“ In this martial world dominated by men, women had little place. The Church's teachings might underpin feudal morality, yet when it came to the practicalities of life, a ruthless pragmatism often came… Alison Weir
“ Giraldus claimed that he had heard about Eleanor's adultery with Geoffrey from the saintly Bishop Hugh of Lincoln, who had learned of it from Henry II of England, Geoffrey's son and Eleanor's second h… Alison Weir
“ Court life for a queen of France at that time was, however, stultifyingly routine. Eleanor found that she was expected to be no more than a decorative asset to her husband, the mother of his heirs and… Alison Weir
“ After the dedication, Eleanor saw Bernard privately, probably at her own request. He came prepared to offer more spiritual comfort, thinking that she too might be suffering qualms of conscience over V… Alison Weir
“ From whom but the Devil did this advice come under which you are acting? Those who are urging you to repeat your former wrongdoings against an innocent person are seeking in this not your honour but t… Alison Weir
“ The story was certainly current at court, and in 1535 a Member of Parliament, Sir George Throckmorton, accused Henry to his face of 'meddling' with both Anne's mother and sister Mary.'Never with the m… Alison Weir
“ In the South of England northerners were regarded then as uncouth, brutish, undisciplined savages ... Alison Weir
“ If only they would all just leave me alone with my books and my letters, I would be content to let life, and the world pass me by Alison Weir
“ His handsome face is suffused with rage. He stands before me shaking, then to my disgust, bursts into noisy tears; I shall tell my mother of you! he sobs and crashes out of the chamber Alison Weir
“ There can have been no doubt in Eleanor's mind as to what was expected of her as a wife. In her day, women were supposed to be chaste both inside and outside marriage, virginity and celibacy being hig… Alison Weir
“ News of the death of James V on 14 December gave even further cause for rejoicing, because his heir was a week-old girl, the infant Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland would be subject to yet another weake… Alison Weir
“ Until quite recently women's histories were largely overlooked but in the wake of feminism there has been increasing interest in retrieving them. Alison Weir
“ Since arriving in England, Katherine had come to know a freedom she had never dreamed of in Spain, where young women were kept in seclusion and forced to live almost like cloistered nuns. They wore cl… Alison Weir
