“Although passionate, she required a more complex wooing. The groom’s taste ran to more easily available conquests. (Or, as a future scholar would tactfully put it, “Henry needed much affection, openly expressed.”)” — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“With the departure of the acknowledged head of the Catholic party, the Protestants gained a degree of influence over the royal family completely out… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study, but war and its order… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“Thus it is ever in Courts,” she observed bitterly. “Adversity is solitary, while prosperity dwells in a crowd.” — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“The duchess of Retz, who was fluent in Latin and Greek (languages she had acquired as a result of her first husband’s frustrating lack… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“For solace at this time of sadness and confusion, Marguerite turned to a source that would remain a refuge to her throughout her life:… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“In short, I was constantly receiving some fresh mortification, so that I hardly passed a day in quiet.” — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected against the man who (despite… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“Fortresses may or may not be useful according to the times; if they do good in one way, they do harm in another.” — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“Throughout her career, Catherine seems to have believed that simply by reiterating her demands over and over she could either convince her opponents of… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“Whoever thinks that in high personages new benefits cause old offences to be forgotten, makes a great mistake.” — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
“Margot was utterly unable to control her fury. “I was so greatly offended with this fresh indignity, after so many of the kind formerly… — Nancy Goldstone Copy Share Image
