Jean Plaidy / Philippa Carr Books In Order

Publication Order of Tudor Saga Books

Chronological Order of Tudor Saga Books

Publication Order of Catherine De Medici Books

Publication Order of Stuart Saga Books

Publication Order of French Revolution Books

Chronological Order of French Revolution Books

Publication Order of Lucrezia Borgia Books

Publication Order of Isabella & Ferdinand Books

Publication Order of Famous Childhoods Books

Publication Order of Mary Stuart, Queen Of Scots Books

Publication Order of Georgian Saga Books

Publication Order of Queen Victoria Books

Publication Order of Norman Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Plantagenet Saga Books

Publication Order of Queens Of England Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Jean Plaidy is the pen name of a prolific English novelist and author named Eleanor Alice Buford Hibbert, who liked to write historical fiction, romantic fiction, and gothic fiction novels. She was particularly famous for combining facts and imagination for bringing alive history through her books of romance and fiction. Author Plaidy used to publish several books every year in different genres and for each of her genres she used to use a different pseudonym. Some of her most popular pen names include Victoria Holt, Eleanor Burford, Anna Percival, Philippa Carr, Elbur Ford, Ellalice Tate, Kathleen Kellow, and Jean Plaidy. And the genre categories that Plaidy used to work on using these pseudonyms include gothic romances, multigenerational family saga, light romances, European royalty’s fictionalized history, murder mysteries, crime fiction, etc. In 1989, author Plaidy was awarded with a Golden Treasure award by the RWA for her significant and important contributions to the genre of romance. By the time Plaidy died, she had written well over 200 novels, which sold over a 100 million copies worldwide altogether in as many as 20 foreign languages. Author Plaidy continues to be one of the most borrowed writers among the lending libraries. The famous historical fiction works by her are appreciated and praised by critics and readers alike for their high writing quality, detailed description, and accuracel. Author Plaidy was born as Eleanor Alice Burford on September 01, 1906, in Canning Town, London, England. Her parents were Joseph Burford and Alice Louise Burford. Plaidy’s father used to work as a dock laborer, and was responsible for developing the interest of reading in Plaidy. When she was very young, author Plaidy’s health started deteriorating, which forced her to receive private education in her home.

When she reached the age of 16, Plaidy stepped out to join a business school. This enabled her to study typewriting, languages, and shorthand. Following this, Plaidy started working in a jewlery shop in Hatton Garden. Later, author Plaidy also became a language interpreter for the German and French tourists. During her early 20s, Plaidy married a leather merchant named George Percival Hibbert. There was a difference of 20 years in their ages, but the two got along quite well because they shared the love of reading and writing. Author Plaidy’s love for history enabled her to buy a 13th century manor house in Kent. This house was believed to have served as a lodging for the English monarchs Elizabeth I and Henry VIII. It had staircase and carved fireplaces that belonged to the Tudor era. In spite of all the luxuries and comfort, author Plaidy stopped living in the manor because it was far from London. Eventually, she moved to a penthouse apartment in Kensingto Gore, London. During the summers, Plaidy used to live in her husband’s cottage near the Plaidy Beach. During the winters, author Plaidy used to go on cruise trips for a period 3 months every year in order to move away from the cold winter of England. She would visit exotic locations such as Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Turkey, Ceylon, India, Hong Kong, etc. Plaidy used to believe that her love for history started after her visit to Hampton Court during her teenage years. And after her marriage, she decided to take her fascination to the next level by writing historical stories. The stable financial status of her husband also helped her cause. Subsequently, she began describing the royal personalities and historical monuments of London in her novels. And as the days went by, Plaidy’s historical interests allowed her to study about the history of the places where she would visit on her ships. Her works were greatly influenced by those of the popular writers of her time that included Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, Emile Zola, Charlotte Bronte, Anne Bronte, Leo Tolstoy, Victor Hugo, George Eliot, etc. Author Plaidy’s death occurred on January 18, 1993, on a cruise ship called Sea Princess. She was buried at sea somewhere between Port Said, Egypt, and Athens, Greece. Later, a memorial service was held in her name on March 06, 1993, in Kensington Park Road, London.

The Tudor Saga series written by Jean Plaidy is comprised of a total of 11 books, which were released between the years 1949 and 1982. All the books of this series depict the instances from the life of King Henry VIII. An initial book of the series is entitled ‘Murder Most Royal’. It was first released in 1949 and then the Broadway Books released it again in 2006. The main characters of this book include Katnerine, Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Thomas Wolsey, Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, etc. At the start of the book’ story, it is shown that it was prohibited for a woman to look directly into the king’s eye in Henry VIII’s court. Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn are depicted as cousins. The two are equally beautiful, but posses different temperaments. Anne Boleyn is sophisticated and was brought up in the decadent French court. Before King Henry claimed Anne Boleyn as his, she was romancing with someone else. But, after becoming Henry’s mistress, she gained control of power. However, her life falls into jeopardy when she learns that Henry is getting attracted to the beauty of her 15 year old cousin Catherine Howard. This book describes an interesting account from the lives of the 2 wives of Henry VIII.

Another well written book of this series is called ‘The King’s Secret Matter’. This book was initially released in 1962 and then it was re-published in 2006 by the Arrow Books. Once again, the plot takes place in London, England, and features the lead characters as Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, Thomas Wolsey, Katherine, and Mary I. At the beginning of the story of this book, it is depicted that the marriage of King Henry and Katherine from Aragon has turned into a loveless affair after a period of 12 years. The only child of Katherine and Henry, Mary I, is not regarded as a suitable heir to Henry’s throne and his desperate need for a son for protecting the Tudor throne has turned Henry into a greatly feared and callous ruler. Later, when the intriguing, young, and beautiful Anne Boleyn arrives in his court from France, Henry becomes captivated by her bold spirit and dark beauty. He wishes to make Anne Boleyn, his mistress, However, this desire of Henry causes a deadly power struggle that threatens to destroy the lives of Mary and Katherine, as well as change the faith of England forever. This book too was highly praised by one and all, thereby motivating author Plaidy to come up with a few more stories from the life of Henry VIII.