A mentor told me once that it is important to study a new topic in depth every two years as it keeps you energised.  Strangely, I do seem to go through stages of being interested in different topics.  At the moment, perhaps thanks to shows like The Crown and Victoria, I am interested in the history of the British monarchy.

Philippa Gregory is a very uneven writer.  Her books range from well researched historical fiction to appalling melodrama (I don’t recommend Wideacre to anyone).   She is best known for The Other Boleyn Girl which falls somewhere in the middle.  Three Sisters Three Queens is one of my favourites.

The title suggests that Gregory is going to explore the lives of the two sisters of Henry VIII, Margaret and Mary Tudor, and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.  In fact, the story is told from the perspective of Margaret alone although it does explore her relationship with the other two Queens.

Margaret Tudor was predictably bound to a political marriage from childhood.  Betrothed to the King of Scotland when she was only twelve, she held the hopes of England to maintain peace between the traditional warring tribes of Northern England and Scotland.

She maintains regular correspondence with her sister Mary and hears of her brief marriage to the King of France before he dies leaving her free to marry for love.

The story of Catherine of Aragon is a familiar one for anyone with even a passing interest in history.  It was interesting to hear of her downfall from her own perspective.

As with all historical fiction, there is a high degree of conjecture and supposition about the relationship between the three Queens.  However, in light of the known historical facts, the story Gregory put together made sense.  Petty jealousies abound and the sisters must put aside the horrors of their warring countries in order to maintain the relationships upon which they depend for their own survival.

If, like me, you have rejected some of Philippa Gregory’s books recently, you might want to return for this one.  It was a good page turner and very satisfying.