The King's Curse
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Philippa Gregory |
| Products | Historical novel |
The King's Curse is a historical novel released in 2014 by Philippa Gregory, forming part of her The Cousins' War series. Serving as a direct continuation of The White Princess, the story explores the adult experiences of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, the daughter of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence and Isabel Neville.
Plot
Following Henry Tudor's ascension as Henry VII, Margaret Plantagenet deliberately distances herself from her royal heritage to ensure her survival. She is wed to a lesser Tudor knight, Sir Richard Pole, and grieves the loss of her brother Edward, who was executed by Henry after being confined in the Tower of London for fourteen years. Together, Margaret and Richard oversee the household of the young Arthur, Prince of Wales, Henry’s heir and Margaret’s cousin. She forms a close bond with Arthur’s wife, the Spanish princess Katherine of Aragon, but Arthur’s unexpected demise deeply unsettles both women.
On his deathbed, Arthur expresses a wish for Katherine to marry his brother Henry and ascend as queen. Katherine insists their marriage remained unconsummated. With Queen Elizabeth deceased, Henry contemplates marrying Katherine to maintain the alliance with Spain; however, his mother, Margaret Beaufort, stands in opposition. After Richard’s passing leaves Margaret financially burdened with five children, she resists pressure from the king’s mother to oppose Katherine. She entrusts her children to relatives and withdraws to Syon Abbey.
When Henry VII dies, Prince Henry becomes Henry VIII and weds Katherine. Margaret regains her titles and wealth, becoming Countess of Salisbury. Her eldest son, Henry Pole, 1st Baron Montagu, gains favor with the king, while another son, Reginald, pursues studies at Oxford. Margaret secures beneficial marriages for her offspring. Katherine later gives birth to Princess Mary, over whom Margaret assumes guardianship. The execution of cousin Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham poses a threat but eventually subsides. Following the death of her son Arthur, Henry VIII seeks an annulment from Katherine to marry courtier Anne Boleyn. When papal approval is denied, Henry severs ties with Rome, proclaims himself head of the Church of England, annuls his marriage, and declares Mary illegitimate. Margaret and others are compelled to pledge loyalty or face execution.
Thomas Cromwell spearheads the dissolution of the monasteries, inciting widespread unrest. Opposition to the king’s policies becomes synonymous with treason; Margaret’s family covertly supports Mary and upholds Catholic beliefs. Anne Boleyn gives birth only to daughter Elizabeth before her execution; Elizabeth is subsequently deemed illegitimate. Henry marries Jane Seymour, who bears a legitimate male heir after Anne’s fall from grace. Reginald challenges Henry’s religious reforms from abroad, straining relations within Margaret’s family. Targeted by Cromwell, Margaret’s youngest son Geoffrey is arrested and coerced into implicating others in seditious conversations. Despite limited proof, most accused are executed. Margaret loses her wealth, is imprisoned in the Tower, stripped of titles through attainder, and after two years is beheaded—even as Cromwell himself later loses power.
Critical reception
Publishers Weekly commended The King's Curse for its meticulous research and described it as "an enlightening depiction" of Margaret Pole. The review emphasized Gregory's assured handling of themes such as political intrigue and betrayal, culminating in a powerful clash with the monarch’s wrath.
The audiobook version of The King's Curse received an Earphones Award from AudioFile, which praised Gregory's historical expertise alongside the compelling narration by Bianca Amato.
Adaptations
- The Spanish Princess (2019–2020), a television series directed by Birgitte Stærmose, Daina Reid, Lisa Clarke, Stephen Woolfenden, Chanya Button, and Rebecca Gatward, draws its story from both The Constant Princess and The King's Curse.
External links
- 2014 British novels
- Historical novels
- Novels by Philippa Gregory
- Novels set in the 15th century
- Novels set in Tudor England
- Works about women in war
- Cultural depictions of Anne Boleyn
- Cultural depictions of Catherine of Aragon
- Cultural depictions of Henry VII of England
- Cultural depictions of Henry VIII
- Cultural depictions of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury
- Simon & Schuster books
- Cultural depictions of Arthur, Prince of Wales
- Cultural depictions of Mary I of England
- Cultural depictions of Elizabeth I
- Cultural depictions of Jane Seymour