Lydia Monks explores the lives of Henry VIII's wives in Six Queens
About Author
Lydia Monks tells ReadingZone about her new non-fiction book for younger readers, Six Queens, about the lives of Henry VIII's wives.
Lydia studied illustration at Kingston University and has illustrated for newspapers and magazines - but always wanted to illustrate children's books. As well as writing her own books, Lydia illustrates several bestselling series including the What the Ladybird Heard adventures and Princess Mirror-Belle, written by Julia Donaldson.
She is a keen Irish dancer and also enjoys going to aerobics, watching films and visiting her friends.
Interview
Lydia Monks explores the lives of Henry VIII's wives in Six Queens (Macmillan Children's Books)
March 2025
We all know how each of Henry VIII's wives ended up - but what about their lives before they became Queen of England, and how were they chosen to become his next wife?
Author and illustrator Lydia Monks tells ReadingZone why she was inspired to find out more about the six women who were married to Henry VIII, and shares her enthralling new book, Six Wives (Macmillan Children's Books) with us. Through its pages, which include text, cartoon strips and illustrations, readers will find out about each of the six wives of Henry VIII, and about life in Tudor England.
Q&A with Lydia Monks introducing Six Queens
"I think in the past, we've been taught the history of men by men! Perhaps that's why
these women's stories are sidelined at times."
1. Thank you for joining us on ReadingZone to talk about Six Queens. Can you start by telling us about your work as an author and illustrator? What kinds of books do you enjoy creating?
I've been working as an author and illustrator for over 30 years now. I'm best known for my picture books, especially my collaborations with Julia Donaldson, but I enjoy working on books for people of all ages!
2. What fascinated you about Henry VIII's queens - do you remember learning about them in school? - and why did you decide to write a book, Six Queens, about them?
I didn't study the Tudors at school unfortunately. Like lots of girls, I loved stories about princesses in trouble, and of course I knew about the Tudor queens who had their heads cut off. As I got older, I read books by Philippa Gregory like The Other Boleyn Girl, and that really wanting to know more about those queens, not just how they died.
I often listen to audiobooks while I work, and so I felt that I knew quite a bit about the Tudors. When I was asked to write something other than a picture book text, I suggested I wrote a non-fiction book about the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII. I felt I had enough of a foundation of basic knowledge to build upon. Although I didn't quite realise what a mammoth task it would turn out to be!
3. We don't know a lot about each of Henry's wives. How did you go about researching them for Six Queens, and what will readers learn about the queens? How is the book organised?
I read a lot of other people's books and listened to podcasts as well as visiting Tudor houses and exhibitions. Each queen has her own chapter in the book which tells her story, and some facts about her life. I also try to set the scene for these women, and how people lived during Tudor times. I wrote the book during the year of Covid lockdowns, and it was interesting to get a little taste of what Tudor society was very used to, with outbreaks of plague and other illnesses to deal with.
4. What surprised you most while researching the six queens?
It surprised me how nothing has really changed. Although the queens are not sent to The Tower anymore, they are often a focus for good and bad. That much is the same as it was then.
5. How influential were the queens on the course of history in Britain, and why do you feel we don't learn about this?
Anne Boleyn's influence and input changed England forever. She was what we would think of as a very modern woman but living way before her time. Henry VIII did his best to erase her legacy, but thankfully her daughter, Elizabeth I was even more determined than her mother, and made sure her mother's reputation was somewhat restored. I think in the past, we've been taught the history of men by men! Perhaps that's why these women's stories are sidelined at times.
6. What else will readers learn about Tudor England in Six Queens?
I've also tried to set the scene of their lives. Where they lived and how they lived. What they ate and what they wore. What happened when they were ill or having a baby. What their world was like. Religion and superstition dominated their lives as well as politics, so I've tried to tell a little of that story too.
7. Why did you want to illustrate Six Queens, as well as writing it? What styles of illustration have you used, and why?
I always write stories so I can illustrate them! It's my main inspiration! Obviously, I couldn't illustrate this book in the same way I would illustrate a picture book. I had to make the faces look more realistic. I was quite keen to have a lot of detail. I don't think I appreciated how time consuming it would be!
8. How much research did you need to get the images right? What kinds of sources did you use?
I visited galleries to look at paintings and drawings of the queens. I was lucky enough to see an exhibition of Hogarth's drawings of the Tudor court at Buckingham Palace which was really inspiring. I also watched TV series like Wolf Hall, which were great for inspiration for costumes and settings.
9. After learning more about them, do you now have a favourite queen? Which of them would you have most enjoyed meeting?
I think I would like to meet Anne Boleyn. I'd be interested to see if I'd like her or not!
10. Can you suggest other activities for children who have read the book, to either find out more about Tudor England, or two write about one of the queens?
I would have a go at designing a dress for one of the queens. You might notice that every queen in my book has her own particular colour. I thought about what colour would suit her personality. Only royalty was allowed to wear particular colours. What they wore was always a statement. You could also find out about Tudor history where you live. Maybe someone important lived nearby?
11. Do you plan to write more non-fiction for children? What are you writing currently?
I'd love to write more non-ficton. I have a lot of ideas, so hopefully I will get the chance again. At the moment I am working on a picture book which is based on a real story, and I'm also working on some baby board books.
Lydia Monks' School Events: I'm happy to come to visit schools when I can. I often bring along my original artwork so the children can have a look at it, as well as talking about the process of making the book and life as an illustrator.
Six Queens: An illustrated guide to the iconic queens of Henry VIII
