Henry VIII's Controversial Aunt, Honor Lisle is a well written monograph on Honor Lisle, prolific letter writer and diarist, by Tudor historian Amy Licence. Released 31st Aug 2025 in the UK and due out 15th Nov 2025 elsewhere, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a fascinating book, full of background information medieval and current on the machinations and political positioning and influence of Henry VIII's aunt Honor Lisle, her family, and her communications. It includes solid annotations with references, as well as illustrations and facsimiles (in the back of the book) and a good cross referenced index.
This could've been a dry-as-dust recitation, but it's anything but, being infused with the author's warmth and clear -interest- in the period and in her subjects. There are anecdotes and history from early medieval times to relatively recent. Although it's rigorously annotated (and the chapter notes alone are likely worth the price of the book), it's layman accessible and illuminating.
Four stars. Engaging. This would be a very good choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or for gift giving purposes for folks interested in the time period and the Tudors.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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