What did you like best about this story?

The refreshing and authentic perspective on the life of Katherine Howard

Have you listened to any of Jenny Funnell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

first time listening to her narration, very pleasant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

Very impressed with the number of sources used in the research

THE biography of Catherine Howard!

Mr. Russell has painted a sumptuous and well-researched portrait of this (often overshadowed and tragic) young queen, and the people and places who shaped her short life and reign. Over and over I was also delighted by the delicious and subtle details about the Tudor period and its customs, scattered like Easter eggs throughout the efficient and elegant prose. The narrator’s voice is like velvet, with evocative inflection and emphasis. I cannot recommend this audiobook strongly enough!

Enlightening and Engaging

This book came highly recommended wherever I went in Tudor forums. It is a desperately needed examination of Katherine Howard's life that tries to show as minimal bias as possible and it is refreshing. Examining rumors, her progress and primary sources provides a highly detailed, well designed thought process that allows you to have sympathy for Katherine, and frustration for the situation. At times the book can be tedious, but considering how little information and examination Katherine had been given in the past, she deserves to be labored over a bit. I look forward to new works Gareth Russell puts out.

An excellent telling of Catherine Howard’s tragic story.

Such a well researched book! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Gareth Russell brings such humanity to a life that is too often brushed off as being silly, or foolish. Previously, I had thought Catherine Howard to be the least interesting of Henry’s wives… but my opinion has changed. Such a tragic story. Very much recommend this one!

Someone please tell the narrator how commas work for pauses

The story is interesting and wide ranging; however, the narrator has an irritating affectation.

She habitually pauses at unnecessary places in sentences, where there are no commas and none is needed.

It makes it very difficult to follow the meaning an intricate sentence.

Would not listen to this narrator again.

I will probably purchase the book so I can read it and understand the sentences properly.

Excellent

If you enjoy Tudor history, you will LOVE this book! Extremely well-researched and equally well-written. The narrator was great too!

Very informative

I actually really enjoyed this book. Loving Tudor history I have seen/heard all sorts of depictions of this young queen but this book has given me a new perspective of her. I found it informative and I marvel at the things I didn’t know about her or those around her. Great read!

Detailed look at Katherine Howard's life

Great detailed account of Katherine Howard's life and Tudor world. Sometimes bogs down in detail.

interesting

This is the tale of the young woman who lost her head because of love. It is told without casting her as silly, as a victim or as the puppet in the hands of her powerful family. The writer tells us the opinions and the documented facts from the Tudor time in which she lived.
It is a long story, but it stays interesting, even though we now the end (spoiler: she is beheaded). The road is more important than the destination....