The Last White Rose: A Novel of Elizabeth of York

Summary

New York Times bestselling author Alison Weir explores the turbulent life of Henry VIII’s mother, Elizabeth, the first queen of the Tudor dynasty, in this stunning historical novel.

Elizabeth of York is the eldest daughter of King Edward IV. Flame-haired, beautiful, and sweet-natured, she is adored by her family. Yet her life is disrupted when her beloved father dies suddenly in the prime of life. Her uncle, the notorious Richard III, takes advantage of Edward’s death to seize the throne and imprison Elizabeth’s two younger brothers, the rightful royal heirs. Forever afterward known as “the Princes in the Tower,” the boys are never seen again. On the heels of this tragedy, Elizabeth is subjected to Richard’s overtures to make her his wife, to further legitimize his claim to the throne. King Richard has murdered her brothers, she feels certain, yet she must accept his proposal.

As if in a fairy tale, Elizabeth is saved by Henry Tudor, who challenges Richard and defeats him at the legendary Battle of Bosworth Field. Following his victory, Henry becomes king and asks Elizabeth to be his wife, the first queen of the Tudor line. The marriage is happy and fruitful, not only uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York—the famed red and white roses—but producing four surviving children, one of whom, Henry VIII, will rule the country for thirty-six years.

As in her popular Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir captures the personality of one of Britain’s most important consorts, conveying Elizabeth of York’s dramatic life in a novel that is all the richer because of its firm basis in history.