Arthur Plantagenet - Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Uncle

Arthur Plantagenet - Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Uncle written by Sarah-Beth Watkins

and published by Pen & Sword Books - £20 - Hardback - Pages 208

Illegitimate son to Edward IV and the uncle of Henry VIII, Arthur Plantagenet’s life is an intriguing story. Raised in his father’s court, he then became a trusted member of Henry VII’s household and after his death, was a prominent figure at the court of Henry VIII. Henry VIII treated his uncle well in the early years of his reign, making him vice-admiral and then Lord Deputy of Calais in 1533.

Arthur did the best he could in his new position in Calais over seven years, including trying to maintain a relationship with Thomas Cromwell against a background of religious change, but there were numerous complaints about him and his paranoid nephew’s suspicions over his loyalty grew – culminating in Lisle’s arrest and imprisonment for two years with no legal reason.

Arthur was released from the Tower in 1542, yet tragically died after receiving a diamond ring from his nephew. He was so excited that his heart – that ‘gentlest living heart’ – failed soon after.

We owe much of what we know about Henry VIII’s uncle to the seizure and preservation of the Lisle Letters, an impressive collection of correspondence obtained at his arrest that has miraculously survived. Not only do they give details of Arthur’s life, but they are an amazing insight into the religious, political, culture and social background of the 16th century. Placed as he was, Arthur Plantagenet’s story gives a whole new, fresh perspective on a turbulent yet vibrant period of history.

This was a good book in which learn about a character who we usually don’t hear anything

about in Kind Henry VIII’s uncle, Arthur Plantagenet. This is an excellent book written by the

author Sarah Beth Watkins, who has written very comprehensively with depth, a simple

throwaway answer was greatly explained. I enjoyed this book and I would have thought

most people into Tudor history would get a lot out of it.