Thanks to NetGalley, Laura Adkins, and Pen & Sword for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII's Sixth Queen in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Henry's final wife is one that I have not really gravitated towards when exploring the Tudor time period. The book itself is very short, but it is actually full of information. It feels thoroughly researched and it is enjoyable to read some of the letters that she wrote. I feel like this book would be a good jumping off point for anyone interested in learning more about the wife who survived. She accomplished a lot during her brief life.

‘Kateryn’s last few years of her life had been just as chaotic as her centuries of disturbance while dead.’

Kateryn Parr is the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII. In this book you get to know everything about her from where she grew up, her education, her previous husbands, to her finally marrying for love.

A quick and easy read.

A must read for any history and Tudor fan.

I wonder what would have been if Kateryn had decided to stay a widow, never to re-marry or have any of her own children.

In chapter 10 (final chapter) gives you details of all the people mentioned in this book. Like a mini history lesson :)


‘Kateryn showed her two stepdaughters that a woman was able to wield power in a world of men.’

The final wife, the one who survived. These words are what people think about when it comes to Katherine (Kateryn) Parr. However, before she even met Henry VIII, she had already lived quite a life, being married twice before meeting the king. She was a scholar, reformer, daughter, stepmother, wife, and mother. A woman who lived a rather intriguing life and happened to marry the King of England, Kateryn Parr’s life has been told in numerous mediums for centuries. Now, Laura Adkins has chosen to write about this famous Tudor wife in the biography, “Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. Katherine Parr is my favorite wife of Henry VIII and one of my favorite Tudor queens. I have read a few novels and nonfiction books that featured Katherine Parr, but I have yet to read a biography about the titular woman, until now.

Adkins begins her dive into the past not in the Tudor era, but in the 18th century as we see a group of ladies finding the tomb of Kateryn Parr at Sudeley Castle and her tomb being opened several times. We then jump back into the past and explore the Parr family. Kateryn was the eldest child of Thomas and Maud Parr. We get to see Kateryn’s childhood with her siblings William and Anne, as well as see how the Parr siblings continued the Parr legacy in their own ways.

We then dive into Kateryn’s marriages, starting with Edward Borough, followed by John Neville Lord Latimer, King Henry VIII, and finally Thomas Seymour. With each relationship, we get to see Kateryn change from a young teen who was trying to survive to a strong woman who is willing to fight for those she loves and the faith she believes in. We see Kateryn become a stepmother to the Latimer children, Mary, Edward, and Elizabeth, and finally become the mother of her child, Mary Seymour. Adkins chooses to focus on the different elements of Kateryn’s life instead of having a traditional chronological biography, which is a unique take on Kateryn’s story. I will say that because of the format of this book, there was some repetition of different stories and facts in this book.

Overall, I think this was a decent biography about Kateryn Parr. It was easy to read and included actual letters written to and by Kateryn. A loyal wife and stepmother who influenced those around her long after she died. If you want to read a solid biography about this remarkable woman, I suggest you read, “Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife” by Laura Adkins.

Kateryn Parr: Henry VIII’s Sixth Queen by Laura Adkins is loaded with interesting information about Kateryn Parr and the court. I have always had a fascination with history, especially this time period, so when I saw this book I jumped on the opportunity to read it. I am glad I did because this book has information that I have never heard before.

Kateryn Parr is most known for being “the wife that survived,” as in the only wife of King Henry VIII that outlived him, but she accomplished much in her lifetime.

“A small number of women even began to become authors themselves like Kateryn did. She would be the first to publish under her own name in England.”
We are not taught in history, the significance on her accomplishments in a time when women were seen as property. She deviated from the typical traditional role, and became a published author. She believed knowledge and education was important and imperative for everyone, not just the rich.

“Like with her portraits, Kateryn would use her writings as a form of propaganda too.”
She was the first Queen to have a full body portrait commissioned, and used these portraits to show her status and value to the kingdom, as well as the world. She broke from traditions and portrayed herself in a different form, one that makes her stand out from others of her time

“Her confidence of putting her name to her work for the first time would lead the way for other female writers in England to follow. Kateryn represents a real breakthrough in an age when only the most privileged women were to receive an education.”
Kateryn Parr was an exceptional woman, knowledgeable caring and steadfast in her beliefs. She not only was a trendsetter, but a pioneer, living her life for service and duty, but at the same time being cognizant of the dangers around her.

“Kateryn Parr was not just the wife who survived Henry VIII but a woman who excelled in her duties and role which life had given her.”
She was a mother to all her stepchildren, giving them love as well as guidance throughout her lifetime. They were more than chess pieces, they were her family and she was raised to know the meaning and value of that word.

I found it very interesting learning that her grave had been disturbed, having been lost for years.

I would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about that time period and of a Queen that was more than just a wife, but a remarkable figure in history.

This was such a good non-fiction novel detailing the life of Katheryn Parr. I've always been interested in the Tudor Dynasty and very interested in the wives of Henry VIII. Definitely give this book a read if you love historical non-fiction books

Remembered as King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Kateryn Parr was an intelligent and passionate reformer. She survived treacherous Tudor politics, united Henry’s family, became England’s first woman author, and mentored Elizabeth I. This informative biography is interesting, enjoyable, and easy to read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

We all know the rhyme – Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived – and I feel like one often forget about Kateryn Parr. This book gives a good introduction to this interesting Tudor woman.

Chapters are nice and informative.

Over the last week or so, I have learned more about one of the most underrated tudor icons than I have in my lifetime and you know what? I am all over it because Kateryn Parr was a Queen in every sense of the word, traditional and contemporary slng. Wowsers.

So She was known and "the one that survived" Henry VII (even since school so many years ago I remember; "divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" Henry had a pattern that is for sure! So Henry is remembered for not exactly working at his marriages and the Mary Rose ship. Moving on from him and on to our new icon, Keteryn Parr.

So a couple days back I reviewed Women's Lives in the Tudor Era by Amy McElroy and The Mysterious Death of Ketherine Parr by June Woolerton and now, with reading Kateryn Parr by Laura Adkins, I have really grown to adore this incredible, underrate Queen

In Tudor England, every part of a woman's life was ruled by men and even the nobility had limited education and opportunities outside of wedlock. So for a Kateryn Parr to become a reformer as well as an author in her widowhood, was simply unheard of. She united people, she was a devoted mother and highly intelligent whilst keeping her counsel and watching. A little known fact was that she was the first ever woman in England to have a book published in her own name and as such, in my humble opinion, should be the patron saint of all female authors, or at least an icon

While Kateryn Parr's end was utterly unjustified, her life is one to be revered in the highest order and this incredible book does just that. Written and presented beautifully, an essential addition to any scholars library


Thank you very much to Netgalley, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History and the fantastic author Laura Adkins for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book is a concise and interesting biography of Katheryn Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII. Not only did I learn about this incredible woman and her selflessness despite a difficult life and even more tragic end, but it was fascinating to see the influence her life had on the future Queen Elizabeth I and how it still resonates today. Reading this during Women’s History Month was fitting; Katheryn deserves recognition beyond being just one of the wives.

The author did a wonderful job and I recommend this book for anyone interested in the Royals. Special thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read in advance!