The Queen’s Musician
Spanning the years 1529 to 1536, The Queen’s Musician follows the story of Mark Smeaton, the musician who played for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, his rise to fame, and his tragic fall from favor. In tandem with Smeaton’s story is that of Madge Shelton, in service to her queenly cousin. Through the perspectives of these two historical figures, readers are taken on a deep and thoughtful exploration of the perils of the Tudor court.
Anyone familiar with Tudor history knows the fate of Anne Boleyn and the men accused of being her lovers. Smeaton, the lowest born of the group, remains a bit of a mystery. We don’t know much about him, and Johnson does an admirable job imagining his life before court, weaving music into every page as it filled his days. The gentleness written into his character—his love for music, people, and, most touchingly, his horses—makes his fate even more devastating. I felt absolute rage on his behalf.
Similarly, little is known about Madge Shelton’s early life or her rumored role as Henry VIII’s mistress. Her wistful romance with Smeaton is a rare moment of purity, a breath of fresh air, amid the court’s poisonous gossiping and currying favor. Everyone knows their social classes make any future together impossible, but it was nice to have that hope for just a moment.
The characters are vibrant. Some secondary characters, such as Smeaton’s friend Paul, are a delight on the page. Others, such as Cromwell, you love to hate. Johnson excels at making us care about them before slowly shattering our hearts. We know how it ends, but the journey is hopeful, bittersweet, and utterly heartbreaking.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves Tudor history or anyone who, like me, enjoys being completely destroyed by a story.
