I’ve enjoyed some of Joanna Hickson’s previous historical fiction novels, so I was looking forward to reading her latest one, The House of Seymour, which is the first in a new trilogy. Sadly, I found it disappointing and I probably won’t be continuing with the next two books, but there were still enough things to like that I don’t feel I’ve wasted my time.

This book is not about Henry VIII’s wife Jane Seymour as you might expect, but her ancestors – specifically her great-great-grandmother, Isabel Williams, and her husband, John Seymour. We first meet Isabel, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, in 1424 when she becomes betrothed to John, the ambitious Lord of Wolf Hall in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire. From very early in their marriage, it becomes clear that their relationship is not going to be a happy one. John is a cruel and ruthless man preoccupied with political advancement and winning the support of the Duke of Gloucester, protector of the young king, Henry VI.

Isabel finds some solace in her relationship with John’s young cousin Edmund, a much kinder man than her husband, and also a new friendship with Jess, a shepherdess who has been forced to leave her home near the village of Avebury. Jess and a farm hand, Addy (Adhelm), had taken shelter from a storm in the Long Barrow – an ancient burial chamber – only for Addy to disappear without trace. Accused of witchcraft, Jess takes refuge at Easton Priory where she meets Isabel and is given a position in her household.

The narrative is divided mainly between Isabel and Jess, although we also occasionally see things from the perspective of John and other characters. The voices and attitudes of both women felt too modern for my taste – I prefer to feel fully immersed in the period when I read historical fiction – and so I couldn’t quite manage to believe in them as convincing 15th century people.

I did love the setting – or rather settings, as there are two main ones. The first is Wolf Hall, or Wulfhall to use the spelling of the time, which becomes home to Isabel’s family after John inherits the wardenship of Savernake Forest. The other is Avebury, an atmospheric place with its Neolithic stone circles, ancient barrows and monuments. Although the characters do sometimes cross paths with members of the royal court, most of the book takes place in these two settings and the surrounding areas so the focus is mostly on Isabel’s household and Jess and her family. The problem here is that none of the characters really came to life for me and most of them lacked depth. The book as a whole felt a lot lighter and less substantial than Hickson’s other recent ones.

Although I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, it was still good to learn a little bit about the Seymour family and their history. I’m probably not going to read the second book when it comes out, but I’ll be interested to hear whether it’s stronger than this one.

Fascinating insight into the life of the Seymour family and other women of the time . There is a wealth of detail of the lives of women in. this time and lots of interesting snippet but at times I felt like I was wading through a history book rather than a novel. It does highlight however that the lives of all people especially women were in the hands of a very few powerful unchallenged men.
The book gives a solid foundation for the rest of the trilogy but was not as fast paced or exciting as some I have read.

It's a good work that kept me reading, the historical setting is rich and the plot engaging, but the pacing drags at times, some characters feel underdeveloped, and the emotional depth could be stronger.
Not my cup of tea still worth a read for Tudor fans.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The House of Seymour starts with a prologue from the perspective of Jane Seymour, as she thinks about a couple of her more 'common' female ancestors. This novel set in the 15th century, follows one of them, Isabel Williams, the daughter of a rich merchant, as her initial betrothal is broken off and she is married to John Seymour, an ambitious and cruel man who has recently inherited property including the wardenship of Savernake Forest, and the hunting lodge Wulf Hall. We also read from the perspective of Jess, a Shepherdess living in Avebury. We follow them as their lives intertwine despite their differences in station.

Both women deal with dangers. Jess is a woman doing a man's job, with a black dog, which causes locals to turn against her. Isabel has to navigate her new role, and her husband's ambitions, as he seeks a relationship with Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the uncle of the boy King Henry VI.

I love History and read lots of historical fiction, and this book really came across as well researched, well written and entertaining. The story was well paced, both women's emotional arcs unfortunately resonate strongly with women today, with their resilience, struggle against the patriarchy and finding themselves in a world that is telling them they are unwanted, was really emotionally compelling.

I didn't realise this book was going to be the first in a trilogy when I picked it up, but reading the ending, I did wonder if that was the case, so I hope to return to these characters and see where their stories go next.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy!

Joanna Hickson writes historical novels in a really easy to read style, making them a pleasure to read.

This time the story is based on the Seymours – the main characters being Isabel, forced to abandon her promised marriage of love to instead wed John Seymour, lord of Wolf Hall, unpleasant and harsh; and also a young shepherdess Jess, who is suspected of crimes and takes sanctuary under Isabel’s care.

There’s a real difference of emotions shown in the male and female characters, and it’s interesting to read of some real historical characters in a fictional context.

This book kicks off a trilogy that traces the rise of the Seymour family. While it opens with Queen Jane giving birth to her son, much of the story actually takes us back a century to focus on Jane’s French grandmother, Isabel, and her life during a challenging era for women.

Set in a time when women had few rights and struggled to assert themselves, Isabel—also known as Jess, the shepherdess—stands out for her surprising strength and resilience. The story paints a vivid picture of a turbulent historical period where nobles schemed relentlessly for power and wealth, but their ambitions often made them targets of jealousy and intrigue, especially within the royal court.

The pace is deliberate, taking time to introduce characters and lay out the complex political landscape, which made for a somewhat slow start. However, it sets a solid foundation for the family saga to come.

The latest historical-fiction from a favourite author of mine, the first in a proposed trilogy, about the rise of the Seymour family at Wulf Hall Manor. Taking us back to when Queen Jane Seymour's wealthy great-great-grandmother Isabel Williams married the ambitious John Seymour. Overall, I thought The House of Seymour was a quick and easy historical-fiction to read, with an interesting premise, colourful characters and fascinating locations, however it felt shallow and underwhelming compared to Hickson’s previous novels, like The First of the Tudors and The Queen’s Lady, which completely swept me away. Perhaps my expectations were just too high after reading these.

I’ve read some of Joanna Hickson’s historical fiction novels so I was hoping I’d enjoy The House of Seymour, the first in a new trilogy. However, even though it is entertaining reading I felt it’s rather underwhelming, but maybe my expectations were too high.

It opens with a Prologue set in 1537 with Jane Seymour towards the end of her pregnancy looking at a proposed new Seymour coat of arms. She was upset that it didn’t include the badges of her mother and grandmother who were commoners.

The story then goes back over a hundred years to 1424 where we meet Isabel Williams, Jane’s great great grandmother, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She married John Seymour (c. 1395/1402 – 20 December 1464) Lord of Wulf (Wolf) Hall in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire. Isabel and John’s marriage was not an easy one. John was ambitious, cruel and ruthless, determined to gain the support of Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester and Protector of the boy king Henry VI. Alongside Isabel’s story is that of Jess, a young shepherdess, who left her home at Avebury, accused of witchcraft. She and Isabel had met at the Easton Priory and after hearing her story Isabel offered her a place in her household to look after her young son.

I really liked the settings, Wolf Hall, close to Savernake Forest, a remnant of primeval forest which became a royal forest soon after the Norman Conquest, and the village of Avebury with its henge and stone circles and the Long Barrow on Silbury Hill, a Neolithic burial site. I enjoyed the details of family life in the fifteenth century at Wolf Hall, and the details about hunting wolves and sheep farming. But overall I think this is very light historical fiction.

At the end of the book there is a useful glossary of words, such as ‘manchet‘, which is the best ‘white-flour’ bread served in wealthy homes, and also a section containing the author’s notes, giving information about the places mentioned, which I think are well worth reading.

DNF. I was just bored. The actual writing on the page was interesting enough and I could certainly be tempted to pick up a different Joanna Hickson book, but there was only so much time that I wanted to read about sheep farming in a town twenty minutes away from me or a dodgy relationship between some people vaguely connected to the court. I think it's a me thing, fundamentally. I thought I was getting one thing and I got another and we didn't gel. Nobody's fault, just not the book for me.

Beginning in 1424, Hickson explores the origins of the Seymour family and their connection to Wolf Hall. Many will be familiar with power-hungry Edward, Duke of Somerset who made himself regent for the young Edward VI after the death of Henry VIII, despite Henry’s designation the realm was to be governed by a regency council.
Hickson’s book begins with the marriage of Isabel Williams to John Seymour, recent Lord of Wolf Hall. John is powerful, ruthless and at times cruel, but Isabel finds solace in her friendship with Edmund Seymour, John’s first cousin. When a tragedy upends Isabel’s life she retreats to Easton priory where she encounters Jess, a young shepherdess who has fled her Avebury home because she is suspected of witchcraft. There’s a mystery bound into this story, regarding Jess and Addy, a young man who helps her tend the sheep and then mysteriously disappears from the long barrow where they have sheltered the flock from a storm overnight.
I have to say I was very much looking forward to reading this novel, but overall, I was disappointed – a novel which began well but went off the rails quickly. The feel is too contemporary for my preference and events seem contrived. One might even ponder that the book went under the editing department instead of through it. Even Isabel’s misfortune doesn’t fit other than to showcase Queen Catherine. I didn’t quite understand why things unfolded as they did, as main characters and events seemed superfluous, however I have not read Hickson before and her style may just not be for me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

From the moment I turned the first page of The House of Seymour, I was utterly transported to the turbulent world of 15th-century England. Joanna Hickson masterfully weaves a tale of power, resilience, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of ambition.

The story follows Isabel Williams, a young woman betrothed to John Seymour, Lord of Wolf Hall Manor. Isabel hopes for love and respect in her marriage, but she soon discovers John’s ruthless ambition. Meanwhile, Jess the shepherdess, fiercely independent and dismissing societal expectations, finds herself accused of a crime and forced to flee. Isabel offers her refuge within the growing Seymour household, but as John’s hunger for power draws them into the divided court of King Henry VI, his relentless pursuit of success takes a darker turn. Isabel realises that her husband will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it means betraying those closest to him.

Hickson’s storytelling is rich and immersive, bringing historical figures to life with depth and emotional resonance. Isabel’s journey is both heart breaking and inspiring, as she navigates the treacherous waters of court politics and personal survival. Jess, with her defiant spirit, adds a compelling contrast to the narrative, making their intertwined fates all the more gripping.

The novel’s pacing is perfectly balanced, with moments of quiet reflection interspersed with high-stakes drama. Hickson’s attention to historical detail is impeccable, painting a vivid picture of the era without overwhelming the reader. The themes of female resilience, power struggles, and moral dilemmas resonate deeply, making this a standout historical fiction novel.

Hickson delivers a compelling, emotionally charged story that lingers long after the final page. If you’re looking for a novel that combines historical intrigue, personal sacrifice, and gripping storytelling, this is it.

This is the start of a trilogy showing the rise of the Seymour family. Although the story starts wih Queen Jane giving birth to her son this part is really going back 100 years before this to Jane's french grandmother, Isabel, and her life. This was a period where women had a tough time and life was cetainly not easy for them to stand up for themselves. Jess, the shepherdess, however is shown as having strength and being able to assert herself more than most.This was an interesting period of history where nobles were scheming for power which also bought them money but at times this power was there undoing as they bcame noticed by others who were jealous of their positions, especially at court.
I found this a slow start as it was placing all the characters and situations into place.

Of course it took some pages for the story get out of first gear as it is a new series but, when it did, it was a really interesting story made up of lots of genuinely interesting and well interlaced threads.

Loved the way that the ladies and girls of the tale mostly stood up for themselves mostly "behind the scenes" but I think they did a great job and I am most definitely male!

This sort of story always makes me wonder how many ladies of that time and up until the start of the 20th Century actually managed to "cock a snook" at their men and do what they wanted to do rather than what society did its best to force them to do?? Just as well some did manage to do what they wanted or we would be in a bigger mess today.

What I am suggesting is that The House of Seymour series is going to be a very worthwhile read and I commend it to you.

Isabel is the daughter of a well-to-do merchant but her engagement is broken when a young member of the gentry proposes and her father sees a way for advancement. Isabel doesn't particularly like her husband but accepts her lot and becomes the mistress of a hunting lodge in the Savernake Forest. Her husband John Seymour is ambitious and begins to ingratiate himself with Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the uncle of the boy king Henry VI. Jess is a female shepherd who is accused of being a witch after her intended Addy disappears but she finds refuge at Wolf Hall with Isabel.
This is very light historical fiction but that is no bad thing. I really liked the setting for this novel during the childhood of Henry VI and the background of the Hundred Years War. The author introduces Catherine de Valois and hints at the future scandal of her relationship with Owen Tudor. The plot meanders along and is obviously well-researched. It's not demanding to read but is entertaining.

What a fabulous insight into the Jane Seymour story. The story begins with Queen Jane preparing for the birth of her baby hopefully a Prince. A coat of arms has been designed for her personal use. The design incorporates royal arms of England and France along with the Beauchamp coat of arms but Jane is upset as there is no acknowledgment of her grandmother. This begins the story of grandmother Isabel. A likeable character, Isabel is married to John Seymour a very unlikeable character who is ruthless and ambitious. Isabel’s marriage was arranged by her equally ambitious father. After the death of John’s father the couple move into Wolf Hall and John becomes the warden of Savernake Forest. Alongside Isabel’s story we are introduced to Jess a local shepherdess caring for her father’s flock. One day during a bad storm a young man called Addy offers to help Jess tend her flock in return for shelter from the storm. Addy is revealed as a distant relative of Jess. When Jess is forced to leave her family farm she becomes acquainted with Isabel Seymour and an unlikely but strong friendship forms. I have read several of Joanna Hickson’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. So although I was disappointed when this book ended quite abruptly I feel that it’s an introduction for the second and third books in the trilogy. I eagerly await their publication to continue with the Seymour history. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins publishers for an E-arc

I absolutely loved this book! As the first in a new trilogy, The House of Seymour totally drew me in from the start.

Isabel’s story is compelling and full of emotional depth. Her marriage to the cold and power-hungry John Seymour is anything but a fairy tale, and watching her navigate that world — while trying to hold onto her strength and sense of self — had me hooked. And then there's Jess, the shepherdess, who’s just brilliant. She’s tough, independent, and adds a whole other layer to the story. I loved how the two women’s lives slowly intertwine.

The writing is beautifully descriptive without ever dragging, and the historical setting is rich and vivid. I couldn’t put it down — every chapter left me wanting more. It’s one of those books that stays with you after you’ve finished the last page. I honestly can’t wait to read the next in the series!

This first book in a proposed new trilogy introduces us to the Seymour family whose manor at Wolf Hall was to be their main residence in Wiltshire. It is here, in 1425, where we get know John Seymour, newly elevated to the title of Lord of the Manor, his young wife Isabel, and his younger brother, Edmund Seymour. John is ambitious and determined to rise through the ranks by securing the patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who is protector to the young King, Henry VI. Alongside the Seymour story we get to meet Jess, who as a female shepherdess is forced to flee her family farm near Avebury where she comes into come into contact with Isabel Seymour at the nearby Easton Priory and so the connection between these two strong woman is forged.

This is an interesting glimpse into the history of England in the fifteenth century, particularly the political situation concerning the protectorship of the young King during a time when England was still caught up in the Hundred Years War with France and of the scheming which surrounded John Seymour’s elevation to the peerage. I enjoyed the detailed description of life at Wolf Hall with Isabel, whose married life with John Seymour was not an easy one, but Isabel’s spirit shines throughout and Wolf Hall and its inhabitants comes alive in the imagination.

Well researched, the story starts slowly but gradually all the pieces start to fit together and a strong story about the early beginnings of the Seymour family, whose connection to the Crown, over a hundred years later, is culminated by the marriage, in 1536, of Jane Seymour to King Henry VIII. The House of Seymour leads us into a very different England with an important family who would shape their own destiny for years to come

I really enjoy historical fiction, and this period so I was very excited to read this. I loved it in all honesty. This is - as expected- about the Seymour’s rise.

The story writing is fantastic- you really do get swept up. Isabel is such a strong character and I did really feel for her all throughout the story - and it is such an interesting story.

I have read two of Joanna’s previous books already- the Queen’s of the Tower series - which I strongly recommend.. I really should pick up some more by her….

My thanks to Netgalley and HarperFiction for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this, I love historical fiction, but sadly this was not for me.

Every single man in this book is a pig with the exception of Edmund. And yes, I'm including Addy in my list of disappointing men. They are all horrible, John most of all and it was hard to enjoy a book when I disliked the majority of the characters.

This just didn't read like historical fiction to me. The characters voices sounded too modern and just 'off' for what was meant to be the 1400's. The men were ready to raise fists at their women for anything which was more realistic considering how they viewed women, but many of the women had views which did not sit easy in the time. Its hard to believe the Lady of the house for example, would be so opposed to hunting on moral grounds. All of Jess' story was hard to swallow for similar reasons. Seeing some historical figures I knew at the height of their powers, knowing what would happen to them was interesting, as well seeing the writers version of them.

It was very disjointed. I am aware that this is a planned trilogy, but for a whole book we followed Jess without ever really understanding why. I kept expecting her story to tie back in with the Seymour's but it never happened. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, but I will not be picking up the next one.

A great historical book setting the scene for the rise of the Seymour family that ultimately culminated in Jane Seymour being crowned Queen of England during the Tudor era. It was good to go back to the beginning and read John and Isabel (nee Williams) Seymour's story. It also talks about the original Wolf Hall which was interesting.