Judith Arnopp Books In Order

Publication Order of Beaufort Chronicles Books

Publication Order of The Henrician Chronicle Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Poetry Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Judith Arnopp is a historical fiction, history and biography author best known for the “Beaufort Chronicles” series of novels.

The author earned her bachelors in creative writing and English from the University of Wales and then a masters in medieval studies. Since she was so much interested in history, it was not a wonder that she would decide to pursue a career as a historical fiction novelist.

Arnopp made her debut with the writing of “Peaceweaver,” the debut novel of the “Beaufort Chronicle” series of novels. Since she published her debut, she has gone on to publish several other novels set in the Anglo Saxon period and the Tudor era.

Asides from her fiction works she also writes non fiction works that have been featured in several magazines and anthologies.

Judith currently makes her home Wales, where she lives with John her husband. Now that all her children have moved out of the house, she has all the time to write her novels.

According to Judith Arnopp, writing is something she has always done. When she was a child, she used to read her stories and teddies and as a teenager, she started writing romances that she used to read to her best friend.

She would later on get married and when her children were young, she used to write stories featuring them as the lead protagonist. It was during this time that she and her husband sold their property in south East England and moved to a small plot of land in suburban Lampeter.

Arnopp then joined the University of Wales when her daughter was ten years old. It was here that she took her bachelors in creative writing and English. She has credited much of her later writing success to what she learned at this time.

Much of the credit has gone to Janet Burton and William Marx, her tutors, under whom she studied History and English respectively.

Post graduation in 2007, she started writing professionally making use of the historical research and creative writing skills she got at university. She set her first three titles in the very early medieval period

Over the years, Judith Arnopp gained many followers with many starting to ask her to pen a Tudor work.
In response to this she penned “The Winchester Goose” with a Henry VIII setting. The author tells the story from the perspective of Southwark prostitute Joanie Toogood, the king’s secretary, a spy for Thomas Cromwell named Francis Wareham, and Isabella and Evelyn Bourne who worked at the palace.
According to Arnop, this work provided a fresh perspective on the latter end of Henry’s reign. Unlike many historical novels from the time, she made sure to provide perspectives from the lower echelons.

She writes from the perspective of the members of the royal family, especially women. The reason for this is that she has always felt that most history was written from the perspective of monks that did not give women’s views much thought.

Given the massive popularity of the novel, she went hard into the Tudor era and has never looked back since.

Judith Arnopp’s novel “The Beaufort Bride” opens to King Henry VII slipping into insanity. Meanwhile, England is teetering on the brink of civil war, a child gets married to the brother of the mad king. The Earl of Richmond is a man named Edmund Tudor who takes his child bride to a land of strangers and strife in Wales.

At Lamphey Palace and Caldicot Castle, Margaret needs to set aside the things of childhood and acquire the dignity of a countess. He also has to produce an heir and son despite her tender years. While her husband goes to war to restore the king’s peace, she quietly supports his campaign.

As the friction between the Lancasters and Yorks intensifies Margaret suddenly loses her husband at war and has to seek protection from Jasper TudoR her brother in law. Two months after her husband is deceased, she gives birth to a child that she names after Henry, her cousin and king.

What nobody knows is that the small statured Margaret conceals a loyal and fierce heart and a determination to ensure her son becomes king of England.

“The Beaufort Woman” by Judith Arnopp opens to Margaret now living a full life as the wife of Sir Henry Stafford. The author makes a considerate and thoughtful exploration of her longest and probably happiest marriage. Nonetheless, just like with most other relationships, Margaret and Henry experienced a lot of hardship.

Things looked like they were going well for Margaret until her husband died forcing her to make a difficult choice. Even though she does not love Thomas Stanley she gets into her fourth and final marriage.

For Margaret, Stanley is a critical tool that would help her get into the Edwardian court and ensure that her son Henry would be able to come back home. We get to see Margaret delightfully interacting with Elizabeth Woodville leaving one wondering what would have happened had she been blessed with more children.
In 1483, King Edward IV suddenly drops dead and his brother becomes the ill fated King Richard III. Richard’s ascension marks another turn of the wheel of fortune for Margaret.

Judith Arnopp’s novel “The King’s Mother” is the story of Lady Margaret Beaufort who has been waiting to see her son for more than a dozen novels. Henry has just won the crown after defeating Richard II at the bloody fields of Bosworth to become Lord of Ireland, and King of France and England by the Grace of God.
The country is hoping that he will rule with peace and bring unity but peace cannot come easy to a country that has been living in the shadow of war for decades. Henry knows that there are many who talk and smile beautifully during the day but plan treachery during the night.

He has a fight on his hands to keep himself alive and preserve the crown he just won. Margaret knows this is a time for steadfastness and strength of the Tudor dynasty is to endure.

What Judith Arnopp writes is a compelling narrative right from the coronation of Henry fuel of grandeur to his death at Richmond Palace.