Gilt

I have always been really interested in the reign of Henry VIII and especially enjoy the stories of his progress through his 6 wives and the different circumstances and players that contributed to this period of history. I have read several books set in this time period and was a huge fan of the television series, The Tudors, starring Jonathan Rhys Myers because I just loved the really sexy, fresh approach they took to the adaptation. Therefore when I came across The Palace Circle, a young adult trilogy of novels set in this time period by author Katherine Longshore I knew immediately they would be perfect for me.

This first book in the series, Gilt, is focused on the marriage of Henry to his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Often spoken of as the most vivacious and fun loving on Henry's wives Catherine was much younger than the King and was provided for him merriment and laughter at a time when his health was failing and he was no longer the young virile monarch and the golden prince he had been in his youth. However, due to the difference in their age, Catherine often found her husband sickly and dull and unable to perform in bed. Seeking to fulfil her desires the Queen seeks companionship elsewhere, an act that will put herself and all of her ladies of the court in grave danger.

This book is told from the perspective of one of those ladies in Catherine's household, her friend and confidante Kitty. Commencing prior to Catherine's marriage to King Henry we learn that Catherine lived with her aunt and several other young ladies her age in a household filled with much merriment and visits by young men to the bedchamber of the young ladies. We especially focus on a young man Frances Derham and his relationship with Catherine Howard and the rumour that they are betrothed to each other. It is at this point that Catherine is called to the court of the King and proceeds to charm him and make him fall in love with her and eventually take her as his 5th wife. After moving to court to be with her friend, Kitty continues to narrate the story of Catherine's dalliances with Thomas Culpepper, a young man in the court of the King.

This story was familiar to me in great detail before I began reading, and if like me you have a good knowledge of the history of Catherine Howard then you will know that in this case there will be no happy ending for Queen Catherine. For me, the thing I loved about this book was that it is told from a completely fresh perspective than one's I've read before. Instead of focusing in any great detail on the politics of the time, or on the relationship between the King and Catherine Howard we take a slightly lighter approach.

Longshore's heroine Kitty is a wonderful narrator, she is looking at the events from the perspective of someone close to Catherine but who doesn't agree with her actions and the path upon which she is treading, however, she doesn't have the position, connections or confidence to stop her friend from putting them all in great danger. She describes her friend in tones that set Catherine up as the mean girl in their group of friends. The descriptions in the book made me find her vain, petulant, immature and reckless. If set today she'd be the friend who would stop at nothing to find herself a star of a reality television show. I loved this interpretation of Catherine, it made her less of a victim, instead, it is clear she carved her own path to the axeman's block and had little thought for those who were affected by her actions. There are no tears shed when the inevitable scene of her death arrives.

We also find that the men whom Catherine aligns herself with are often similar to her, they lack moral fibre and are happy to place their own needs above the well-being of others. Thomas Culpepper is quite an odious character in the book, when we first meet him it is when Kitty observes him carrying out a quite awful sexual act upon an unsuspecting woman. Throughout this book there are many male characters whose actions lead you to question the morals and respectability of the time. Kitty especially is used to demonstrate this as we find her struggle between various suitors in the book and tries to battle to find her place in the world.

One thing I loved about Longshore's book is that King Henry is not a central figure, he is mentioned often as being unwell or dealing with state business but short of a few scenes he doesn't add to the actual dialogue. Instead the focus is upon Catherine, her beliefs about her marriage and the fact her husband seems reluctant to have her crowned and the difficulties she had whilst the whole court watched for her to fall pregnant. It also allows us to focus upon the true story of the book which is about the friendship between Kitty and Queen Catherine, a friendship forged in childhood that will is tested to the limit as Catherine pushes her friend to keep more and more deadly secrets for her and aid her in her crimes against the crown.

I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't as steeped in detail as other books I've read about the period, it is was much lighter and would be wonderful for someone who loves Young Adult novels who wants to learn more about this time period. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next two books in the series, Brazen and Tarnished and taking a new and different look at two other marriages of King Henry through Longshore's eyes.