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HE began by being, on both sides, almost a bastard. His mother's grandfather had been John of Gaunt; his father's mother had been Katherine of Valois, widow of Henry V. John of Gaunt's legitimatized granddaughter Margaret Beaufort had married Katherine's legitimatized son Edmund... Read Full Overview

Henry VII is less spectacular than his descendants, but not less interesting or even exciting. The first of the Tudors has been less written about than any (except Edward VI). He supplanted a dynasty and subordinated an aristocracy; he collected a treasure and created a fleet... Read Full Overview