Author’s Inspiration ~ Henry (Book #3 Of The Tudor Trilogy) #HistFic #Tudors @tonyriches

It is with the greatest of pleasures that I welcome the International Bestselling author, Tony Riches, back onto the blog to tell us all about the inspiration behind his latest book…

 Henry

(Book Three of The Tudor Trilogy)

 

The final book in the best-selling historical fiction Tudor Trilogy, this is the story, based on actual events, of Henry Tudor, who changes the history of England forever.

Bosworth 1485:

After victory against King Richard III, Henry Tudor becomes King of England. Rebels and pretenders plot to seize his throne. The barons resent his plans to curb their power and he wonders who he can trust. He hopes to unite Lancaster and York through marriage to the beautiful Elizabeth of York.

With help from his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, he learns to keep a fragile peace. He chooses a Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon, as a wife for his son Prince Arthur. His daughters will marry the King of Scotland and the son of the Emperor of Rome. It seems his prayers are answered, then disaster strikes and Henry must ensure the future of the Tudors.

Author’s Inspirations 

I was born in the sleepy Welsh town of Pembroke and have always been fascinated with the life of King Henry VII, the first Tudor king, who was born in Pembroke Castle in 1457.

There were plenty of non-fiction books about Henry but I realised there were no novels offering a full account of his life – and I began what became over four years of detailed research.

My travels took me down the ‘secret’ tunnels deep under the streets of Tenby, from where Henry escaped the Yorkists. I also followed him to Vannes and found the chateau deep in the wilds of Brittany where he spent many years in exile.

Château de Largoët

 I visited the desolate cove of Mill Bay, where Henry landed with his surprisingly small army to take on the might of King Richard III – and the impressive re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth Field.

 

Mill Bay

Bosworth 2016

I’d soon collected far too much material for one book, and decided to write it as a trilogy, with Henry being born in the first book, ‘coming of age’ I the second and becoming King of England in the third.

I’m pleased to say the trilogy has become an international best seller, topping the Amazon charts in the US and Australia, as well as the UK. I’m now looking forward to June 10^th, when a life-sized bronze statue of Henry is being unveiled outside Pembroke Castle, to ensure he will never be forgotten.

Although the Tudor Trilogy is now complete, I’m continuing to write about the next generation - Henry’s youngest daughter Mary Tudor. Other authors have not always taken the trouble to ensure accuracy regarding Mary’s life (in the TV series The Tudors she is called Margaret and married to the wrong king!) so I’m determined to make this new book the definitive account.

Tony Riches

Pembrokeshire Wales.

Links for Purchase

Amazon UK  

Amazon US 

About the author 

Tony Riches is a full time author of best-selling historical fiction. He lives in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the fifteenth century, with a particular interest in the Wars of the Roses and the lives of the early Tudors. For more information about Tony’s other books please visit his website tonyriches.com and his popular blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook and Twitter @tonyriches.