Genre: History, nonfiction
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Pub date: 11 July 2023
The Tudors by Numbers is a fresh look at a well-known dynasty ― through its numbers. Take a new look at old friends by learning the complicated path to 1 possible king symbolized by 1 rose, viewing the extraordinary 42 percent of the dynasty under the rule of 2 women, and considering the impact of 4 English language translations of the Bible printed in England. The Tudors by Numbers takes you behind the scenes through a different path and reveals new ways of seeing the Tudors.
Firstly, what a beautiful cover! I love the imagery and vibrancy of this cover. I especially like the Tudor rose sitting in the ‘o’ of the title.
Who knew the story of the Tudors could be told through numbers?
Well, that’s exactly what Carol Ann Lloyd has done, and it works perfectly!
The story of one of the most famous dynasties in the world is broken down into brilliant bite-sized chunks that are informative and enjoyable to read.
I loved how each chapter begins with a short introduction to the topic followed by the caption, ‘Let’s find out. Let’s Roll the Numbers.’ We then delve into more information about each topic such as ‘2 Crowned Queens,’ ‘ 6 Very Different Wives’, and ‘7 Coronations.’
Each chapter then has smaller sections relevant to numbers, making this a really fun and interesting read. It also means if you are interested in a specific topic, you can easily locate it in the contents page, though personally I would recommend reading the whole book as it’s great!
The final chapter is Top 10 Tudor Secrets and Surprises, which I really enjoyed and was the perfect ending to a brilliant book.
I recommend this to all Tudor enthusiasts, I will definitely be referring back to it in the future.
It is also on offer at the moment! You can order directly from Pen and Sword at a discounted price!
Carol Ann’s next book, Courting the Virgin Queen, is now also available for preorder and I cannot wait!
Carol Ann Lloyd turned an obsession with the Tudors into a speaking and writing career. She shares her love of history with Smithsonian Associates, Royal Oak Foundation, Agecroft Hall, Folger Shakespeare Library and other organizations. She holds degrees in Literature and Education and hosts a popular podcast, British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics. She also offers workshops about using Shakespeare strategies to improve communication skills and is a member of National Speakers Association.
If you’d like to know more about Carol Ann, you can find her on the following socials (and if you have a look at podcast episodes, you may just find me!)
Royals, Rebels and Romantics Podcast
Amy McElroy 