Melita Thomas

About the Author:

Melita Thomas is the co-founder and editor of Tudor Times, a repository of information about Britain in the period 1485-1625 www.tudortimes.co.uk  Melita has loved history since being mesmerised by the BBC productions of ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’ and ‘Elizabeth R’, when she was a little girl. After that, she read everything she could get her hands on about this most fascinating of dynasties.

Inspired by the courage of the Lady Mary in fighting for her rights in 1553, Melita wanted to explore the truth behind the stereotypes that surround Mary, resulting in ‘The King’s Pearl: Henry VIII and his daughter Mary’.

‘This scholarly and highly engaging book offers a genuinely fresh perspective on Mary Tudor, presenting her as far more than the tragic and ‘Bloody’ queen of legend.  By exploring Mary through the lens of her relationship with her father, Henry VIII, the author provides a compelling new portrait of this much-misunderstood woman which is at once more sympathetic and believable than many established accounts.  A stunning achievement.’ – Dr Tracy Borman, Joint Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces.