Henrietta Maria: Charles I's Indomitable Queen

When the fifteen-year-old French princess Henriette Marie de Bourbon landed at Dover in June 1625 to join her new husband Charles I, no one had thought it necessary to teach her even a few words of English. Medieval Dover Castle was unwelcoming and she was very disappointed with her bridegroom, finding his appearance unimpressive, his manner awkward and stiff. It was not a good start and trouble came with the overbearing French retinue and plethora of Catholic priests surrounding her. Henrietta refused to be crowned with the king and marital discord reached a climax when, despite her hysterical protests, Charles sent the detested 'Monsieurs' back to France. Matters improved dramatically after the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham, the king's all-powerful favourite. Charles immediately transferred his emotional dependence to his wife, and one of the great love stories of English history began to unfold. This biography of Henrietta is the first full study for over twenty years. It tells the story of this devoted, passionate and courageous woman, frequently seen as the king's evil genius, but whose fiercely protective love for her husband and single-minded commitment to his cause are beyond question. The author also describes the life of the Caroline Court, then said to be 'the most sumptuous and happy in the world', and vividly recreates the personalities of that the magnificent Duke of Buckingham; Inigo Jones, the brilliant designer of the famous court masques, the Earl of Strafford, the king's abrasive but most loyal servant, and his nemesis, John Pym.