Isabella’s Daughter (The Tudor Throne #7)

A hellish storm in the English Channel delivers a royal prize into the hands of a vengeful king.

When Archduke Philip of Burgundy and his wife, Queen Juana of Castile, are shipwrecked on English shores, they become the unwilling guests of King Henry VII. For Henry, their arrival is a divine gift and the perfect leverage to demand the one thing he wants most: the surrender of the fugitive traitor, the Duke of Suffolk. But Philip is a master of deceit, with dangerous ambitions of his own, and he will not be so easily controlled.

For Catherine of Aragon, a forgotten princess living in poverty and obscurity, the unexpected arrival of her beloved sister Juana is a glimmer of hope. It is a chance to reconnect with her family and remind the English court of her royal Spanish ties. Yet as she is drawn deeper into the court’s machinations, she discovers a web of lies surrounding her sister, whose sanity is being deliberately questioned by her ruthless husband. Meanwhile, the king’s formidable enforcer, Sir Thomas Lovell, uncovers a conspiracy that goes far beyond a simple traitor… a plot involving smuggled weapons and a secret army that threatens to plunge England into another bloody war.

As alliances shift like sand and the royal court becomes a battlefield of whispers, threats, and dazzling temptations, two of Isabella’s daughters find themselves at the center of a deadly game. With spies in every shadow and betrayals lurking behind friendly smiles, Catherine and Juana must navigate the treacherous currents of power to protect their family, their thrones, and their very lives. In a court where loyalty is a commodity and truth is a weapon, will they emerge victorious, or will they be swept away by the ambitions of the men who seek to control them?

Download the Character Compendium.

Included Tropes

The Chosen One / Royal Heir: Juana is the direct heir to the throne of Castile, and Catherine’s future is tied to her royal lineage. The narrative heavily emphasizes Juana’s right to rule Castile and Catherine’s position as a princess whose marriage to Prince Harry is crucial for alliances.

Political Marriage / Arranged Marriage: Catherine’s entire future and political standing depend on her marriage to Prince Harry, which is a key diplomatic tool. Catherine is a forgotten princess whose worth is largely tied to her potential marriage, a concept constantly reinforced by other characters.

The Usurper: Archduke Philip attempts to usurp Juana’s throne in Castile, and the Duke of Suffolk consistently plots to usurp Henry VII’s throne in England. Both Philip and Suffolk actively scheme and gather support to take power that is not rightfully theirs, driving much of the political tension.

The MacGuffin: The Duke of Suffolk, free trade agreements, and Catherine’s dowry. These elements are central to the plot, driving characters’ actions and negotiations, often being fought over or sought

Enemies to Lovers: Estrella and Baron Willoughby. Their relationship develops from mutual respect and friendship into deep romantic love, overcoming societal expectations. Initially, Estrella is a lady-in-waiting and Willoughby is a baron, but their shared experiences and mutual admiration lead to a passionate connection.

Fallen Woman / Mistress Arc: Nan Browne, who has an illegitimate daughter with Charles Brandon and is socially marginalized because of it. Nan’s status as an unmarried mother impacts her social standing and future prospects, leading to a legal battle to legitimize her child and herself.

The Mentor: Doña Elvira initially serves as a trusted guide for Catherine, though her motivations are later revealed to be manipulative. Sir Thomas Lovell also guides Catherine indirectly. Characters providing advice and direction to the protagonist, sometimes with hidden agendas.

The Villain with a Cause: Antagonists whose actions stem from a perceived right or belief, rather than pure malice, making them complex. Philip and Suffolk both believe they are acting for a greater good or a rightful claim, justifying their nefarious actions.

Dark Secret: A hidden past event that, if revealed, could have catastrophic consequences for a character. Philip’s involvement in Prince Arthur’s murder.

Poison: A recurring plot device involving the use of toxins, highlighting the treacherous nature of the court. Used as a means to incapacitate or kill characters.

The Chessmaster: Characters who orchestrate complex plots and manipulate others to achieve their goals. Sir Thomas Lovell, King Henry VII, Philip, and Ferdinand. They are strategic, manipulative, and play the long game. Lovell particularly excels at this.

Impoverished Royalty: A character of high birth who experiences a significant lack of funds, highlighting vulnerability and the need for external support or drastic measures. Catherine of Aragon, despite her royal lineage, struggles with financial hardship.

The Stoic: Characters who rarely show their feelings, using their impassive facade as a tool for power or self-preservation. King Henry VII and Sir Thomas Lovell often exhibit a lack of outward emotion, maintaining a calm and controlled demeanor.

The Manipulative Bastard: A character who cunningly exploits others for personal gain, often charming and outwardly pleasant but inwardly ruthless. Philip of Burgundy, who uses lies and deceit to further his ambitions.

Foil: Characters whose contrasting qualities serve to highlight each other’s traits or plot points. Catherine and Juana serve as foils, showing different responses to similar pressures. Henry and Philip also contrast in their ruling styles.

Divine Intervention / Prophecy (Soft): Events or insights attributed to divine will, guiding characters or foretelling future outcomes. Isabel’s recurring dreams and the storm that brings Philip to England are seen as signs from God.

Frame-Up: A plot device where a character is falsely implicated in a crime, or evidence is fabricated to incriminate someone. A character’s actions to divert suspicion from himself, and Lovell’s manipulation of evidence against Philip.

Rebellious Princess: Royal women who push back against traditional expectations or oppressive forces. Juana defies Philip’s attempts to control her and Catherine defies her manipulative dueña.

The Loyal Servant: Characters who serve their masters with unquestioning loyalty, often placing their masters’ interests above their own. Estrella’s unwavering devotion to Catherine, and Lovell’s men’s steadfastness to him and the King.

Secret Passage / Hidden Compartment: Hidden routes or spaces used for clandestine activities, adding an element of intrigue and espionage. Used by Lovell for surveillance and later by Estrella and Willoughby.

Trial by Combat / Duel: A formal combat between two individuals to resolve a conflict, often a matter of honor, with rules and witnesses. Charles Brandon and Baron Willoughby engage in a duel to settle their dispute, sanctioned by the King.

The Big Bad: The overarching villain whose schemes and past actions drive much of the conflict. Edmund de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, represents the primary antagonist and ongoing threat to the Tudor throne.

Maternal Instinct: The powerful, protective love of a mother, often driving significant character actions and emotional arcs. Isabel’s desperate desire for her child to live and Nan’s fierce protection of her daughter’s future.

Atonement / Redemption Arc: A character’s moral transformation, often spurred by significant events or relationships, seeking to make amends for past wrongs. Sir Thomas Lovell’s journey from a ruthless enforcer to a man seeking peace and building a legacy.

Wife in Danger: A plot device where a male protagonist’s wife is threatened, often serving to motivate the hero. Isabel Lovell finds herself and her unborn child in peril during the attack on Lovell Hall.

Found Family: Characters forming a close, supportive bond that functions like a family, despite not being biologically related. Isabel’s growing household at Lovell Hall, including Nan, Davina, and Lambert Simnel, who support each other.

Five Books in the Same Genre with Similar Tropes

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (Tudor court, political marriage, ambition, female protagonists, betrayal)

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Tudor court, political maneuvering, historical figures, power struggles, redemption arc)

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory (Focus on Catherine of Aragon, political marriages, survival, female agency)

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (Wars of the Roses, political marriage, ambition, divine intervention, female protagonists)

The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory (Wars of the Roses, royal families, betrayal, political intrigue)

Prominant Themes

Power and its Corrupting Influence: Explored through Philip’s ruthless ambition and Suffolk’s destructive pursuit of the throne.

Loyalty and Betrayal: Central to many character arcs, from Doña Elvira’s deceit to Philip’s disloyalty to Juana and Ferdinand, and the constant shifting alliances.

Justice and Revenge: Lovell’s personal quest for justice for Arthur’s death and his family’s safety, often blurring into revenge against Suffolk.

Survival in a Dangerous Court: Catherine’s struggle to maintain her position and dignity amidst political intrigue and financial hardship.

The Role of Women in a Patriarchal Society: Highlighted by Juana’s confinement, Nan’s legal battle, and Catherine’s emergence as an independent diplomat.

Love (Romantic, Familial, Platonic): The development of Estrella and Willoughby’s romance, Isabel’s love for Thomas, Juana and Catherine’s sisterly bond, and the protective instincts of parents.

Redemption and Atonement: Lovell’s journey towards moral clarity and his desire to atone for past sins, symbolized by his daughter’s birth.

The Burden of Responsibility: The weight of royal duty, personal choices, and the consequences of actions on others.

Political Maneuvering and Intrigue: The constant plotting, negotiations, and hidden agendas among the nobility and royalty.

Fate vs. Free Will: Characters grapple with predetermined paths (e.g., arranged marriages) versus their individual choices and desires.

Appearance vs. Reality: The deception surrounding Juana’s “madness,” Philip’s feigned illness, and the true intentions of many characters.

Legacy and Inheritance: The struggle for thrones, the impact of past generations, and the desire to leave a lasting mark for one’s children.