Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Constant Princess
    The Constant Princess
    The Constant Princess
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    The Constant Princess

    Written by Philippa Gregory

    Narrated by Kate Burton

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    From #1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory comes the remarkable story of Katherine of Aragon, Princess of Spain, daughter of two great monarchs, and eventual Queen of England when she marries the infamous King Henry VIII.

    Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other’s company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

    Widowed and alone in the avaricious world of the Tudor court, Katherine has to sidestep her father-in-law’s desire for her and convince him, and an incredulous Europe, that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated, that there is no obstacle to marriage with Henry. For seven years, she endures the treachery of spies, the humiliation of poverty, and intense loneliness and despair while she waits for the inevitable moment when she will step into the role she has prepared for all her life. Then, like her warrior mother, Katherine must take to the battlefield and save England when its old enemies the Scots come over the border and there is no one to stand against them but the new Queen.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateDec 6, 2005
    ISBN9780743552240
    Author

    Philippa Gregory

    Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of historical novels. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl is now a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.

    Related to The Constant Princess

    Related audiobooks

    Renaissance Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Witches Of Literature

      May 30, 2023

      Tor Books T. KINGFISHER challenges the idea of the “wicked witch” through the gravewitch in her subversive fairy tale Nettle & Bone. The nameless dust-wife—part witch, part gravedigger—is all too willing to help the novel’s heroine on her quest to ki

      2 min read

    • Article

      Queen Elizabeth I

      Aug 2, 2023

      Queen Elizabeth I
      6 min read

    • Article

      Carningli

      Mar 22, 2024

      Carningli
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Island (catullus 64)

      Mar 1, 2022

      Back then the evergreens tumbled downriverfrom the glaze-white runoff to the boot-stirred puddlesof amber young men who fulfilled our destiny,who clambered into ships, on horses, and in wagonspainting the newfound landscapes ours.Our calling was nobl

      9 min read

    • Article

      In Search Of Sanctuary

      Jan 5, 2024

      In Search Of Sanctuary
      16 min read

    • Article

      Gods, Men And Monsters

      Feb 16, 2021

      Gods, Men And Monsters
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Black Spider

      Nov 28, 2019

      The Black Spider
      22 min read

    • Article

      Break For The BORDER

      Sep 29, 2020

      Break For The BORDER
      4 min read

    • Article

      Magnets: Carried through time, lovers seek their purpose.

      Feb 6, 2014

      Moon Colony B, 2213 Former Ponzi-schemer Mary Pillar digs through a trashcan. It smells like rotten eggs and milk. She is elderly and homeless, living in an alley between two eco-efficient skyscrapers. Dust particles dance around her. She has lost ev

      11 min read

    • Article

      Poetic Licence Rabbie Serumula

      Apr 24, 2021

      SOMETIMES Mother Nature is our teacher, others our nemesis. But with every revelation comes a genesis. It is in the mountains that we burn and the fires that we climb, where we remember the need to adapt for survival. It is from the ashes of our hist

      2 min read

    • Article

      Their Finest Hour–again

      Apr 29, 2020

      MY routine is now rigorously Benedictine. I’m awoken at Lauds, by the ruddy birdsong (‘Laud’s sake, do shut up!’). Prime, which I am wasting, sees golden light cascading into the chapel, as cheerful and as annoying as Maria von Trapp. Terce (can you

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Governess

      Dec 27, 2020

      The Governess
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Governess

      Dec 30, 2020

      The Governess
      10 min read

    • Article

      Myths And Monsters

      Dec 22, 2020

      Myths And Monsters
      4 min read

    • Article

      Cul-de-Sac

      Dec 1, 2021

      That old rage for order: how my father drove a square mouthed mower over-and-back, over-and-back, each row of neatly trimmed grass cut just like he told his barber: boy’s short, regular. O pioneer, taming this joke bit of prairie, no bindweed or dog

      5 min read

    • Article

      Ode to King Charles III

      Sep 29, 2022

      Ode to King Charles III
      1 min read

    • Article

      The Stiperstones

      Jan 26, 2024

      The Stiperstones
      3 min read

    • Article

      Commonplace Book

      Dec 1, 2021

      The light from the full moon lent a silky, glacial sheen to the towering front of the cloud, which stretched off to the horizon in both directions. I stood transfixed as it made its way down the street toward me at a little over the town’s speed limi

      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Constant Princess

    4/5

    99 ratings86 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      This book follows the life of Catherine of Aragon. Her marriage to Arthur Tudor is documented as well as her consequent marraige to the now infamous Henry VIII. This book is highly inaccurate in terms of historical facts and should not be read for those studying history. However, it paints a very vivid story of Tudor England, and provides a basic outline of Tudor England providing that one filters the fact from fiction. I would recommend this to someone enthusiastic about Tudor England to read and have a laugh at.
    • 2/5
      The Constant Princess follows in the same exact pattern as Gregory?s other works-she focuses on a princess in the English court, lets us eavesdrop on the private thoughts of a public women, has some explicit sex scenes, and forces us to watch the woman?s downfall. In this work, the princess is Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII?s first wife. We follow Katherine as a child, then a wife, and finally an outcast. You would assume that the woman replaced by Anne Boleyn would have been more exciting. I was mildly entertained.Philippa Gregory began the novel with this premise: Katherine was a liar. Okay, history lesson?Before she married Henry VIII, Katherine was married to his brother Arthur-the first heir to the throne. She was allowed to marry Henry because she swore to the POPE that the marriage wasn?t consummated. Henry later used her first marriage to push her aside, and he blamed this fact on their lack of sons. Well, Gregory theorizes that Katherine loved Arthur and that she lied about their sex life to stay the Queen of England. Would a incredibly devout woman do this? Would a devout Catholic lie to the Pope to stay Queen?I picked this novel up as part of my ?The Tudors are over. What am I going to do now???? recovery. I was desperate to get a Tudor fix. This novel fixed it alright. Now I know why the show was so good-it was exciting, and it focused on exciting characters. The Constant Princess did not. Katherine was not exciting for me, not believable. The sections where her inner voice spoke where so boring that I almost skipped them entirely.Another thing that really troubled me in the novel, was the whole premise of the lie. Katherine of Aragon has been described as an extremely devout woman. Part of her infertility issues are now based on her extreme fasting and extremely long prayer times. How could a woman who was so devout tell such a lie? How could she claim to be a virgin when she wasn?t? Gregory argues that it would have almost impossible for Arthur and Katherine to not consummate their marriage-that Katherine would do anything to be queen. I, for one, had a hard time reconciling her incredible faith with her amazing ambition.This novel left something to be desired for me. I don?t know if it was because this Katherine didn?t fit the image already in my head from The Tudors or if Gregory?s work is just getting old for me. Either way, I am in no hurry to read another one of her works.
    • 2/5
      It was a good book, but I disliked it going from first person to third person.. I also disliked that the ook did not mention Katherine's second son henry that died or evengive more detail about the birt of Mary. It skipped over several important years of her life and went right to her going to court without mentioning the horrible conditions she would endure and how she kept her promise until she did.
    • 4/5
      If you enjoy Philippa Gregory's work, this book will not disappoint you.
    • 4/5
      Story of Catherine of Aragon and how she became Henry VIII's first wife.
    • 4/5
      Listened to it. Couldn't get into the book! Loved the CDs.
    • 4/5
      Very fascinating story about Queen Katherine. I love to read books about that time period. It seems as if women had to be very smart, brave and one step ahead of very everyone at all time. The details were so good that I (at times) could get a vivid mental picture many things that were happening.
    • 5/5
      The Constant Princess is about Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII. Gregory takes a real-life mystery and builds a story around it. With Katherine, the question is whether or not her marriage to Henry's older brother, Arthur (who died within five months of the wedding), was ever consummated. Gregory takes a stand on what really happened and builds her case in her stories, creating a believable argument with her use of period details as well as historical and biographical facts.I really enjoyed this book, and plan to read more of Gregory's Tudor England series of historical fiction.
    • 4/5
      Excellent historical novel about Katherine of Aragorn. Follow her journey from Spanish princess to English Queen and beyond. My 2nd favorite Gregory novel.
    • 5/5
      This was my introduction to Philippa Gregory and I now own all of her books. She is brillant. She takes history and develops a story around it making you want to delve and know more. I sat with a history book beside of me so I could read more about the characters she mentioned in her book and she truly tried to stay as close to historical facts as she could and still had a very interesting novel. This should be required reading in high school.
    • 3/5
      Interesting view of Catalina (Katherine), Henry the VII's wife set aside for Anne Boleyn. This book talks a lot about her early years with Arthur (Henry's brother) making for an interesting perspective. It gets a bit rushed in the end, but it was an interesting read.
    • 3/5
      Queen Katherine of Aragon?s life put to fiction but based on historic record. Katherine was the first of Henry the 8th wives.
    • 2/5
      I liked this a lot despite myself. I didn't actually enjoy reading it that much... I had to force myself through the first third because it has a slow beginning, and I really hated the main character, but I'm kind of a sucker for these sorts of romantic drama stories.A LOT of the book is spent waiting around for things to happen. After a long intro where you are waiting to see what happens between Katherine and her husband, there is a brief period where they are in each other's company before they are separated again. Then there's a long stretch where the Princess is waiting to see what to do, and then a long stretch where she is waiting for the events to happen. The drama comes from the suspense, but it was a really, really drawn out wait.I did dislike Katherine, I disagreed with a lot of what she said and I definitely disagreed with a lot of what was described about her family's involvement in the Crusades. A lot of that isn't really the story's fault, though. Katherine was a bit strong-willed for my taste as well.The romance was really well done. There are two and a half men during the course of the book, and each one plays out his role really well in her life. The main story ends on a happy note too, which I enjoyed since it's mostly a depressing read. There is a little snippet at the very end to remind you her life didn't end all that well, and I appreciated that reminder.It was the first book I'd read by Philippa Gregory, and I can't say it made me want to reach for another, but I did enjoy parts of it.
    • 2/5
      It's always a bad sign when I pull out the calculator to determine exactly how many more pages are left in a book before I am done.Perhaps it wasn't the book's fault. I have many eagerly anticipated books waiting for me. Maybe I just wanted this book to be over with so I could delve into that pile of literary promises.Or maybe the plot was flat; the characters, dull; and the story, underdeveloped and unbelievable.I expected to not be wowed by this novel based on reviews and comments by others. And I will be reading other Gregory novels, including The Boleyn Inheritance and The Other Boleyn Girl, which I understand are very enjoyable. However, I expected to be drawn in a little, to be mildly entertained, to feel somewhat invested in this story. None of this happened for me. The whole thing left me impatient.
    • 5/5
      My second favorite of her books after THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. Tells the story of Catherine of Aragon.
    • 3/5
      I have to say that this book was a disappointment. The story is good, but the facts surrounding the Tudor royal family and how it came to be is a fascinating story so even a poor writer could pull something readable from the facts.I think that I would still read another of Philippa Gregory's books, but may lower my expectations of them. Once an author gains success with a particular line of books they may be put under a lot of pressure to continue to produce at outlandish rates so hopefully her next book will allow her the luxury of time to produce another winning piece of work!From the Publisher:Splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story.Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta, to parents who are both rulers and warriors. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England. She is never in doubt that it is her destiny to rule that far-off, wet, cold land.Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival in her new country with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food is strange and the customs coarse. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court, and life as Arthur's wife grows ever more bearable. But when the studious young man dies, she is left to make her own future: how can she now be queen, and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, the sunny but spoilt Henry. His father and grandmother are against it; her powerful parents prove little use. Yet Katherine is her mother's daughter and her fighting spirit is strong. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie, and holding to it.Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe, of revered heroes making deep mistakes, and of an untold love story which changes the fate of a nation.Why I Liked/Didn't Like this Book:Philippa Gregory seemed to be rushed in this book - the actual writing was muddled and repetitive and it seemed that some charactors appeared out of nowhere simply to move the story along. For me, it certainly didn't live up to expectations, as I had enjoyed her other books (The Other Boleyn Girl being my favorite). The ending was a little bizarre, as it ends with the trial of Katherine of Aragon - it seems to rush to that conclusion where the book might have been better served to end earlier and more fully flesh out the story at the end, rather than rush headlong to make sure that we got to the trial.
    • 4/5
      This is the first work of several by Philippa Gregory dealing with the wives of England?s King Henry VIII. This week tells the story of Henry?s first wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, the daughter of Isabella and Fredinand. However, Catalina originally traveled to England as the bride of Henry?s older brother, Arthur, raised since birth to be the next king of England. As a young couple, Catalina and Arthur make plans to bring about a glorious kingdom. However, after Arthur falls ill, Katherine knows that she must take drastic measures if she is going to achieve her destiny as she has been taught since childhood- to be Queen of England.Quote: ?In those days before her coronation, Catalina established herself as the undeniable queen, and those who had ignored her years of poverty now discovered in themselves tremendous affection and respect for the princess. She accepted their admiration, just as she had accepted their neglect.? I liked this book a lot, especially because I really enjoy this period in history, both in fiction and nonfiction. Katherine does not always get a lot of press among Henry?s wives, especially in her early years, before another future queen comes on the scene. I am looking forward to reading the next two books of Gregory?s about wives of this court, although it will be difficult to adjust to leaving Katherine?s perspective. I am hoping that Gregory will next turn her attention to the monarchs of Scotland who lived during this time.
    • 5/5
      Another Great read from Philippa Gregory. The novel details Katherine of Aragons early life & her rise from Catalina, Infanta of Spain to Katherine, Queen of England. I love the Tudor period, & found this novel a great insight into a colourful time in our history, made all the richer with Philippa Gregory's detailed reseach.
    • 3/5
      Interesting book and I liked it, even if it's a bit outside of my usual reading fare. While generally I enjoy historical fiction, I prefer it to actually have a lot of history in it. Constant Princess is, of course, based upon real people, but it seems most of it is speculative and good guesses. The speculation was well conceived, with possible motivations and real events woven together into the narrative effectively. The writing style had a wonderful pace, which kept me interested throughout the story, and I'll probably read more in this series, but I am hoping that later novels will have more history, since more documentation is available for later events.
    • 5/5
      The Constant Princess tells the story of Catalina, Infanta of Spain and Princess of Wales. Betrothed at the age of 3 to Prince Arthur she finds England a surprise in relation to its customs, beliefs and behaviours. After a troublesome start the pair eventually settle into a romantic relationship, enjoying their time together planning how they will rule England when they become King and Queen. However that future is not to happen as Arthur dies suddenly in the early months of their marriage. Making a deathbed promise to Arthur, Catalina does everything in her power to secure her position as Katherine of Aragon, Queen of England even if it means marrying the foolish and immature second son Henry VIII. This story is wonderfully told, with such detail that you feel a part of the Court. I cried at the death of Arthur and went through a whole range of emotions with the development of Catalina. However, I was most disappointed by the last few chapters of this book. Having gone from such a detailed manner of storytelling to the sudden 'simple' ending did not seem in keeping with the book. A little more detail from the defeat of the Scots to Katherine's trial would have made the ending more in keeping with the style and more enjoyable, in my opinion. Although it was still an excellent read.
    • 4/5
      I love the way Philippa Gregory brings the Tudors to life. She never fails to bring depth and emotion to the historical figures she features in her books. This particular volume tells the story of Katherine of Aragon and concentrates solely on the years before she became acquainted with Anne Boleyn.
    • 3/5
      I was not nearly as engrossed in this one as I was in The Other Boleyn Girl, etc. I have the feeling that if this was the first I'd read of hers, it may have put me off. Still good though.
    • 4/5
      This was the first ever historical fiction book I have ever read. What a good one to start with. I came across this author, and these books because I really wanted to read The Other Boleyn girl. When I found that book it seemed they went in some kind of order, and this one was first so I read it. Pretty good book. I liked the way it was written as a history book, but it had subtle present day twists that did not make it seem like you were reading a school book. I loved the story behind it too. The king has a wandering eye, and although his queen knows she stands by his side. Partially because of her beliefs, partially because she has a love for the country she's been reigning over. Either way it had a very "stand by your man" feel to it. Whether that is good or bad, in this sense is up to ones own judgment. Regardless, it was a nice book to read.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable and well researched this novel was perhaps most intriguing because it examined the life and motivations of Queen Catherine, who is often as ignored and relegated to obscurity as it seems she was in life. There is an interesting twist in presenting Catherine's first marriage to Henry Tudor's elder brother (and the heir to the throne) Arthur as being one of clandestine love and mutual regard, rather than as the mutually antagonistic chore that history seems to indicate. Note: Gregory's series about the Tudors are best, if it is possible to do so, to be read according to the historical chronology of events, although each of the novels can and does stand alone.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful book! This was my favorite of Philippa Gregory's so far! The true enchantment of the era is brought forth through the pages of this wonderful historical novel. I loved it from page one to page 390. It was wonderful. I would recommend it to many others!
    • 2/5
      Soooo glad I'm done with this one. It was not very good, but I didn't realize that until I was already half through with it, so I had to finish it. :(
    • 4/5
      Catherine shines so brightly in this book; it’s so sad that she was married to Henry.
    • 4/5
      I am so enjoying Ms Gregory's books. This was a wonderful read, helping put more pieces in place in my understanding of England's Royal History.

      I have read a few of her other books and I find that it can become a bit confusing. The wives, the children, the many players in the royal court. I have now taken my interest in this subject outside of the "Gregory" realm and am looking for more historical accounts.

      I'll keep reading her books. She has such a wonderful way of bringing these people to life.
    • 4/5
      Very good book about Katherine of Aragon from the time she is about 4 through her years as Queen of England. Phillipa's take on Catalina, Infanta of Spain, or Katherine as we know her, employs the idea that Arthur and Catalina consummated their marriage and were in love. She married Henry after Arthur dies completing a promise made to him so that she can rule as Queen of England the way they had planned to. The story also shows Henry as a selfish, arrogant, spoiled young boy and man easily led by Queen Katherine. It is quite and interesting read and take on the Tudor court of King Henry.
    • 5/5
      Made me really respect Katherine of Aragon.On the weather; "It gets far worse than this," he said cheerfully. "Far colder, it rains or sleets or snows, and it get darker. In February we have only a couple of hours of daylight at best and then there are the freezing fogs which turn day into night so it is forever gray."Sure they're not speaking of Holland?On fake it 'til you make it?"We are all pretenders until we win. When we win, we can rewrite the history""True obedience can only happen when you secretly think you know better, and you choose to bow your head. Anything short of that is just agreement,"On a mother withholding approval and validation;I fold the letter carefully, matching the edges one to another as if tidiness matters very much. I think that if she knew of the despair that laps at the edges of my mind like a river of darkness, she would have written to me more kindly. If she knew how very alone I am, how grieved I am, how much I miss him, she would not write to me of settlements and jointures and titles. If she knew how much I loved him and how I cannot bear to live without him, she would write and tell me that she loves me, that I am to go home to her at once, without delay.I like being queen. I like having pretty things and rich jewels and a lap dog, and assembling ladies-in-waiting whose company is a pleasure.Well, duh.On enlightenment in the medical profession. Here she's talking about a Moorish doctor in Tudor times. But the same could be said of someone consulting an alternative practitioner today.They are prepared to think anything, to consider anything; nothing is taboo. These people are educated where we are fools, where I am a fool. I might look down on him as coming from a race of savages, I might look down on him as an infidel doomed to hell, but I need to know what he knows.What moors & Quakers have in common?"I was brought up to hate no one," he said gently. "Perhaps that is what I should be teaching you before anything else."On doing your own thinking;They were wrong, my mother and father. Finally, I say the unsayable, unthinkable thing. Soldiers of genius they may have been, convinced they certainly were, Christian kings they were called--but they were wrong. It had taken me all my life to learn this.A state of constant warfare is a two-edged sword: it cuts both the victor and the defeated.I think to some extent we use the tools we know. The whole idea that when you have a hammer everything looks like nails. Maybe the world is bigger than we can imagine.Words have weight. Something once said cannot be unsaid, meaning is like a stone dropped into a pool; the ripples will spread and you cannot know what bank they wash against.My goodness! Do I believe that! Many times someone has come up to me and said, 'Do you remember saying to me/telling me...?' I don't. But they were moved and changed by my throw away comments. How scary!