8:42 pm
May 16, 2011
I know Alison Weir is a respected historian but doesn't she kind of remind you of a nicer Phillipa Gregory?
Granted, Alison Weir at least tries to slam Anne Boleyn in a more respectful way where PG didn't even care to. But Weir wrote books on Anne, Anne's daughter, & Henry 8's children and in those books she's supported many cruel myths about Anne yet could not stop writing about her. In 'The Children of Henry VIII' she says that Elizabeth inherited Anne's 'inordinate vanity' which i thought was kind of mean.
Any thoughts? Or am i taking things a little too seriously? (<– Which i tend to do alot.)
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
9:15 pm
August 6, 2011
I totally agree! I was reading The Lady in the Tower, and I thought countless times “Do this lady dislike Anne – cause she being pretty mean!” And yeah, she is like a nicer version of Ms. Gregory, but unlike PG, Weir is somewhat respectful and is an actual historian while Gregory isn't, and as I am naive, Weir's conclusion's have to be drawn from good sources. Yet, she is a little bit mean. And about the “vanity” comment, just because Elizabeth and Anne were up-to-date with fashion/trendsetters and were concerned with their appearances and used makeup, etc, doesn't make them vain! And when it comes the vain being a personality trait for E and AB, they were Queens of England – being a little vain is human nature!
And I'm glad it isn't just me who thought Weir was a nicer version of PG who stilled criticized Anne!
"To be or not to be, that is the question."//////// "The Most Happy."
~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet.///// ~ Anne Boleyn's motto.
12:05 pm
June 7, 2010
I am leering of Weir, her interpretation of sources, and her reliance on sources which have been discredited by trained historians. Her citations are impossible to follow and double check, which makes me concerned. I've noted in other threads that Weir suffers from one main problem: she publishes a new book (or two) every year. How can that be? Most historians and other writers need at least two years before a new book or novel is publsihed. There is no way she has the time to to accurate and dependable research, and her work suffers greatly.
I don't think she necessairly hates Anne, but has fallen victim to using source material on her that is questionable, and does nothing to strengthen her argument. When I see writers cite Chapyus, Sander, etc. as legitimate source material, and does not challenge them, or position them within a context, I serioulsy question the legitimacy of their arguments.
I think Weir is a good fiction writer, but she is not a properly trained historian (at least to my knowledge). I am not an academic snob, but unlike Ives, Starkey, Lipscombe, Loades, and Bernard, she does not hold a PhD in history. These later historians have spent years studying the Tudor period, historical research methodology, theory, and writing techniques. Much of Weir's writing suffers when compared to these people.
I disliked The Lady in the Tower. It could have been so much, but it failed miserably. Her unnecessary comments about Anne (I.e that she was vain, a clothes horse) and it's attempts to defame her because of it. I could not connect the necessity of the comments with her overall argument. She makes assertions about Anne with no evidence, and gives her own opinion of the woman, rather than letting the facts speak for themselves.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
2:02 pm
December 5, 2009
Ailison Weir isn't a respected historian. She's just a person who writes history and proves you can fool most of the people most of the time. She's no more an historian than Gregory, but she's just got slightly better researchers. I don't know of a single reputable historian who quotes her. I wrote a review of 'The Lady in the Tower' on this forum and I really stick by it, 'A vent about 'The Lady in the Tower'.
I am really pleased you feel the same because it's high time this so called historian is ousted and people realise that what she says is not gospel. It is just the Tudor world according to Weir. And quite frankly, without a single reference supporting her position, her views are worth nothing.
6:39 pm
November 18, 2010
9:21 pm
May 16, 2011
11:46 pm
July 17, 2011
I have a couple of Weir books, but I didn't know she wasn't a repsected historian. I might avoid her in the future.
Speaking of PG, is she actually a historian? Because I often see her trotted out as a Tudor period expert on Time Team, which kinda makes me laugh. Have they not read TOBG?
'If honour were profitable, everybody would be honourable' Thomas More
12:11 am
December 5, 2009
Anyanka said:
She has the references….she just .doesn't.footnote.them...which is why I find her a pain to read.I don't wanna read pages of notes at the end of the book to work out just who she is quoting .
I have no problem with her sources or her conclusions just the way she gets there..
I do have a problem with her sources and her conclusions, and a lot of that is to do with her lack of referencing. She comes to a conclusion based on a supposed source but gives no proper reference for it and when I have made my own research I have often found the reference she says she is referring to either doesn't exist or has been misquoted. I think her lack of referencing is a deliberate ploy to pull the wool over our eyes. To me that's akin to cheating, which is why I think Weir is a disgrace to her profession.
5:52 am
June 7, 2010
Catalina said:
. Speaking of PG, is she actually a historian? Because I often see her trotted out as a Tudor period expert on Time Team, which kinda makes me laugh. Have they not read TOBG?
One word: NO. PG is not an historian in the proper sense. She has a PhD in 17th-century literature of University of Edinburgh. So, she's an educated, intelligent woman. On her website, she claims her dedication to historical accuracy in her novels. I choked on my tea! What historical accuracy?
You know, some of PG's books are not that bad. I really liked The Constant Princess and The Other Queen, but have not read a PG book since. TOBG is a real turn off, and, try as I might, I cannot get beyond it. For me, Weir is the same. I loved Innocent Traitor, but cannot stand her non-fiction work.
My theory about PG and Weir is they want a piece of Tudor-mania. There are so many poorly written books about Anne and the Tudor era recently that discredits good historical exploration. Everyone wants piece and they all want to make money selling books to the masses who will not challenge their assertions, or read anything beyond, say, TOBG. I can only imagine the number of people who've been fooled into thinking that the Anne Boleyn of TOBG is the Anne Boleyn of reality.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
11:28 am
December 12, 2010
Unfortunately many people out there think Weir really is a proper historian, and so take her as gospel. People are more likely to take her seriously than PG. This wouldn't be a problem if she didn't misquote and find 'evidence' to support her own theories. What amazed me after reading 'The Lady in the Tower' was that she claims to find Anne Boleyn fascinating and really admires her. To me it read as though she was incredibly biased against the Boleyns. And now she's jumped on the Warnicke/PG bandwagon with the whole George Boleyn being gay, or at the very least sexually deviant, thing. Grrr
7:36 pm
November 18, 2010
Louise said:
Anyanka said:
She has the references….she just .doesn't.footnote.them...which is why I find her a pain to read.I don't wanna read pages of notes at the end of the book to work out just who she is quoting .
I have no problem with eta some of her sources or her conclusions just the way she gets there..
eta vital stuff……
I do have a problem with her sources and her conclusions, and a lot of that is to do with her lack of referencing. She comes to a conclusion based on a supposed source but gives no proper reference for it and when I have made my own research I have often found the reference she says she is referring to either doesn't exist or has been misquoted. I think her lack of referencing is a deliberate ploy to pull the wool over our eyes. To me that's akin to cheating, which is why I think Weir is a disgrace to her profession.
And this is why I should proof read before I ost. I left out a huge hunk of my arguement…
I don't agree witth all of her conclusions, one has made me think but the rest have made me go “meh!”…I find her a less accesible author since I like everything properly cited…
It's always bunnies.
2:02 pm
December 5, 2009
Weir's book on Mary Boleyn is due out in the UK in October but I think it's available in the USA prior to that. I will not be buying it because I would rather poke my own eyes out with a blunt knitting needle than read anything else by that woman. However, when someone does read it can they please give me the low down of her treatment of George, because if she continues to slander him as she did in The Lady in the Tower then I shall not be held responsible for my actions!
4:55 pm
May 16, 2011
Oh my Goodness! Another Boleyn PG book? How can people even publish these lies?! Jesus Christ !
Yeah and watch this book will be all about making Mary a wh**e. She made Mary the saint in TOBG and in this new book it'll probably be about making Mary look bad. I don't trust publishers anymore!
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
3:18 am
April 9, 2011
10:17 am
July 17, 2011
I think the problem is when people read a book and take it for “gospel” just because it is written by an historian. There are good historians, there are bad historians and, at the end of the day, history is often about how we interpret sources. I disagree with Alison Weir on lots of things – the latest being her new theory about Thomas Boleyn the Younger – and I think what we have to do with all history books is check what's based on fact versus supposition, check the author's references and sources ourselves and see what we glean from them. The world of history is a veritable minefield!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
11:55 am
January 9, 2010
I don't mind Alison Weir. I think her books are a good place to start if a person wants to begin to learn about the Tudors before progressing onto someone like Starkey. I don't always agree with her conclusions and interpretations, but I don't always expect an author to absolutely back up my own ideas and interpretations either.
I agree Claire that just because something is written by a historian that it doesn't mean it's the absolute truth. I kind of think of them as saying 'well, these are my theories, now what do you think?” It's like a challenge to find out more!
I got Alison Weirs book on Mary Boleyn the other day. It may be a while before I get round to it though – my to-read-pile is not a small one
1:25 pm
August 22, 2011
Claire said:
Also, what is an “historian”? It's rather a subjective term.
An “historian” is generally referred to as a graduate MA or P.h.D. with expertise in a certain arena of history. Also “an” is supposed to be used before any noun beginning with an “h.” Now, it is generally used with just history – such as “an historian, “an historical fact, etc.” In the King James Versions of “The Bible” the indefinite adjective “an is used before almost any word in it.” But it is generally used only before history nowadays. Hope that helps.
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23
1:29 pm
August 22, 2011
I used to be a member of “Wiki Tudor”, but cancelled my membership basically because of one of Claire's “Announcements” on “Posts.” Weir on that group even debated and agreed that a lot, and I mean a lot, of her sources were incorrect. Hope this helps!
"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23